The all-new Edge of Sports podcast is here, and our host Dave Zirin calls on the Hard Rhymer himself, the legendary Chuck D of Public Enemy, to bless the first show. As it turns out, this activist lion of hip-hop actually had boyhood dreams of becoming a sportscaster. Chuck tells the story of Public Enemy’s national breakthrough on Soul Train, revels in the greatness of Ali, praises LeBron James as a modern-day thought leader, and then…Chuck D bigs up his pilates instructor. Also in the studio is Christian Dotson-Pierson, a PhD candidate at Howard University. Her focus is media advocacy of concussion awareness, handy expertise for a reading of Dave’s latest column in The Nation magazine, entitled: “Why Does Anybody Play Football Anymore?” Finally, the ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha for defending himself in court against the NYPD, and winning.

Tweet Dave at http://twitter.com/edgeofsports, our in-studio guest Christian Dotson-Pierson at http://twitter.com/profcdp and let producer Dan Bloom know what you liked - and what you didn’t at http://twitter.com/danbloomsports. You can also write us at [email protected]

Music credits: Public Enemy on Soul Train, Public Enemy - Rebel Without a Pause, Public Enemy - Harder Than You Think (instrumental), Public Enemy - He Got Game ft. Stephen Stills, Public Enemy - Fight The Power, Alexander Lewis & Brasstracks - Distant Memories (courtesy, Trapdoor Records) http://soundcloud.com/alexanderjlewis http://soundcloud.com/brasstracks http://soundcloud.com/trap-door-official

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