The Greatest ‘What-Ifs’ In Sports History

Edge of Sports

Dave Zirin / The Nation

News, Sports News, Sports, History, Politics

4.8 • 616 Ratings

🗓️ 4 June 2018

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This week we speak to Mike Pesca from The Gist Podcast about his new book “Upon Further Review: The Greatest What-Ifs In Sports History.” This was a really fun conversation, and we talk about topics ranging from what if Muhammad Ali received draft deferment and Len Bias in a Celtics uniform to the reaction of Peter Norman had he raised his fist alongside John Carlos and Tommie Smith at the 1968 Olympics. You gotta check this one out! Also we have Choice Words about Dawuane "D.J." Smoot’s challenge to NFL leadership over its anthem policy. Our ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards go to the brave truth-tellers, Anne Kursinski and Susan Lomenzo Langer, equestrians that came forward to report their legendary coach Jimmy Williams of sexual abuse, and the top brass at the NFL. Our Kaepernick Watch contains news on his collusion case and we got a Patreon shoutout! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcript

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0:00.0	With history, with sports, with anything, inflection points are really important to look at.
0:05.2	So just because Tom Brady does take over for the quarterback of the Patriots doesn't mean that he always would have taken over had the universe played itself out in an infinite variety of things.
0:17.2	So I do think it teaches us a little humility.
0:19.8	It teaches us about the possibilities of,
0:22.9	you know, all sorts of occurrences. But then the other part is you can go too far and you say,
0:27.9	oh, but for this small thing, but for this, and we did this with the election. But for Hillary
0:33.4	Clinton paying two visits to Wisconsin, the entire result would be different.
0:38.4	And I do think that's a trap also.
0:44.0	Welcome to the Edge of Sports podcast.
0:50.3	I'm Dave Ziron.
0:51.5	This week, we speak to the host of the popular slate podcast, The Gist, Mike Pesca,
0:56.8	who's going to be talking about his new book, upon further review, the greatest what-ifs in sports history,
1:03.8	which is a collection of essays by a wide variety of sports writers who are imagining how the
1:08.5	sports world and the real world would have been altered if some of the
1:11.3	most iconic moments in sports history, famous shots, games, plays, tackles had gone the other way.
1:19.2	Also, I've got some choice words about a 22-year-old second-year NFL player named Dwayne Smoot
1:25.1	in what his words of resistance mean to the future of the NFL
1:28.7	and protests against owners and police violence as well as racial inequity.
1:35.1	I've also got the Just Stand Up and Just Sit Your Ass Down Awards, Kaepernick Watch,
1:40.3	and we have a shout out for some new patrons.
1:43.3	But first, let's go to Mike Pesco.
1:49.3	So Mike Pesco, what's the value of these kinds of thought exercises beyond just the fun of it all?
	...

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