It has been expected that she will be drafted into the WNBA, but a simple statement by Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has caused a stir in the basketball world. Cuban extended an invitation to Griner for an opportunity to tryout for his NBA team. Griner replied via Twitter with “I would hold my own! Let’s do it.”

The idea of a woman in the NBA has ruffled a few feathers. Current coaches and players have been asked whether or not they think a female athlete could keep up with the overwhelming testosterone on the court. Celtics’ Paul Pierce stated that men are stronger, faster and more athletic than women. He can’t imagine a female playing in the NBA anytime soon because of the physicality of the game.

SportsCenter, ESPN’s flagship show, created #GrinerNBA to see the public’s opinion on the possibility of having a female playing in the big boy league. It is amazing how many variations of ignorance there are. Instead of focusing on her talent, followers tweeted that “a woman doesn’t belong in the NBA, she belongs in the kitchen.”  Others took it as far as she would be “raped” on the court, or she doesn’t have the “man parts” to compete.

Despite the negativity that seems to be lingering over Griner’s head, she is receiving support. Former women basketball players Nancy Lieberman and Ann Meyers Drysdale see the situation from both sides. Lieberman, who played with a men’s team in the late 1980s, can guess how the male athletes will react. “There’s not a man who would sell his soul and let her come down and dunk on him. They are going to knock her on her ass,” Lieberman said to US Today last week. Even with hesitation, both women agree that Griner should go for it. This opportunity does not happen every day.

Griner has overruled just about every opponent she has come across. Her height and skill has made every challenger look inferior. Millions have watched her success, but very few have seen her compete on the court with the guys. She may be able to face the men and the media attention she will get for being the first female given the opportunity to play in today’s NBA, she might not. We will find out around the same time she does; at tryouts.

The post A W in the NBA appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Derrick Rose has been a force on the basketball court since he was drafted into the NBA in 2008. He has stunned opponents and left audiences around the world in awe from his ability to make impossible plays. Rose has become a Moses to the people of Chicago, and they all hope he will lead them to the Promised Land.

Rose is a basketball player that will go down in history as one of the best, but that is not the only reason his hometown of Chicago stands behind him.  Rose has not forgotten where he came from and makes it evident that he plans on keeping his place in the community not just as a basketball player living at the top of the Trump Tower, but as a foot solider in the streets.

Rose reached out to the Watkins family in private and offered to cover all expenses for the child’s premature burial. Surrounded by gangs his whole, it is not a far stretch to say that this could have easily been a part of his life if he had taken a different way home one day or never pursued his dreams of making to the league.

This is not the first time Rose has gone out into the neighborhood he was raised in to give back, even though it may be the most tragic. Two years ago, Powerade and Rose partnered up to restore Murray Park in Englewood, Chicago. The park is a place that the community can go and act as a community. Barbeques, picnics, and other gatherings are centered around the basketball court set in the middle of the park.

Chicago has become known for the massive amounts of killings that continue to happen. It has been nicknamed Chiraq, a combination of Chicago and Iraq, because of all those falling from gunshots. Jonylah was hit five times by the shooter who was aiming for her father. The father is still in the hospital in serious condition. The police say they suspect the actions were gang related, and are still in pursuit of the murderer with the cooperation of Jonylah’s father.

Out of all the killings that happen on the south side, many of them don’t make the papers. Statistics are said, followed by the first and last names, but nothing else. Rose has made a difference for one baby girl. He has made her murder known. This small act of humility from one professional athlete could have a huge impact. Imagine if every athlete went back to the place they grew up to give a helping hand, talk to some kids that remind them of themselves, or just to show one kid that someone is thinking about them. This world might be a better place.

The post You Can’t Separate a Rose from its Thorns appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Beyonce is one of the most popular female song artists in the world, worth about $300 million, and has been awarded 16 Grammys among many others.  She also is married to Jay-Z, one of those most powerful rappers in the world.

So just how popular was Beyonce’s halftime show in comparison to other years?

If we were to put the ratings of Beyonce’s performance head to head against Madonna’s 2012 performance, Madonna wins. Beyonce scored a 71, which equals to about 109 million viewers. Madonna outscored Beyonce by only one point, 72, but that one point is equal to about five million more onlookers. Last year’s Super Bowl was the second most watched show in television history, and Madonna’s headliner surpassed the actual football game alone with an audience of 114 million.

There have been some very memorable performances in the past Super Bowls, for good and bad reasons. People still talk about the Janet Jackson peep show assisted by Justin Timberlake. Not one of the proudest moments, but it did go down in Super Bowl history.

After the unfortunate incident, the NFL decided to turn to the oldies instead of the present pop culture. The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and The Who joined the list. After the ruckus from the 2004 Super Bowl settled down, the Black Eyed Peas, Nicki Minaj, LMFAO, and other temporary artists were allowed back onto one of the biggest stages in the world.

Michael Jackson’s performance in 1993 was a direct act by the NFL to keep viewers tuned in during the entire airtime. During his song ‘Heal the World,’ the entire audience took part in the visual aspect of the show, flipping up cards to form pictures of children from across the world. This was the first time the networks didn’t cut away during halftime for commercials, and the trend continues today.

The great thing about the halftime show during the Super Bowls is that it brings everyone together. Even if you don’t like football, you probably enjoy food, friends, or music. It is not only the football that makes the Super Bowl the biggest TV show of the year, it is the entertainment side of the show that helps the non-football fanatics sit down and enjoy the four hours of punting, tackling, and touchdowns.

The post Is It Halftime Yet? appeared first on KRUI Radio.

It is possible that in the wake of the game, the injury, and surgery of one of the most amazing performances the NFL has seen by a rookie quarterback, there can be reflection on how the charisma of the star athlete can take over the minds of the fans and even the coaches. The image of the player gritting his teeth and “rubbing some dirt on it” is ingrained in the minds of those watching, but can have serious consequences.

RGIII would have probably played on crutches if he could, but that is why the coach is there. The coach is supposed to be able to make the tough decisions. Being a playoff game, there is no guaranteed tomorrow. But now that RGIII tore his LCL and ACL, there is no guaranteed season for him next year.

Junior Seau’s son, Tyler, and ex-wife, Gina, told ABC News and ESPN that Seau has joined the 50 other fallen NFL players that we know of that suffered from chronic brain damage as a result of continuous hits to the head during the years of playing football.

It was confirmed last week that Seau, one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history, suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy.  This neurodegenerative disease has been making headlines the past few years because of its reoccurring trend in NFL player’s brains. It causes dementia, depression, and memory loss.

It is heartbreaking to watch the interview with Seau’s surviving family, and surviving is exactly what they are doing. Tyler talks about how the games his father lived for might have cut short his life. Living with that thought will make understanding that much harder.

Fans love to watch the Cinderella story. Fans love to watch the hero go out onto the field on one leg and win the game with a Hail Mary throw towards the field goal for a touchdown. Fans enjoy being irrational, that’s what makes them so great. But in some cases, the razzle dazzle that is called upon the players ends up hurting them in the long run.

Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions stated earlier this year that concussions are part of the job being a football player. There are a lot of jobs that cause negative effects later in life; mining, being a fire fighter, motor cross.

Now football can join the list.

The post Being Human appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Barker quit the football team and did so in a way that will not quickly be forgotten by the college football world. He not only informed the public through Twitter but also wrote a letter to the head coach informing him the reason he chose to quit was because he felt that he was mistreated by the training staff and Coach Kill after attaining an ankle injury in Minnesota’s game against Purdue.

This letter was then posted on  Tumblr, a social media website.

The letter was approximately ten pages long and went into detail with dates, names, and exact words said by Coach Kill and the coaching staff. Barker had no shame in calling out everyone involved in the situations that resulted in his decision to quit the team.

“In light of that pathetic, manipulative display of rage and love you put on this past Thursday, I have come to the decision, with the guidance of my parents and my closest friends, that my time on this team has come to an end.”

The letter is filled with degrading insults that Coach Kill allegedly said to Barker during his time on the team. Barker also goes into a detailed recollection of what exactly happened from his perception of how the trainers treated and regarded his injury, and what possibly happens behind the walls of a college athletic facility.

This public display of animosity by a Division I athlete could quickly alter the hierarchy in college athletics, but the reaction of the University of Minnesota and Coach Kill prove otherwise.

The University released a short statement the same night of the letter appearing online. The school stated that Coach Kill tried to reach out to Barker after receiving the email but was “unable to connect with (Barker).”

Instead of the tables being turned and college athletes being given a voice, it seems that they will only be given a minute of attention for putting their reputation on the line. Barker’s attempt at shedding a light on the possibility of coaches belittling their athletes was immediately put in the dark.

It has been said that the pen is mightier than the sword, but maybe not in a world of shoulder pads and cleats.

The post A Letter to Kill appeared first on KRUI Radio.

As a 46-yard field goal from Purdue kicker Paul Griggs sailed through the uprights to end Saturday’s game, it seemed that the air was sucked out of Kinnick Stadium as Iowa lost to Purdue, 27-24.

It was the first time Purdue has won at Iowa in 20 years.

The game was a struggle from the beginning for the Hawkeyes, but the moment of truth came when the choice had to be made: go for the fourth down, or try for a field goal into the wind.  Iowa took a risk and went for the first down unsuccessfully, which gave Purdue the opportunity to surprise even themselves.

Iowa dropped multiple passes and made lazy tackles. With few lucky breaks, it was not enough for Iowa to come out on top. They were able to stay in the game via three fumbles by Purdue. Still, Iowa was outgained by 226 yards.

There was a glimmer of hope in the third quarter, as Micah Hyde recovered a fumble from Purdue quarterback Robert Marve and scored a 9-yard touchdown to make the score 24-21 Purdue. The crowd was immediately on their feet chanting “Let’s go Hawks!”

But the light at the end of the tunnel quickly diminished.

With 3:32 left in the fourth quarter, Iowa’s Mike Meyer tied up the game with a 24-yard field goal.  Soon after, Purdue pushed down the field and answered with the winning field goal in just 16 seconds.

James Vandenberg had 190 yards passing and one touchdown for Iowa. Marve threw for 266 yards and scored two touchdowns for Purdue.

The Hawkeyes have now lost four games by three points or less this season.

The win kept the Boilermakers in bowl contention, as Purdue will need wins over Illinois and Indiana to qualify for a bowl game. For Iowa to also have a chance in the postseason, they must win their next two games against Michigan and Nebraska.

The post Purdue 27, Iowa 24 appeared first on KRUI Radio.

The Oklahoma City Thunder played host to one of the most prominent beards in the NBA.  James Harden’s facial hair became extremely popular during the Thunder’s trip to the NBA Finals in 2012.  Harden recently took his talents and his beard to Houston, where both are sure to make a sensation.

MLB pitcher Brian Wilson’s beard is so epic it has created it’s own movement.  “Fear the Beard” has become a regular chant at San Francisco Giants games and has caused shirts and other merchandise to don the saying. Wilson has backed up the mantra by statistically becoming one of the best closers in the MLB and winning two World Series titles, despite missing the 2012 run due to injury.

There is no better way to describe Brett Keisel’s beard than a job description: a lumberjack.  The NFL defensive end openly supports No Shave November on his website where fans write that November should be renamed “National Brett Keisel Month.” While it looks like he may wear plaid and chop down trees in his spare time “Da Beard” is sure to make an appearance for the rest of the Steelers’ season.

Hockey is a sport known for their bodacious beards, and Paul Mara’s is no exception.  Others may rival his facial hair in length, but in volume no one’s compares. The Ontario Reign (ECHL) defenseman’s fluff-tastic beard is sure to help keep his face warm while playing in the hockey rink.

In recent years, men’s beards have become a popular topic of discussion, with many beard articles and tips circulating online. Some argue that a well-groomed beard can be a sign of masculinity and confidence, while others simply enjoy the aesthetic appeal of a full, lush beard. Whatever the reason for growing one, it’s clear that facial hair is here to stay as a staple of men’s style. And for athletes like Paul Mara, a beard can even serve a practical purpose, providing warmth and protection during long, cold games.

Here at the University of Iowa, growing a beard this month may mean more than just having fantastic facial hair.  A non-profit organization that was started here on campus, Beards for Boobies, took the idea of No Shave November and turned it into an effort to raise awareness for breast cancer.

So guys, just because you’re not a professional athlete doesn’t mean your beard can’t help raise awareness this month. Every lady has them, so every man should support them. So embrace the inner caveman and let the beards grow.

The post Beards Anyone? appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Imagine getting into your car on an average day. You might be heading to the grocery store or maybe to the mall. Your cell phone, resting in the cup holder, starts to make that familiar noise; buzz, buzz, buzz. You glance over to see who is calling you, and the front of your car crunches into the bumper in front of you.

Your brain feels a little jumbled, but the breathing becomes a little easier. There is a moment of shock: a moment where you have to take a breath, which hurts, and regain your surroundings.  You realize you’ve been in a minor vehicle collision.

Now imagine that same feeling happening in front of 70,000 screaming fans, some rooting for you and some rooting against you. And you’re not in a car, you’re on a field wearing a helmet and a few precautionary pads on your shoulders and other parts of your body. And you didn’t hit another car, you’re being hit by another person.

The awareness of head injuries has increased greatly in the past few years because of the commonality in professional athletes and military soldiers. Right before the 2012 NFL season began, the American Academy of Neurology published a study that followed 3500 retired professional football players. What they found was not for the faint of heart. Professional football players are three times more likely to develop a neurological disease than the general population.

Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia top the list.

Think about it; how many times does an average running back get tackled, side swiped, bumped, or landed on in the duration of a game?

That is a lot of contact between the brain and the skull.

It doesn’t matter where the abundance of awareness is coming from. Whether it is the popularity of football, the 2000 lawsuits filed by ex-NFL players, or the new technology discovered by the American Academy of Neurology, it would only benefit the future generation. Football can become a safer sport.

Much advancement has been made to allow coaches and trainers able to test their athletes on the field to avoid any more trauma to the brain during a game. Stanford research facilities recently put out an app for the iPad to measure the swaying of the player’s body, which can be a common tell of a concussion. The trainer can strap the iPad around the player’s waist and it will measure the swaying of their body in degrees.

So, what’s my point? Don’t let your kids play football? Stop giving scholarships for college players?Just nix the NFL all together? That’s not the reason for this article.  There needs to be more precautionary research done to make the beloved American sport safer for those performing it.

There are no do-overs for the players. Brain injury is not reversible. The players cannot take back any of the tackles they made. As technology continues to excel to great heights, the athletes will hopefully be given a higher chance to have memories into their 50’s. So the next time you sit back with chips and dip during a football game, give a nod of respect to the teams and what they could be losing even if they win: their marbles.

The post Losing Their Marbles appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Young athletes walking the streets of Chicago are seeing their opportunity of playing at a college and receiving an education, disappear. “Chiraq” is the new nickname the Windy City has been given.

The shootings of this past summer have not dwindled even though the schools are finally opened. The killings have continued and the mass murder of our generation has not stopped.

Too many athletes leave their hometown and don’t look back. The reality is that without some guidance and support from those whom the kids look up to, there will be no change.

Chicago Bulls players recently teamed up with Quentin Richardson and Isiah Thomas for the Peace Tournament. The goal was to get rival gang members off the street, play a game of basketball, and hopefully open some eyes.

The young men on the court had shot at each other and tried to kill each other at some point over territory. Saturday, they got along.

This past summer Michael Haynes, 22 and native to the south side,, tried to break up a fight between some of his neighbors and was shot three times by a man he had known all his life.

Over a necklace, Michael left his family and his dreams of not only becoming a NBA basketball player, but to get his brothers and grandma out of the place he made a name for himself while playing in high school.

Michael died five days before he was to leave for Iona College in New York, where he was to fill the expectations of his coaches to make it to the league.

Dajae Coleman, a freshman at Evanston High School was shot this past Saturday leaving a party with a group of friends. Dajae was a popular kid according to reports, and all his focus was on basketball. Earlier that day, he was putting in work at the gym while helping out players in the grades below him. A couple hours later, he was lying on a sidewalk fighting for his life.

Fourteen years old and his dreams were over. At fourteen years old most kids are focusing on what homework they have to get done to pass their freshman year of high school. In “Chiraq,” these kids are just trying to survive walking down the block.

Sports have become a way for young men and women in crime-ridden areas to get out. It may look to an outsider that getting to the league and making money is the only goal for some of these kids.

Playing basketball and being good at it is only half the plan. The real reason these kids practice and focus and give the sport everything their worth is because it is a way to get the ones that they love away from the only life they’ve ever known.

Those who are a part of this newly dubbed “Chiraq,” by choice or by force, have been forgotten. It seems that people choose to ignore what is happening rather than help those who have no option but to fight for their lives.

If basketball is what could have gotten young athletes like Dajae and Michael out of a place where they fear for their life was real, maybe sport is what can bring peace back to it.

We should at least try for Dajae and Michael, and all the others who never got the chance.

The post “Chiraq” is killing dreams appeared first on KRUI Radio.