The Lead

Last week, NBA legend and civil rights activist Bill Russell passed away at age 88. In his 13 years with the Boston Celtics, the 6-foot-10 center -- who changed the way basketball was played -- won 11 NBA championships, including two while serving as a player-coach. (That also made him the first Black head coach of a professional North American sports team). But those who knew Russell admired him even more for what he did off the court, which included being a powerful voice in the civil rights movement and fighting back against ongoing racism. Today, three sportswriters and one historian join us to reflect on Russell's life and legacy.

Our guests:

Jared Weiss

Ryan Jones

Gary Washburn

Keith Reed

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Plus: Two young superstars don’t waste any time making their marks in the Premier League. And a 20,000 to 1 shot takes home one of golf’s most storied titles.  

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Over the last few weeks, few teams across Major League Baseball have been hotter than the extremely talented, previously disappointing — and suddenly surging — Toronto Blue Jays. Today, we're joined by The Athletic's Kaitlyn McGrath to look at why this team came up short in the first half, and three key factors that have helped power their turnaround — including emerging young ace Alek Manoah, and a fun-loving new manager who recently surprised everyone by bringing a DJ into the clubhouse. Plus, after sub par seasons so far, is there still time for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette to finish strong? 

Follow Kaitlyn McGrath’s coverage of the Blue Jays: https://theathletic.com/author/kaitlyn-mcgrath/

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Back in March, the Chargers made a big bet on former Patriots defensive back J.C. Jackson, an undrafted free agent in 2018 who had a staggering journey just to reach the NFL. When Jackson was 19 years old, he was facing the possibility of anywhere from 40 years to life in prison in connection with an armed robbery. Today, Jeff Miller from the L.A. Times tells us the story of Jackson's football odyssey — from small town Florida to five days in a Gainesville courtroom — and everything his parents sacrificed to keep their son's football dream alive.

Read Jeff Miller's full story about J.C. Jackson: https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2022-07-25/jc-jackson-family-chargers-nfl-florida-robbery-charges

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A sexual assault allegation involving members of Canada's 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship team has reached the highest levels of government and dominated the airwaves in Canada recently. Investigative reporter Katie Strang of The Athletic joins us to discuss the details of the case, and why it has sparked a national moment of reckoning. *Warning*: This episode contains descriptions of sexual assault and might be triggering for some listeners.

Read Katie Strang, Dan Robson, and Ian Mendes's full story about the case:

https://theathletic.com/3441414/2022/07/22/hockey-canada-2018-sexual-assault/

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The Tour de France wrapped up in Paris this past Sunday, along the famous Champs-Elysées. And on that very same day, on that very same road, something historic happened -- a Women's Tour de France began. Today, reporter Maggie Mertens explains why it took nearly 120 years for the world's most famous cycling competition to finally offer a truly professional women’s stage race, and how it was born from the sweat and determination of many women – with a big assist from an online game company. Then, South African pro cyclist Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio joins us from France, where she is currently competing in the Tour, and is fresh off a podium finish.

Read Maggie Mertens's full story about the history of the Women's Tour de France.

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Plus: U.S. track and field’s newest supernova blows away the competition And cycling’s newest rivalry comes with a side of sportsmanship. 

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This spring, eight-time Pro Bowler Von Miller announced that he was leaving the reigning Super Bowl champions — the L.A. Rams — to join the Buffalo Bills. It was a decision that surprised a lot of people, and also one that almost didn’t happen. Today, The Athletic’s Dan Pompei tells us why Miller ultimately chose upstate New York over the bright lights of Hollywood, and about the gut check moment when he ultimately decided to follow through with the big decision.

Read Dan Pompei’s full story about Von Miller joining the Bills: https://theathletic.com/3387676/2022/07/07/von-miller-bills-rams-broncos/

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Fans of the U.S. women's national soccer team have been hearing the same names for quite a few years. But now, a new generation of players is starting to take over. Today, reporter Gwendolyn Oxenham gives us an inside look at one of those up-and-coming stars -- 22-year-old defender Naomi Girma -- and explains how her unlikely rise to stardom was fueled by an entire community of people. Plus, why Girma, a first-generation Ethiopian-American, represents a new kind of American women's soccer star. 

Read Gwen's full story about Naomi Girma.

Check out her podcast, Hustle Rule: The Untold Stories Of Women's Soccer

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Plus: One of baseball’s brightest young stars may be on the move. And the Chosen One takes his talents to a high school gym in South L.A.

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