THE FACE OF COURAGE.

Several weeks following Major League Baseball’s celebration of 66 years since Jackie Robinson broke the game’s color barrier, on Monday, America witnessed another individual step forward to open the doors for those like him in Sports.

Washington Wizards Center Jason Collins made history and came out as the first active openly gay male athlete in any of America’s four major team sports.

No, Collins won’t go down as a legend of the court the same way Robinson, a first-ballot Baseball Hall-of -Famer did on the diamond.

A free agent in June, there is the strong possibility Collins will not even BE with a team next year. 

NBA General Managers may not have an interest in the 34 year-old backup big man, whose best statistical season came in 2004 (6.1 rebounds, .9 blocks, 6.4 points) for the then-New Jersey Nets.

Regardless, Collins raised his hand and came forward to show others that they should no longer attempt to hide who they are due to fear of not being accepted by their peers on the field as well as the locker rooms:

“Aww, hell no! I don't want any faggots on my team. I know this might not be what people want to hear, but that's a punk. I don't want any faggots in this locker room.”

-Former 49ers Running Back Garrison Hearst (2002)

"First of all, I wouldn't want him on my team.  And second of all, if he was on my team, I would, you know, really distance myself from him because, uh, I don't think that's right. And you know I don't think he should be in the locker room while we're in the locker room. I wouldn't even be a part of that.”

 - Former NBA Point Guard Tim Hardaway (2007)

“I don't do the gay guys, man. I don't do that. Ain't got no gay people on the team. They gotta get up outta here if they do. Can't be with that sweet stuff.”

- 49ers Cornerback Chris Culliver (2013)

“Football is supposed to be this violent sport — this aggressive sport that grown men are supposed to play. Ain’t no little boys out here between them lines. So if you gay, we look at you as a sissy. You know? Like, how you going to say you can do what we do and you want a man?”

-   LSU Running Back Alfred Blue (2013)

“All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys SMH…”

-Dolphins Wide Receiver Mike Wallace (Yesterday, via Twitter).

Each of these men would later go on to recant their statements, but you KNOW that is how they really feel, and those comments echo others who have similar feelings towards the idea of having a gay teammate. 

However, this isn’t the 1940’s, this is 2013, and we should be past this point as human beings as well as Americans.

There are those who say what Collins did is not a big deal; that they don’t understand why he had to “come out,” that it’s only about if you can play, that this is just an attempt to gain publicity by a 12-year veteran journeyman (six NBA teams) on his last legs in the league.

I agree:  It SHOULD only be about if you can play the game or not…

But all you have to do is look at the quotes above, or have turned on the radio or TV yesterday and you can see exactly why it matters…

In time, more WILL choose to follow the path Jason Collins has paved.  In time a big-time gay superstar-athlete WILL come along, and in time being gay and playing pro Basketball, Football, Baseball, or Hockey won't be a big deal and really won't matter.

However, yesterday it did.  Funny thing about courage is that it can be contagious.

-WST

TEN AWKWARD QUESTIONS CLUELESS WHITE PEOPLE ASK ME!

No one leads the league in awkward questions asked about Black People like White People...

I’m not piling on the whole race now. A large percentage of the Caucasians I associate with are not clueless at all.

 But they grew up with me immersed in diversity, a privilege that everyone is not afforded.

In 27 years of life, I’ve fielded every racially-associated question you can think of from Caucasians without much frustration or ill-will…

Some asked just to make conversation because they didn’t know what else to say…

Others were simply due to the fact that they hadn’t hung out with too many African-Americans and naturally there was curiosity.

Here are ten of my all-time favorites!

10. "WHAT DO GRITS TASTE LIKE?"

9. "YOUR HAIR IS DIFFERENT…CAN I TOUCH IT?"

8. "SO…DID YOU VOTE FOR OBAMA?"

7."CAN I TELL YOU A JOKE?  IT'S A LITTLE RACIST…"

6. "MJ OR KOBE?"

5. "CAN YOU TEACH ME HOW TO DANCE?"

4. "NEVER HAD A BLACK FRIEND, WILL YOU BE MINE?"

3. "IS IT TRUE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT BLACK GUYS?"

2. "DO YOU CARE IF I SAY THE N-WORD?"

1."TUPAC OR BIGGIE?"

Tupac-Biggie isn’t really an awkward question as much as it’s the timing.  White people tend to drop it out of the blue when there’s no discussion of music going on whatsoever.

If a white guy is around black people he’s unfamiliar with, the old “Tupac or Biggie” debate is THE go-to play.

Stepped out for a drink with some people Friday night and my buddy’s girl brought a couple of her co-workers.  Here’s how’s the convo went right after we had finished discussing our jobs:

HIM: So you a Biggie or Tupac fan man?

ME: (shit-eating grin) First-time huh?

HIM: Excuse me?

ME: Never mind, I’m more of a Biggie guy bro.

HIM: Me Too!  I felt like Pac was a better storyteller but Biggie was all about the lyrics man!

I know he went home excited as shit like I MADE A BLACK FRIEND! UNITY!!!!!

-WST

FULL CIRCLE FRIDAY: MAKE EM SAY UGH!

All the stories you know and ones you don’t, but should. Welcome to FULL CIRCLE

MONDAY

            -I present you with the Adventures of Christopher Bosh in the Multiverse

I have no clue what the hell I just watched, do you?  That was like a bad trip!

            -Also, here’s Chris Paul reminding you why he’s the best point guard in the NBA…

TUESDAY

-Manny Ramirez had his third home run of the season for the EDA Rhinos in Taiwan and usual, the announcer's call and reaction was amazeballs…

Is it weird that I want Manny to hit like 40 jacks just so this can continue?   

            -Also, Chael Sonnen appeared on Sportscenter to promote is upcoming UFC fight Saturday night for the Light-Heavyweight title against champ Jon “Bones” Jones…

He’s kind of a prick, but he DOES know how to play the villain role and people are going to pay good money to see him get his face kicked in.

WEDNESDAY

            -Someone managed to dig up the yearbook photo of Knicks Guard J.R. “swish” Smith…

Good to know he hasn’t changed a bit since then…

-Here’s the May cover of Boston magazine, made up of 2013 Marathon Runners shoes…

That’s dope; I’m with that program.

THURSDAY

            -Day one of the NFL Draft…

Really?  Did they really have to put the hats in a class case like it’s the damn Crown Jewels? Anyway, I freaked out and got a little out of my cage after the Bears made their pick; Kyle Long from Oregon in case anyone cared.  I didn't think so.

-I feel a lot better this morning though.  Maybe cause I keep watching replays of this…

Poor Kris Humphries.  Will the abuse ever stop?

FRIDAY

            -HOLY SHIT! FRENCH-CANADIAN HOCKEY BRAWL!!!!

I'm starting to really love Hockey...

WEEKEND WATCH!

What you should be doing this weekend if you know, you’re not drunk or doing something better…

SEE PAIN & GAIN!

            -Bros and Meatheads have been really waiting for this one. JUST MAKE SURE YOU HIT THE GYM AND GET A LIFT IN FIRST THOUGH BRO!!!!!  CHEST! BI’S! TRI’S! LATS! NO LEGS THOUGH! NO LEGS!

WATCH THE NFL DRAFT!

            -Still 48 hours left of draft coverage.  Maybe your favorite team will get one of the guys you wanted or maybe you’ll just get to throw more tantrums when they don’t.  Either way, you win!

WATCH THE NBA PLAYOFFS!

            -Just not the Lakers though, stick a fork in em!

FRIDAY SHOUT-OUT!

Recognizing whomever the hell I want!

I’ll keep it short and quick this week and give a shout-out to women!  You drive us men crazy, but you also bring us up when we're down.  Nothing you already don't know!

See you Monday when we do it again!

-WST

NBA (FOOD) PLAYOFFS: WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS!

The NBA playoffs have begun, and while there’s sure to be a little drama involved, its safe to say barring injury, the Heat are almost certain to end up facing either the Thunder or Spurs in the finals. 

Due to this, I’ve decided to make it interesting and pick my winners based off the foods that each city is known for. This morning, I went through the Semifinals match-ups and winners for the East and now we go West!

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1.) COUNTRY FRIED STEAK (OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER) VS. 4) ROSCOE’S CHICKEN AND WAFFLES (L.A. CLIPPERS)

THE STORY OKC: 

Country-Fried Steak from Ann’s Chicken Fry kind of won by default last week when it faced off against the Houston representative in Lean, a mixture of Sprite and codeine that can potentially kill you.  This round won’t be as easy.

Features: Steak, breading, gravy, served with biscuits, mashed potatoes or corn.

THE STORY L.A. CLIPPERS:

Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles is battle tested after a first round meeting with Memphis BBQ and they’re looking for respect!  They know that they’re responsible for everything C&W has become.

Features: American waffle, maple syrup, chicken breast/wing/leg.

THE VERDICT:  Both are comfort foods, but Chicken and Waffles is all the rage these days.  All the cool kids are eating it, and no matter what you say, you KNOW you want to be cool.

ROSCOE”S WITH THE UPSET AND GOING TO THE WESTERN CONFERENCE SHIP!

2.) TEX-MEX (SAN ANTONIO SPURS) VS. 6.) R&G LOUNGE’S PEKING DUCK (GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS)

THE STORY SAN ANTONIO:

             Last week, Rosario’s Mexican Café and Cantina unleashed the many weapons at it’s disposal and easily dispatched Pink’s Hot Dogs, a place that looks good and paper, but honestly is just average (like the Lakers).

Features: Ceviche, chorizo quesadillas, poblano chicken.

THE STORY R&G

The Peking duck from R&G Lounge in the Bay Area is delicious, but didn’t have much of a challenge in Rocky Mountain Oysters as very few people enjoy eating Bull’s balls.

Features: Roasted Duck, Sweet Dumplings.

THE VERDICT: It is true what the say about Chinese food; you really are still hungry an hour later and while Tex-Mex does tend to leave me on the toilet the next morning, who really cares when you’re slamming Margaritas?

TEQUILA! TEX-MEX MOVES ON!

So we’re all set with our Conference Finals for next month:

Five-seeded Chicago Deep Dish Pizza (Chicago) will face off against the sixth-seeded Chili Dog and Peach Pie from The Varsity (Atlanta).

Out west, the two-seed, Tex-Mex (San Antonio) will face Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles (Los Angeles)!

It’s about to get real!

-WST

NBA (FOOD) PLAYOFFS: EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS!

The NBA playoffs are here and while there’s sure to be a little drama involved, its safe to say barring injury, the Heat are almost certain to end up facing either the Thunder or Spurs in the finals. 

Due to this, I’ve decided to make it interesting and pick my winners based off the foods that each city is known for.  The opening round was one for the ages as we witnessed the one and three seeds upset!  Let’s get into the Semifinals!

EASTERN CONFERENCE

5.) DEEP DISH PIZZA (CHICAGO BULLS) VS. 8) CHEESE CURDS (MILWAUKEE BUCKS)

THE STORY CHICAGO: 

                -Last week the Deep Dish just worked over Nathan’s “Famous” Hot Dog like a CPD riot cop to move on to this round and now has it sights set on bringing Chicago it’s first Championship since 2010, when a the city went grape ape over a hockey team that only a small minority cared about five years earlier.  They won’t let you forget it either!

Features: Cornmeal crust, lots of tomato sauce, toppings, enough cheese to clog an artery.

The Story Milwaukee:

-The cheese curds from Milwaukee Brat House scored the biggest victory the city has seen in ages when it pulled the upset of the century and took down one-seeded Miami and their Cuban sandwich.  Now this underdog travels south down I-94 to the City of Wind…

-Features: Melted Cheddar, Grease.

-THE VERDICT:  This is harder than it looks.  In my cheese-loving perfect world, I get tipsy and smash an appetizer of curds before the main course of Deep Dish.

But it’s not, this is the semis baby and there’s no friendship here.  There are two reasons Milwaukee can’t win:

1.As I stated last week in the Shrimp Cocktail (Indy)-Chili Dog/Peach Pie (Atlanta) match-up, if you best dish is an appetizer, you’re in trouble Jack…

2. The Packers (don’t care if they’re not in Milwaukee) take a dump on the Bears every year and Bo Ryan’s Wisconsin Badgers always beat the Fighting Illini in hoops despite being nowhere close to as talented.         

                                                                                                                                                               The whole population of the state should go for a stroll…INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC!

DEEP DISH WINS AND MOVES TO EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS!

2.) HOT PASTRAMI ON RYE (NEW YORK KNICKS) VS. 6.) CHILLI DOG (ATLANTA HAWKS)

THE STORY NEW YORK:

- NY’s hot pastrami sandwich from Katz’s Deli found itself in a dogfight against Boston yet again as they took on a New England Lobster Roll.  There’s a lot of things about the “Big Apple” that I find overrated; Knicks, Yankees, their Pizza, Manhattan as a whole. 

This sandwich however, is not one of them.  It’s seriously a mean motherfucker.

-Features: Smoked Pastrami, Rye Bread, And Spicy Mustard.

THE STORY ATLANTA:

-Atlanta’s chili dog and peach pie tandem from The Varsity pulled off an upset of it's own, taking out Indianapolis’ spicy shrimp cocktail.  It really wasn’t a match-up though due to my appetizer rule.  Getting past NY won’t be as easy.

-Features: Special recipe Chili Dogs, Peach Pies, Onion rings.

-THE VERDICT: I can’t lie, as good as pastrami can be, I have to be in a special kind of mood for it, Meanwhile those Chili Dogs are FLAME! 

Like I said last week, I put aside the fact that I don’t eat Chili to eat them.  Have you ever done that shit before?  Tasted something so good, you’re like “I hate you, but just for the occasion, I’ll let it slide!”

CHILI DOG/PEACH PIE WITH A REAL UPSET!  THESE GUYS ARE ON FIRE!

Make sure you check back later this afternoon for the Western Conference Semifinals and picks!

-WST

WEDNESDAY RANT: CONFESSION OF A BARBER CHEATER!

“I feel dirty!”

 "I’m a cheater.  I need a shower. Should I call and just confess to what I’ve just done?  But it was just one time.  I’m never going to do it again!”

“But it was so AMAZING, so good I think I need a cigarette and I DON'T EVEN SMOKE SQUARES!  I gotta call again and go back. People will never know!”

That’s what I told myself back six months ago and now I’m in deep.  Every two weeks I shoot a text and less than five minutes later, I get a reply to come through.

I’m finally ready to admit it and let the world know….

 I’ve been cheating on my longtime barber and I’ve decided to leave him altogether and get my haircuts from another man.

Started harmlessly enough, I had driven past the barbershop near my home every day since it opened.

Had no interest though. I was loyal to my hometown barber and I had no intention of changing.  This guy had been cutting my hair since High School

Parties, football games, wrestling meets, homecoming, prom, whenever I came home from college; he made sure I looked fly every time.

It’s a very difficult process trusting someone with your hair when they’ve never worked with it before.

However, one crisp, fall evening, I get invited to some party last second and I definitely did not look appropriate from the neck up.

The amount of time it would take for me to get out west to the burbs, coupled with the wait time would be way too long and I needed a quick fix…

Took a gamble, hopped in my car and drove the couple blocks to the shop and walked in.

Five barbers, all with someone in their barber chairs.  Two twenty-somethings in the waiting seats.

A nice flatscreeen TV mounted in the corner showing “Belly,” a late 90’s “hood flick” with DMX and Nas for the uninitiated.

Finally, a hustle-guy in the back near the exit selling cookies, candy and socks.

Basically, every barbershop I had ever been in.  I can work with this.

I sit down and study the barbers: the key was to see who moved the fastest and who was really about the business of cutting hair. 

You go to some places and younger barbers like to clown around because men go to barbershops to hang out just as much they do to get cut up.

Get out of the house and shoot the shit-type deal. 

Sometimes conversations between a couple guys can turn into a shop-wide argument and that’s precisely what happened…

The topic?  If the acquisition of Dwight Howard meant the Lakers were pretty much a shoe-in to face the Heat in the NBA Finals come June...

Screw Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith, if you want to hear a real debate about sports, go to any black barbershop.  Shit gets heated.

Despite the whole scene, the young guy near the door was the only one not really getting involved and still continued to cut. In fact, he started his client while the rest were in the middle of theirs before the argument broke out and had already finished.

Our eyes met, he looked down at his chair and said “you up?”

Got in, introduced ourselves, and he got to work.

 I’ve never been a real chatty type of client once I’m in a barber’s chair and I especially wasn’t today.  I don’t know this guy and frankly, I’m a little pissed that I’m actually allowing an unfamiliar set of hands to operate a pair of clippers around my dome.

 The kid didn’t seem to be much of a conversationalist either outside of giving me his name (“E”) and asking how I was doing. Perfect match.

“E” Had me finished in about 30 minutes. Very timely and that’s good. 

He gives me the mirror to look at myself and…DAMN, I LOOK FRESH! Excellent. 

What happened next blew my mind…

E: That’ll be $20.

Me: Wait, what?

E: That’s $20 man…

Inside my head: SHIIIIIITTTT!  I’ve been paying $28 plus tip in Oak Park!

Me: Here’s $25 bro!

Guess I’ll be sending old barber a gift certificate to McDonalds or something thanking him for all his years of service!

-WST

COLLEGE FOOTBALL'S MOST INTERESTING SPRING HIGHLIGHTS!

Weather is getting warmer, hoodies and sweatpants are going into the closet, shorts and sundresses are coming out, and spring scrimmages are in full bloom for College Football.

Outside of students, and hard-core alumni fans, College Spring Games go laregely unnoticed, but there have been a couple teams who’ve gained some national attention for a special play or two this season.  Let’s take a closer look.

Beast Mode “smokes” defenders at Cal!

            Seahawks running back (and Cal alum) Marshawn Lynch showed at the Golden Bears' spring game, took a handoff and …hold on, is he high in this interview?

I mean I can’t say for sure, but he looks TOO faded.  I hope that reporter has some Skittles in his pocket.

Cool Points: +5

Andre Johnson and Gino Torretta link up at Miami!

The “U” decided to one-up Cal by pulling out their own famous NFL alum in Texans all-pro Andre Johnson as WELL as 1992 Heisman winner Gino Toretta…

They definitely don’t get any cool points for originality since beast mode started the trend.   Gino clearly forgot to tell the equipment manager that he’s grown a bit since his playing days with that that tight-ass jersey 

Is he also wearing flip-flops?

Cool Points: +2

Jadeveon Clownley comes off the pine for the score!

South Carolina Defensive End Jadeveon Clowney rules the world. 

If he had come out of college this year, he would have been the #1 overall pick in Thursday’s NFL draft.  It’s just that he’s only 20, so he has another year of college fun to wait before he gets paid.

Speaking of College Fun, Clowney was ruled out of the Gamecocks’ spring game with a concussion. However, Coach Steve Spurrier is known for running a single play in which a player literally runs off the bench to catch a pass.

I’ll give you one guess which 6’6, 270 pound man-child he picked this year…

Other than not falling down, I don’t have a negative word about this kid.  He may find me and make me famous like he did that Michigan player. 

Cool Points: +8

Irish Chocolate QB keeper for the conversion!

            Louis Nix is 6’3, 347 pounds and has no business under center.  Especially not in the shotgun formation…

That is unless it works.  As a former nose-tackle myself, I love to see a fat guy score.

Cool Points: +15

Little guys light up the scoreboard!

            A couple weeks in scene that could warm even the coldest of hearts, Jack Hoffman, a seven year-old Brain Cancer patient scampered for a 69-yard score during Nebraska’s spring game…

Last Saturday, Noah Roberts, an eight year-old born with Neurofibromatosis received an opportunity and took it to the house with a 40-yarder of his own during East Carolina’s Purple-White scrimmage.

 

 How can you not enjoy that? Humanity wins.

Cool Points: +50

WST

THE TEN RADDEST UNCLES IN AMERICAN HISTORY!

10. UNCLE BEN('S) PARKER/RICE!

I don’t think there are two other Uncles under the same name so universally known...

One adopted Peter Parker/Spider-Man and taught him“With Great Power comes great responsibility”

 Just kicked some knowledge to you Parker! Words for your ass.

The other?  Well, he’s been slanging Rice so tasty it "really does make a difference” since the 1950’s.

9. UNCLE FRANK MCALISTER!

Uncle Frank is a known cheapskate and prick but that prank Kevin Pulls on him in Home Alone 2 is the sole reason 8 year-old kids made their folks shell out money to buy that bullshit Talkboy (Talkgirl) Deluxe voice recorder... 

You remember that thing?  You thought you were going to be able to pull off soooooo many pranks when you saw that under your Christmas tree didn’t you? I know how you feel. Kids can be real schmucks sometimes.

8. UNCLE FESTER ADAMS!

  Uncle Fester is the dude you want at all holiday dinners, picnics, and various family functions.  Buddy gets loaded; get that camera phone ready…

7. UNCLE DREW!

Everybody has that one uncle who always likes to tell people how baller they were at sports back in THEIR day.  Uncle Drew is different.  He STILL has game and will feast on your young ass!

6. UNCLE RUCKUS!

A hero to self-hating black men everywhere, can’t ever say he won’t tell you how he feels…especially if you’re not white.

5. UNCLE RICO!

He may not be athletically gifted an Uncle as Drew and his throwing motion is pretty bad but do you see that accuracy?

The NFL draft is Thursday and I can think of a couple NFL franchises that may want to spend a late-round pick on Rico and attempt to develop him.  He’s already more on target than anything currently seen under center for the Jets, Cardinals, Jags, Browns or Raiders.

4.UNCLE BUCK!

I think every kid grew up wishing that Uncle Buck would come to watch them when mom and pop went out of town for the weekend!

3. UNCLE PHIL BANKS!

It’s not easy taking in your wife’s trouble-making nephew from West-Philadelphia (born and raised).  Philip Banks did it, however, not without probably getting a little annoyed with all the fat jokes.

2. UNCLE SAM!

 He dresses like a pimp, but who cares?  AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1.UNCLE RUSLAN TSARNI!

Uncles are not afraid to put you on blast when you’re failing in life and Uncle Ruslan didn’t have two fucks to give for his Boston Marathon Bombing nephews and went dead in on them Friday.

Ruslan condemned the actions of Tamarlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, conveyed sympathy towards all the victims and gained a nation in his corner when he pretty much made it clear to America: 

WE DON'T EVEN KNOW THEM LIKE THAT! MY FAMILY AND I LOVE AMERICA!!!!

-WST