By Mike Patton NASHVILLE, TN — Going into his second season at Tennessee State University, head coach Eddie George reloaded the team with infusions of talent from incoming freshmen to the transfer portal. One of those players brought to the program was Draylen Ellis. The junior quarterback, who transferred in from Austin Peay won the starting competition this preseason in a quarterback competition. He came out of the blocks smoking during the first game versus nationally-ranked Eastern Washington, throwing for 257 yards and rushing for 119 yards and having three total touchdowns in a close loss. The offense stalled versus…
Author: Mike Patton
By Mike PattonSpecial to the Tribune MEMPHIS, TN — The Tennessee State University Tigers came out to the bright lights and energetic fans at the Liberty Bowl for the Southern Heritage Classic on Sept. 3 with the intent of taking down one of the top teams in FCS football _ Jackson State University Tigers. And although TSU was right there with Jackson State for majority of the game, Jackson State would salt the game away in the end after a Shadeur Sanders touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter put Jackson State up 16-3, the final score. The Tigers are…
By Mike Patton Familiarity does make things easier. For Titans Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Racey McMath, the return to a Todd Downing offense with which they are very familiar is a positive. They are also two of the more experienced pieces in this offense, as Westbrook-Ikhine is entering his third year with the Titans and McMath entering his second year with the team. But along with that experience, there is growth that is evident from both young players. When McMath was drafted in the sixth round in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State University, he wasn’t necessarily a…
By Mike Patton NASHVILLE, TN — A celebrity basketball game capped off the inaugural TSU Deserve 2 Win Weekend on June 26. The game featured San Francisco 49ers WR JuJuan Jennings, current Tampa Bay Bucs offensive guard Shaq Mason, University of Memphis head coach Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway and former Tigers guard Patrick Miller. There was excitement and a buzz in the Gentry Center throughout the entire game as amazing shots were hit, dunks were made and showmanship on the court was presented. The for the weekend came out of a brainstorming session with Tennessee State University’s men’s basketball coach Brian…
By Mike Patton NASHVILLE, The inaugural Black Sports Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia earlier in June was billed as a disruptive event that unites, cultivates, illuminates, and celebrates Black professionals and students in the sports industry. Eric Wilson, the CMO of the Sideline Sports Network and Executive Producer of The Sports Arena Digital Media Show, was very impressed with the three-day event.“The Black Sports Business Symposium opened doors and provided us an opportunity to network and meet those in the industry that are sitting at the table, ” Wilson said. Wilson and others met with ESPN decision-makers and recruiters…
By Mike Patton NASHVILLE, TN — Derrick Henry was a man on a mission in 2021. He was leading the league in rushing and heading into the game against the Indianapolis Colts and the Titans were at the top of the NFL with a 5 to 2 record. Then, it happened. Henry left the game with an undisclosed injury. Once diagnosed, it was discovered that he would have to have surgery and miss the rest of the regular season. Henry would come back for the postseason, but it was obvious that he was rusty and not his usual self. Unfortunately,…
By Mike Patton NASHVILLE, TN — Tennessee had some representatives in this year’s Olympics with Kendra “Keni” Harrison, Alex Young and Erica Bougard. All three gave their all, however, only one was able to come home with a medal. Tennessee-born but North Carolina-raised, Keni Harrison came into the hurdles event as someone to watch. After not making the Olympics in 2016 despite being a favorite to make the team, Harrison was determined to not only make the team, but make an impact on the track and that she did. She made it through all her heats and landed square…
By Mike Patton NASHVILLE, TN — Every four years, the Olympics takes place and plenty of faces we don’t see regularly take the main stage. Track and Field is one of those sports that tends to take the main stage in the Summer Olympics and births Black track stars over the years like Michael Johnson and the Allyson Felix. Three Tennesseans head to this year’s Olympics in Tokyo to hopefully make their star shine brighter this year and not only represent for them, but for their families. Alex Young The former Lavergne High school and Southeastern Louisiana track athlete once…
By Mike Patton KNOXVILLE, TN — From the battlefield to the minor leagues in baseball to the police force, Johnnie Fenderson achieved a lot of things in his life. The Birmingham, Alabama native passed away in his home in Knoxville on June 19, 2021. He was 76 years old. Before starting his baseball career, Fenderson was a member of the Army. He remained a member of the Army until he was honorably discharged, and then that led to the next step in his life: baseball. During his seven-year professional baseball career that began in 1964, the outfielder and first baseman…
By Mike Patton NASHVILLE, TN — News of young Black men and women coming out of high school and signing to play football and basketball often make the headlines but there are other sports where students excel. There is not much mention of Black kids signing for baseball, track and soccer. Well, this year there are some kids taking the path least mentioned and going to the baseball diamonds and taking on near by soccer fields. There may be future stars that signed with colleges sitting right among us. Here are a few Black future stars from the schools around…