Originally released in October 2017....

Mark Chapman examines the controversy surrounding NFL players kneeling for the national anthem and how it has spread to the rest of American sport. 

Find out why players do it, the impact they've had and the roles played by social injustices, the military and government. 

Plus, we analyse whether the debate it has caused has further split the US along racial lines. You'll hear from the man who started it all, Colin Kaepernick, along with a former NFL player, a current NFL team owner, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

Archive from 2017: On Bended Knee - NFL Protest Special

From rugby legends, to Premier League managers &amp; beyond – the biggest names in sport tell us their stories.

Sports

From his training base in Jamaica, Zharnel Hughes sits down with Eleanor Oldroyd ahead of this summer's Paris Olympics.  He’s a double Commonwealth Games and European Championships gold medallist, and now he’s aiming to add an Olympic title to his collection.  He goes right back to the beginning - from when he first discovered he was pretty fast, to making the move to Great Britain, and moving on from the disappointment of missing Rio and false starts and team disqualification in Tokyo.  He also gives us a glimpse inside his mind when on the start line and discusses if it’s time for a new era of athletics. TOPICS 00'40 - Where it all started  02'30 - Life in Jamaica with Bolt, Blake and Weir 5'20 - Making the move to Great Britain in 2015  11'20 - Getting ready for the Olympics  13'00 - "Do you have something to prove this summer?" 15'30 - Memories of Tokyo 17'00 - Falling back in love with athletics 18'30 - "That's when you know it's showtime" 20'00 - Pre-race routines 23'00 - Living in the moment 26'00 - Breaking records & burgers and fries  31'00 - A new era for athletics? 33'00 - "The is your captain Zharnel Hughes"

The Zharnel Hughes one

Iain Carter speaks to 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm ahead of this year’s tournament. 
The Spanish golfer reflects on last year’s win, talks about his aims to retain the green jacket, and discusses his decision to join LIV Golf in December. 
We also hear from golf journalists Ewan Murray and Bob Harig about the future of the game in the LIV Golf era. TIMECODES:
00:58 - Jon Rahm interview
13:55 - Reflection on the interview with Ewan and Bob

The Jon Rahm one

Helen Glover discusses her career as an Olympic Gold medal winner and also her aims for this summer's games in Paris. She talks about how she began her rowing career, the legacy that she hopes to leave and her greatest moments in life and her career. TOPICS
0 mins - Preparing for Paris
3 mins - Earning her place
5 mins - Juggling parenting with competition
10 mins - Helen's rowing beginnings
13 mins - "Work hard and you can do anything"
15 mins - Helen's first Olympic gold medal
20 mins - Helen's greatest moments
22 mins - Goals for Paris

The Helen Glover one

Darren Fletcher is joined by NFL Network's Adam Rank, former NFL player Jason Bell,  and NFL Broadcaster Greg Brady to preview this years Super Bowl between Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. They hear from NFL star Patrick Mahomes and discuss their predictions for the game, whilst also touching on the frenzy surrounding Taylor Swift's relationship with Kansas tight end, Travis Kelce.

The Super Bowl One

Sebastian Coe looks back on his days as an Olympian, including his rivalry with Steve Ovett and training on Christmas Day. He talks about his role at the London 2012 Olympic Games and the pleasure in awarding Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill her heptathlon gold medal. Also, as the current president of World Athletics, he discusses the biggest challenges ahead for the sport. TOPICS:
0 mins The start of an Olympic year
3 mins Supporting Jessica Ennis as London poster-girl
5 mins Awarding Jessica Ennis her gold medal
11 mins Rivalry with Steve Ovett
17 mins Being coached by his father
22 mins Career after competing
26 mins Challenges ahead for athletics
30 mins What’s next?

Archive from 2017: On Bended Knee - NFL Protest Special

Download our free app to listen on your phone