The Lead

For years, the location of an iconic Joe Paterno statue, which once stood on the Penn State campus, has been unknown. Today, as part of our look back at 2020, we’re replaying an episode about the statue that first aired back in June. The Athletic’s Audrey Snyder spoke with us about why Penn State has gone to such great lengths to conceal its location, and what she discovered in her own quest to find it.

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Back in March, the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team and its lawsuit over equal pay once again came into the national spotlight. Today, we’re replaying an episode about that case as part of our look back at 2020. The Athletic’s Meg Linehan joined us to break down the controversy that led to a major backlash from fans and sponsors -- and the sudden resignation of U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro.

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Back in March, the NBA suspended play in sudden and dramatic fashion after Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for the coronavirus. It was a night that, to many, signaled just how serious the pandemic had become -- and in the days that followed, life as we knew it changed. Today, as part of our look back at 2020, we’re rebroadcasting our episode about how that night unfolded.

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In February, the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl thanks to a dramatic fourth quarter comeback. It was the first Super Bowl victory for Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Pat Mahomes -- a duo that could now be building a dynasty in Kansas City. Today, as part of our look back at the year in sports, we're replaying that episode, which was recorded shortly after the team's historic win.

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As the year comes to an end, we're replaying some of our best and most memorable episodes of 2020 -- the stories that defined the year in sports. First, we're revisiting the fateful day in late January when Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven other people were killed in a tragic helicopter crash, shocking the city of Los Angeles, the basketball community, and the world.

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The NBA season begins tonight, with a very familiar name making his coaching debut for the Brooklyn Nets: Steve Nash. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Alex Schiffer to look at how the last five years (including a bond with Steve Kerr and Kevin Durant in Golden State) have prepared Nash for this moment, and how his resume as a two-time MVP has helped him earn the respect of Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn. 

Follow Alex Schiffer’s coverage of the Nets: https://theathletic.com/author/alex-schiffer/?source=theleadpodcast

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A few weeks ago, Trevor Lawrence had been all but written off as a Heisman Trophy candidate. But after his impressive performance against #2 ranked Notre Dame on Saturday, the Clemson star might now be back in the running. The Athletic's Grace Raynor joins us to discuss Lawrence’s roller coaster of a 2020 season, what comes next for him and the Tigers, and why the star QB deserves real consideration for college football's top individual honor.

More from Grace Raynor:

https://theathletic.com/author/grace-raynor/?source=theleadpodcast

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Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer became the all-time winningest head coach in women’s college basketball history this week. The Athletic’s Zac Boyer joins us to discuss what makes the 67-year-old coach so special (according to those who have played for her), how good this year's top-ranked Cardinal team really is, and why Vanderveer’s legacy extends well beyond the basketball court. (Note: A popular Baha Men song from circa 2000 may or may not also be discussed.)

Read Zac Boyer's story about Teresa VanDerveer:

https://theathletic.com/2256172/2020/12/15/tara-vanderveer-stanford-wins-record-womens-basketball/?source=theleadpodcast

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The New Orleans Pelicans made a lot of changes this offseason, trading away point guard Jrue Holiday, bringing in Stan Van Gundy as head coach and picking up center Steven Adams from Oklahoma City. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Will Guillory to look at how Adams’s toughness can make life easier for Zion Williamson, and to discuss the larger-than-life personality and unforgettable stories that the big man brings to New Orleans (including one decision that would make many sneakerheads cringe).

Read all of Will Guillory’s stories about Steven Adams: https://theathletic.com/2246775/2020/12/08/steven-adams-pelicans-center-personality/

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Tottenham takes on Liverpool today in a matchup of the top two teams in the Premier League. For Spurs coach Jose Mourinho, this season's success has been a welcome return to the spotlight, after several years of failure (and falling outs) at Manchester United and Chelsea. The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke joins us to talk about Mourinho's remarkable coaching journey, why he and Tottenham are now clicking, and what continued success will mean for his reputation -- and the sport.

More from Jack Pitt-Brooke:

https://theathletic.com/author/jack-pitt-brooke/?source=theleadpodcast

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