Offside Plays

The sports version of Everyday Sexism. We look to expose the everyday occurrences of racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, disability and other forms of discrimination that take place in sport and physical activity. This is an archive of struggle.

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The Forgotten Story of the First Black Female Wrestlers

In briefly choosing to honor the disgraced Fabulous Moolah at WrestleMania, WWE overlooked three African-American sisters and their friend who were actual pioneers in women's wrestling.

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Why are so many walk-ons white?

At the top level of men’s college basketball, where teams harbor national championship hopes and NBA talent, most of the competitors are African-American. But o…

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Aly Raisman and Rhetorical Activism: Complicating the “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Conundrum”

For most of January 2018, one of the worst sexual abuse scandals ever in sports dominated the news cycle, as former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to life in prison. During the trial, more than 100 sexual abuse victims testified about the predatory environment Nassar had created. Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman delivered...

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Tonga bans schoolgirls from rugby and boxing 'to preserve dignity'

Order from education minister criticised as sexist, but government blames disruption caused by Cyclone Gita

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'Here Come the Future Criminals': Refugees, Racists, and Youth Soccer in Idaho

Jeromy Tarkon moved to Boise from California because of his conservative politics. He never imagined he'd find himself defending refugees on his kids' soccer team from racists.

Offside POD for so many reasons.

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SC Featured: Before Kaepernick, there was The Black 14 - ESPN Video

Nearly 50 years ago, a group of Wyoming football players decided to take a stand against what they perceived to be racial discrimination by an opponent and it cost them.

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United States Tennis Association to honor Althea Gibson with a statue

One question sat on the mind of 50 tennis fans in Wilmington, North Carolina, so much so that each of those people penned letters to turn that question on Katri…

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It Was Normal for Complete Strangers to Comment on My Weight in China

"People thought it was okay to call me fat to my face."

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Instead of being lionized, muscular athletes confront vilification and whispers about their gender. So strong are these criticisms that the International Olympic Committee launched mandatory sex testing in 1968 to verify the sex of female athletes.

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Bode Miller makes 'sexist' remarks towards skier Anna Veith

Winter Olympics commentator Bode Miller 'sexist' remarks suggest Austrian skier Anna Veith's performance could be down due to her marriage.

Your Offside POD goes to Bode Miller.

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Working as a Golf Course Beer Cart Girl Is a Sexist Nightmare

Selling drinks to rich dads on a golf course was not the “ideal summer job” I thought it would be.

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Take it from a former Division I athlete: College sports are like Jim Crow

Predominantly white "nonrevenue" athletes like me are the real beneficiaries of college athletics.

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Black NHL players provide safe spaces for police supporters when there's no real interest in building bridges

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'Real Sports' Investigates if Homophobe Margaret Court's Tennis Legacy Is Safe

Veteran sportscaster Mary Carillo spent days with Court at her ministry in Australia, where she feeds the homeless and espouses the idea that homosexuality can be cured.

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What does it mean to be black and play sports?

Two years ago, I interviewed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the main stage at the National Book Festival before an appreciative crowd in the nation’s capital. We were b…

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MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon to step down before end of week

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon will resign before the week is over, The State News has learned.

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Olympian Adam Rippon Stands Up to Mike Pence’s Homophobia

Joining the historic ranks of Olympic dissenters, the first openly gay US Winter Olympian has challenged the Oval Office.