PJ Rain
Summer Reflections - Part 3 of 3
Sports, Religion, Media, Politics

The real perversions in religions of all types tend to revolve around the same figurative “idol” worshipping that many of them caution against—the worship of money and the carnal desire for power through material wealth.   It is for this very reason that athletes and celebrities often find themselves injected into public debates over their private spiritual journeys.   Where does an Israeli interviewer get the right to challenge Amar’e Stoudamire’s commitment to a religious fasting regimen, and when did Stoudamire authorize his agent to qualify his beliefs?   What created the desire to convert Tiger Woods and his multi-million dollar image from Buddhism to Christianity?   And why is Muhammad Ali’s Muslim presence at major functions and events all over the country no longer considered a threat to those who opposed his conversion to Islam back in the 1960s?

PJ Rain
Summer Reflections - Part 2 of 3
Lebron's "Decision"

July 1, 2010 marked the beginning of the most historic free agent signing period in the history of the NBA.   This was because Lebron James was contractually freed to explore his options to play basketball in the city of his choice for the first time in his professional career.... The courtship of Lebron evolved into a production of unprecedented proportions....  All things considered, the aspect of the Lebron James decision that was the most fascinating was the fact that 25-year-old James, 26-year-old Chris Bosh, and 28-year-old Dwyane Wade worked together to leverage a situation in which they could all play together on the same team.... This summer, Creative Arts Agency (CAA) moved into the basketball business by buying out the different management groups that represented the three players.   Although on the surface this may not appear to be beneficial, it actually can be because a management firm is hired or fired by its clients.   As a collective group, the three players will be in a position to exert significant influence on one of the country’s largest agencies.   Similarly, if executed properly, they should also be able to influence policy decisions at the team ownership level of the Miami Heat.... By making the decision to not stand alone as “the man” attempting to win championships for a franchise owned by someone else, Lebron James has possibly positioned himself, along with the others, to get an internship-like trial into the ownership pinnacle to which many former superstars currently aspire.   

PJ Rain
Summer Reflections - Part 1 of 3
The 2010 World Cup

The sport of soccer, known as football outside of the United States, is the most popular in the world, and as one who believes that sports have a way of bringing people together to achieve a common goal, the tournament hopefully served to re-ignite, revive, and for some, to even introduce, a sense of pride in all Africans who reside or have descended from the continent.... [Th]he European domination of the sport lies in the widely accepted belief that it was invented in England during the late 19th century and then carried to the rest of the world during various expeditions and “missionary” trips.... Yet, perhaps the genesis of it all may be found in Africa itself as Ancient Egyptian tombstone artifacts dating back as far as 2500 B.C. contain depictions of football-like games being played in the region.  Nineteenth century England can only justifiably garner credit for “borrowing” and codifying the concepts and ideas of other cultures and eras into a single sporting competition known as Association Football in 1863.   Beyond that, it is a sport to which the indigenous peoples of the Americas, Asia, and Africa can also stake their claim.

PJ Rain
Young Athletes to Emulate - On and Off the Field

Volleyball is one of [Oganna] Nnamani’s passions, and because her parents have instilled in her the importance of furthering her education and being well-rounded, she is able to enjoy her time as a professional athlete in the Czech Republic without feeling constrained by the pressures of having no other options.... [Myron] Rolle’s decision [to attend Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar] was questioned by many NFL executives and scouts because they were concerned about his desire to commit to playing football at a high level.   According to many of them, he had too much going for him off the playing field.   It was as if Rolle’s decision to take advantage of an opportunity to develop his mind at one of the world’s most renowned academic institutions while simultaneously preparing himself for life as a professional athlete was a sign of weakness and indecisiveness rather than of fortitude and conviction.

PJ Rain
Speaking Out, Flood's Fight for Free Agency

He [Tom Haller] wanted to know if [Curt] Flood’s decision to sue was part of some Black militancy movement against authority.   Flood acknowledged the question as a fair one and answered by saying that the reserve clause was an injustice that affected players of all races and it was time that someone did something about it....   Once it hit the national media outlets, Flood’s suit became a story of interest, and on January 3, 1970, Flood taped an interview with Howard Cosell for ABC’s Wide World of Sports.   During the interview Flood explained that there was nothing more damaging to a person’s ego as a human being than “being traded or bought and sold like a piece of property.” Cosell then asked him the question, “It’s been written…that you’re a man who makes $90,000 a year, which isn’t exactly slave wages.   What’s your retort to that?”   “A well-paid slave is nonetheless a slave,” was Flood’s reply.... Neither Judge Cooper nor the opposing counsel could rattle Jackie Robinson with their questioning.   Before the trial, Robinson had commented in the media that Flood was doing a service for all players in all leagues and commended his courage for asking for the right to negotiate.   During his testimony he claimed that “anything that is one-sided in this country is wrong” and that the reserve clause was one-sided in favor of the owners.   He went on to say that he believed the reserve clause to be so one-sided that players had no control over their own destinies.     

PJ Rain
Letter to Tiger Woods

Like you, [boxer Jack] Johnson was one of the few men of color who competed at the highest level in an individual sport whose patrons were not very accepting of his complexion.... Yet, neither you nor Johnson relented to the attempts to keep you in your place because your respective places in this world can be defined only by you and your Creator.   Your places are as champions, the best in the world at your craft during your time.   The two of you possessed just the right amount of arrogance to proclaim that conformity to someone else’s impositions would not be an option, and eventually an adjustment would have to be made for you.... Although it is understandable that Johnson did not want to be characterized as the “Black champion,” it is the compassion, resilience, and support of his Black people that may have aided him during his more troubled times.... However, I implore you to not make the same mistake as Jack Johnson.   There are many people in the Black community who feel that you do not want to be identified as such, and while I understand and respect your refusal to be categorized by someone else’s flawed system, you should recognize that there is a reason that the Creator has that brown hue radiating through your skin.   Don’t let those faulty and racist associations fool you into only partially acknowledging your heritage.   You are first and foremost of African descent, and that is your source of strength, power, and wisdom.  

PJ Rain
Dedication, Passion, and Family - Two Coaches for the Ages

In today’s coverage of sports, we frequently find ourselves captivated by the lavish victory celebrations, inordinate symbols of wealth, and the air invincibility surrounding our athletes.   In fact, there is a tendency to allow the initial portrayals of high-profile superstars and their amazing athletic feats to fool us into believing that they are immune to the everyday transgressions that permeate all lifestyles indiscriminately....  It is important that we remember to acknowledge those among us who have neither been dragged through headlines full of negative imagery nor commanded and received excessive fanfare for their incredible achievements.  Two of our individuals who have consistently exemplified all that is good about sports while at the same time positively impacting the lives of scores of future leaders are the late Eddie Robinson...and C. Vivian Stringer.... By simply conveying and reinforcing the simple principles of dedication, passion, love, and family, each of these outstanding coaches has taught several generations of young athletes to be winners in life.... They have shared what they know about family and community to lead their teams to be successful, and they have demonstrated by example how love and commitment can carry individuals to achieve greatness.