By Ron Wynn Exciting and charismatic blues-rock guitarist Mike Zito didn’t plan to make his current LP “Quarantine Blues.” Instead, his goal was to promote his acclaimed 2019 release “Rock”Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry” on Ruf Records via a European tour. The outstanding LP, one of last year’s finest in any idiom, contains 20 tunes featuring 21 guest guitarists: Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Robben Ford, Sonny Landreth, Richard Fortus, Alex Skolnick, Joanna Connor, Anders Osborne, Ryan Perry, Ally Venable, Albert Castiglia, Luther Dickinson, Jeremiah Johnson, Tommy Castro, Tinsley Ellis, Josh Smith, Kirk Fletcher, Jimmy Vivino, Kid Andersen.…
Author: Ron Wynn
No sector of American society has been untouched by the ongoing nationwide protests against police brutality and racism, and that certainly includes the sports world. From some NBA players opening questioning whether now is the However one place where it probably wasn’t as expected was from college athletes. For decades they’ve operated in a system where coaches got the big money and major publicity, while their efforts landed lots of income for institutions and next to nothing for them beyond the basics of a scholarship. They were deemed “amateurs” by the NCAA, and prevented from even working jobs in the…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — A pair of now departed players are the only members of the Tennessee Titans to make ESPN’s top players of the decade from the AFC South. The list was made public last week, and Delanie Walker was chosen as the finest Titan and the starting tight end on that team. He was selected by writer Turron Davenport. “Walker was one of the best free-agent signings in Titans history,” Davenport said on ESPN’s website. “He was the epitome of consistency for Tennessee, with an ability to generate yards after the catch and consistently make plays…
Both the NFL and the NCAA have been operating publicly throughout the cornonavirus/COVID-19 as though they feel their seasons will be able to proceed on schedule. The NFL has twice held big splashy events in the draft and the announcement of the schedule, while some colleges are now allowing athletes to return for on-campus workouts. But a lot of very basic questions remain, and the biggest of all hasn’t even been addressed by either entity. It was raised once more last week on the air by ESPN sports commentator and co-host of “Pardon The Interruption” Tony Kornheiser in very straight-forward…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The impressive track of Vanderbilt players taken in the annual MLB draft continued last week, led by former star Austin Martin being taken number five overall by the Toronto Blue Jays. That actually was a little lower than anticipated as some thought Martin might as either the first or second overall choice. Martin became the sixth Commodore taken in the top five and the 10th overall Top 10 pick since Tim Corbin became head coach in 2003. Martin played 65 games at third base, 25 in center field, 13 at second base, 13 at…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Assuming there’s going to be a 2020 college football season, the Tennessee State Tigers have gotten some help from incoming transfers. Last week former University of Memphis running back Devon Starling announced he was transferring to TSU. Starling is a former Class 6A Mr. Football (2018), and looks to be a factor in a backfield that lost its two top rushing threats and four of its overall top five running backs. Starling is also the third recent former FBS player to join the Tigers via transfer in two months. Last month head coach Rod…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The Nashville Predators joined 23 other teams this week as phase two of the NHL’s resumption of the season began. Monday marked the day that clubs were permitted to reopen training facilities in their home cities and allow players to participate in individual training activities, both on and off-ice. While these were listed as voluntary, given that the league’s been out of action since mid-March, when the season was suspended due to concerns over the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, once teams can get all their players back, it’s pretty much a given that everyone wants to…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — With various NFL players appearing on video last week and others making public statements in the wake of nationwide protests about police brutality and social justice, Titans’ safety Kevin Byard appeared on national television to make some powerful statements of his own. Byard was a guest on Fox Sports 1’s Jim Rome show last Wednesday and he spoke with conviction regarding both what happened to George Floyd and his view on race relations and the importance of team unity. “First and foremost, my condolences go out to George Floyd and his family,” Byard said.…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Former Vanderbilt star and Cy Young Award winner David Price is doing his part to help minor league players. Their lives and careers have been negatively affected by the suspension of the Major League season due to the pandemic. Price, traded this past offseason from the Boston Red Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers, has pledged to personally give $1,000 to each minor leaguer in the Dodger organization. That covers 220 players. This will be in addition to the $400 a month they are now receiving from the Dodgers organization, a payment that only…
The NFL has long had a problem with diversity issues in hiring, particularly when it comes to coaches and front office positions. Back in 2005 they adopted what became known as “The Rooney Rule,” which was the brainchild of Pittsburgh Steelers’ owner Art Rooney. At the time it required that all teams interview at least one minority candidate for any coaching or front office vacancy. But 15 years later, even the most upbeat, optimistic types have acknowledged it hasn’t resulted in the expansion of opportunity that was expected or intended. Following an offseason when only one minority (Ron Rivera, previously…