Tag: NFL

Nike signs Shaquem Griffin to endorsement deal

Brandon King

Friday, Nike and former UCF linebacker Shaquem Griffin agreed on an endorsement deal. The 2016 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year racked up 166 total tackles and 18.5 sacks over his last two years at Central Florida. Never doubt heart. Excited to announce I'm joining the @usnikefootball fam. Let's work! #againstallodds pic.twitter.com/kyW9Dhaw1O — shaquem griffin (@Shaquemgriffin) April 27, 2018 Griffin, who has only one hand, has seen his stock significantly rising over the course of the pre-draft process. He posted a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash, knocked out…

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NFL and NBA focused on twisting anthem narrative instead of real issues

Brandon King

Colin Kaepernick made news last year by sitting and then kneeling for the national anthem. Since that time, despite him being very clear and concise as to why he was he was taking the actions he was ( which was because of police brutality, systematic racism ), there has been a concerted effort by those in the media, and even in politics, to change the narrative over the actual reason for the protesting. Initially the fake outrage was directed at non-existent disrespect of American soldiers, both past and present. The…

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HOF DT Cortez Kennedy Dead at the age of 48

Brandon King

Cortez Kennedy, Pro Football Hall of Fame member, has passed at the age of 48.  The Orlando Police Department confirmed his death but indicated ,”there is nothing suspicious” about his death, although the cause of death is still unclear at this point.  Kennedy played 11 seasons for the Seattle Seahawks and compiled 58 career sacks and 11 forced fumbles. He was named to the Pro Bowl eight times and the All-Pro first team three times. In 1992 he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. 

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Post Game Apologies for Blown Calls are an Insult 

Brandon King

The closing stages of the January 21st game between the Chicago Bulls and the Sacramento Kings caused the league to have to issue a post game statement regarding the events of the contest. To clarify what happened, with under a minute to go in a game tied at 99, Dwyane Wade steals the ball from Garrett Temple, he soars in for a dunk, which he missed. Demarcus Cousins was near Wade as the swooped in for the attempted dunk, but didn’t make contact with him( I am making more contact…

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Reactions to Kaepernick’s Protest Confirms why he is right

Brandon King

Ever since Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for national anthem, it has somewhat kicked off a national discussion. I say somewhat because the detractors of Kaepernick’s stance, rather than engage in an intellectual dialogue on the issues he is raising, deflects into merely expressing their distaste for his method of protest or would use contrived “disrespect” of the troops as a shield as a tactic to attempt to silence and contaminate the protest.  Almost universally, those who choose to speak out against the action,from the man on the street to…

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Could we be in the Genesis of renewed sports activism?

Brandon King

The 1960’s were a golden age for athlete activism. Bill Russell, Jim Brown, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Muhammad Ali and many others used their platforms to speak out against injustices that affected the black community. Tommie Smith and John Carlos used the worldwide stage of the 1968 Olympic Games as a platform to make a statement of pride and power of their people ( much to the chagrin and drawing the ire of then IOC president Avery Brundage). They all did this at major risk of their careers and even their…

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Detractors willing to attack Kaepernick to avoid having real discussion on race

Brandon King

It is well-known that during the San Francisco 49ers’ preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, that 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick did not stand up during the playing of the national anthem. By taking a stand by sitting down, Kaepernick has become a lightning rod, drawing support from those who agree with his stance and the ire of those who do not. I have found the vitriol that has come Kaepernick’s unsurprising , yet saddening and enlightening. It seems that some in the public and media only get angry when…

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Buccaneers signs CB Grimes

Brandon King

Although some teams were allegedly frightened off by his wife’s antics, Tampa Bay Bucs signed free agent DB Brent Grimes to a 2 year, $16.5 million deal. The Pro Bowler had been released Wednesday by the Dolphins shortly after their acquisition of Byron Maxwell from the Philadelphia Eagles. The move looks to shore up a secondary that struggled last season, giving up 31 touchdowns through the air, which was the 5th most in the NFL. Corners Alterraun Verner and Johnathan Banks were at times benched through the course of the…

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Peyton Manning to announce retirement

Brandon King

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, all-time great Peyton Manning is expected to announce his retirement on Monday, closing one of the great careers in League history. There has been speculation, and recommendation by some, that this would be his last year most of this past season.     If he hangs them up tomorrow here are the NFL records he walks away with: NFL career passing touchdown record: 539 Most passing yards, career: 71,940 Single season touchdown record (2013): 55 Most passing yards, season (2013): 5,477 Most wins (including playoffs):…

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Air Cruz TR “Haystack” releases this week

Brandon King

The Nike Air Cruz TR is the upcoming signature sled for New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz. The first colorway on the docket for release is this Haystack version. This shoe is outfitted in a wheat premium suede upper and has an Air Trainer 1 midsole that is black with red speckles. It also features a midfoot strap , which has the words “dance to greatness” on the Velcro, and another strap at the heel that is emblazoned with Cruz’s signature. A gum rubber outsole rounds out this sneaker.…

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