Month: February 2014

Michael Sam handles NFL spotlight like a true professional

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By Nick Shook

Oklahoma State quarterback Clint Chelf (10) evades Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam (52) in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014. Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez of Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus.

Oklahoma State quarterback Clint Chelf (10) evades Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam (52) in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014. Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez of Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus.

The NFL has become a year-round attraction.

It started with the creation of the NFL Network 10 years ago, and the network continues to prove that its product is the best in America. NFLN started broadcasting the league’s scouting combine live years ago, giving around-the-clock coverage to a bunch of burly, athletic men running as fast as they can in a straight line (40-yard dash), running and cutting between cones and bench pressing 225 pounds consecutively as many times as possible.

But this year’s combine is different. It includes the first openly gay prospect. And that player is handling the spotlight excellently.

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Sports With Shook: Nate Ulrich on Dri Archer [Feb. 24, 2014]

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Cleveland Browns beat writer Nate Ulrich joined Sports With Shook on Monday to discuss the NFL Combine. Ulrich discusses the impressive workout of Kent State graduate Dri Archer with host Nick Shook and compares him to the Browns’ Travis Benjamin, calling Archer faster. Tune into Sports With Shook every Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. only on Black Squirrel Radio.

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Sports With Shook: Feb. 24, 2014

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Sports With Shook returns for its final semester of programming. This week, Nick Shook is joined in studio by Kory Kubasek, Austin Moore and Jake Rosenberger to discuss the Cleveland Browns almost trading for head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Cavaliers’ trade, Jadeveon Clowney and Dri Archer, the end of the Olympics and the demise of the Sochi’s Nightmare Bear. Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal joins the show to discuss the Browns news, the NFL Combine and upcoming free agency. Christian Petrila makes a surprise appearance and again delivers a great impression of the late Howard Cosell. Tune in every Monday from 2-4 p.m. for more of Black Squirrel Radio’s two-time award-winning sports-talk show.

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One family’s loss

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By Nick Shook and Alyssa Morlacci

View video here: One family’s loss

Martin Alvord was an aspiring artist.

At a young age, he began checking out library books about famous artists. He used them to teach himself how to draw and paint, despite the fact he was born with just two fingers on each hand. While growing up in urban Akron, Martin practiced graffiti on dilapidated buildings. Once a family friend asked him to spray paint his entire basement.

Martin pursued his passion for art in college, first attending the Cleveland Institute of Art and then transferring to Kent State. Despite many successes, Martin felt pressured when figuring out how to make his art profitable. He didn’t want to sacrifice his own creative freedom for the financial pressures associated with a college education.

Martin died by suicide on Nov. 13, 2011. His friends and family remember him as a fun-loving, comical young man with a bright future that was ended too soon.

Martin’s oldest brother, Phil Alvord, and college friend Eddie Kilroy reflect on Martin’s talents, hilarious personality and sudden departure.

Wells Report reveals cowards inside Miami Dolphins locker room

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Tackle Jonathan Martin, right, in his stance before ball is snapped during Miami Dolphins practice at the Dolphins training facility at NSU in Davie, Florida, Tuesday, July 23, 2013. Photo by Joe Rimkus Jr. of the Miami Herald. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus.

Tackle Jonathan Martin, right, in his stance before ball is snapped during Miami Dolphins practice at the Dolphins training facility at NSU in Davie, Florida, Tuesday, July 23, 2013. Photo by Joe Rimkus Jr. of the Miami Herald. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus.

Jonathan Martin did the right thing.

When the Miami Dolphins’ starting left tackle slammed his food tray down in frustration and abruptly left the facility’s cafeteria, and ultimately, the organization, he was doing the right thing.

When Martin drove to the gas station, bought a bottle of vodka that he did not drink, saw a movie, bought a sandwich and later checked himself into a hospital because he felt he was acting irrationally, he was doing the right thing.

The ensuing forest fire of debate and national scrutiny surrounding the Dolphins’ sudden bullying scandal was not Martin’s fault. He didn’t wish for any of that to occur. He had simply had enough, and finally decided to do something about it.

After reading snippets from the Wells Report, released last week after a months-long investigation into the Dolphins’ locker room, I was disturbed, but not entirely shocked. Because I knew, on a much lesser scale and for a much shorter amount of time, how it felt to be Jonathan Martin.

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College fans leaving class at home

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By Nick Shook

Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart sits on the bench with four fouls during the second half against Kansas State at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Ks., on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. K-State won, 74-71. Photo by Travis Heying of the Wichita Eagle. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus.

Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart sits on the bench with four fouls during the second half against Kansas State at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Ks., on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. K-State won, 74-71. Photo by Travis Heying of the Wichita Eagle. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus.

Where’s the class?

College students sit through them, older fans passed—or flunked—them, but lately, fanbases big and small are missing stylish excellence and respect.

Saturday night’s altercation between Oklahoma State University’s Marcus Smart and a Texas Tech fan brought this issue to the forefront of national criticism. Talking heads have had opinions on what Smart should or should not have done and on the surrounding circumstances, but it seems like the focus is on the wrong person in this situation.

At the end of the game between Oklahoma State and Texas Tech, Smart attempted to block an opposing dunk but stumbled into the baseline seating area, feet away from opposing fans. As the video shows, Smart was relaxed and was helped up by teammates when, suddenly, his head snapped around in a reactive manner. He immediately got up and into the face of a Texas Tech fan, who said something to Smart before the Oklahoma State star shoved the man.

As expected, chaos ensued. A smattering of Oklahoma State officials escorted Smart away from the section and to the OSU bench. Smart pointed at the man as he was escorted away and reportedly claimed the man yelled a racial slur at him.

I’m not going to get into the potential racism of this issue. Racial slurs are ugly weapons that are, unfortunately, all too real even in this day and age.

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Don’t give up on the Flashes yet

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By Nick Shook

Don’t mail it in on the Kent State men’s basketball team in 2014 just yet.

Yes, they’ve lost six of nine games.

Yes, they are currently last in the Mid-American Conference East Division standings.

As much as these two facts might drive a fan to leap off the bandwagon and hit the ground running, I’m here to tell you that it’s too early to give up on them.

History proves that the Flashes tend to hit their stride at this time of the season. Don’t believe me? Look at the last two seasons.

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When life gives you Sherman…

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By Nick Shook

Richard Sherman Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks answers questions during media day for Super Bowl XLVIII at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Tuesday, Jan. 28. 2014. Photo by Brian Branch Price and courtesy of MCT Campus.

Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks answers questions during media day for Super Bowl XLVIII at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Tuesday, Jan. 28. 2014. Photo by Brian Branch Price and courtesy of MCT Campus.

I’ve tried all week to avoid writing about Richard Sherman.

I’ve searched high and low for worthy distractions, new storylines and trending topics.

The sports world has done me no favors. Not even the Cleveland Browns’ laughable head coaching search could fill up this column.

You know what, hold that thought for later.

Sherman has been called various names and insulted countless times via social media since his outburst following Sunday’s NFC title victory. (In case you missed it, watch it here). Below are some facts to help get you up to speed. Continue reading →

The top five games of the college football bowl season

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By Nick Shook

I gave you eight days to recover from the exhilarating finish to the BCS National Championship Game. Now that you’ve had time to rest, recuperate, reflect and rehydrate, it’s time to look back on the most exciting games of college football’s annual bowl season.

5. Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Central Florida 52, Baylor 42

This game promised to be one of the higher-scoring contests of bowl season, and it lived up to the hype.

Fiesta Bowl

Central Florida’s Rannell Hall (6) runs during a 50-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against Baylor during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az., on January 1, 2014. Photo by Wally Skalij at Los Angeles Times. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus.

Art Briles’ Baylor Bears had a banner year, going 11-1, winning the Big 12 and coming one conference loss away from a shot at the national title. Briles and quarterback Bryce Petty were favored over American Athletic Conference champion Central Florida, playing in its first Bowl Championship Series game in school history.

Boy, were the bookmakers ever wrong.

Led by quarterback Blake Bortles and running back Storm Johnson, the Knights emphatically cast their place in UCF history from the opening kick. Johnson scored twice in the first quarter and the Knights never trailed, running away with a surprising and impressive victory over Baylor.

As a fan of beautiful execution, my favorite part of the game came in the form of two well-timed screen plays, both in the second quarter. The first was a bubble screen from Bortles to wide receiver Rannell Hall near the left sideline, and while I despise the bubble screen for its ineffectiveness and think it should be banished from playbooks worldwide, UCF gave me a reason to believe that maybe it isn’t all that bad. And wouldn’t you know, the second was again a bubble screen, this time to the right sideline. Textbook downfield blocking from Knights wide receiver Josh Reese sprung the scores. Nothing gets me more fired up during a football game than great downfield blocking.

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