TunneySide of Sports

On the TunneySide of Sports October 7, 2019, #764 … ”And Justice for All”

After further review… That’s exactly what is happening to Tommie Smith and John Carlos!! Smith and Carlos were the Gold and Bronze medalists in the men’s 200-meter race in the 1968 Olympics – officially the Games of the XIX Olympiad – held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. These were the first Olympiads held in a Spanish-speaking country as well as the first games to use an all-weather track instead of the traditional cinder track.

Standing on the podium Smith and Carlos, both Black athletes, when receiving their medals for their successes in that 200-meter race, both held their right closed-fist high while the traditional United States of America National Anthem was played. They were not trying to dishonor America. They were trying to raise consciousness about basic human rights.

How do I know this? I spoke a few years back with Payton Jordan who was their 1968 Olympic coach. Payton was my freshman football coach at Occidental College in 1947. It was his first year at OXY who recruited him to be their track and field coach. Jordan was a three-sport athlete at the University of Southern California, on the 1939 Rose Bowl football team and set world records in the 440m and 100m events. In our conversation, Payton told me both Smith and Carlos were cooperative teammates on the Olympic team.

Smith’s later career was one of teaching and coaching. With regard to that gesture, he said, “We were not Antichrists. We were just human beings who saw a need to bring attention to the inequality in our country. I don’t like the idea of people looking at it as negative. There was nothing but a raised fist in the air and a bowed head, acknowledging the American flag – not symbolizing a hatred for it.” Carlos had a brief career in professional football both in the NFL and the CFL then became a counselor at Palm Springs High School in Palm Springs, California.

Both Smith and Carlos — still living in their mid-70s – will be inducted on November 1, 2019, into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame – an honor denied them in 1968 because of their podium gesture. Both were on the right side of civil rights and deserve this honor.

Will you log-in your comments about Smith and Carlos’ actions regarding civil rights?

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If you were unable to attend the book signing at River House Book Store recently ”Yet Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports” is available there for $20 or by sending a check to Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3) P.O Box 1440 Pebble Beach, Ca. 93953 includes personalized autograph and free shipping.

This offer is available to the continental United States only.

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To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com. Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more. Be sure to get Jim’s book ‘Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ by clicking this link or using the email above to contact Jim directly. These TunneySides take issues from real-life situations and relate them as inspiration for the betterment of others. Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!

On the TunneySide of Sports September 30, 2019, #763 Greed or Need?

After further review…If you are an eighth grader with superior athletic talent or perhaps you are the parent of one living in California, you need to pay attention to Senate Bill 206 now making its way through the California chambers en route to the desk of Governor Newsom, who is expected to sign it into law effective 2023. That effective date is when an eighth-grader will be entering college.

SB 206 is the Fair Pay to Play Act which, in essence, will allow a college student-athlete to hire an agent that will provide him/her with the ability to receive money for endorsements. This bill erases the critical distinction between college and professional athletes. The TunneySide has consistently held to the philosophy that the reason for attending college is to learn and achieve as a student first and perform as an athlete second. In this 21 century are we now to a point of abandoning that philosophy?

Among the many supporters of this bill is one LeBron James, super athlete in the National Basketball Association and now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. It is interesting to note that James never attended college but went straight into the NBA after St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio waiting out the time requirement between his school days and his professional debut. Kobe Bryant went the same route as James going from Lower Marion High School, in Ardmore, Pennsylvania to the NBA. Both of these superior athletes were closely followed before the age of 12 as it was evident their athletic prowess would succeed at the professional level. How many James and Bryants are out there today?

Of further concern is that if the State of California permits this bill to pass does that give the 58 California colleges an advantage in recruiting? The National Collegiate Athletic Association, (NCAA) may consider fighting it in court (very expensive for all) or barring all California schools from competing against other NCAA schools or, perhaps, restructuring its by-laws and join in with the California plan. In any event, change is coming. It may not be for the better.

The argument for SB 206 is that the NCAA, a non-profit organization, reported revenues of $1.1 billion for the 2017 fiscal year. Shouldn’t the athletes get some of that? There are many questions as to who and how much each athlete gets. Open that box and Pandora will appear!

Will you please log-in your opinion on SB206?

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If you were unable to attend the book signing at River House Book Store recently ”Yet Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports” is available there for $20 or by sending a check to Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3) P.O Box 1440 Pebble Beach, Ca. 93953 includes personalized autograph and free shipping.

This offer is available to the continental United States only.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com. Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more. Be sure to get Jim’s book ‘Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ by clicking this link or using the email above to contact Jim directly. These TunneySides take issues from real-life situations and relate them as inspiration for the betterment of others. Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!