After last week’s 42-17 thrashing of the Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins fans were hungry for more. Unfortunately, the Redskins failed their latest test against the Baltimore Ravens in a 23-3 throttling at FedEx Field on Saturday. Washington started out quick, but couldn’t sustain the momentum of a good start as Baltimore’s superior depth took over […]
Author Archives: Stephen D. Riley
Special to the AFRO
Posted inSports
Team USA Struggles, Survives First Exhibition Game
It started out shaky but the men’s USA basketball team picked up the pace in the second half to fight off Lithuania 77-61 on Saturday in their first exhibition game against an opponent other than themselves. The U.S. shot 3-of-21 in the first quarter and committed six turnovers before rallying to trail by just one […]
Posted inSports
Preseason to Settle Score for Fans of Redskins, Ravens
Saturday’s preseason game between the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens is simply that: a preseason game, a mere exhibition contest for first team starters to flash a few highlights and a “Show-Me” showcase for scrappy rookies and desperate veterans. But for the fans of both teams, separated by a 45-minute drive on Interstate 295, the […]
Posted inColumnists
New York Avenue Classic Provides Outlet to Area Youths
This past Saturday I spent my afternoon secluded atop the bleachers at Washington, D.C.’s New York Avenue Classic Summer Basketball Tournament. An uptown compilation of area teens dribbling and dunking, free food and music was enough to generate a modest crowd for the tourney’s 10th anniversary on a lazy Saturday. The humidity was fierce, sweat […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
King Memorial on Pace for 2011 Completion
Construction of a 4-acre Martin Luther King memorial continues to move along quickly. The $120 million project is roughly 40 percent complete and on course for its 2011 third quarter unveiling along the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The project’s sponsor, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, has currently raised $107 million […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Rapper ‘Prince George’ Represents More than Just His County
At a makeshift recording studio inside a Fort Washington dwelling known as “Da House” to local emcees, a rapper is positioning himself for his nine-to-five. He takes two pulls on his cigarette, motions a quick cue to his producer, and now he’s ready for work. He lines up the microphone, clears his throat and lays […]
Posted inSports
AFRO Looks Ahead At NFL South Divisions
The NFL’s southern divisions pack a lot of power. Last season’s Super Bowl between the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts highlighted the counter conference’s blend of star supremacy. Closer looks into both divisions reveal the likes of future Hall of Fame passers Peyton Manning and Drew Brees; record-setting runners in Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew […]
Posted inSports
Five-Time Boxing Champion Holyfield to Fight at Age 48
It’s not over yet for famed boxer Evander Holyfield. The former heavyweight champion, who turns 48 in October, will fight Sherman “The Tank” Williams November 5 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, he announced in a press conference August 12. The fight will be Holyfield’s first since knocking out 41-year-old Francois Botha in the eighth […]
Posted inSports
Team USA Scrimmage Kicks off New York’s World Basketball Festival
A team organized by USA Basketball and made up of many of the NBA’s brightest stars will represent the United States in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Basketball Championship, an international competition among basketball teams representing various countries. The competition will begin August 28 and run through September 12 with games in various international […]
Posted inSports
Three Downs from the District: Examining Redskins’ Win over Bills
There was a buzz in the air at FedEx Field on Friday night that just couldn’t be explained. A new franchise quarterback seems to have that effect on a town. In his first start as a Washington Redskin, Donovan McNabb was both rusty and right-on as the Redskins dismantled the Buffalo Bills 42-17 in the […]
Posted inSports
AFRO Looks Ahead at NFL North Divisions
The New England Patriots and New York Giants were projected to emerge from the rubble in the AFRO’s NFL Eastern divisions analysis last week. This week, the spotlight will be pointed on the NFL Northern divisions. The AFC and NFC North share a lot in common: they’re both equipped with strong-armed quarterbacks, dynamic running backs […]
Posted inSports
Haynesworth Teaches Redskins Valuable Lesson
Albert Haynesworth’s stat line isn’t going to read like a Pro-Bowl credential sheet this year. It’s not going to list more than 100 tackles or 10-plus sacks or numerous quarterback pressures. It’s not going to be anywhere close to that; maybe not even half of that. But the stats don’t have to be there ?just […]