Hip-hop and the n-word, seen through King’s prism
This frigid Martin Luther King Day finds me at the office away from the office, a place most of you know as Starbucks, laptop open as I put some ideas on “paper.” Nothing you’ll see in the Star anytime soon, but that’s not a bad thing. Follow me long enough and you’ll figure out that … Read more
LaShawn Merritt: the doping game keeps changing
When reports surfaced last year that 2008 Olympic 400-metre champion LaShawn Merritt flunked a drug test over his use of the over-the-counter sex enhancer Extenze, how else were we supposed to react except with a flood of junior high school jokes? Like Merritt took Extenze so he could run longer and harder than everybody else. … Read more
QB pushing his Luck with his calculated risk
The first week of January guarantees two things. Health Clubs crammed with people who swear that this will finally be the year they stick to their new year’s resolutions, and reports of high-profile underclassmen declaring for the NFL draft. Alabama running back Mark Ingram and defensive lineman Marcell Dareus declared Thursday, and Friday morning came … Read more
Roethlisberger? Engagement? Are we sure he’s qualified?
First, a disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this blog do NOT represent those of my employer, the Toronto Star, or anybody I might happen to freelance for. The represent my views and my views alone, so if I write something that makes you nod I accept the credit. And if I write something that makes you … Read more
Nov. 23, 2010: Concussions bring helmet safety into question
If you play high-level football, brain trauma is not a risk but a reality. And a helmet isn’t going to save you. In fact, it’s probably part of the problem. Nov. 23, 2010 Toronto Star Morgan Campbell Sports Reporter A good football helmet can withstand the force of a 35-pound weight dropped on it from eight … Read more
Sizzling Majors stoke fan fever in Mississauga
Dec. 3, 2010 By Morgan Campbell On a recent evening, a group of players from the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors strolled into a movie theatre at Square One mall and ran into something unexpected — a fan who recognized their faces. Before the lights went down, the fan approached the teenagers to praise them for … Read more
The Best of Fighting Words VIII: Cain Velasquez and History
Oct. 26, 2010 Cain Velasquez’ win over Brock Lesnar was noteworthy, but not historic.
Oct 16, 2010 — Joey Votto: The reason Richview roots for red
Morgan Campbell Sports Reporter Prime Minister Stephen Harper is Richview Collegiate’s highest achieving alum — at the moment — but you wouldn’t know it by touring the school’s phys. ed. wing, where everyday objects double as Joey Votto monuments. See the bent basketball rim in the boys’ gym? That’s where Votto, a former point guard, … Read more
Oct. 12, 2010: Bautista’s certain big payday also brings big pressures
Morgan Campbell Sports Reporter As training camps opened for Dominican league baseball teams last week, Santo Domingo newspaper La Nacion Dominicana trumpeted a major development for that island’s equivalent of the New York Yankees. “Tigres del Licey receive backing,” read the headline on a story that detailed a local businessman’s seven-figure sponsorship deal with the 22-time … Read more
Sept. 30, 2010: Cito Gaston’s farewell to Toronto
Morgan Campbell Sports Reporter Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston has spent the last few months telling every reporter who asks him that he really, truly and honestly won’t miss much when this season ends and he retires from baseball. The travel? Nope. Once he retires he’ll see the world on his own time instead of … Read more
