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.

Rae Carruth Jail

An NFL Executive Compares Kaepernick to a Man Who Murdered a Pregnant Woman An NFL Executive Compares Kaepernick to a Man Who Murdered a Pregnant Woman

He said “he hasn't seen this much collective dislike among front office members regarding a player since Rae Carruth.”

Aug 31, 2016 / Dave Zirin

Colin Kaepernick

America Needs to Listen to What Colin Kaepernick Is Actually Trying to Say America Needs to Listen to What Colin Kaepernick Is Actually Trying to Say

Too many people are talking about patriotism and etiquette instead of reckoning with the substance of his critique.

Aug 30, 2016 / Dave Zirin

Toni Smith Protest

Thoughts on Colin Kaepernick From an Athlete Who Walked That Path Thoughts on Colin Kaepernick From an Athlete Who Walked That Path

In 2003, Division III basketball player Toni Smith took a stand against unthinking patriotism. Her thoughts today about Colin Kaepernick deserve to be heard.

Aug 29, 2016 / Dave Zirin

What the NFL Players’ Union Chief Has to Say About Colin Kaepernick’s Protest

What the NFL Players’ Union Chief Has to Say About Colin Kaepernick’s Protest What the NFL Players’ Union Chief Has to Say About Colin Kaepernick’s Protest

DeMaurice Smith, head of the NFL Players Association, says that expecting athletes to “shut up and play” isn’t respecting them as fully human.

Aug 27, 2016 / Dave Zirin

Feyisa Lilesa Olympic Protest

This Rio Olympic Medalist Risked His Life to Show Solidarity This Rio Olympic Medalist Risked His Life to Show Solidarity

With one gesture, Ethiopian runner Feyisa Lilesa seized the Olympics spotlight and educated the world. 

Aug 25, 2016 / Dave Zirin

Student Olympic Money Protest

Now That the Games Are Over, the Real Olympic Drama Begins in Rio Now That the Games Are Over, the Real Olympic Drama Begins in Rio

The Olympics are over, but they have set the stage for a wider social conflict over the future of the city.

Aug 22, 2016 / Dave Zirin

Ryan Lochte

Ryan Lochte Is One of Many Privileged First-World Tourists—and Brazilians Are Fed Up Ryan Lochte Is One of Many Privileged First-World Tourists—and Brazilians Are Fed Up

He seems to believe in the old imperial axiom that “there is no sin below the equator.”

Aug 18, 2016 / Dave Zirin

Calamida de Olimpica

One Community’s Resistance Will Be the Rio Olympics’ Longest-Lasting Legacy One Community’s Resistance Will Be the Rio Olympics’ Longest-Lasting Legacy

Vila Autódromo may have suffered mass displacement for the Olympic Games, but they have survived and emerged as a symbol that you can fight Rio’s City Hall and win.

Aug 17, 2016 / Dave Zirin and Jules Boykoff

Renato Cinco

This Rio City Council Member Is Standing Up to the Olympics This Rio City Council Member Is Standing Up to the Olympics

He got his start trying to legalize marijuana. Now he’s tackling political corruption.

Aug 16, 2016 / Dave Zirin

Favela hut in Rio

The Other Olympic Village Continues to Resist Displacement The Other Olympic Village Continues to Resist Displacement

Messages of resilience sprang up as quickly as the cookie-cutter homes Rio built for the favela’s remaining citizens.

Aug 12, 2016 / Dave Zirin

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