By The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Olympic great Simone Biles said it was “THE EASIEST YES” when her fellow elite athlete Jonathan Owens popped the question on Valentine’s Day. “I can’t wait to spend forever & ever with you, you’re everything I dreamed of and more! let’s get married FIANCE,” the excited gymnast […]
Category: National Sports
Posted inSports
On the slopes, a struggle for Black skiers’ Olympic dreams
By Aaron Morrison, The Associated Press Take an informal survey of elite American Alpine skiers and snowboarders, and most can name an organization that exposes Black and Hispanic children from urban areas to winter sports. Whether it’s on indoor halfpipes in New Jersey, or the Rocky Mountain slopes of Colorado and Wyoming, there seem to […]
Posted inSports
Flores hired to Steelers staff; lawsuit against NFL proceeds
By Will Graves, AP Sports Writer Brian Flores is back in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers hired the former Miami Dolphins coach on Feb. 19 to serve as a senior defensive assistant. Flores will specialize in working with Pittsburgh’s linebackers, a group that includes NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt. The hiring comes […]
Posted inSports
Field of Legends: NLBM launches the first collection of Negro League bobbleheads
By Mark F. Gray, Special of the AFRO One of the many promotions that draw Major League Baseball fans to the ballpark for free souvenirs on hot summer nights for the price of a ticket is the bobblehead doll. This hybrid cross between a statue, a trophy and an action figure with a bouncing head […]
Posted inNational Sports
Sashi Brown joins Ravens as new team president, becomes second HBCU grad to hold position
By Demetrius DillardSpecial to the AFRO As most teams do, the Baltimore Ravens have made some headline-grabbing moves to commence the offseason, most notably being the announcement of Sashi Brown as the team’s new president. Ravens president Dick Cass will retire following 18 years with the team and Brown will step in as his successor, […]
Posted inHBCU
Fisk University announces first HBCU Intercollegiate Gymnastics team
By Micha GreenAFRO D.C. and Digital Editormgreen@afro.com Fisk University announced on Feb. 11 that the institution will be the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU), and the first in the state of Tennessee to have an intercollegiate gymnastics team. “Women’s gymnastics exemplifies the values of Fisk University: determination, excellence, and a commitment to a […]
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Erin Jackson of US 1st Black woman to win speedskating gold
By PAUL NEWBERRY, AP National Writer BEIJING (AP) — Erin Jackson has never viewed herself as some sort of trailblazer. She just likes to skate really, really fast, whether it’s on wheels or blades. Yet the 29-year-old from balmy Ocala, Florida knew this moment was special, her chance to really make an impact on the […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Jones free to post Olympics after ‘3rd-party error’ flagged Olympics-related tweets
By Joe ReedyAssociated Press Leslie Jones is free to take to social media to give her commentary about the Olympics after a misunderstanding with some of her posts. NBC spokesman Greg Hughes said the night of Feb. 8 that some of Jones’ videos that were blocked were the result of a “third-party error” and not […]
Posted inSports
AFRO Exclusive! CIAA commissioner talks pandemic pivot, importance of tournament
By Micha Green,AFRO D.C. and Digital Editormgreen@afro.com In a few short weeks Charm City will host the 76th Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament, ushering in important athletic, political, career and social events for young people to seasoned adults. While the celebration’s official kickoff date is Feb. 22, CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams told the AFRO […]
Posted inNational Sports
John Harbaugh confident Ravens will bounce back next season
By Todd Karpovich, Associated Press Ravens Coach John Harbaugh has begun the process to make Baltimore a contender again after a frustrating season that ended with six straight defeats. “I’m pretty fired up, excited, ready to go,” Harbaugh said during his first news conference since the season ended, on Jan. 31. “You think every single […]
Posted inNational Sports
Washington Commanders ‘Will fight for old D.C.’ in new era
By Mark F. Gray, Special to the AFRO After 90 years and three world champions the once proud but now the most heavily scrutinized National Football League franchise began it’s makeover by announcing it’s new team name on national television Feb. 2 at FedEX Field in Landover. “We are the Commanders,” said Super Bowl MVP […]
Posted inNational Sports
Vikings announce Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as the new general manager
by Jim Handrigan, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Calling it a new era, the Minnesota Vikings announced at a January 27 press conference that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will take the reins as the new general manager. “We are thrilled to welcome Kwesi to the Minnesota Vikings. His unique background, variety of strong football experiences, vision for success, and leadership […]