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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Podcasts:
Americans possess too many firearms and nothing will change unless gun owners support the changes the president swears to promote, says commentator Frank Deford.
Hockey fans are living their lives, going about their business, but their days are a little paler. Commentator Frank Deford says fans deserve a little sympathy when their sport is taken from them.
In pro golf, oversized clubs and space-age balls have changed the game and altered venerable golf courses. But the honchos who run the sport are more concerned about the trend of golfers' resting a long putter against their belly.
College sports fans can be distinctively different from the pro variety, no matter where they are. And that might complicate the growth plans of athletic conferences such as as the Big Ten, says Frank Deford.
Rosie Napravnik is America's leading jockey — and a woman in a male-dominated sport. Commentator Frank Deford reflects on women's sports, competing with men, and fans.
Many sports bosses are tarnishing their achievements by overstaying their welcome, says commentator Frank Deford.
As baseball declines in popularity, football continues to rise. Commentator Frank Deford reflects on the switch from baseball to football as America's favorite sport.
In its long history, Brooklyn has been famous for two sports events: No. 1, having the Dodgers; No. 2, losing the Dodgers. But now Brooklyn has an NBA team, a fancy new arena — and even a floor that may set a new trend.
So far this year, NFL field goal kickers have made 88 percent of their attempts. They've even made two-thirds of their tries from more than 50 yards. When kickers are that good it hurts the game, says commentator Frank Deford.
In the world of sports — even if you move often — commentator Frank Deford says your loyalty should always be to your hometown team.
Only two groups of people really matter in any game: the players and the officials. That's the lesson the NFL inadvertently taught football fans in the past four weeks, says Frank Deford. At many stadiums, the regular officials were greeted with loud ovations after their lockout ended.
When sport and language intersect, they can help define how we speak and think — consider the "level playing field." And in Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, the sons of juniors, such as Benjamin Franklin Deford III, might have found a game changer.
Athletic conferences don't make much sense anymore. Commentator Frank Deford remarks on how the Big East conference is no longer as big or as east as it used to be.
When NFL teams from the East Coast play teams from the West Coast, the outcome might depend on what time of day the game starts. And if you're a gambler, the West Coast players could have enough of an edge to make you consider betting on them.
If your football team is a member of the SEC, you don't just root for your own team — you root for the whole division. Commentator Frank Deford takes a look at Southern pride.
