Today’s Echoes of Jackie Robinson’s America

Baseball season is officially in full swing, and with every home run robbery, oppo taco, and walk-off eruption, it feels like, even for a few hours, baseball restores our faith in humanity. But outside of the stadium, life is anything but calm.A country gripped by fear, a heightened sense of political suspicion, and athletes pulled into the discourse. Any of this sound familiar? This week, we talk with award-winning sports historian Howard Bryant to take us into the moment America asked its biggest sports hero to prove his loyaltyWe also sit down with Tim Lambert, a Pittsburgh sports writer, to talk about the irrational hope that all of us feel at the beginning of baseball season and ask the question on everyone’s mind: could this be our year? Show Notes ‘The most dangerous man in America’: how Paul Robeson went from Hollywood to blacklisted | The Guardian Paul Robeson Biography | PBS The Story Behind Jackie Robinson’s Moving Testimony Before the House Un-American Activities Committee | TIME Venezuela’s historic WBC title fueled by power, pitching — and passion | The Athletic Kings and Pawns | Howard Bryant Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike Villers, Adam StaniczeskiTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Just after the closing ceremonies of the Olympics in Milan, we sat down with Emmy award-winning commentator Bomani Jones for a special live recording. We get into FBI director Kash Patel’s locker room antics after the US men’s team won gold, why Bomani calls them the “whiter Olympics,” and we ask who gets to define America as the US gets ready to host the World Cup this summer. We also sit down with producers Paula Lavigne and Dan Arruda from ESPN’s 30 for 30 Podcasts to discuss their latest true crime series, “Murder at the U,” which investigates the killing of former Miami Hurricanes star Bryan Pata and the 20-year saga of trying to find justice for him and his family. Show Notes FBI director joins US men's hockey team celebration | ABC Why is ICE going to the Winter Olympics in Milan | The Guardian Trump discourages Iranian soccer team from attending the World Cup, citing safety concerns | PBS The Right Time with Bomani Jones Podcast Introducing: Murder at the U | 30 for 30 Podcasts Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike Villers, Adam StaniczeskiTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

The National Women’s Soccer League kicks off its regular season with games all over the country. So this week, we sit down with one of the biggest stars to ever play, Carli Lloyd.Carli is a two-time World Cup Champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and Hall of Famer. Her talent on the field is undeniable, but the media has long misunderstood her. We’re going to unpack her 17 years as a professional to learn about the unrelenting hard work that got her to the international stage and the sacrifices she made to stay there.We’ll also hear from Meg Linehan, the women’s sports lead at The Athletic, who believed in Carli when nobody else did. Meg gives us a preview of what to expect from the NWSL this season, who the key players are to watch, and answers the question, has women’s soccer in the US finally arrived?Show Notes Women's World Cup Final: USA vs. Japan - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 Highlights | FOX Soccer Stone Cold Weirdo Carli Lloyd Leads U.S. Into World Cup Final | VICE ‘Beast,’ ‘weirdo,’ choker, winner: World Cup star Carli Lloyd is bundle of contradictions | Washington Post #ThankYouCarli - Carli Lloyd Career Highlights | U..S. Soccer Carli Lloyd was estranged from her family. How the postponed Olympics healed a 12-year rift | TODAY Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike Villers, Adam StaniczeskiTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Claressa Shields is one of the most decorated female boxers ever. She’s a two-time Olympic gold medalist and is the only boxer — male or female — to hold undisputed titles in three separate divisions. She’s also currently undefeated. But for Claressa to climb to the top, she had to face her toughest opponent yet: her past. This week, we relive Claressa’s historic journey to her first Olympics, learn how she finally let go of resentment, and find out what it takes to become a champion. We’ll also check in with Andreas Hale, a combat sports reporter at ESPN. With Floyd Mayweather’s recent announcement that he’s coming out of retirement, Andreas helps answer the question: How old is too old to compete?Show Notes The Fire Inside  2012 Women’s Middleweight Final | Olympics Claressa Shields fighting for gender equality for women’s boxers | CBS News Claressa Shields: From poverty and abuse to boxing greatness | BBC Sport Mayweather to unretire, resume boxing after Tyson exhibition | ESPN Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike Villers, Adam Staniszewski Tile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

The fictional TV show Heated Rivalry was an overnight sensation — raking in more than 10 million streams for each of its six episodes. It follows two rival professional hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rosanov, whose public feud hides their secret, years-long romantic relationship. The show is fun, and it also raises a larger question: How welcoming is the NHL to LGBTQ athletes and fans?This week, we sit down with Harrison Browne, an actor on the show, and the first person ever to come out as trans in professional hockey. He tells us all about his role in Heated Rivalry, what it’s like to come out and compete as a pro athlete, and whether he felt supported. We also hear from Julian McKenzie, an NHL staff writer at The Athletic, about the upcoming playoffs — and whether he thinks the buzz from the show could actually change the culture in the pros.Show Notes ‘Heated Rivalry’ Easter Egg: This New Character Is Actual LGBTQ+ Hockey History | them Let Us Play | Harrison Browne, Rachel Browne ‘Heated Rivalry’ inspired me to come out as gay | BBC The Truth About Trans Athletes in Sports with Harrison Browne Hit show ‘Heated Rivalry’ became a TV phenomenon. Can it change hockey culture? | Julian McKenzie for The Athletic Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

This year's Winter Games are wrapping up, and while many athletes are still buzzing from the thrill of performing on the world's largest stage, what actually happens to an Olympian’s mental health when the limelight moves on?For freeskier Nick Goepper, after the US Men’s Team swept the slopestyle podium at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, it seemed like he’d ride that high forever. But when the television appearances and sponsorships slowed to a stop, he was left to wonder, what’s next?This week, Nick tells us about the realities of the post-Olympic depression so many athletes face, his journey to recovery, and how he’s changed his preparation for Milan. We’ll also hear from Olympic runner Alexi Pappas to get her take on this year’s Games and how she’s tackled similar challenges. Show Notes Olympian Nick Goepper’s Comeback | HuffPost 3x Olympic Medalist Goepper Retires From Freeskiing | US Ski and Snowboard  Nick Goepper | My New Favorite Olympian Nick Goepper Podium Run | US Ski and Snowboard Mentor Buffett | Alexi Pappas Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Alysa Liu has been considered a figure skating prodigy ever since she was a kid. When she was just 12 years old, she was the youngest U.S. woman to land a triple axel in a competition. Then at 13, she became the country’s youngest World Champion ever.But in 2022, right as Alysa was at the height of her career, she quit the sport altogether and retired at 16. She didn’t set foot in a rink for nearly two years, until a family ski trip reminded her just how much she loved the sport. Now she’s competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy — and she’s looking like one of the favorites to win gold. If she medals at all, she’d be the first U.S. woman to do it in 20 years. In this episode, we hear from Alysa on what it’s like to be a child athlete competing at an elite level, what brought her back to the rink, and how she’s taking ownership of her career. We also discuss Alysa’s chances and her competition with senior correspondent at The Athletic Marcus Thompson, who’s covering women’s figure skating at the Olympics.Show Notes Alysa Liu 2025 World Championships | Skating ISU Alysa Liu left figure skating behind. She came back better than ever | The Guardian Alysa Liu Fell in Love With Skating All Over Again — And Is Now a World Champion | Sports Illustrated 14-year-old Alysa Liu makes history again at 2020 Nationals I NBC Sports Alysa Liu back on the Olympic stage, this time truly herself | Marcus Thompson for The Athletic Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

As we get ready for Super Bowl LX, we sit down with one of the greatest football players to never win a Super Bowl.Larry Fitzgerald is an 11-time Pro Bowler who spent his 17-year career with the Arizona Cardinals. His first and only shot at a title was in 2009 when his team lost a squeaker to the Pittsburgh Steelers.In this episode, we relive all the key moments of that fateful game with the star wide receiver, who shares what it feels like to be so close to winning it all, only to have the opportunity snatched away in the final seconds. Plus, we sit down with The Athletic’s Madeline Hill and Charlotte Wilder to break down this year’s matchup between the Patriots and Seahawks.Show Notes Fitz Four: Super Bowl Versus Steelers | Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald: If a loved one has cancer, know there’s power in your presence | The Athletic Larry Fitzgerald: Best Hands in NFL History Career Highlights! | NFL Legends The Sports Gossip Show The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation Show CreditsExecutive Producer: Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Tom Coughlin’s first Super Bowl was one of the most famous games in NFL history. It pitted the New York Giants, considered massive underdogs at the time, against the New England Patriots, who hadn’t lost a game all season. To many people, the Giants seemed doomed from the start.But Coughlin and his team showed that with discipline and determination, anything was possible. Tom Coughlin is a three-time Super Bowl Champion, NFL Coach of the Year, and, more recently, a 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist. But perhaps the most important title he’s had is that of caregiver to his wife Judy, who passed away in November 2022 after a long battle with a rare brain disorder.In this episode, Coach Coughlin talks us through that first Super Bowl with the Giants. We learn about his meticulous old-school style of coaching and how staying by his wife’s side in her final days changed his perspective on success.Show Notes Super Bowl XLII Helmet Catch | NFL (Patriots vs. Giants 2007, Week 17) | NFL Throwback  Nothing Could Prepare Me for Watching My Wife Slip Away | Tom Coughlin for NYT Tom Coughlin, You Had Me At Hello… | Bleacher Report Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Andrew Whitworth is an NFL legend. A four-time Pro Bowler, he played for 16 seasons into his 40s, then retired as the oldest tackle in NFL history. He was known not just for his skill on the field and his longevity — but also widely recognized for his character, and his charity work in his personal life. In this week’s episode, we sit down with Andrew to hear everything he learned from his 16 seasons in the NFL, like how to sweet-talk the defenders he was up against, and how the game helped him learn to take care of himself and the people around him. Show Notes Andrew Whitworth Mic'd Up For Super Bowl LVI Win vs. Bengals Andrew Whitworth is the Walter Payton Man of the Year | NFL Honors Look: Rams O-linemen training together in Andrew Whitworth's garage | RamsWire Los Angeles Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth retires after 16 NFL seasons, goes out on top | ESPN Inside Matthew Stafford's no-look pass to Kupp in Super Bowl LVI | 'America's Game Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.