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The Redskins Name: Tradition vs. Racism
Outside the Lines (Sunday, 8 a.m. ET, ESPN
Bob Holtzman with Jeff Bostic, at the former Redskins center’s suburban Atlanta home, as his wife, Lynn, looks on
Credit: ESPN / Producer Arty Berko
They’ve been known as the Redskins for eight decades. Despite three Super Bowl championships, and a loyal following, this storied NFL franchise faces a growing movement to change a nickname that many consider offensive to Native Americans. Protests have arisen from Navajo nation in Arizona to the team’s Washington, D.C. backyard. But as Bob Holtzman reports, old school fans of the team are standing firmly behind tradition.
“There were bounties put on native people. As a way to show that they made their kill and to get paid for that, they had to present the bounty, which is the scalp.” – Amanda Blackhorse, Navajo community leader, noting that the scalp was referred to as a “redskin”
“If we are offending one person, we need to be listening and making sure we’re doing the right things to try to address that,” –Goodell, on Washington, D.C.’s 106.7 The Fan, Wednesday
Fantasy Life: The Tattoo League
NFL Sunday Countdown (Sunday, 10 a.m., ESPN)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOxqGzFL-KY
No matter how high the stakes are in some fantasy football leagues, a group of men in Nebraska have placed a unique risk on losing: the winner picks a tattoo the last/10th place finisher must get.
“Your body is your temple right? You choose everything that’s on it. But when someone loses, they’re going to have to get a tattoo (picked) by the winner. So, the winner has to come up with a good tattoo idea.” –-Quin Kilgore, Omaha, fantasy team name: Team Iceland
“The fantasy of the league is, well, you’re pretending that you’re building your own team. You’re the owner of it. But the reality is your skin, your body, is on the line for these guys. Say Roddy White drops a pass? That could be the difference between having a Beiber tattoo on your leg, or just being your thigh as normal as you were born.” — Josh Benson, Omaha, fantasy team name: Cash Cows
The Feminization of Bill Laimbeer
espnW.com
(l to r): Cappie Pondexter, Katie Smith, Plenette Pierson and Bill Laimbeer
Credit: Robyn Twomey
The former Detroit Pistons star is the same old Bad Boy. But while he still irritates the NBA, his edgy style is perfect for the WNBA’s New York Liberty. Kate Fagan reports.
Chris Hegardt’s Effort to Play On
ESPN.com
Chris (center) with (l to r): mom Kim, sister Audrey, brother Jared, sister Mattie, and dad Ron.
The only hope for Chris Hegardt, from San Diego, to survive to his ninth birthday was chemotherapy and a liver transplant. Reporter Tom Friend brings E:60 the inspirational story of the boy with the indomitable spirit who refused to give up his soccer dream.
“Mi Deseo” Fulfilled in London
ESPN Deportes SportsCenter (Sunday, 11 p.m.)
In support of Hispanic Heritage month, and for the second-straight year, ESPN Deportes will air the “Mi Deseo” series in partnership with the Make A Wish foundation. This four-feature series, which highlights the stories of Latino youngsters and their wishes, debuts September 15. Sunday’s piece features 17-year-old Brazilian Breatriz Tinoco, a tennis fan whose wish was fulfilled when she got to meet tennis great Roger Federer at Wimbledon.
Rick Reilly and Features Producer Kris Schwartz were assigned to do a Monday Night Countdown piece on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Steve McLendon, so they went to Heinz Field this week, right?
Nope, they found their 320-pound subject at a local ballet studio during an off-day “workout.”
Ziggy Hood (defensive end), Steve McLendon, Al Woods (defensive end)
Credit: Mike Bollacke
For a behind-the-scenes look at their piece, featuring McLendon’s teammates, ballet instructor and construction workers in tutus, go to: ESPNFrontRow.com
Rick Reilly and Steve McLendon
Credit: Nathan LoCascio