Shaw seeks respectful discourse with protests
David Shaw had an opportunity Tuesday at his weekly news conference to denounce last week’s criticism by President Donald Trump of the NFL and its players for protest tactics.
Instead, the Stanford football coach shared a different message.
“First and foremost, I’m an American that loves this country,” Shaw said. “There’s an unhealthy discourse right now, because to me what’s fundamental is President Trump — not just as President Trump, but as citizen Trump — he’s entitled to his opinion.
“So for me, I think there should be respect for people that have different viewpoints and different outlooks. The question needs to continually be asked and responded to respectfully and responded to with a sense of responsibility of, ‘Here’s why I’m kneeling.’
“Now, once again, for me personally, I wouldn’t kneel. That’s not just me. But I love some of those who are. Some of those guys are like family to me, and their points are very, very valid.”
Shaw, who was an NFL assistant coach for nine years, said informed athletes should have an opinion.
“At heart, I’m a football coach, but also a social psychologist,” Shaw said. “Most people who know me, know that about me. So I continue to express to my players, which is, have an opinion. Be intelligent about it. If you have a question, research it, find answers. And if you want to say something, great. Say something, speak from a point of intelligence, speak from a point of knowledge, say something that you can defend with reason and as much factual evidence as you have, and then continue on with life.” — Vytas Mazeika RIMINGTON INTERIM AD AT NEBRASKA >> Dave Rimington, who became the most decorated offensive lineman in college football history in the early 1980s, was named Nebraska’s interim athletic director as the school searches for a successor to Shawn Eichorst.
Rimington, 57, said he is not a candidate for the permanent position. He has been president the past 14 years of the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which raises money and awareness for cystic fibrosis research. The foundation sponsors the Rimington Award, which goes to the nation’s top center.
Rimington’s appointment is for up to 60 days, and he’s taking a leave of absence from the New York-based foundation.
MARYLAND GOES TO THIRD QB >> Maryland sophomore QB Max Bortenschlager will make his second career start in place of freshman Kasim Hill when the Terrapins visit Minnesota on Saturday. Hill will miss the rest of the season because of a torn right anterior cruciate ligament. Hill had stepped in for Tyrrell Pigrome, who suffered a torn ACL during the Terrapins’ season-opening victory at Texas.
Basketball
WADE TO SIGN WITH CAVALIERS >> Dwyane Wade has decided to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Wade will be reunited with Lebron James, his close friend, former Miami teammate and a player he confided in before signing with his hometown Chicago Bulls last year. Wade and James won two NBA titles together during four seasons with the Heat and will now chase another one with the Cavaliers, who have been revamped after losing to Golden State in last season’s Finals. Wade has averaged 23.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 14 seasons. He averaged 18.3 points and 3.8 assists last season. SUNS GIVE WARREN 4-YEAR EXTENSION
>> T.J. Warren has signed a $50 million, four-year contract extension with the Phoenix Suns. The forward averaged career highs of 14.4 points and 5.1 rebounds over 66 games last year.
LYNX REBOUNDS >> The Minnesota Lynx was still stinging two days after they failed to grab a single rebound in the first quarter of its WNBA Finals-opening loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. So Sylvia Fowles decided to grab them all in Game 2. Fowles grabbed a Finals-record 17 rebounds and scored 13 points to lead the Lynx to a 70-68 victory at home over the Los Angeles Sparks, evening the series at a game apiece.