By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — For the first time in eight years the Tennessee State Tigers have won four straight Ohio Valley Conference games, even if one didn’t count in the league standings. Their 27-21 homecoming victory over Murray State Saturday at Nissan Stadium kept them tied with Southeast Missouri State at 3-1 in the OVC (5-3 overall). And while they nearly blew a three-touchdown lead, the Tigers are now in position to claim the OVC title if they win their next two games. The first is Saturday on the road against UT Martin, who lead the OVC at…
Author: Ron Wynn
For many college football fans Saturday’s 37-33 Michigan State victory over Michigan in East Lansing was little more than just another interesting contest between longtime rivals. But for those more familiar with the story behind Michigan State, most notably the fact they are among the rare predominantly white colleges with both a Black head coach and athletic director, it was a history occasion. The fact that the Spartans rallied from a 16-point second half deficit to win only made things better for Michigan State fans. It also helped the Heisman Trophy candidacy of Kenneth Walker III, who had five touchdowns…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — While Black westerns aren’t nearly as new as some would have you think (Herb Jeffries debuted in them back in the ‘30s), there remain those who consider seeing Black characters in Westerns a novelty. But director Jeymes Samuel doesn’t want anyone to deem this film something odd or unusual. He’s calling the film “The Harder They Fall” a film for everyone, but with a predominantly Black cast. “But if every time you put people of colour in a Western, and say, ‘These people were slaves’, and if every time they put women in a…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLLE, TN — Former President Barack Obama and superstar comedian Dave Chappelle were among those offering tributes to this year’s inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Saturday at the induction ceremonies in Cleveland. President Obama and Chappelle praised Jay-Z, while Taylor Swift honored Carole King and Paul McCartney paid tribute to the Foo Fighters. Tina Turner and The Go-Gos were also honored at the event. Obama, speaking via video, called 23-time Grammy winner JAY-Z “the embodiment of the American Dream” for his rise from a poor New York neighborhood to a billionaire songwriter, record…
Even many longtime Atlanta Braves’ fans will have a tough time rooting against the Houston Astros when the World Series begins this week. That’s because the Astros’ have as their manager one of the most beloved figures in Major League Baseball. That’s 72-year-old Dusty Baker, who’s already achieved a host of firsts in his long career. These include being the first manager to lead five different teams to division titles. When the Astros defeated the Red Sox 5-0 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, Baker also became the first Black manager to win pennants in both leagues.…
NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Titans now hit the road for two straight games in excellent shape, having won consecutive home games and beaten both the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs. They also have to be thrilled with the performance of their defense in Sunday’s game against Kansas City. They had four sacks of Patrick Mahomes, as well as five other hits on him. Mahomes left the game late in the fourth quarter after a play in which Mahomes’ head was accidentally hit by Jeffrey Simmons thigh as he was going down. Mahomes passed concussion protocol, but was not…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Longtime alto saxophone-standout Bobby Watson appears with his quartet Saturday at the new Jazz Cave located inside the Nashville Jazz Workshop, 1012 Buchanan Street. Watson’s band includes bassist Curtis Lundy, pianist Marc Payne and drummer Terreon Gully. Watson and Lundy appeared two years ago in Nashville at Rudy’s. COVID-19 protocols are in effect. All persons inside the venue must be fully vaccinated and show their vaccination card, ID, and ticket at the door. The Workshop asks that everyone wear a mask while inside. Masks will be provided for all those who don’t have them.…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Among the new limited series that ABC plans is one designed to highlight the achievement of Black women in the Civil Rights Movement. The network announced this week that “Women of the Movement” would premiere Jan 6. The network also released a new preview teaser for the show. It stars Tony Award winner Adrienne Warren as Mamie Till-Mobley. The six-episode series will air in three parts for three consecutive weeks. It is based on the true story of Till-Mobley, “who in 1955 risked her life to find justice after her son Emmett was brutally…
Dawn Staley has been a trailblazer for women athletes and coaches throughout her career. She was an All-American and All-Pro player in her college and WNBA days, and has since become one of the nation’s finest women’s college basketball coaches. But last week she achieved a new status, that of precent-shattering figure. Staley signed a seven-year, $22.4 million contract extension. The new deal makes her the nation’s highest paid Black woman coach and one of the top period. It comes on the heels of Staley leading the U.S. women’s team to the gold medal in the Olympics and taking the…
NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Titans continue battling injuries as they prepare to meet the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs Sunday at home. They’re coming off a major upset Monday night as they overcame a fourth quarter deficit and rallied for a 34-31 victory over the Buffalo Bills. The Titans won despite losing offensive tackle Taylor Lewan and wide receiver Julio Jones to injury once again, and also trying to find anyone in the secondary besides safety Kevin Byard, who had another interception, able to consistently make plays. However they were fueled again by running back Derrick Henry, who’s…