411 Sports Talk Radio X... Tiger is Back and will win the masters!!! by Cedric E Lyons

10 Best College Football Teams Ever

Venus Williams

Volume XIV Issue X • March. 15 - March 21, 2018

Jamie Foxx and Ray Charles

Big sister shows little sister how it’s done... pg 6

Portraits of African American Historical Figures ... pg 15 The Greatest NBA Small Forwards of All Time .. pg 10

March 15 - March 21, 2018 www.411sportsnews.com www.411sportsnews.com • www.411radionetwork.com • twitter: @411sportsdfw • facebook/411sportsLLc 1

www.411radionetwork.com www.411radionetwork.com www.411radionetwork.com www.411radionetwork.com www.411radionetwork.com

Volume XIV • Issue X • March 15 - 21, 2018

Publisher /Founder Cedric E. Lyons

Executive Officer Robert L. Woodard

Tiger Woods is BACK....

Copy Editor/Social Media Manager Shellye L. Lyons

Contributing Writers

and will win the

Eugene Lynch Star Davis Winter Harris Valder Beebe JaShea Jackson

masters!!!

On-Air Talent Desiraye Hill Louis Medford The Benchwamer Brittney Iwegbu Andréa Jackson-Randle JaShae’ Jackson Valder Beebe Dante Wesley

Marketing/Sales Tyrone Davis Phyllis Vaughn Brittney Iwegbu Erika Anderson

Marketing/Public Relations

Big sister

The Top 10 Small Forwards in NBA History

shows little sister how it’s

done

t has been more than 20 years since Venus and Serena Williams first reluctantly faced each other on tour, the unavoidable result of their father’s far-fetched but ultimately successful plan for both of them to reach the top. Across the decades, sport’s first sisters have dueled through their mixed emotions on four continents and in the finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments. They have played in brilliant sunshine and under closed roofs. They have played on grass, on red and green clay and on hard courts of varying speeds.

March 15 - March 21, 2018

That Celebrity

Interview

www.411sportsnews.com

Phenixx Marketing - Telea Stafford

Design Layout The Lyons Group LLc

Advisory Board Kevin Lyons Chris Arnold Rolondo Blackman Roger B Brown Ken Carter Derek Harper Charlie Parker Preston Pearson Mel Renfro Rayfield Wright R. L. Woodard Subscription and advertising rates Inquiries call: 469-249-2411 • Issn 1933-2092 • 411 sports llc Is published by 411 sports, llc. all rights reserved. reproduction In whole and in part without written consent is prohibited. • Views of editorial content do not necessary reflect the views of 411 sports llc, • 3201 Maple ave • Dallas, TX 75202

Spittin’ at the water cooler From the Publisher This week’s blessing is “Do You Now Believe?”. By Oswald Chambers:

“By this we believe….” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?” —John 16:30-31

BRAND CONNECT FOLLOW A PLATFORM, DESIGNED WITH THE ATHLETE IN MIND... CONNECT ALL THINGS SPORTS, FITNESS & WELLNESS RELATED.

LIKE US, FOLLOW US, SHARE US FACEBOOK.COM/FOLLOWBCPRO INSTAGRAM @BRANDINGCHAMPIONS TWITTER @ FOLLOWBCPRO

“Now we believe….” But Jesus asks, “Do you…? Indeed the hour is coming…that you…will leave Me alone” (John 16:3132). Many Christian workers have left Jesus Christ alone and yet tried to serve Him out of a sense of duty, or because they sense a need as a result of their own discernment. The reason for this is actually the absence of the resurrection life of Jesus. Our soul has gotten out of intimate contact with God by leaning on our own religious understanding (see Proverbs 3:5-6). This is not deliberate sin and there is no punishment attached to it. But once a person realizes how he has hindered his understanding of Jesus Christ, and caused uncertainties, sorrows, and difficulties for himself, it is with shame and remorse that he has to return. We need to rely on the resurrection life of Jesus on a much deeper level than we do now. We should get in the habit of continually seeking His counsel on everything, instead of making our own commonsense decisions and then asking Him to bless them. He cannot bless them; it is not in His realm to do so, and those decisions are severed from reality. If we do something simply out of a sense of duty, we are trying to live up to a standard that competes with Jesus Christ. We become a prideful, arrogant person, thinking we know what to do in every situation. We have put our sense of duty on the throne of our life, instead of enthroning the resurrection life of Jesus. We are not told to “walk in the light” of our conscience or in the light of a sense of duty, but to “walk in the light as He is in the light…” (1 John 1:7). When we do something out of a sense of duty, it is easy to explain the reasons for our actions to others. But when we do something out of obedience to the Lord, there can be no other explanation— just obedience. That is why a saint can be so easily ridiculed and misunderstood. Now time to spit at the water cooler!!! A lot of writers and fans have posited that the stupid money being thrown at free agent wide receivers has shifted the balance of power to Dez Bryant in talks about his contract. But maybe not as much as many assume.

WWW.BRANDINGCHAMPIONS.COM

www.411sportsnews.com

The money thrown around in this phase of free agency evaporates quickly. If the Cowboys dump No. 88 on the market in the coming weeks, teams won’t have as much to spend. If Bryant draws a line in the sand and refuses to take less, how much will he earn if the Cowboys part ways with him after the draft? He won’t get what Watkins, Robinson and Richardson have gotten. He could have trouble approaching that next level. What has taken place in recent days doesn’t increase Bryant’s leverage as much as it alters the dynamics of the discussion. With Anthony Hitchens now cashing in on free agency and leaving the Cowboys, the team only has three reliable players, WILL Sean Lee, MIKE Jaylon Smith, and SAM Damien Wilson. And it is certainly questionable whether all three would be healthy for a full season. As you can see, the Dallas Cowboys have to be a little bit concerned with their depth at the linebacker position heading into the 2018 season. Yes, it looks as if they have their starters in place with Smith, Lee, and Wilson, but the cupboard is pretty bare behind them. That’s where Anthony Hitchens was so invaluable. He could step in and play any three of the LB positions, and do it at a high level without there being much of a drop off. The Cowboys no longer have that kind of “safety valve” on the roster. Anthony Hitchens’ departure via free agency definitely increases the need to address the depth at the linebacker position for the Dallas Cowboys. In fact, they would be wise to use both free agency and the draft to secure some much-needed depth. With all that being said, don’t expect the Cowboys to be big players in free agency. They are looking to build a team for the now and future and you can’t do that with players that are almost 30. Any player 25 and below might have a chance to get the money from the boys, so don’t look for the coming of Ndamukong Suh.

Cedric E Lyons clyons@411sportsnews.com

March 15- March 21, 2018

10 Best College Football Teams Ever 10. 1965 UCLA Football The UCLA Bruins from 1965 have found their way on many top college team lists. According to their coach, Tommy Prothro, this was one of his top 50 teams to ever play the game. This particular season was tough because they had to get past a three-game losing streak. The only problem was USC. If they could beat them then they were almost assuredly guaranteed to rematch Michigan State in the Rose Bowl. The game was really a matchup between not yet crowned Heisman winner Mike Garrett of the Trojans and future Heisman trophy winner Gary Beaven of the Bruins. Anyway, the next trip found the Bruins playing Tennessee in Prothro’s hometown, and they lost. The score was 37–34, which made for a very frustrated Bruins coach. However, UCLA did get to rematch Michigan in the Rose Bowl and beat them literally at the last second. They ran a two point conversion to seal the deal. So while the 1965 season could have been described as two stallions, UCLA and USC running towards a national title, only the Bruins would run like Sea Biscuit to win the race. 9. 2011 LSU Football Some years are legendary because the teams are legendary. That was the case in 2011 with LSU. On November 5, they played Alabama on their home-field. Bill Pendry, recently retired Alabama offensive line coach, served as offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers before shifting to college. He quipped that there were probably 20 out of the 22 defensive starters that would be playing in the NFL the following season. Hence the reason nobody would score a touchdown that fateful night in Alabama. 28 of the defensive players in that game, 14 per side, got drafted to the NFL, including 10 first round picks. LSU pulled that game out 9–6 in overtime. Part of it was probably bittersweet since their coach now coached the Alabama team, but most of it was pure talent. Of course, Alabama would come back to challenge LSU again and take the BCS national championship title, but this LSU team will go down as one of the most draft pick producing teams ever to play one season. 8. 1953 Maryland Football The thing about Maryland’s 1953 team is you must be familiar with their 1952 venture to fully understand experience. Coach Jim Tatum’s Terrapins were considered to be a scourge among college football. In fact, they won four of their previous five games in 1950, swept all of their games in 51, and did the same to the first seven opponents in 1952. However, that all came crashing down when they posted a 21–14 loss to Mississippi, which was then followed with a 27–7 loss to the Crimson Tide. With 1953 came a renewed sense of revenge. Stan Jones, the All-America tackle, said that they couldn’t wait for the season to start. He further states they were miserable over the previous season because they really felt they were the best team in the country. All nerves were on edge when they once again played Mississippi, then ranked number two just behind Notre Dame. They slaughtered them 38–0 and went on to complete their season with no ranked losses, despite a loss to Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl (it didn’t count against them). Some would say the Orange

March 15 - March 21, 2018

Bowl would be the only game Coach Tatum didn’t play well, yet everyone agrees 1953 definitely belonged to the Terps. 7. 1960 Iowa Football This could be a tale of sour grapes, except it’s a little deeper than that. The 1960 Iowa football story is one of denied recognition, despite phenomenal success. You see, in 1960 there were only 9 bowl games, as opposed to 11 the following year, compared to the some 39 in existence today. Iowa had a phenomenal year. Their record was 8–1, almost perfect. However, they only got as far as a conference co-championship with Minnesota. Due to their 27–10 loss on November 5, Minnesota got the invite to Pasadena instead of Iowa. There was no bid option or consolation bowl bid to speak of, despite their incredible season. No Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, Citrus bowl, Outback Bowl or University Holiday Bowl. To add even more insult to injury, this is the highest ranked football team in Hawkeye history that has the distinction of being denied a postseason award. It just goes to show you that today things are done much differently with the bowl championship series. In the 60s you could have a phenomenal year and still remain home while other less capable teams went off to their bowl rivals. 6. 1991 Washington Football The Huskies always need to remain a part of the conversation when discussing greatest college football teams ever, particularly their 1991 team. This was the year that head coach Don James finally got the Huskies back to national prominence. It took five years, but was well worth it. However, all was not lollipops and roses. Their quarterback, Mark Brunell, suffered a knee injury that put him out for the season, so the second stringer, Hobert, rotated forward. This usually spells disaster for college football teams, but not for the Huskies. They steamrolled through the competition, 495 points versus 115 points for their opponents. You might remember Mario Bailey as one of the star players, though the entire team was really deep. He scored 17 times while other comparable players only scored 13. It’s arguable that the University of Washington had the best offense and defense in the country during the 1991 season. Why? In total 25 players became draft picks for the NFL. Even though they ended up splitting the title with Miami, the numbers prove that Washington was superior. It’s the difference between being awesome, if you are Miami, and phenomenal, if you’re Washington. 5. 1909 Arkansas Football So you have to dig way back for this one, but in 1909 the Arkansas Razorbacks were unbeaten the entire season. The team, coached by Hugo Bezdek, outscored all seven opponents by a total of 186-18, including four shutouts and three games with only six points scored by the opposite team. They were a dominating force. 1954 would see another impressive year where they would land the Southwest Conference championship title. They ended up ranked number 10 overall in the AP Poll that season. A little-known fact about this season is the game with Ole Miss counted as a conference game for the SEC simply because Ole

see Teams continued on page 7

www.411sportsnews.com

For More Information: Call us at 214.751.6683 or email us at dwashington@sundayplayers.net We stand behind everything we sell. If for any reason you're not fully satisfied with any item, SEND IT BACK! It's that simple. Return the unworn item within 10 days from the date you receive it. We will make an exchange, provide store credit, or refund your payment as you request.

Big sister shows little sister how it’s done

more matches than her right now.” Serena still leads their sibling rivalry, 17-12, and has won eight of their last 10 matches. But Venus now has her first victory over Serena since 2014 and a place in the fourth round, where she will

“Obviously I didn’t want to play Venus so early on, but it can happen,” Serena said on Monday. But it was also poignant to see the sisters finally facing off in Indian Wells. The match between them here that failed to materialize in 2001 led to a long family boycott of the most prestigious tournament in California, a mere two hour’s drive — traffic willing — from the hardscrabble, gang-controlled courts in Compton where they began playing the tricky game that would make them rich and famous. So much has changed in 17 years. When Serena, now 36, took the court on Monday night, she did so as a new mother, while Venus, 37, walked out as a new aunt — and as the favorite, which has not been her customary role as this increasingly lopsided rivalry has evolved. Serena is the one with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, one short of the record held by Margaret Court. Venus has had to make do with a very respectable seven, although she twice came close to an eighth during her resurgent 2017 season, when she reached the finals of the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Serena, as so often, played the spoiler on one of those occasions, defeating her in Australia when, unbeknown to the general public, she was already two months pregnant. She did not play again for the rest of 2017, giving birth to a daughter, Olympia, in September, recovering from traumatic postnatal medical issues and then marrying Alexis Ohanian in November, before resuming training in earnest. This was the first singles tournament of her comeback, and though it showed, she was hardly far off the pace, winning two matches and then giving Venus cause for concern as she tried to close her out. “I just feel it’s never over until it’s over, and she just came right back,” said Venus, who faltered in her first attempt to serve out her victory at 5-2 in the second set. “You know, I’m just lucky I played

“I think she’s going to be speeding back to the seedings and to winning tournaments sooner than later,” Venus said. “That’s all I see. I think that’s what everybody sees.” Serena is understandably still searching for consistency and timing and was often off balance on Monday. But it is tempting to believe that when she gets her fitness and footwork right, the rest of the tennis world should resume watching out.

But there has never been an all-Williams occasion quite like Monday night’s in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open, in which Venus put an end to Serena’s comeback tournament from maternity leave with a 6-3, 6-4 victory. It was odd enough to see them playing in the third round at all. This was their earliest meeting in a regular tour event since their first professional encounter in the second round of the 1998 Australian Open, during the beads-and-braces phase of their teenage years.

and Serena, who will have an official ranking close to 500 when she plays the Miami Open later this month, will continue to be the most dangerous outsider in women’s tennis.

“I have a lot to improve on,” she said. “It’s good that I don’t have to say that this is the best tennis I have ever played and I lost. My room for improvement is incredible. So I have just got to keep saying each tournament my goal is just to be better than the last. I definitely don’t want to go backwards. I just want to continue to go forwards.” face Anastasija Sevastova, a Latvian with a game brimming with spin and guile, on Tuesday. “I definitely know her well,” said Serena of Venus. “But she definitely played a little better than she normally does today.” Venus was certainly the more reliable power player: making 19 unforced errors to Serena’s 41, and not because she was taking fewer risks from the baseline. Although Venus has sometimes struggled to find her service rhythm early in her matches against Serena, she was at close-to-full strength from the start, hitting a first serve of 121 miles per hour at her sister’s body during the tense opening game. There would be much more of that, as she won 68 percent of her first-serve points to Serena’s 53 percent during the match. And in a much clearer indicator of Serena’s rust, Venus also won 52 percent of her second-serve points, despite struggling to generate depth and pace on many of those second serves. In peak form, Serena would have pounced on them repeatedly. And though she did her best to capitalize, taking some returns very early, she could not find her range consistently. “I can’t really replicate the situation no matter how much I do in practice, or if I make those shots 10 times out of 10 in practice,” she said. “It’s just the nerves, the anticipation you feel naturally. It’s a little bit of everything that comes in a match that just doesn’t normally happen.” Serena arrived in Indian Wells with no official ranking and no seeding, which explains how she and the eighth-seeded Venus could face each other so early in the draw. Darren Cahill, the ESPN commentator who also coaches women’s No. 1 Simona Halep, tweeted earlier on Monday that he believed the WTA Tour should allow players returning from maternity leave to have a protected seeding, not just a protected ranking that guarantees them entry into tournaments. But for now, the current rule stands,

www.411sportsnews.com

In 2001, the sisters were set to play here in the semifinals, but Venus withdrew minutes before the match, citing an injury. The Indian Wells crowd later booed Venus and her father, Richard Williams, when they arrived to watch Serena play the final against Kim Clijsters, and Serena heard plenty of jeers herself that afternoon. Richard Williams claimed to have heard racist taunts, and no member of the family returned to this increasingly prestigious tournament for more than a decade, with Serena ending her boycott in 2015 and Venus ending hers in 2016. Neither sister said that she gave much thought to 2001 this year, but others did. And there were certainly no heckles on this cool Monday night in the desert, just the usual cheers of “Go Venus” or “Go Serena” or, for those feeling ambivalent, “Go Venus and Serena.” It has been quite a journey, and earlier on Monday, Roger Federer, a 36-year-old who has had a tennis odyssey of his own, took the time to mark the moment. “Longevity and dominance; they showed that,” Federer said of the sisters. “They had a massive arrival on the scene, a lot of buzz around them, and they lived up to the hype. Came out and crushed it. From the very beginning, they were very interesting to follow.” They remain just as interesting now as they, like Federer, play deep into their 30s and, unlike any other tennis stars, continue their sibling rivalry into those years. “I think it’s great for the sport, and they have done so much already,” Federer said. “This is like, you know, the extra lap they are doing, and the fans can enjoy it. So I’m very happy for them.” Only one Williams left the court feeling satisfied on Monday, however. “It’s definitely not less disappointing,” Serena said of her defeat. “I wish it were. But it’s not. But then again, I wish it wasn’t. Then I wouldn’t be who I am. So I just have a long way to go, and I’m looking forward to the journey.”

March 15- March 21, 2018

10 Best College Football Teams Ever

Miss didn’t have enough SEC opponents already scheduled for the year. Here is another fact. Since joining the SEC conference in the 90s, the Razorbacks haven’t even landed a conference title. Yet walk backwards from the 50s to 1909 and Arkansas was a true beast. See what we did there? 4. 1988 West Virginia Football

The West Virginia Mountaineers may not have any national championships under their belt, but look closely and you will see plenty of conference titles. However, the 1988 team seems to haunt West Virginia for the most part. Here’s why. The Mountaineers went unbeaten during regular-season games, to enter a national championship showdown against Notre Dame. Yet, the Fiesta Bowl was only on its third play when quarterback Major Harris separated his shoulder. The fighting Irish ended up winning the Fiesta Bowl 34–21. That entire experience has left many fans in Morgantown wishing, wanting and wondering for just over two decades, “What if?” The same thing would happen in 2007 when West Virginia was slated to become national champions again with their number one ranking as they entered the backyard brawl. However, Pat White was injured and Pittsburgh defeated the mountaineers 13–9. This loss knocked them out of BCS bowl potential. Even at that, they were ranked sixth place overall by the AP Poll, which is the third all-time best in school history. 3. 1959 Syracuse Football So the curious case of the 1959 national title

leaves us with a peculiar pick, the Syracuse Orange Men. Not exactly known as a college football powerhouse, why do they make this list, particularly when their star player Jim Brown graduated two years earlier? When Jim left he gave Syracuse their greatest gift, Ernie Davis. And it seems that all Ernie Davis existed to do was smash Jim’s records to ultimately win the 1961 Heisman trophy. With Davis at the helm, the Orangemen would go 26–5 for three seasons and ultimately clinch the 1959 national title after playing the 1960 Cotton Bowl. Remember, racial tensions were high in the 60s and many of the Syracuse players had to endure discrimination purported by the white Texas football team players… in the Cotton Bowl of all places. However, they would emerge victorious, and Ernie Davis would become a legend and put Syracuse on the map. Tragically, he would pass away in 1963 after a battle with leukemia. 2. 1965 Michigan State Football

1966 would find four star football players as seniors and future Hall of Famer’s. However, at the time Clinton Jones, Bubba Smith, George Webster and Gene Washington were also the backbone of one of the greatest college football teams ever to hit the field. What’s so significant about these four? They were the first four black Hall of Famer’s from the same class. The group arrived at East Lansing in 1963 in the fall. This was the era of freshman ineligibility so they couldn’t play on the varsity team for another year. The next year they found their home. So what took them so long to be inducted into the Hall of Fame? Well, it seems that the 1965 – and 66 season – is to blame.

Though they were the star power for sure, a tie with Notre Dame and a loss to UCLA put a couple of blemishes on a great season. If you put the two seasons together they were 19-1-1, not bad. Had they clinched Notre Dame in the Game of the Century, they most definitely would have been a contender for a national title. Still, it’s phenomenal to see what was accomplished despite hurdles of race and freshman ineligibility. These four created a core that knew how to handle the ball and get the job done. 1. 2017 Georgia Football So the University of Georgia obviously has to make the list with their team from last year. You could argue back-and-forth between the two. It is pretty phenomenal to see a new head coach with the same talent that you find in a coach like Nick Saban. Wait, it seems that Kirby and Sabin know each other and that the student might actually become the teacher in a few years. Only time will tell, but Georgia had the better team this past year and lost due to recent inexperience on a national stage. However, had this been the 1980 season, with Herschel Walker on the team, the game would be history. That, of course, was Coach Vince Dooley’s greatest moment and one of Georgia’s as well for football. Yet, with the incredible talent we saw this past year with a quarterback that knew how to read the field and a receiver and running back who know the mechanics, Georgia could easily eclipse their 1980 victory within a three-year span. Here’s to seeing what’s in store.

YOU NEED EXPOSURE! ASK US ABOUT OUR FULL COLOR BLOWOUT SALE “FEATURE YOUR BUSINESS” CLUB ï RESTURANT ï REAL ESTATE ï CAR DEALERSHIP ï INSURANCE ï ETC... SPACE IS GOING FAST!!!!! ADVERTISE NOW!!! GET HALF OFF STANDARD ADS

469-249-2411 ACT NOW DON’T WAIT March 15 - March 21, 2018

www.411sportsnews.com

NFL Draft Experience Presented by Oikos Triple Zero Brings Free Football Festival to Dallas

he 2018 NFL Draft – coming to Texas on April 26-28 – will take place at an NFL stadium for the first time, enabling more fans than ever to view their favorite team’s selections in-person and enjoy the league’s largest free football festival. NFL Senior Vice President of Events PETER O’REILLY and Dallas Cowboys Legend DREW PEARSON released details today about the many free opportunities available to fans at the event. “The 2018 NFL Draft represents our most ambitious vision yet, and we are thrilled to take the event to another level this year for our fans, incoming players, and teams,” said O’Reilly. “By collaborating closely with the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Sports Commission, we are creating a record number of free experiences and enabling the largest live audience ever to view the NFL Draft.” “We are thrilled to host the 2018 NFL Draft and bring together football fans from not only Texas, but also the entire country,” said CHARLOTTE JONES ANDERSON, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer of the Dallas Cowboys. “There is already so much excitement in the community for this incredible event, which will deliver a unique experience that is unlike anything fans have seen thus far.” “For those who believed last year’s NFL Draft created an amazing atmosphere, just wait until this year’s event,” said Pearson. “From incredibly passionate Dallas Cowboys fans, to the largest free football festival in league history, the 2018 NFL Draft will be the biggest and best one yet. No

doubt about it.”

TRIPLE ZERO®

2018 NFL DRAFT

The free NFL Draft Experience presented by Oikos Triple Zero® will transform the outdoor plazas of the stadium, creating an exciting atmosphere. Spanning the size of nearly 26 football fields, fans of all ages and teams may participate in interactive exhibits, immersive games, virtual reality experiences, free player autograph sessions and more.

The NFL is creating a larger-than-life atmosphere by transforming the areas inside and outside of AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The NFL DRAFT THEATER will be built on the stadium’s field, creating opportunities for more fans than ever to watch the event live and in-person. More than 250,000 fans from all 50 states and the District of Columbia have registered over the past 22 days for the chance to win free seated tickets inside the theater. That record-breaking number represents a 50% percent increase over last year and the highest sign-up total for any Draft event over the same time period. New this year, all 32 teams will send some of their most passionate fans to sit in the “INNER CIRCLE,” an exclusive area for select fans to watch the 2018 NFL Draft from seats on the field. This special area features team rivalry zones, chances to celebrate the picks with NFL players and Legends, and opportunities to showcase team spirit on national television.

By registering for Fan Mobile Pass, fans will enjoy an enhanced experience at the 2018 NFL Draft, receive a personal scan code giving them exclusive access to NFL Draft Experience attractions, and have the chance to receive standby tickets to the NFL Draft Theater. Hours of Operation Thursday, April 26:

12:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Friday, April 27:

12:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Saturday, April 28:

10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Games (Fan Mobile Pass Required)

SELECTION SQUARE DRIVEN BY HYUNDAI will be located inside the NFL Draft Theater and feature team tables where representatives from each club will make their Draft selections throughout the three days.

Combine Corner:

NFL DRAFT EXPERIENCE PRESENTED BY OIKOS

40-Yard Dash: Race down the field against your

Vertical Jump: Jump as high as you can and hit the corresponding flag to discover your vertical reach just like at the NFL Scouting Combine.

DENTAL Insurance Physicians Mutual Insurance Company

A less expensive way to help get the dental care you deserve

Are you Ready to Break Free from the Destiny Terminator and live life on purpose? Sign Up NOW $

If you’re over 50, you can get coverage for about $1 a day*

Keep your own dentist! You can go to any dentist you want No wait for preventive care and no deductibles – you could get a checkup tomorrow

Coverage for over 350 procedures – including cleanings, exams,

fillings, crowns…even dentures

NO annual or lifetime cap on the cash benefits you can receive

FREE Information Kit

1-866-778-1604

In this 3 Day Experience You Will....

www.dental50plus.com/411

• Craft your Destiny Blue Print • Discover 3 Keys to a Dream builders success • Gain Clarity & Confidence • Unleash Your Hidden Potential 8

*Individual plan. Product not available in MN, MT, NH, NM, RI, VT, WA. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/ certificate of this type. Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO, NY; call 1-800-969-4781 or respond for similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN) 6096E-0917

www.411sportsnews.com

MB17-NM008Ec

March 15- March 21, 2018

NFL Draft Experience Presented by Oikos Triple Zero Brings Free Football Festival to Dallas opponents and digital NFL players on a giant 40yard long LED wall. Hail Mary: Test your long-distance accuracy by throwing a deep pass over defenders into a dropin net. NFL Training Camp: Race through a series of obstacles and train like a pro. Touch Pass: Master one of the most difficult throws for an NFL quarterback by throwing the ball on an arc over a defensive player and into a net. FedEx Air Challenge: Test your passing accuracy on specially designed targets. NFL PLAY 60 Zone presented by Danimals® Gear Up & Go: Try on NFL equipment and feel what it’s like to get dressed for gameday. Kids’ Extra Point Kick: Test your ability to kick a field goal through scaled down NFL uprights. Kids’ Long Snap: Test your ability to snap the ball like a pro. Kids’ Quarterback Challenge: Test your passing skills.

Additional Attractions:

Lamar Hunt AFC Championship Trophy

Cowboys On-Field Experience: Visit NFL Draft Experience on Saturday, April 28 for the opportunity to go on the field for unique experiences and photos. Due to high demand, fans are encouraged to register ahead of time at NFL.com/FanMobilePass.

George S. Halas NFC Championship Trophy

Vince Lombardi Trophy: Fans may take their photo with one of the five Super Bowl trophies from the Dallas Cowboys. Locker Room: Visit a replica NFL locker room as it appears on gameday. Experience the sights of a real NFL pregame inside our video tunnel.

Autograph Stage at Draft presented by Panini: Get free autographs from current NFL players and NFL Legends.

NFL Draft Experience Tailgate: Enjoy selections from some of North Texas’ best restaurants in a “taste of the town” tailgate.

NFL Museum: The NFL Museum features:

Music Stage: Visit the stage featuring appearances by NFL team mascots, cheerleaders and drumlines and local musical talent.

Hall of Fame memorabilia

NFL PLAY 60 Zone Obstacle Course: Race through agility drills just like the pros and test your high jump abilities, leap over obstacles and bob and weave through mini tackling dummies.

Michael Irvin

Jerry Jones

Troy Aikman Tom Landry Deion Sanders Emmitt Smith

Play Football Field presented by Danimals®: Watch and learn from USA Football coaches and play NFL FLAG football. On-field clinics are open to boys and girls ages 6-17. Daily clinics open on a first-come, first-served basis.

Roger Staubach

Thursday, April 26:

Get your own bronze bust digitized at the Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibit.

Friday, April 27: Saturday, April 28:

12:00 PM to 9:00 PM 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM

March 15 - March 21, 2018

NFL Draft Set: Visit the official NFL Draft set and take your spot behind the podium. ESPN Set: Check out SportsCenter LIVE from NFL Draft Experience.

Hall of Fame Inductee Bronze Busts

12:00 PM to 9:00 PM

College Football Corner: View College Football Hall of Fame memorabilia from former Round 1 Draft picks and Cowboys Legends, and cheer on Draft prospects from your favorite college team. Life size player mannequins offer unique photo opportunities.

Pepsi NFL Helmet Photo Opportunity: As you enter NFL Draft Experience, find your favorite NFL team oversized helmet and have your photo taken by a Pepsi brand ambassador. Share your photos through your favorite social channel and Fan Mobile Pass.

NFL PLAY 60 App Station: Run, jump and turn through a simulated world in an app designed by NFL PLAY 60 and the American Heart Association.

NFL RUSH Gameday: Experience gameday with an app designed for kids to play fun games, customize their own avatars, watch videos, and unlock cool digital gear from their favorite teams.

Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

Tony Dorsett Hall of Famous

Full collection of 51 Super Bowl rings

www.411sportsnews.com

NFL Network Desk: Take your seat behind the NFL Network Total Access desk and break down the 2017 Draft.

Bud Light Ice House: The hottest place to drink the coldest beer and cheer on your team at the NFL Draft. NFL Auction: Stop by the NFL Auction in the NFL Museum for giveaways and chances to win NFL instant prizes by checking in with your Fan Mobile Pass. View game worn and signed memorabilia available only on the NFL Auction website, and learn about the charities and foundations that the NFL and NFL Auction support. Look Like A Pro: Step inside a uniformed bodycast mold bearing the insignia of your favorite NFL team and have a friend snap your photo. NFL Shop at Draft presented by Visa: Stop by NFL Shop at Draft presented by Visa for the largest assortment of NFL Draft merchandise, including customizable Nike jerseys, the official 2018 NFL Draft Cap by New Era and exclusive Draft gear. NFL Virtual Reality: Experience NFL games using virtual reality technology.

The Top 10 Small Forwards

in NBA Originally by Ranker Community

ho are the best small forwards of all time? A small forward serves a critical role in any basketball game, whether NCAA or pro, but this list is primarily concerned with the top small forwards in the NBA. Fans of the game know how important the small forward is: he is often one of the main scorers on the team. The small forward is also versatile, able to fill many roles for a team. Which small forward deserves the title of the best ever? That’s for you to decide, with your votes. You can also add any small forwards who are missing from this list, and rerank it any way you want. When it comes to deciding the best small forwards in the NBA, well, arguments might ensue. Everyone has a favorite -- whether it’s LeBron James and his incredible size, strength and versatility, Larry Bird and his extraordinary shooting abilities or a modern era shooter with amazing shooting ability like Kevin Durant. Arguments can be made that virtually any one of the players listed here could be the best ever; certainly they are all

Finals MVP awards. Dominique Wilkins was a nine-time NBA AllStar, and is widely viewed as one of the best dunkers in NBA history, earning the nickname The Human Highlight Film. In 2006, Wilkins was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Wilkins exploded into the NBA’s elite cir-

also the Cavaliers’ all-time scoring leader, the NBA All-Star Game career scoring leader, and the NBA career playoff scoring leader. Elgin Gay Baylor played 14 seasons as a small forward in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers, appearing in eight NBA Finals. Baylor was a gifted shooter, strong rebounder, and an accomplished passer. Renowned for his acrobatic maneuvers on the court, Baylor regularly dazzled Lakers fans with his trademark hanging jump shots. The No. 1 draft pick in 1958, NBA Rookie of the Year in 1959, 11-time NBA All-Star, and an 10-time member of the All-NBA first team, he is regarded as one of the game’s all-time greatest players.[1] In 1977, Baylor was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Larry Joe Bird was a mainstay in the Indiana Pacers organization, but stepped down from the

among the top NBA players of all time, too. Julius Erving II commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, helped popularize a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and playing above the rim. Erving helped legitimize the American Basketball Association (ABA) and was the bestknown player in that league when it merged with the National Basketball Association (NBA) after the 1975–76 season. He is now a coach of TriState of the BIG3. Erving won three championships, four Most Valuable Player Awards, and three scoring titles with the ABA’s Virginia Squires and New York Nets (now the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets) and the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers. He is the eighth-highest scorer in ABA/NBA history with 30,026 points (NBA and ABA combined). He was well known for slam dunking from the free throw line in slam dunk contests and was the only player voted Most Valuable Player in both the ABA and the NBA. LeBron James Sr. is widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA players of all time, he has won three NBA championships, four NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, three NBA Finals MVP Awards, three NBA All-Star Game MVP Awards, two Olympic gold medals, an NBA scoring title, and the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. James is a 14-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA first teamer, and five-time All-Defensive first teamer. He is

History

cle in 1985–86, winning the league scoring title with an average of 30.3 points per game. He was an NBA All-Star for the first time and was voted to the All-NBA First Team at the end of the season. He failed in his bid to repeat as NBA Slam-Dunk champion, his competition coming from an unlikely source. Wilkins scored 57 points in one game and ranked among the Hawks’ leaders in rebounding (7.9 rpg), steals (138), and free-throw percentage (.818). Atlanta beat the Detroit Pistons in four games in the first round of the playoffs, but the Hawks could not get past the eventual NBA-champion Boston Celtics, losing four games to one in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Wilkins averaged 28.6 points in the nine playoff games. Scottie Maurice Pippen Nicknamed “Pip,”[2] he is most remembered for his time with the Chicago Bulls, the team with whom he won six NBA titles. Pippen, along with Michael Jordan, played an important role in transforming the Bulls team into a championship team and for popularizing the NBA around the world during the 1990s.[3]

position of president following the first-round of the 2017 Eastern Conference playoffs. He has been described as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Drafted into the NBA sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978, Bird started at small forward and power forward for thirteen seasons, spearheading one of the NBA’s most formidable frontcourts that included center Robert Parish and power forward Kevin McHale. Bird was a 12-time NBA All-Star and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) three consecutive times (1984–1986). He played his entire professional career for Boston, winning three NBA championships and two NBA

www.411sportsnews.com

Considered one of the best small forwards of all time, Pippen was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight consecutive times and the AllNBA First Team three times. He was a seven-time NBA All-Star and was the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1994. He was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History during the 1996–97 season, and is one of four players to have his jersey retired by the Chicago Bulls (the others being Jerry Sloan, Bob Love, and Michael Jordan). He played a main role on both the 1992 Chicago Bulls Championship team and the 1996 Chicago Bulls Championship team which were selected as two of the Top 10 Teams in NBA History. His biography on the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s website states, “The multidimensional Pippen ran the court like a point guard, attacked the boards like a

see Players continued on page 18

March 15- March 21, 2018

I Got a Story to Tell STEVE FRANCIS NBA RETIRED after the game, and he’s like, “Don’t forget, we friends off the court, but on the court.…”

way. Prep school. AAU. Free shoes. Free meals. One-and-done. And that’s a good thing. Good for them, man.

I’m like, “You slick mothaf****a.”

Four years before I was on that plane with Hakeem telling me we’re going shopping for cashmere suits together — four years before I was about to go play against Gary Payton — I was on the corner of Maple Ave in Takoma Park, Maryland, selling drugs outside the Chinese joint.

Lesson learned, though. Now I know the game, right?

After a while, I’m like, “Bro, I think maybe I need to go.” He hits me with the, “Nah, what you need to do is sit there and listen to me tell you how to deal with these groupies.” This motherf****r has me hypnotized. Then around 5 a.m., the whole vibe changes. Now he’s telling me how he’s gonna whip my ass the next night. I’m like, Yo, wait a minute … “I’m telling you, Steve. I’m gonna bust your sleepy ass. Rest up.” We walk out of this club and the sun is up. I gotta be at the arena in like five hours. I’m not even drunk. I’m not nothing! I just got Sam’s bullshit ringing in my ears and I’m feeling like I’ve been up for three days. Man, he came out that night and dropped 35 points on me. I was so tired in the first quarter I thought I was about to pass out. Remember now, I’m a punk rookie on a team with Charles Barkley and Hakeem the Dream Olajuwon. These dudes are in the huddle looking at me like I’m not shit. Rudy T is looking at me like, “We traded 15 motherf*****s to Vancouver for this?” I went like 4 for 13, and we lost. I see Sam

March 15 - March 21, 2018

We’re about to take off, and I’m sitting there with my big headphones on, listening to Jay-Z. Hakeem is sitting there reading the Quran. Not saying a word. Then he gives me a look. You know how Dream is. He’ll just look at you — super wise, super calm. Every word that comes out of the man’s mouth is like it’s coming straight from God Almighty. I’m like, “What’s up, Dream?” Dream says, “Steve.” I’m like, “Yeah, Dream?” “Steve, you walk around dressed like a bus driver.”

My mother had passed away. My father was in a federal penitentiary. We had 18 people living in one apartment. I had dropped out of high school. No scholarships. No GED. No nothing. This is ’95! I’m watching Allen Iverson killing it for Georgetown just up the road from me, and I’m standing on the corner all day building my little drug empire, just trying not to get robbed, and then at night I’m playing pickup ball in the basement of a firehouse. Not a lot of people know my real story. Sometimes I even ask myself, “Man, how the hell did you make it onto that airplane with Dream?” I’m gonna tell you. But first, I can’t forget about Gary Payton. Listen, man … I’ve been around an unbelievable amount of shit talkers in my life. I’ve been around some dudes better than GP. Way more creative, way more sinister. But this dude … this dude was like a volume shooter of shit talking. He would not shut the hell up from the minute we got on the court. And like I said, I idolized him. So there was no other option — I had to kill his ass. And I killed his ass.

“Come on, Dream.”

Look up the stats. I KILLED his ass.

“What are these construction shoes you have on?”

He shot like 30%. And I know some little nerd is gonna be all up on my Twitter page like, “Nah, Steve, ACTUALLY I dug up the box score on Google and he ACTUALLY shot 39%.”

“These are Timberlands, man. Come on.” “Steve, let me help you. Come to my tailor with me, and we’ll get you 10 suits. Custom-made. Cashmere.” “Come on, Dream.” “Cashmere, Steve.” “Dream! Yo…” “Come with me, Steve. Come to my tailor.” Cold as ice. Just like that. Dream was ahead of his time. NBA dudes are walking around now dressed like he used to dress. But I wasn’t trying to hear it. You gotta understand something about my story, and it’s really gonna seem impossible to anybody under the age of 20. Because pretty much all these NBA dudes now came up the same

www.411sportsnews.com

Player Profile

remember the exact moment when I realized NBA legends weren’t SHIT. My man Sam Cassell took me out the night before my very first NBA game. We were playing the Bucks down in Houston and he knew I was about to take his ass to the cleaners. But Sam is from Baltimore, and I’m from D.C., so this dude was trying to Jedi mind-trick me into thinking he’s doing me a favor keeping me out until six in the morning, giving me all this brotherly advice. We weren’t even partying, man! That was all part of his scam. We were out at some club, drinking ice tea or whatever, and he’s telling me all about what I gotta do to survive in the NBA.

Couple of weeks later, we’re playing the Sonics. I idolized Gary Payton growing up. So we’re on the plane to Seattle, and Rudy T sat me next to Hakeem on purpose. He knew what he was doing. He wanted me to learn.

But me?

Come on, man, I ACTUALLY killed his ass. I had 27 points on 20 shots, I know that for a fact. I think Seattle even beat us that night, but I had Gary so shook that he couldn’t believe it. You know what it was like? You know whenever Scooby-Doo and his crew finally catch the bad guy at the end of every show, and as the cops are taking his ass away in handcuffs he’s yelling out to the gang, talking shit? I got on that plane back to Houston like, We made it, man. See the rest of this story on 411sportsnews.com

Cover Story

Tiger Woods is BACK.... and will win the masters!!!

head of last week’s Valspar Championship, Tiger Woods lamented he hadn’t played enough rounds to show up on the PGA Tour’s stat leaders. That’s not a problem anymore. And following his exciting performance at Innisbrook, Woods will be even more pleased if he looks up his numbers this week. Woods had all facets of his game working at the Valspar during his T-2 finish in which he fell one short shy of winner Paul Casey. So how do his stats stack up against the rest of the tour now that he has four official starts under his belt this season? Let’s take a look. We’ll start with his worst strokes gained stat thus far, off-the-tee, in which Woods ranks 104th at +044. However, following his third start at the Honda Classic, Woods ranked 146th in this category at -.147, so this is still a huge improvement, probably due in part to his selective use of the driver around Innisbrook. Woods jumped into the top 30 in all the other main strokes-gained categories. He’s 28th in tee-to-green, 19th in approach-the-green, 21st in around-thegreen, 23rd in putting, and most importantly, he’s 11th in total strokes gained. Woods is still not getting the job done on the par 5s anywhere near like he used to -- he’s 179th with a 4.78 scoring average on those holes and he failed to birdie any of Innisbrook’s final three on Sunday -but he’s flashed swing speeds that belie his age and the back fusion surgery he underwent less than a year ago. Woods currently ranks second in club head speed at 122.49 miles per hour. He’s also displayed his usual knack for posting great rounds as evidenced by his overall scoring average of 69.465, which ranks him fifth. Woods has finished T-23 at the Farmers Insurance Open), missed the cut at the Genesis Open, finished solo 12th at the

Honda Classic and T-2 at the Valspar Championship in his four starts thus far. He’ll play again at this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, a tournament he’s won eight times. And if he’s able to pick up win No. 9 at Bay Hill, all these numbers will look even better come Sunday evening. As Tiger Woods’ latest comeback continues to pick up steam, his Official World Golf Ranking keeps making big strides as well. Following Sunday’s runner-up at the Valspar Championship, Woods made another huge leap, moving up to No. 149 from No. 388. It marks Woods’ highest ranking in nearly three years. Woods had fallen as low as No. 1,199 ahead of last year’s Hero World Challenge, where he made his return to competitive golf following a fourth back surgery in April. Of course, being ranked in the top 150 again probably doesn’t give a man who has spent a record 683 weeks in the top spot much satisfaction, but a closer look shows Woods has actually performed closer to a top-10 player since his return. Due to the OWGR being calculated over a two-year period, Woods is heavily penalized by his lack of counting events -eight, only five of which he’s earned any points -- during that time. Woods’ 149 ranking comes from his total points being treated as if he’s played a full schedule in that span. Taking away the minimum divisor of 40 and dividing his points by those eight events instead changes his average points from 1.0942 to 5.47125. That higher number would put him just behind Paul Casey (5.4729), who nipped Woods by one at Innisbrook to climb to No. 12.

this is all part of an even cooler script that is unfolding. Woods will play again this week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and following his runner-up at Innisbrook, Golf Channel’s Justin Ray dropped this eerie stat involving Tiger and Phil -- and Bay Hill. Whoa. Of course, a lot has to happen for Woods to match Mickelson’s winning timing, but that is pretty freaking freaky. Woods’ last PGA Tour victory came at the 2013 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, but Bay Hill seems like as likely a spot as any for Woods to win again considering his eight victories there. And Woods will be making his fifth official start of this latest comeback, which is picking up steam. Mickelson ended his long drought with a playoff victory over Justin Thomas at the WGC-Mexico Championship, something Woods said was “very, very cool to watch.” Golf fans can agree that a win by Woods this coming Sunday would also be very, very cool -- and very, VERY serendipitous. Tiger Woods may have come up just short in his bid to win the Valspar Championship over the weekend, but the 14time major champion is now firmly in the conversation when it comes to predicting the winner of next month’s Masters. Less than six months ago, Woods, 42, acknowledged he was not sure whether he would even play competitive professional golf again, as he continued his recovery from a fourth back surgery. Yet he looked fit and sharp at Innisbrook’s Copperhead course as he posted four scores of 70 or better and finished just one shot behind tournament winner Paul Casey in a dramatic finale. Although Woods narrowly failed to win a PGA Tour event for the first time since 2013, he is now widely priced as the second-favorite for the first major of 2018, which takes place April 5-8 at Augusta. Woods has won the Masters on four occa-

Woods will have a great chance of improving his ranking even more at this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, a tournament he’s won eight times in his illustrious career. Of course, he has a great chance of improving his ranking anytime he tees it up these days, because he’ll have no counting events coming off his card for the rest of the season. Tiger Woods didn’t quite “one-up” Phil Mickelson by winning the Valspar Championship like his longtime lefty rival suggested earlier in the week. But perhaps,

www.411sportsnews.com

March 15- March 21, 2018

sions, albeit most recently in 2005. Here’s a look at four reasons Tiger could once again triumph at Augusta. 1. THE ‘TIGER’ FACTOR Woods has not won a major since 2008, while a number of poor outings in unsuccessful previous comebacks from injury have undoubtedly weakened the aura of a player once renowned for his ability to instil fear in his rivals.

The attention surrounding Tiger — from fans on and off the course — is unprecedented, as evidenced by the enormous crowds that followed his every move this week at Palm Harbor. If Woods is in contention with nine holes to play at Augusta, then the nerve of his fellow competitors would be tested to the extreme. Tiger has shown repeatedly in the past that he can handle that pressure. Can the same be said for his rivals? 2. AUGUSTA KNOW-HOW

March 15 - March 21, 2018

the chance to retain his title 12 months later — missed the cut at the Valspar Championship after being grouped with Woods and has yet to finish higher than ninth this year.

Experience clearly can provide a significant advantage when it comes to plotting a successful strategy on the only course to host a men’s major every year.

And although McIlroy began 2018 strongly, with two top-three finishes on the European Tour, his four subsequent outings in the U.S. have yielded one 20th-place finish, a tie for 59th and two missed cuts.

Augusta’s greens, in particular, are notoriously tough to adapt to, but Woods has conquered them on multiple occasions — his tally of four green jackets surpassed only by Jack Nicklaus. Even though his last win there came in 2005, Woods has since finished in the top six at the Masters on seven out of nine appearances. 3. SPIETH AND RORY OUT OF FORM PGA Championship winner Thomas would appear to be the form horse as the Masters nears, while the recent performances of world No. 1 Dustin Johnson have been encouraging, if not spectacular. However, two perennial Masters contenders, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy, will be hoping to see significant improvements in their respective games before arriving at Augusta. Spieth — who claimed the green jacket in 2015 before sensationally throwing away

www.411sportsnews.com

4. SHORT GAME SHARPNESS Arguably Woods’ lowest hour amid his succession of unhappy comebacks came in January 2015, when he ran up a shocking 82 at the Phoenix Open.

Cover Story

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how young stars such as Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth would react if they found themselves going head-tohead with Woods over the closing holes next month.

The last three Masters champions have been first-time major-winners, but it is instructive to note how often the same names crop up on leaderboards at Augusta.

At that point, the standard of Tiger’s chipping was the most alarming issue.

Woods had always been famed for his prowess around the greens, but looked to have lost all confidence in his short game in a painful performance.

Happily, a return to full fitness also appears to have enabled Woods to rediscover his golden touch in the scoring zone. His chipping has looked increasingly sharp in 2018 — epitomized by a superb hole-out on Saturday at Palm Harbor.

MORE HD CHANNELS, FASTER INTERNET AND UNLIMITED VOICE.

• Speeds up to 60Mbps • Unlimited data – no data caps

SPECTRUM INTERNET™

AS LOW AS

99 /per mo. for 12 mos when bundled*

Blazing fast Internet is available and can be yours with Spectrum Internet™ With speeds starting at 60 Mbps

125+ CHANNELS

SPECTRUM TRIPLE PLAYTM TV, INTERNET AND VOICE

UP TO 60MBPS UNLIMITED CALLING

$ from

97 /mo each for 12 mos when bundled*

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AUTHORIZED RETAILER

888-603-0907 *Bundle price for TV Select, Internet and Voice is $89.97/mo. for year 1; standard rates apply after year 1. Available Internet speeds may vary by address. WiFi: Equipment, activation and installation fees apply. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. All Rights Reserved. ©2017 Charter Communications.

www.411sportsnews.com

March 15- March 21, 2018

TIDBITS

Portraits of African American Historical Figures

By Shellye Lyons

any movies have been made portraying people who have made an impact on our history. These films show the lives of people who overcame obstacles such as racism, physical challenges, poverty, and more to become forever engrained in our memories. Martin Luther King, Jr. himself said, “We are not makers of history. We are made by history” so for this article, we’ll share some of the gentlemen who have portrayed historical figures in African American biopics. Who do you think had the most roles? Who played their roles the best?

ics. He starred in two films about the Tuskegee Airmen – first as Billy Roberts in “The Tuskegee Airmen” (1995), his first biopic, and later, as Major Emmanuel Stance in “Red Tails” (2012). He also played Master Chief Petty Officer Carl Brashear in “Men Of Honor” (2000), a film about the first African American master diver in the United States Navy and “Radio” in the movie of the same name in 2003. Most recently, he portrayed O.J. Simpson in the television special series, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (2016). Who can forget the unforgettable movie, “Ray” (2004), and the performance of Jamie Foxx in the lead role. Before he could portray Ray, Jamie had to first get the musician’s blessing. When they met, Ray Charles, gave him a hug and declared, “He’s the one!”. Unfortunately,

We start it off with Denzel Washington who has portrayed historical figures in at least 10 African American biopics. His very first biopic film was “The George McKenna Story” (1986) in which he played the lead character, George McKenna, who accepts a job as principal of a tough, inner city Los Angeles high school. He eventually transforms the school from a gang-ridden war zone into a stepping-stone for higher education, and in the process gains the hard-won respect of the community and school administrators. Probably his most popular role, of course, is as the lead character in “Malcolm X” (1992), followed by his portrayal of Coach Henry Boone in “Remember the Titans” (2000), Rubin “The Hurricane” Carter in “The Hurricane” (1999), and as Frank Lucas in “American Gangster” (2007). Denzel Washington is such a versatile actor!

Ray Charles passed away before the film was completed. I believe he would’ve been proud. Surprisingly, Foxx has portrayed historical figures in only four films. He first starred alongside Will Smith as Drew “Bundini” Brown in “Ali” (2001), and in two television films, as Stan Tookie Williams in “Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story” (2004). He also lent his voice to “Jackie Robinson”, a 2016 documentary on PBS. There are rumors that he is set to play in a biopic about Heavyweight boxing champ, Mike Tyson but there is no confirmation that filming has begun.

Cuba Gooding, Jr. has portrayed historical figures in at least eight African American biop-

Speaking of World championship boxer, the greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali was por-

trayed by Will Smith in “Ali” (2001). Again, surprisingly, after such a great performance, Will Smith has only starred in a few biographical films. He starred as Chris Gardner in “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006) and as Dr. Bennet Omalu in “Concussion” (2015), a film about a forensic pathologist who fights against the National Football League trying to suppress his research on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) brain degeneration suffered by professional football players. Forest Whitaker played legendary jazz saxaphonist, Charlie “Bird” Parker in the self-titled

film and as Eugene Allen in “The Butler” (2013), a film about a gentlemen who worked as a butler in the White House with eight consecutive U.S. presidents, and as dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland (2016), adapted from the 1998 novel by journalist Giles Foden, focused on the rise of Ugandan President Idi Amin and his reign as dictator from 1971 to 1979. Chadwick Boseman so far has portrayed three African-American icons: baseball player Jack-

ie Robinson in “42”, soul singer James Brown in “Get on Up”, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in Marshall (2017). He also appeared as Floyd Little in The Express, a sports biopic about renowned running back Ernie Davis, who played for Syracuse University during the civil rights era.

see Men continued on page 19 March 15 - March 21, 2018

www.411sportsnews.com

HE SAID; SHE SAID

Ladies, if you could provide an upper class lifestyle for yourself, would you marry a man who wanted you to stay home with the kids while he worked and his salary alone made you have to forego the upper class luxuries you were accustomed to?

Why or why not?

By: Winter Harris Victoria Rayelle Clark No. I spent all my life preparing for a career that will give me the lifestyle I want. I’m not passing on that for a man’s pride. I’d give up some of the luxuries to pay for a nanny though. Beverly Johnson I married a man that wanted me to stay home with the kids and we compromised on me working part-time.... it works for us perfect.... it’s been 16 years and I have no complaints The older I get the more I appreciate the option of staying home....I want for nothing Leah C. Young If we could still live comfortably I would. I don’t trust these schools to keep my kids safe and I wouldn’t mind home schooling. Children get into less trouble when a parent is home. I had a stay

Beth Harrow Phone: (817) 980-6260 Fax: (817) 796-2940 www.guidinghandsagency.com Guiding Hands Agency, LLC staff provides compassionate teaching and end of life care for patients as well as their loved ones.

at home parent. We couldn’t do ISH. Bernitha Anderson If money and a luxurious lifestyle makes you happy and it’s your motivation, then don’t do it. If staying home with your kids makes you happy, then stay home. For me, time with my child is priceless. Stephania R. Shine I’m pass that part of my life. Vanady Enjoli Honestly i never wanted to be a stay at home mom but i don’t trust the school systems so now I’m reconsidering Le Conte Stephan I would have to be doing something! But as I get older and have been working from home the last few years I do know the perks lol Candice McKinney Nah Jennifer J My thoughts exactly Xtina Penny Nall Erica Elaine Lee Staying home with my children is very important to me. People don’t realize how crappy preschools are, or how much of an impact the nanny they pick has on their kids for the rest of their lives. My husband and I will need to make an aggressive savings and investment plan so I can stay home and we could maintain our lifestyle. My parents spent 9 years wisely stacking up their money before they had me, and another 3 before they had my brother. We were both born into

www.411sportsnews.com

March 15- March 21, 2018

HE SAID; SHE SAID a very financially stable home and enjoyed a childhood and beyond filled with summer/weekend homes, boats, vacations, and no worries about money. I want the same or similar for my children, and I live somewhat below my means now so that I can save money for my future. Taurus King When you say upper class...that means you needs a Lexus instead of equally comparable Toyata. What good is the luxurious life if you keep having to work harder to live it? Latoya Sheppard You lost me at kids .... I’m done with that Ebony Johnson No. He can stay home. Just kidding kind of... Candice McKinney I mean...that kinda came to my mind lol Depending on why he feels so strongly about someone being at home. If it’s legitimate, he can stay LaTayna Greene I stay home now and my kids are 20, 17, and 16. I could have a “more luxurious” life if I worked outside the home (left

Janelle Gamache 1565 W. Main St., Ste 240 Lewisville, Tx 75067

janelle@jannicointl.com 214-542-8001 www.jannicointl.com

my 100K principal career) . However, my being home has proven to be good for my family. I’m less streesed out, I’m available to travel with my husband and to see my college son many miles away, our home runs more smoothly, and all that luxury amounts for nothing if your family is in shambles and falling apart. Temeka Ramsey This is good stuff....now where is that blog? LaTayna Greene It’s coming!!!! Felicia A. Gillison I don’t think I could be a SAHM without LOTS of wine!! Yoshi Heath Yes, I’m a SAHM with 4 children. It works. Sekou Murray As a man, I would be able to provide that lifestyle that she is accustomed to. It would make no sense to downgrade lifestyle for love for a woman. Please believe that the love will diminish after a few McDonald’s extra value meal dinners, less trips, and no financial freedom.

If you want to follow Winter Harris click on these links http://www.facebook.com/thewinterharris http://www.instagram.com/harriswinter http://www.twitter.com/harriswinter March 15 - March 21, 2018

www.411sportsnews.com

The Top 10 Small Forwards in NBA History power forward, and swished the nets like a shooting guard.” During his 17-year career, he played 12 seasons with the Bulls, one with the Houston Rockets and four with the Portland Trail Blazers, making the postseason sixteen straight times. Kevin Durant has won an NBA championship, an NBA Most Valuable Player Award, the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award, the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award, four NBA scoring titles, the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, and two Olympic gold medals. Durant has also been selected to seven All-NBA teams and nine NBA All-Star teams. Behind Durant’s leadership and his pairing with All-Star guard Russell Westbrook, the Thunder emerged as a perennial title contender, advancing as far as the NBA Finals in 2012, where they lost to the Miami Heat. He played nine seasons in Oklahoma City before signing with Golden State in 2016, winning a championship in his debut season. James Worthy named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, “Big Game James” was a seven-time NBA All-Star, three-time NBA champion, and the 1988 NBA Finals MVP with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). A standout at the University of North Carolina, the 6ft9in” small forward shared College Player of the Year honors en route to leading the Tar Heels to the 1982 NCAA Championship.

Named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, he was No. 1 pick of the 1982 NBA draft of the defending NBA champion Lakers. John Havlicek competed for 16 seasons with the Boston Celtics, winning eight NBA championships, four of them coming in his first four seasons. In the National Basketball Association, only teammates Bill Russell and Sam Jones won more championships during their playing careers, and Havlicek is one of three NBA players with an unsurpassed 8–0 record in NBA Finals series outcomes. Havlicek is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of the game and was inducted as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984. He was a three-sport athlete at Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, Ohio. Paul Pierce spent the first fifteen years of his career with the Boston Celtics, who drafted him with the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft. He became a bona fide star as captain of the Celtics, earning ten All-Star nods and becoming a fourtime All-NBA team member. After nine seasons of leading the Celtics as their sole star player, Pierce combined with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in 2007 to form a “Big Three” that together led Boston to the NBA Finals in 2008 and 2010, winning the 2008 NBA Championship. Pierce was instrumental to the Celtics’ 2008 championship run, as

www.411sportsnews.com

he was awarded the Finals MVP after averaging 22 points per game. Pierce is one of only three players, alongside Larry Bird and John Havlicek, to score over 20,000 points in their career with the Celtics alone. He holds the Celtics’ record for most three-point field goals made and also ranks third in team history in games played, second in

points scored, seventh in total rebounds, fifth in total assists, and first in total steals. He has also made the fourth most three-point field goals in NBA history, behind only Jason Terry, Reggie Miller and Ray Allen. His nickname, “The Truth”, was given to him by Shaquille O’Neal in March 2001.

March 15- March 21, 2018

Portraits of African American Historical Figures Terrence Howard starred in the movie “Pride” (2007), a film loosely based upon the true story of Philadelphia swim coach James “Jim” Ellis, and as Nelson Mandela alongside Jennifer Hudson in “Winnie” (2011) and as Ralph Albernathy alongside Jeffrey Wright in the HBO film, Boycott (2001).

Gregory Hines portrayed Bill “Bojangles” Robinson in the film Bojangles (2001), which explored his life as an American tap sensation. Finally, Martin Luther King has been portrayed in a number of films by various actors, including David Oyelowo who portrayed Dr. King in the 2014 film “Selma”, directed by Ava DuVernay. Jeffrey Wright starred as Dr. King in Boycott (2001), an HBO film, and Paul Winfield starred in the lead role in NBC’s 1978 series King. All in all, there are 100s of films about African American historical figures portrayed by great actors. Too many to name here!

Laurence Fishburne brought Ike Turner, Jr. to life, alongside Angela Bassett, in “What’s Love Got to Do With It” (1993), the film loosely based on the life of award winning recording artist, Tina Turner.

March 15 - March 21, 2018

www.411sportsnews.com

Beebe’s Smart Living That Celebrity Interview

By: Valder Beebe

love my job! Well actually I do not have a job I have a life. I am a media host of radio and print publications and I am doing exactly what I was born to do. My week has gone so fast because it has been such a delight. I am always amazed at the souls that become guests on the Valder Beebe Show. This week veteran producer Steven Rogers (Hope Floats, Stepmom, Kate & Leopold, P.S. I Love You, Love the Coopers) is in the Valder Beebe Show studio to discuss his Oscar-nominated film, I, Tayna. Starring Margot Robbie (Oscar nominated), Allison Janney (Oscar winner), Sebastian Stan and directed by Craig Gillespie. The film is a dark comedy--based on the 1994 Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan Olympic figure skating episode which still baffles the world today. If you have not seen the movie it maybe more than entertainment. I asked Steven what drew him to a film that most of the public already knew through media headlines? Steven surprised me, he said the story was about class warfare. If you remember Nancy Kerrigan was from an upper middle class family and Tanya Harding it seem was from a life lived deep in the heart of a trailer park. Steven Rogers is a long-time friend of Allison Janney and is so supportive of her winning the Oscar for best supporting actress. I, Tonya arrives digitally March 2nd and on Blu-ray March 13th.

for over thirty years and her goal for doing a media tour promoting her film Sick to Death! is for audiences to learn tips and tools of how to best advocate for your own healthcare needs, while clarifying why so many people go without diagnosis of a chronic condition – often for years and years. Hadleigh-West answered questions from Facebook posts to my page. Those who posted wanted to know: How more than 750 million people around the world is projected to have thyroid disease. How the chances of having thyroid disease radically increases with age. Hadleigh-West gave tips and tools patients can use to advocate for themselves with their doctor. The Valder Beebe Show audience was directed back to the film which will show: insights for how to spot the signs of thyroid disease in yourself or someone you love. How the commonly prescribed drugs for thyroid disease -- seen as the gold standard - are under treating 90% of people that suffer with thyroid disease. Our interview concludes with the challenges women face as independent filmmakers and how they continue to make films to change the world. Interviews at: Soundcloud.com/ valderbeebeshow Steven Rogers – interview and dialog is presented his public relations representatives. Maggie Hadleigh-West - interview and dialog is presented her public relations representatives.

In the realm of health, I interviewed Guggenheim Award winning filmmaker, Maggie Hadleigh-West. Her new film is on thyroid disease - Sick to Death! - available on Amazon and VIMEO. Maggie Hadleigh-West has suffered from Graves’ Disease

Valder Beebe’s That Celebrity Interview is produced by The Valder Beebe Show broadcasts (FM radio & TV) broadcast on affiliate 411RadioNetwork.com, Gospel and Jazz stations. View more at ValderBeebeShow.com, 411RadioNetwork.com

www.411sportsnews.com

March 15- March 21, 2018

469-249-2411

March 15 - March 21, 2018

www.411sportsnews.com

Book Your 2018 Vacation Now – Call For Limited Time Savings

Grand Alaskan Cruise & Tour 12 days from $2,798* $1,399*

2 FOR 1 SAVINGS

Departs July - September 2018

Hawaiian Islands Cruise & Tour 12 days from $3,998* $1,999*

2 FOR 1 SAVINGS

Departs year round in 2018

See the Alaskan interior and huge glaciers calving as you cruise the Inside Passage on a 7-night cruise aboard Holland America Line’s ms Westerdam. Sailing from Vancouver visit Glacier Bay, Juneau, Skagway & Ketchikan, plus take a 4-day land tour of Denali National Park, Anchorage, Iditarod Sled Dog HQ, bears at a wildlife center & option to take an Alaska Rail Road dome-car. Hotels, all meals on cruise & sightseeing on the land tour included.

Our incredible Hawaiian Islands Cruise & Tour visits four islands in 12 days including 7 nights aboard Norwegian’s freshly renovated Pride of America. Start in Waikiki on Oahu, and continue to the golden beaches of Maui, active volcanoes on the “Big Island” Hawaii, and the lush “Garden Isle” of Kauai, before returning to Oahu for included sightseeing in Honolulu and Pearl Harbor. With ocean sunsets and Hawaiian hospitality, this is a truly incredible tour. Fully escorted with hotels, porterage, and sightseeing.

FREE ONBOARD CREDIT

FREE SPECIALTY DINING PACKAGE

National Parks of the Golden West

Save

500

per couple

14 days from $1,749* $1,499*

Rose Parade & Panama Canal Cruise

2 FOR 1 SAVINGS

21 days from $4,998* $2,499*

Departs May - September 2018

Departs December 29, 2018

See up to 9 of America’s most spectacular national parks on this incredible tour! Start off in dazzling Las Vegas and continue to the world-famous Grand Canyon, Zion’s steep sandstone cliffs, red rock hoodoo’s in Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley’s giant mesas, Arches National Park’s gravity-defying rock arches, waterfalls and granite scenery in Yosemite, towering sequoia trees in Kings Canyon, and everything in between-- America’s natural beauty awaits! Fully escorted tour with hotels, sightseeing, and luggage handling.

Book early to secure your trip of a lifetime to the 130th Tournament of Roses Parade and the world famous Panama Canal. See the parade from reserved grandstand seats and attend a private float viewing with included dinner. Tour Los Angeles and the beautiful southern coastline through Santa Barbara. Then, embark on the Norwegian Star in LA and sail through five countries (Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Colombia) and enjoy a daylight transit of the Panama Canal. Return home from Miami.

FREE BEVERAGE PACKAGE OR INTERNET

YMT Vacations – the escorted tour experts since 1967! TM

1-855-789-6208

Promo code N7017

*Prices are per person, double occupancy and exclude taxes & government fees of up to $299. Prices shown are after Instant Rebate or 2for1 offers are applied. Cruise prices based on Inside Cabin. Free onboard credit with Ocean View or Balcony cabin purchase for Alaska. Free specialty dining package for Hawaii with purchase of Ocean View cabin or Balcony cabin; specialty dining package for Hawaii requires pre-paid gratuities. Free Unlimited Beverage Package or Internet Package for Panama Canal Cruise with Ocean View or Balcony cabin purchase and must be selected at time of booking. Free Internet package is 250 minutes, 1 login per cabin, Free Ultimate Beverage Package requires additional service charges. All special offers apply to new bookings only made by 4/30/18 and are subject to availability. Lowest season prices shown; seasonal charges and single supplements may apply. Add-on airfare is available. Additional terms and conditions apply, ask your Travel Consultant for details.

www.411sportsnews.com

March 15- March 21, 2018

How to Drive Traffic With Your Facebook Cover Photo

ant to drive Facebook traffic to your website without using ads? Wondering how your Facebook cover image can help? In this article, you’ll discover how to use your Facebook cover image to generate clicks that convert into leads. Why Use Your Facebook Cover Photo in a Lead Capture Campaign? One frustration for businesses on Facebook is that they invest lots of time and resources into building a fan base, and then the algorithm takes over. According to a Locowise study from October 2017, less than 9% of fans actually see what pages post organically. And with the Facebook Zero announcement that friends and family content will be favored over public (page) posts, businesses will likely see even less organic reach now, particularly those with content that doesn’t spark engagement. Pages will need to turn to paid ads for visibility in the feed. But what if there was another way to get more value from your existing Facebook fan base? Your cover photo can help you capture your fans’ email addresses so you have an additional platform with more control over to communicate with them. Here’s how. #1: Design a Cover Image to Promote Your Offer Your cover photo is “clickable,” as is the photo in your library. So in the photo’s description, you can add copy to direct users to your freebie (via your data capture tool). In funnel marketing terms, that freebie is known as a lead magnet. When you decide what to offer, be as generous, intriguing, and creative as you can. Make it a free offer that users simply cannot refuse to sign up for. Then create an image that shares your offer. Be sure to add a call to action (CTA) to encourage users to click the image. For example, Musicademy uses the cover photo above to showcase a lead magnet of 40 free music lessons. The photo also includes a “Click Here” CTA.

March 15 - March 21, 2018

In the description for the cover image, describe your offer and link to the landing page for the offer. This is what users will see when they click the cover image. For instance, when users click the cover photo above, they see the following description with a hyperlink that directs them to the landing page where they can sign up for free lessons. And while the cover image on Musicademy’s Facebook page was cropped to a letterbox shape, users see a taller version of the image when they click on it. This taller image creates room to include an additional message at the bottom: “Click on the link in the description for details.” Note that on mobile, the cover image is always displayed at full size, and the descriptive text appears after the image is clicked. Remember that when you change the cover photo on your Facebook page, it generates a post update in the news feed. The text that appears in the post is the text you added to the photo description. If you want more exposure, you can boost the post for a few dollars. How to Size Your Cover Image

When you upload the photo, you can drag it up or down to designate where the crop occurs on desktop. If you’re creating the cover image yourself and don’t have access to a tool such as Photoshop, check out Canva or Shutterstock’s excellent photo editor. Shutterstock doesn’t require you to use Shutterstock photos and provides lots of options for annotation. If you use pre-formatted Facebook cover templates, be aware that they could be using an outdated size. You may be better off simply creating your own custom-sized images. #2: Set Up Your Landing Page After you design your cover image, you need to add a data capture form to the landing page you direct users to. Musicademy has integrated an Infusionsoft data capture form on its website. After a user fills out the form, that data is synchronized with the eCRM system (Infusionsoft). The user then enters an email funnel with free lessons and other resources relative to the information they submitted via the form.

When sizing your cover image, I recommend that you use a 16:9 aspect ratio (the same size as HD video), which equates to 1920 x 1080 pixels. That’s a much higher resolution than Facebook recommends, but it ensures your photo will be nice and crisp when viewed on Retina displays and future-proofs it for improved resolution devices.

#3: Match Your Facebook CTA Button to Your Cover Image Messaging

Tip: Consider using the 1920 x 1080 size for pages, groups, profiles, and event cover photos. Facebook has changed their recommendation for group sizes recently to a bizarre 1.91:1 aspect ratio. The 1920 x 1080 size is a one-size-fits-all approach, allowing you to keep things simple and consistent across placements.

If this happens, no problem. Just ensure you link the CTA button to the correct landing page and use a suitable CTA message. To illustrate, Learn More makes the most sense in relation to Musicademy’s cover image messaging in the example above.

Be aware that Facebook will crop the picture a little at the top and bottom on desktop at this size.

www.411sportsnews.com

If you use a CTA button on your Facebook page, it appears immediately below the cover photo. You may find that some users click that button rather than the cover photo.

After you select your preferred button, add a URL to send users to when they click the button. When you’re finished, click Save.

APPLE TARTLETS

POTATOES AU GRATIN

Give a little

TENDERNESS

and SAVE 75%* on Omaha Steaks®

PORK CHOPS

FILET MIGNONS

The Family Gourmet Buffet 2 (5 oz.) Filet Mignons 2 (5 oz.) Top Sirloins 2 (4 oz.) Boneless Pork Chops 4 Boneless Chicken Breasts (1 lb. pkg.) 4 (3 oz.) Kielbasa Sausages 4 (4 oz.) Omaha Steaks Burgers 4 (3 oz.) Potatoes au Gratin 4 (4 oz.) Caramel Apple Tartlets Omaha Steaks Seasoning Packet (.33 oz.)

34 -GOURMET

51689JEN | $199.90* separately

Combo Price

TOP SIRLOINS

ITEMS!

4999

BONELESS CHICKEN BREASTS

ORDER NOW &

KIELBASA SAUSAGES

SAVE 75% Plus get 4 more Burgers & 4 more Kielbasa

OMAHA STEAKS BURGERS

FREE

1-855-397-7653 ask for 51689JEN | www.OmahaSteaks.com/love59 *Savings shown over aggregated single item base price. Limit 2 Family Gourmet Buffet packages. Your 4 free burgers and 4 free kielbasa will be sent to each shipping address that includes the Family Gourmet Buffet (51689). Standard S&H will be added per address. Flat rate shipping and reward cards and codes cannot be used with this offer. Not valid with other offers. Expires 2/28/18. All purchases acknowledge acceptance of Omaha Steaks, Inc. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Visit omahasteaks.com/terms-of-useOSI and omahasteaks.com/info/privacy-policy or call 1-800-228-9872 for a copy. ©2017 OCG | Omaha Steaks, Inc. | 17M1957