Michael Vick and the Long Road to Redemption

By Chris Murray
For the Chris Murray Report
Now that Michael Vick has finally found a home with the Philadelphia Eagles, the hard part for the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback is his long, possibly tumultuous road to redemption in the face of a hostile fan base that is not so willing to forgive him for his participation [...]

The Mouse Attack on Black America: ESPN casts Black Athletes in a Negative Light

By Gary Norris Gray
For the Chris Murray Report

It is very sad to see the changes in television sports network programming and the way they currently report the news; with a specific reference to ESPN.

Provocative stories sell, sex catches your attention; a racially-tinged story sells; football player Adam Jones making it [...]

In his own words: A Conversation with Negro League legend Buck O’Neil

“Actually, Jackie Robinson took Negro League baseball to the Major Leagues. It was a different brand of baseball. Babe Ruth came, Babe Ruth hit the homerun. That changed baseball altogether, everybody was waiting for somebody to hit the ball out of the ball park. But in the Negro Leagues, you hit and run. You bunt and run. You stole the bases. You did these things and so this is what Jackie took the major leagues. Yeah, see they hadn’t seen anything like Jackie Robinson. Uh-huh. Jackie changed the way they played baseball.”

Don’t Believe the Hype: Countering the Madness of Sports Media

By Chris Murray
For the Chris Murray Report
After observing the coverage of this week’s events in the sports world by the mainstream media, I now know why I believe that sports journalism is headed down the path of day-time talk shows like Jerry Springer.
Watching the talking heads on networks like ESPN or reading other pundits [...]

There They Go Again: Baseballl, Steroids and Misplaced Outrage Strikes Again

By Chris Murray
For the Chris Murray Report
I never thought I would see the day where I would quoting Ronald Reagan in any column that I write. But as I listen to the latest round of misplaced outrage at yet another outed steroids user—former Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa, all I can say is, “There they go [...]

Can Josh Freeman be the “Man” in Tampa?

By Chris Murray
of the Chris Murray Report
New York—If former Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman had played a couple of BCS bowl games and had a winning record during his tenure as the Wildcats signal caller, he would have most certainly received just as much hype as Detroit Lions draftee and designated franchise “Savior” Matt [...]

Activism and Performance Defined 1968 Olympic Track Team

By Chris Murray
For the Chris Murray Report

If the images of Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising their black-glove fists in protest at the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City have lasted the test of time as a symbol of defiance against racism and all forms of oppression, the outstanding performances of the entire [...]

Howard’s Numbers don’t Lie

By Chris Murray
For the Chris Murray Report
I’ve always felt that All-Star games, regardless of the sport, are oft-times the manifestation of who’s the most popular rather than what’s done on the field.
And even when folks want to look at statistical measures of achievement on the field, there’s always somebody coming up with a [...]

The 1968 Olympic Protest 40 Years Later: Smith, Carlos and Edwards Reflect on Black Power Salute

By Chris Murray
For the Chris Murray Report
The University of Pennsylvania students who attended the Race and Sports Lecture at Jon Huntsman Hall last April 24 were not born the day Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in the Black power salute on the medal stand at the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in [...]

Turnovers, failed third down conversions doom Ravens

By Chris Murray
For the Chris Murray Report  

BALTIMORE, Md.—As great as the Baltimore Ravens defense is, it’s too bad their offense is not held in the same esteem.
 
On a day when their defense held Peyton Manning and the powerful Colts offense to five field goals and no touchdowns, the Ravens offense failed to be [...]