Only A Game

Colin Kaepernick is choosing not to stand during the playing of the national anthem. This week on Only A Game, we'll compare the quarterback's protest to statements made by Jackie Robinson. And we'll explain why Fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition, inspired one man to break the world record for running a half-marathon — in a suit. And former tight end Ben Utecht played in his last NFL game seven years ago, and he's been struggling with memory loss ever since. Join us for Utecht's story and more.

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has drawn both criticism and support for his decision to sit during the national anthem. Bill Littlefield weighs in on the varied responses.

Earlier this summer, Kevin Durant left the Thunder to join the star-studded Golden State Warriors. This week on Only A Game, we meet a high school teacher who's using Durant's departure to motivate his students. And with the daily fantasy sports industry tanking, we'll talk to a former recruiter who's now speaking out against the industry. Plus, a Cape Cod couple won't sell their mini golf course — not even for a million bucks. Join us!

Ever heard of handball? Maybe not, if you watched the Olympics on NBC... While on vacation in Europe, Bill Littlefield enjoyed a delightfully different Olympic viewing experience.

If you've been watching the competition in Rio, chances are you've seen athletes sporting Olympic rings tattoos. This week on Only A Game, we learn how the tradition began — and explain how this tattoo could change Japanese culture. And why can't companies say "summer" during the Olympics? The story of a carpet cleaning company that's suing the USOC. Plus, we meet a Detroit man who uses boxing to keep kids off the street — and slept in his car to pay for it. Join us!

This week on Only A Game, we tell the recurring story of Olympic displacements – from a neighborhood in Rio that was turned to rubble to the homeless and poor purged from a city much closer to home. And with rugby's return to the Games, we'll look back at the last Olympic rugby final, between France and the U.S. in the turbulent times between world wars. Plus the story of identical twins who aren't identical when it comes to sports. Or maybe they are? Join us!

A baseball stadium in Greece hosted games during the 2004 Olympics. Now it's among the many places where refugees from Syria are trying to make lives.

Ken Griffey Jr. is remembered for his smooth swing, but he's also known for his 1989 Upper Deck rookie card. It changed the baseball card industry — and this week on Only A Game, we'll meet the man who's collected more of that particular card than anyone else. Plus the story of an American rower who qualified for Rio, thanks to a podcast. (Sort of.) And the story of an Irish priest, his dog, and the new English national football team manager. Join us!

News this week has been all about emails, leaks, hacks and cheats. Bill Littlefield wanted in. Conveniently, that's when an entirely-made-up correspondence between two Russian athletes appeared on his desk...

Gino Marchetti fought in the Battle of the Bulge and starred in what's been called the "The Greatest Game Ever Played." This week on Only A Game, Marchetti tells the story of his journey from World War II to the NFL.

Reports of state-sponsored doping in Russia have Bill Littlefield thinking about athletes (and, maybe, sportswriters) who cheat to be the best.

When Jackie Robinson asked teammate Carl Erskine why he wasn't bothered by race, Erskine replied with two words: Johnny Wilson. This week on Only A Game, we tell the story of a childhood friendship that changed the All-Star pitcher's life. And, after the decline of her boxing career, former world champ Christy Martin was shot by her husband and left for dead. Plus, the most controversial moment from the 2016 MLB All-Star Game happened before the first pitch.

The Massachusetts State Lottery wants to expand to online platforms. Bill Littlefield thinks that's a bad idea.

This week on Only A Game, our collaboration with Sports Illustrated continues. In the second of four audio pieces produced for SI's Where Are They Now series, Theo Fleury explains how he walked away from hockey and found his true calling. Also, how the knuckleball saved rookie All-Star Steven Wright's baseball career, and a fictional tale of a wrestler-turned-circus-performer. Join us!

Maury Wills was the MVP of the 1962 MLB All-Star Game, but he almost didn't make it to the game. This week on Only A Game, we'll take a closer look at baseball race relations 15 years after integration. Also, with Wimbledon underway, we explore left-handers diminished advantage in tennis. And former Portland Trail Blazer Billy Ray Bates talks about the off-court issues that derailed his NBA career — and his life.