Dave Zirin

Sports Editor

@EdgeofSports

Dave Zirin is the sports editor at The Nation. He is the author of 11 books on the politics of sports. He is also the coproducer and writer of the new documentary Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL.

Invoking Dr. King, Charles Barkley Stands Strongly for LGBT Rights Invoking Dr. King, Charles Barkley Stands Strongly for LGBT Rights

Charles Barkley felt a responsibility to use his platform on a TNT pregame show to speak out for Gay Rights. Given who spoke before him, we should be grateful that he did.

Jan 19, 2011 / Dave Zirin

‘I’m a Negro Who Speak Up’: Remembering Football Great Cookie Gilchrist ‘I’m a Negro Who Speak Up’: Remembering Football Great Cookie Gilchrist

Cookie Gilchrist, one of the great football players and outspoken athletes, died of cancer on January 10, the day before a remarkable political/sports anniversary.

Jan 13, 2011 / Dave Zirin

It’s Not a Game: Sarah Palin and the Madness of March It’s Not a Game: Sarah Palin and the Madness of March

Last March, Sarah Palin unleashed a sports-infused tirade that shows more than a lack of basketball acumen: it shows a comfort in the language of violence that should disquali...

Jan 10, 2011 / Dave Zirin

Roger Goodell’s Message to NFL Players and Fans: Drop Dead Roger Goodell’s Message to NFL Players and Fans: Drop Dead

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued an ill-timed letter laying out the state of negotiations with the NFL Players Association. Both sides are striving to secure a new colle...

Jan 3, 2011 / Dave Zirin

On Dimples and Dog Whistles: Why Tucker Carlson Dehumanizes Michael Vick On Dimples and Dog Whistles: Why Tucker Carlson Dehumanizes Michael Vick

Tucker Carlson's efforts to paint Vick as a disposable, killable individual cuts in a way that transcends the idiocy of Fox News.

Dec 30, 2010 / Dave Zirin

The Top Seven ‘Edge of Sports’ Moments of 2010 The Top Seven ‘Edge of Sports’ Moments of 2010

Here we have what are indubitably and without argument, the top seven collisions of sports and politics in 2010 that didn’t involve an elbow and Barack Obama’s mouth. W...

Dec 22, 2010 / Dave Zirin

When Domes Collapse: Minnesota’s Sporting Shock Doctrine When Domes Collapse: Minnesota’s Sporting Shock Doctrine

The spectacular collapse of the Metrodome's roof on Sunday bolsters every reason why the Twin Cities do NOT need a publicly funded stadium. But the "conventional wisdom&q...

Dec 15, 2010 / Dave Zirin

Should Cam Newton Win the Heisman? Damn Straight, He Should! Should Cam Newton Win the Heisman? Damn Straight, He Should!

Pity the sports columnist who reaches for sanctimony in the Gomorrah of college football. Two voters for the 2010 Heisman Trophy, the sport's top award, have announced that they wo...

Dec 7, 2010 / Dave Zirin

Memo to Lebron: When You Return to Cleveland, Wear the Black Hat Memo to Lebron: When You Return to Cleveland, Wear the Black Hat

Lebron James finally returns to Cleveland where he can expect a world of hate. He should embrace it.

Dec 2, 2010 / Dave Zirin

The NCAA Should Shut Down Notre Dame’s Football Program The NCAA Should Shut Down Notre Dame’s Football Program

Two students under 21 years of age have died this semester in connectionw ith Notre Dame. The school's culture of King Football deserves the blame and should therefore receive ...

Nov 29, 2010 / Dave Zirin

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