SportsBeat KC

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On Mike Gundy, Eyes of Texas and the empowerment of college athletes Jun 16, 2020

Show notes

The voices of college athletes are being heard.

This week, one of the nation’s top running backs, Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard, expressed anger at Cowboys coach Mike Gundy for wearing a T-shirt touting a news outlet that’s labeled the Black Lives Matter movement as a farce. And some Black football players at Texas have called on the school to drop its “Eyes of Texas” song because of historically racist undertones.

In this episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast, sports columnist Vahe Gregorian and host Blair Kerkhoff discuss what’s happening on campuses across the country and how athletes feel empowered to speak up against traditions, symbols and even coaches who seemingly don’t respect their views.

Also, Vahe tells us where he spent his Tuesday morning and we discuss the College Football Hall of Fame ballot unveiled Tuesday. Among those appearing on the ballot for the first time are former Kansas State and Olathe North star Darren Sproles and Missouri coach Gary Pinkel.

Story links:

Mike Gundy faces backlash from multiple Oklahoma State players for wearing OAN shirt

Austin American Statesman: Could we envision Texas sports without “The Eyes...”

The winningest coach in Mizzou football history is up for this honor for the first time

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Did Royals’ position on paying minor leaguers help land top free agent? Jun 15, 2020

Show notes

Baseball wrapped up the strangest of drafts and undrafted free agent signings over the past few days and the Royals like where they stand. College pitching again was the emphasis, as three of the six drafted players and three of the undrafted free agents were college pitchers.

Also, the Royals appeared to have benefitted from their position announced last month that all minor leaguers would be paid this year. One undrafted free agent shared his story with Royals Lynn Worthy on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.

Story links:

Asa Lacy, the Royals’ top draft pick, was dubbed a first rounder at the ripe old age of 8

Royals’ Whit Merrifield embraces potential return of baseball as MLB and MLBPA trade barbs

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How Major League Soccer beat the other U.S. team sports on return to play Jun 12, 2020

Show notes

We’ve seen auto racing, mixed-martial arts and golf return to action in the U.S. Now we have a definitive date for the first return of a team-sports league in America.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Major League Soccer will open the MLS is Back Tournament on July 8, with all games played, minus fans, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex — Disney World — in Orlando. Teams have been placed in groups to begin the competition, with Sporting Kansas City drawing regional rivals Real Salt Lake, the Colorado Rapids and Minnesota United FC.

Soccer reporter Shaun Goodwin joins SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff in this episode of The Star’s daily podcast to talk about the challenges facing Sporting KC and the rest of MLS. Later, you’ll hear from Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes about how to re-start a team that began the year 2-0 ... and a season.

Story links:

MLS is Back Tournament draw is out: Sporting KC faces RSL, Minnesota, Colorado first

A very Sporting anniversary: 20 years of Peter Vermes changing soccer in Kansas City

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What adding another young arm through draft means for Royals Jun 11, 2020

Show notes

Let’s talk baseball, and not the feud between players and owners about when to start the season. Major League Baseball is holding its draft and the Royals had two picks on the first day. They selected Texas A&M left-handed pitcher Asa Lacy and Baylor shortstop Nick Loftin.

Royals beat writer Lynn Worthy breaks down the picks, and describes how Lacy, believed to be off the board when the Royals drafted at No. 4, was available to them. Later, you’ll hear from Royals assistant general manager-amateur scouting Lonnie Goldberg and general manager Dayton Moore on how the first day of the draft unfolded.

Story links:

Royals take highly regarded college left Asa Lacy with No. 4 overall pick and Baylor shortstop Nick Loftin at No. 32

Here are highlights of Royals’ first round pick, Asa Lacy of Texas A&M

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Chiefs press conference becomes call to action with Reid, Mahomes, Mathieu Jun 11, 2020

Show notes

It was a Chiefs press conference unlike any other. Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and Tyrann Mathieu used nearly all of their time talking to Kansas City reporters about race and social injustice. You’ll hear all of them, and everything they had to say, here on SportsBeat KC.

These folks were thrilled after winning the Super Bowl four months ago. They were just as passionate on the topics on this day. Reid’s opening statement went longer than five minutes. “Let’s make this place greater than it already is,” he said. “We have a chance to do that.”

Mahomes spoke to his responsibility as a young star. “I’ve been given this platform and I have to make sure I can do whatever I can to make the world a better place. I’ve always believed when people do things together for the right thing, change happens.”

Making the world a better place for Mahomes and Mathieu means getting involved in voter registration. They’ll have a meeting with Chiefs officials next week, including CEO and Chairman Clark Hunt about this action.

“If we can make voting cool, a trendy thing, we’re really setting these kids up for a great future,” Mathieu said.

It’s all here on SportsBeat KC, the Kansas City Star’s daily sports podcast.

Story links:

“Enough is enough:” Patrick Mahomes said he will use his platform to speak out

“Absolutely they matter:” Andy Reid gives ardent speech on Black Lives Matter

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On racism with coaches Calipari, Martin, Sampson, Chambers, others Jun 09, 2020

Show notes

Some of college basketball’s most prominent coaches got together last week for a forum called “Using Your Platform as a Coach During This Critical Time.” Coaches like Kentucky’s John Calipari, Houston’s Kelvin Sampson and South Carolina’s Frank Martin spoke to that.

But also much more. They each addressed how they felt when seeing the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, and some shared their experiences after having their car stopped by a policeman. You’ll hear from Calipari, Sampson, Martin, Penn State’s Pat Chambers, former Oregon coach Ernie Kent and panel moderator Ron Hunter.

Story links:

www.NABC.com: Using your platform as a coach during this critical time

Super Bowl XXII MVP (Doug Williams) praises Patrick Mahomes for speaking out on racial justice

Now in the NBA, former Jayhawks Oubre, Mason attend protests in Phoenix, Milwaukee

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Talking KC sports greatest, saddest moments with veteran scribe Jun 08, 2020

Show notes

Recently, The Star has use the pause in sports action to review and rank the greatest sports moments and people in the Kansas City sports scene, events and personalities that helps shape the area’s history. Opinions and contributions came from several sources, including sportswriters.

One, Randy Covitz, covered it all at The Star from 1981 until he retired in 2015. Hear what he had to say about the choices of such calls as “65 Toss Power Trap” from Super Bowl IV as the greatest moment and the Lin Elliott Game as the biggest disappointment.

Story links:

Ten moments when Kansas City sports broke our hearts

In our countdown, these are the five biggest plays in Kansas City sports history

Ranking the top 50 most influential people in Kansas City sports history

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Talking Mizzou, a peaceful march and voter registration Jun 05, 2020

Show notes

Missouri coaches and athletes joined the the anti-racism demonstrations this week but in a different way. Football coach Eli Drinkwitz, assistants and several players were joined by athletic director Jim Sterk, basketball coaches Cunozo Martin and Robin Pingeton and university system president Mun Choi and local police officers in a march from the Columns to the Boone County Courthouse, where they knelt for 8 minutes, 46 seconds, the length of time a Minneapolis police officer had his knee on George Floyd’s neck.. Later, 62 Missouri football players registered to vote.

Mizzou beat writer Souichi Terada joins SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff to talk about this week’s events at Missouri, and later in the podcast you’ll hear Drinkwitz explain how the week unfolded and the impact of the nation-wide demonstrations impacted on his outlook of social justice.

Story links:

“It’s not us vs. them:” What the peaceful march meant for Mizzou football

Mizzou football to return June 8 for voluntary workouts. Here’s how that will look

Mizzou reverses course, plans to test all student athletes for COVID-19 as they arrive

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Breaking down Drew Brees and reaction from NFL, including Chiefs Jun 04, 2020

Show notes

The biggest NFL story to come out of the nation-wide protests is happening now. In an interview, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees repeated a stance he’s had about standing for the national anthem before games. Brees said anything but standing at attention is disrespectful.

The kneeling that took place before games three years ago over racism and social injustice could happen this year in light of the protests that have swept the nation. Brees’ teammates and others around the NFL, including members of the Chiefs, took to social media, to criticize Brees, who issued an apology on Thursday.

On SportsBeat KC, Chiefs beat writer Herbie Teope joins host Blair Kerkhoff to talk about the events of the past two days. Teope covered the Saints from 2016-19. He knows the team, the players and the locker room dynamics. And as a 20-year veteran of the Army, Teope brings a unique perspective.

Story links:

Saints’ Drew Brees pens apology for comments about flag, national anthem

Tyrann Mathieu, other Chiefs players blast Saints’ Drew Brees over flag comment

Nola.com: Drew Brees apologies, says his comments were “insensitive” and “completely missed the mark”

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Training camp homebodies means St. Joe a no-go for Chiefs Jun 03, 2020

Show notes

For the first time in nearly three decades the Chiefs won’t leave the metro area for training camp. The NFL is requiring teams to use their training facilities this summer because of health concerns related to COVID-19. The team or NFL hasn’t said fans couldn’t attend...yet. But if fans aren’t allowed or attendance is limited that would be a blow to the fan base that figured to arrive in record numbers this year to watch the Super Bowl champions.

Chiefs beat writer Sam McDowell talks about a training camp that won’t happen at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph on SportsBeat KC with host Blair Kerkhoff. After a break, we hear from new assistant coach Andy Hill. The former longtime Mizzou assistant has joined the staff of the team he grew up rooting for in Trenton, Mo., and chatted with reporters last week about his new role.

Story links:

No St. Joseph for Chiefs as NFL tells teams to hold training camp at home

Once a Chiefs final cut, Andy Hill has a fresh start with them now

Patrick Mahomes shares hopeful but determined message about George Floyd

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