FAMOUS FAN--Jarvis Jones, the top 2013 NFL draft prospect from Georgia, is interviewed after the unveiling of a “Smokehouse BBQ Chicken" statue in his likeness, right, to announce his official Subway's Famous Fan title on April 23, in New York. Jarvis joins a roster of fellow "Famous Fans" that include Robert Griffin III, Justin Tuck, Michael Strahan, Ndamukong Suh, Blake Griffin and Michael Phelps. More than 10 pounds of chicken were used to create the work of art, made by artist James Victor of Conshohocken, Pa. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

by Smokin’ Jim Frazier

When the Pittsburgh Steelers used their first-round pick to select Georgia’s outside linebacker, Jarvis Jones, it became the “shot heard ‘round the Worilds”,

Jason Worilds became the starter for the Steelers at right outside linebacker after James Harrison was released.

Worilds now must utilize every moment of this offseason to prepare to battle Jones for the job.

Jones, (6-2, 245) began his collegiate career at USC in 2009.  He decided to transfer to Georgia in 2010 after not receiving medical clearance to return to football from USC doctors due to spinal stenosis.

Jones earned first-team All-America honors in 2011.  He led the nation in sacks in 2012.

Jones will compete with Worilds, Chris Carter, Marshall McFadden and Adrian Robinson to determine who starts outside along with LaMarr Woodley.

Editor's Note: To keep up with the latest news, opinion, lifestyles, sports and entertainment go to the Apple Store or Google Play and download the New Pittsburgh Courier App for iPhone, iPad or android devices. It's free! Check it out and let us know what you think!

SAM LACY (AFRO Photo)

 by Moses J. Newson

(NNPA)--The hit movie "42" talks plenty about Jackie Robinson, baseball’s color barrier and fair play but snubs Afro-American Newspapers’ legendary sports editor Sam Lacy, who played a key role in the baseball integration saga.

Included among those who believe Lacy, a leader in the media push in the 1940s to integrate baseball was low-balled by the flick, are Jake Oliver, AFRO publisher, and Lacy’s son, Tim, who called the omission “a travesty.”

Lacy, who is enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., was the one of the first Black reporters to be inducted into the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Lacy traveled throughout the U.S. and to a number of foreign countries with Robinson. He suffered many of the same indignities faced by the baseball star because of his color.

He was also the only sportswriter and the only Black on the four-man committee established to explore integration of Major League Baseball but was not mentioned in the film.

During the rockiest moments of Robinson’s first year with the Dodgers, Rickey allowed Lacy to work from the Dodgers dugout.

Lacy was in his mid-90s when he published his life’s story, Fighting for Fairness,” 1998. He was born in Mystic, Conn., but he spent most of his career in Washington, D.C., his home until his death at age 99 in 2003.

42 boasts a solid cast with Chadwick Boseman as Jackie; Harrison Ford as Rickey; Nicole Beharie as Jackie’s always supportive wife Rachel; and Andre Holland as Wendell Smith, the Pittsburgh Courier and daily Chicago American Hall of Fame writer.

Lacy and Smith often got together to map strategy.

The stage was set for breaking baseball’s color barrier in the 1940s. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the 1942 federal fair employment practices legislation, New York in 1945 had the Quinn-Ives anti-discrimination law and a Boston councilman was threatening to block the Red Sox and Boston Braves from getting licenses required for Sunday play unless Blacks were given an opportunity to make the squads.

New York Voice sports editor Joe Bostic took two players to the Dodgers’ Bear Mountain camp and demanded tryouts. Wendell Smith arranged tryouts for three players, including Jackie Robinson, with the Red Sox. None was accepted.

Meanwhile, Lacy took his case for integration directly to the then-16 team owners, according to the sportswriter in his book.

Lacy spoke to Major League Baseball Commissioner and all the team owners in Detroit.

A four-member committee on baseball integration was set up: Rickey of the National League, Larry MacPhail of the Yankees, American League; Magistrate Joseph H. Rainey of Philadelphia; and Lacy.

Lacy met twice with Rickey in the Dodgers offices. MacPhail never showed, so no official business could take place.

However, Lacy and Rickey talked about Black players, including Jackie Robinson.

Rickey soon told Lacy he wasn’t waiting any longer for MacPhail. At the April 1945 meeting Rickey had set off angry, alarmist reactions when he announced his decision to act, although he hadn’t selected the player.

Rickey’s earth-shaking announcement and the signing of the newly married Jack Robinson to a contract with the Dodgers’ AAA Montreal Monarchs touched off dramatic and often bitter racial conflicts.

42 captures much of the on-and-off field drama that covered brutally tense events involving Jackie’s fellow teammates as well as racist threats and efforts to harm him on the diamond. Ben Chapman, a manager in Philadelphia, was the most vocally nasty, but Robinson singled out Baltimore as the place where he was most surprised by the level of venom.

Not only did 42 snub Lacy, it didn’t always do justice to its hero. It makes clear that Robinson, as a U.S. Army second lieutenant, was court-martialed while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas for refusing to move farther back on a military base bus and loudly objected to the use of the N-word in his presence. But the movie does not make clear to viewers that Robinson was acquitted of all the charges against him.

There also were instances in the film when after a particularly good play, the actor portraying Jackie seemed to clown and showboat, demeanor not typical of the serious Robinson.

Situations involving kids provide some of the meaningful moments in 42.

Once when Jackie was feeling down, Rickey boosted his spirits by talking about “a white boy who was pretending to be you…pretending to be a Black man.”

On the other hand, there was the young white boy who after hearing his father yell racial slurs at Robinson, started doing the same thing.

Moses J. Newson, is a veteran AFRO civil rights journalist. Having served as executive editor of the AFRO, Newson also chronicled the Civil Rights Movement including the trial of Emmett Till, and is one of four journalists who rode along with the Freedom Riders in 1961. Among his many accomplishments Newson co-authored "Fighting for Fairness: The Life Story of Hall of Fame Sportswriter Sam Lacy." In 2007 Newson was inducted into the Maryland D.C. Delaware Press Association Newspaper Hall of Fame.

Reprinted from the Afro American

KERRY RHODES (AP Photo)

by Stampp Corbin

San Diego -- The recent "scandal" concerning NFL football player, Kerry Rhodes, has many in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community on high alert. Rhodes, an NFL player who is currently a free agent, has been "outed" by a reputed lover Russell "Hollywood" Simpson.

 :10 As the NBA playoffs tip off, and yes, as my Lakers take one on the chin right out of the gate, let’s have a flashback moment and remember the top ten killer list. These guys may not have been considered the greatest of all time, but would give you work nonetheless. Here it is in no particular order: Connie Hawkins, Pistol Pete Maravich, David Thompson, Darryl Dawkins, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Bill Walton, Moses Malone, Andrew Tony, Dave DeBusschere, and Patrick Ewing. 

Send me your Top 10 “Overtime.” 416 Springdale Dr., Pgh., Pa. 15235.

:9 Speaking of memory lane, close your eyes and remember the sweet sound of The Twyne when Braddock’s own Alex “A.J.” Johnson lit up the Connie Hawkins League with that sudden death jump shot. You remember who the ladies came to see…it was “A.J.”…not Big John Marshall!

:8 Speaking of Big John Marshall, and I was, his 7’ tall son, Zeke, is about to get paid coming out of Akron University and heading to the NBA, with great credentials I might add.

:7 There you are, my man “T” Gearson out of West Mifflin. Thanks for the reminder. You’re now in the Locker Room, which is a better place to be than West Mifflin…What!?! Oh my bad. I should have kept that to myself!

:6 My Pittsburgh Pirates, not yours, just swept the Atlanta Braves, the hottest team in baseball. That’s huge! But be careful now before you order your World Series tickets. There’s 145 more games to play. I’m just saying!

:5 Think I don’t know what I’m talking about huh? But three weeks ago I gave you the special story on “D.J.” Boyce, the senior superstar guard at Gateway High School and told you he was destined for greatness and the next week he wins the MVP at the W. Pa. Champions High School All-Star Basketball Classic at Penn Hills High School against the best senior players in Western Pa.…say what…hello…I can’t hear ya…that’s what I thought…now shut up!

:4 Five Starr Corporation and Champion Enterprises, along with Rayco “War” Promotions, want to remind you once again to not miss “Harlem Nights,” the No. 1 spot to be for an old school classic good time. Every last Friday and coming at ya again this Friday, April 26th at 3 Lakes Golf Club in Penn Hills, 6700 Saltsburg Road, 412-628-4856 or 404-721-2174, for more information—free parking— $10 Admission across the board—cash bar—cash kitchen till 11 p.m. – 50/50 – cash prize for the best dressed man and woman—yes, this is dress to impress.....you must go to the closet and break out your “Spring     thing”     gear—half off admission—doors open at 8 p.m.—quality vendors—“Par-Tay” goes until 1:00 a.m.—police security—celebrity guests—and this month’s special…a Mother’s Day thank you half off admission to the first 25 ladies to the door—“The Legend” Sly Jock is your D.J.—NOW LET’S DO THIS!!!

:3 Champion Enterprises is looking for Concerned Citizens to Help Make a Difference. Volunteers, executive staff, models, vendors and board members. BE-A-PART-OF-THE-SOLUTION-NOT-THE-PROBLEM…Call 412-628-4856…C’mon man!!

:2 If you want to really make a difference in the future of this city, I need you to do two important things for me.
No. 1 Please grab your children tonight while you still can. Hug them…tell them you love them…and “make” them understand that violence is not the way. Please!

No.2 You better get in the Mayor’s Race and help pick the best man for the job...or stop complaining!
:1 Hey ya’ll…only 17 weeks till Steelers season…yea, I know, me too!

:00 DOUBLE OVERTIME
I know you’ve heard it before, but be reminded that the best and safest time to be had in Pittsburgh is at The Savoy.  From the moment security valets your car to the great food and tremendous atmosphere, especially Monday, Jazz night and Friday and Saturday, show time nights. If there are three better cats in town, then Chuck, “J.B” and Gary, I don’t know where they’re at. And that my friend you can take to the bank. (Hey, do me a favor and don’t tell Stephan Broadus I said all this. He’s told me 1,000 times about that free Savoy promo!)
~ GAME OVER ~