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Bernie’s Journey
Outside the Lines (Sunday 7 a.m. ET, ESPN2)
Nearly three decades before LeBron James made news by leaving Miami to return to Cleveland and attempt to win an NBA title, Bernie Kosar did the same thing. After winning a championship at the University of Miami, Kosar returned to his hometown to quarterback his beloved Browns, but he never made it to the Super Bowl. In a two-part report by Mark Schwarz, Kosar reflects on personal issues from his childhood, his post-concussion syndrome and the challenges of coming home.
“I thought it would be easier because it’s my home town. It ended up actually being harder because everybody who you ever met is going to come up to you. Every family member you ever had is going to try to track you down.” – Bernie Kosar, on returning to Ohio
“No chance. Zero chance. No. I’m not saying he can’t do it ‘cause he’s the best, but they’re not gonna give him space. They’re gonna crowd, they’re gonna crush him with requests for everything. I actually kinda feel bad for him.– it’s a lot of responsibility.” – Kosar, on whether James can overcome the pressure from fans in his return to Ohio
Free to Go
ESPN.com
ESPN The Magazine (“College Hoops Tip-Off Issue” on newsstands Friday)
Devonta Pollard’s mother was his best friend and coach. Now she’s in prison for kidnapping, and he’s one of the witnesses who testified against her. As the former top recruit for Alabama starts over at the University of Houston, can he learn to play for himself? Mina Kimes reports.
“I believe that as long as my mom was here, by my side, I was never gonna have to live life,” he says. “The only way I wasn’t gonna be under her wing is if she was dead or locked up. No one was gonna keep me away from her, and nobody was gonna keep her away from me.” – Devonta Pollard, on the effects of his separation from his mother
Hammon Readies for Second Act
espnW.com
Overlooked and undrafted, Becky Hammon was always underestimated. Not anymore. The former WNBA All-Star is set for her new role as the first female NBA assistant with the San Antonio Spurs. Mechelle Voepel reports.
Cam I Am
E:60 (Tuesday, 8 p.m., ESPN)
https://youtu.be/2BpAMrKdNVg
Cam Newton is used to being number one: he was the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft; led Auburn to the 2010 BCS National Championship; won every major award; wears the No. 1 with the Carolina Panthers. It’s been this way since his father pushed him into youth football — greatness has always been expected of him. But now many wonder if he will reach the same heights in the NFL. Newton and his father recount incidents that cast doubt upon his integrity, and describe the maturation that could deliver the NFL success so many expect. Cari Champion reports.
Operation Gridiron
E:60 (Tuesday, 8 p.m., ESPN)
Jeremy Schaap reports on the debate raging over the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Operation Gridiron program — a secret network of informants to help root out sexual assault and drug abuse among cadets, and whether football players have preferential treatment. One informant was Eric Thomas, a soccer player, whose information led to the convictions of three football players and included the first successful prosecutions of sexual assault at the academy in more than a decade. Shortly thereafter, the program was shut down and Thomas was expelled for actions he claims were part of his work as an informant. The Air Force disputes Thomas’ version of events and the reasons for his expulsion.
The World Series, NBA’s opening week, the NFL and college football had SportsCenter crews collecting air miles and Bristol-based execs searching for extra thumb tacks to stick onto their assignment maps. Wednesday was just one example of SportsCenter serving fans literally, all across the country.