NPR Columns: Sports with Frank Deford Podcast
Summary: NPR Morning Edition's Frank Deford gives weekly commentary on a cross section of the world of sports. Sometimes acerbic, often funny, always insightful.
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Commentator Frank Deford says the NFL is home to bullies, wife beaters, racists and, yes, some homophobes. But to suggest that one young gay man in the locker room would be too much for that bunch to stomach, he says, is "ludicrous."
It's not easy to qualify what makes a sport a sport. Commentator Frank Deford says his broadest, most inclusive definition is anything that involves competing in a physical activity.
Vladimir Putin's Olympics remind commentator Frank Deford of prescription medicine ads — the kind with the short list of benefits and long disclaimer.
In the lead-up to the Super Bowl, commentator Frank Deford explores why football's popularity seems to grow and grow, like a fungus. Unlike other sports that are played with high frequency, he says, fans work up an anticipation for their team's once-a-week game.
Retired Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan will take part in NBC's coverage of the Winter Games in Sochi, and commentator Frank Deford hopes she will get the honor due her.
Commentator Frank Deford ponders why individual women's sports continue to be popular fare, while women's team sports simply never manage to attract much attention, let alone success.
Nowadays, do you have to show your support by purchasing a ticket? As much of the nation endures a historic deep freeze, commentator Frank Deford discusses weather and outdoor stadium sports.
As 12 college football teams prepare for New Year's Day bowl games, commentator Frank Deford ponders the similarities between football players and ancient Roman gladiators.
Pro sports have become almost part and parcel of major American holidays. The NBA's Christmas Day lineup this year has grown to a whopping 13 straight hours of nationally televised games.
These days, with salary caps and benevolent socialism, if a team has wise management, it has a chance, observes Frank Deford, even if it's a franchise in an itsy-bitsy market. That's a big change from when the leagues were invariably dominated by dynasties.
When it comes to awards in theater or television or dance or literature, Frank Deford observes, candidates don't worry about losing out because of a personal flaw. Only sports applies that off-the-field standard.
The Sunday pregame shows feature interchangeable ex-players and ex-coaches saying the same banal things, one after another. But on female-centered shows, observes Frank Deford, the hosts actually argue, hash things out, laugh and generally behave like flesh-and-blood human beings.
After his career at the racetrack ended, Metro Meteor was adopted by an artist in Pennsylvania, who discovered the horse's gift. Now, his paintings raise money to treat his knee problems and to help other retired thoroughbreds find new homes.
Things move so fast in college basketball that there are three players this year who are being called "the next LeBron James. " In the NBA, most of the talk is already about where the superstars will be next season.
The owner of the Miami Dolphins says he will meet Wednesday with the player who has accused teammates of harassment. Frank Deford says the allegations represent just the most recent disgrace for football.
