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…
Author: Ron Wynn
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…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Both the NFL and the Tennessee Titans are proceeding as though the 2020 season will begin on time, and that includes the usual four preseason games. Last Friday the team announced there would be one change in the preseason slate. with an earlier starting time. The Titans are scheduled to start the preseason on the road against Washington August 15 for what was first a 4:15 CDT start, but it will now begin at 3 p.m. CDT. It will also be carried by both WRKN-2 and the NFL Network. WKRN will once again air…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Despite the lack of specifics regarding when the NHL season might resume or where, the Nashville Predators now at least know who they would face in the opening round of the playoffs. The NHL Players Association voted last Friday to approve the league proposal of a 24-team, conference-based playoff format. That doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a resumption of play as the union and owners still must agree on health and safety proposals, but it does mean that if/when it happens, the Predators would be the sixth seed in the Western Conference and…
A labor/management confrontation isn’t exactly what anyone would expect in the midst of the CoronaVirus/COVID-19 global pandemic, but that’s exactly what’s looming in the world of Major League Baseball. Despite Commissioner Rob Manfred’s overly optimistic sentiments last week when he discussed with reporters the latest MLB plan for relaunching the season, there’s no way one can view what’s about to happen as anything other than a major fight occurring between the owners and players. The MLB players union has long been rightly viewed as the strongest in pro sports, and one of the things that they cherish the most is…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Vanderbilt head basketball coach Jerry Stackhouse’s staff was reduced last week. An announcement that initially surfaced online last Monday night was subsequently confirmed laster in the week by the university. Former assistants David Grace and Ricardo Patton will not be returning to the team for the 2020-21 season. The more unusual thing about this move was that these were the two most experienced coaches on the 12-member staff. Grace’s roles with the Commodores included recruiting coordination, scouting opponents, practice planning, skill development, player behavior, and academics. He joined the Commodores staff after serving…
TSU kicker Antonio Zita has entered the transfer portal By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee State Tigers will be losing one of their most reliable offensive weapons for the 2020 season. Kicker Antonio Zita, whose accuracy enabled him to set a school record last year for most field goals in a single season, announced he was entering the transfer portal last Thursday. Zita made 20 of 24 attempts, including three of four between 40 and 49 yards and one from 50. He also made 30 0f 33 extra points and even served as the backup punter. The sophomore…