On Aug. 7, in Canton, Ohio, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator and former Detroit Lions defensive back Dick LeBeau will arrive to remove the cover of mortality from his bronzed likeness and usher his accomplishments as an athlete and coach into the realm of immortality (LeBeau was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round). First and foremost, I usually don’t get mushy, especially about men who earn more money in a year than I will probably rake in a lifetime but economic issues aside, Coach LeBeau is truly a good guy. Not the kind of fella that speaks to you when the cameras are rolling but forgets your name as soon as the lights grow dim. Dick LeBeau is a gentleman and a scholar and the current athletes plying their trade in professional football should maybe study some of his “life film” on how to maintain a solid work ethic and professionalism on and off the gridiron. I have covered LeBeau for over two decades and as an old politician I knew from Lawrence­ville. The late magistrate John J. Fiorucci used to say, “He won’t change on you, he’ll bring you change.”

by Jared Day

On July 4, 1910, more than 20,000 spectators watched one of the most anticipated and controversial boxing matches in U.S. history when former heavyweight champion, James “Jim” Jeffries challenged the reigning champion of the world, John Arthur “Jack” Johnson, in Reno, Nevada. What made this the “fight of the century” was that Jeffries was White and Johnson was Black, and it was widely viewed as a signal battle between the races.

FIGHT OF THE CENTURY—1910 newspaper clipping shows James Jeffries on the canvas after being downed by Jack Johnson.

Whites tended to view a possible Johnson triumph with both scorn and fear. Scorn due to the widely held contempt Whites felt for African-Americans during this era considered by most scholars as the nadir in race relations in post-Reconstruction America and fear for what Black populations across the country might do in their exhilaration over a Johnson victory.

Start spreading the news: The DeJuan Blair and LaMarr Woodley Independents Day Celebrity Basketball Extravaganza was a big success. The Hill District native and San Antonio Spurs star stunned the city when he defied conventional wisdom by hosting and coaching in four highly competitive celebrity games at the Petersen Events Center July 3.

Blair, an All-American at Pitt, just completed his rookie season in the NBA. He scored a season-high 28 points and had 21 rebounds in a game against Oklahoma City in January and became the first rookie not selected in the first round of the draft to post a 20-20 game in 29 years.

ALL SMILES—DeJuan Blair has a good laugh as he watches his team play in the final game of the day.

by Armon Gilliam
For New Pittsburgh Courier

Without question the most memorable teammate from my 14-year pro basketball career was the late Manute Bol, affectionately known as “Nutie” by his teammates and friends. Although his 7-7 stature made him stand out in any crowd and his presence inside the lane instantly commanded attention, it was his humanitarian efforts, unique background, humor and intelligence that I came to admire most.

Manute was a man of humble yet noble beginnings. Bol Nyuol, Manute’s great-great grandfather, was a chief of the Tuic Dinka tribe. His grandfather was also a very wealthy tribal chief who was said to have had 40 wives and 80 children. Although Manute’s father was not a tribal chief nor did he inherit the family wealth, he was a well-to-do tribe member. His father was said to have had 150 cows and held the honored position of tribal elder.

HUMANITARIAN—Former NBA basketball star Manute Bol poses for a photograph at the Sunrise Sudan headquarters in Lenexa, Kansas, June 9.