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Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Las Vegas HBCU Classic to air on Black-owned broadcast network
HBCU football is headed to the Las Vegas Strip. This fall, the inaugural Las Vegas HBCU Classic will mark a major milestone -not just in location, but in legacy. Set inside the glistening confines of Allegiant Stadium, the state-of-the-art home of the Las Vegas Raiders of the NFL. The game will feature a marquee matchup between two titans of Black college football: Jackson State and Grambling State. But the spotlight won't only be on the field. In a move that marries authenticity with innovation. Allen Media Group's HBCUGo will be the broadcast and streaming partner of the marquee Classic. The partnership isn't just about airing a game. It's about aligning a historic moment with a historic mission. A new high-profile classic backed by a Black-owned broadcast network starts a bold new chapter in the broadcast history of HBCU football. With Byron Allen's Allen Media Group launching HBCUGo in 2022 as a free, ad-supported streaming platform dedicated exclusively to HBCU sports and culture, the network has quietly become a go-to hub for fans who want more than just box scores. They want the band, the pageantry, the legacy-and HBCUGo delivers all of it. At the heart of the game is one of Black college football's most iconic rivalries. Jackson State vs. Grambling has been a staple of HBCU gridiron greatness for decades. Think Eddie Robinson vs. W.C. Gorden. Think Deion Sanders bringing his primetime flair to the SWAC. Think NFL-bound talent clashing in front of packed stadiums and battle-tested bands. Now, that rich history takes center stage in one of the most high-tech venues in the world, placing HBCU tradition on a stage that matches its magnitude. Juxtaposing the timeless spirit of these two programs with the ultra-modern aesthetics of Allegiant Stadium is symbolic. HBCUs are no longer relegated to the margins of college sports. They're thriving, innovating, and now-streaming globally with Black ownership at the wheel. As the network continues to grow its slate of games, pregame coverage, and cultural content, the Las Vegas HBCU Classic serves as a defining moment for the surging network. One that says: Black-owned HBCU sports media isn't coming-it's here. The post Las Vegas HBCU Classic to air on Black-owned broadcast network appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"I'm man enough to take the punishment. But I'm not sorry" - Ben Wallace was unapologetic after Chicago Bulls benched him in 2006 for wearing a headband
When you think of Ben Wallace, you probably picture him wearing his signature headband — that iconic look became part of his identity. Interestingly, though, that very trademark once cost him his playing time on the court. Back in 2006, while Wallace was with the Chicago Bulls, the former four-time Defensive Player of The Year was actually benched because he wouldn't take off his headband. Headband drama In the NBA, accessories on the court are more than just practical — they're a way for players to show who they are. However, not every self-expression is welcome. At times, both league and team policies have placed limits on what players can wear, leading to surprisingly tense standoffs. Advertisement A prime example is Wallace. The powerful 6'9" player ran into trouble with the Bulls soon after joining them, not because of his playing time or strategy but because of his headgear. Few would expect something as trivial as a headband to cause serious friction, especially given "Big Ben's" stature at the time. He was a multiple-time All-Star, a marquee signing just months earlier brought in to bring toughness and leadership. Still, the team from Windy City had a strict ban on headbands, a rule that reportedly had started years earlier because of issues with former player Eddie Robinson, whose style and behavior annoyed team management. However, Wallace, who had worn his headband religiously throughout his rise to stardom with the Detroit Pistons, refused to drop the look. The Bulls, in turn, initially refused to make an exception. Advertisement Related: Walt Frazier admits NBA players were afraid to lift weights back in the day: "Basketball players thought it would affect their shot" Bulls in crisis What started as a minor disagreement over a headband soon exposed deeper issues between Wallace and the franchise — and, more specifically, with then-head coach Scott Skiles. The tension between the veteran center and Skiles was clear. It wasn't just about the headband. "Big Ben" reportedly pushed back against several team rules, like refusing to tape his ankles and questioning the ban on pregame music. Still, the headband quickly became a symbol of a bigger power struggle. Things came to a head during a game against the New York Knicks, when Scott benched Ben less than three minutes into the first quarter for breaking the team's headband policy. Wallace's reaction was calm and direct, but he stood by his choice. Advertisement "If you know the rules and break them, you expect to be punished. I can't try to put myself above the team or anybody else and wear a headband like I did. I'm man enough to take the punishment. But I'm not sorry," said the 2004 NBA champion with the Pistons, per ESPN. Despite the conflict, a compromise was found. In an unusual step, Skiles let the Bulls players vote on whether their teammate could keep wearing his signature headband — and they agreed. "We still have a no-headband rule," the head coach later explained. "I just left it up to the guys who have been here if they wanted to make an exception for Ben. I was fine with it. They were fine with it." This moment marked a shift — not just in the headband debate but in the team's leadership style. The then-GM John Paxson praised Skiles for "adapting, listening to his players" and, more importantly, for "understanding that the bigger picture is winning." Advertisement At that point, though, "winning" wasn't really happening for Wallace, Skiles and the team. Earlier that season, they had dropped six straight games and were sitting at a disappointing 3-9 just a few weeks in. That, no doubt, also helped turn the headband issue into such a big story. Related: "Are you mocking me?" - Ben Wallace initially wasn't pleased with Pistons fans rocking a fake afro to honor him
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cherokee County bids farewell to Battalion Chief T.C. Capps after 30 years of service
The Brief Battalion Chief Thomas "T.C." Capps retired after a 30-year career, celebrated with a ceremonial "final ride" and a retirement luncheon attended by colleagues and family. Fire Chief Eddie Robinson praised Capps for his exemplary leadership, dedication, and integrity, presenting him with a commemorative helmet plaque and ceremonial fire axe. Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services expressed gratitude for Capps' impactful service, highlighting his lasting legacy and influence on the department. CANTON, Ga. - Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services honored Battalion Chief Thomas "T.C." Capps this week as he retired after a 30-year career marked by dedication, leadership and unwavering service to the community. What we know Chief Capps was recognized Friday morning with a ceremonial "final ride" aboard Battalion 3, a unit with special meaning to him. The tribute marked the end of a distinguished career filled with milestones and memories in the line of duty. Earlier in the week, a retirement luncheon was held at the Cherokee County Fire Training Complex, where friends, family, and both current and retired firefighters gathered to celebrate his service. The event featured shared stories, laughter, and heartfelt gratitude, underscoring the deep impact Capps made on those he worked alongside. What they're saying Fire Chief Eddie Robinson presented Capps with a commemorative helmet plaque and ceremonial fire axe at the luncheon, calling him "a true example of what leadership in the fire service should be." "Chief Capps represents everything that's right about the fire service—dedication, humility, and a fierce loyalty to his team," Robinson said. "He has always led with heart and integrity, and he exemplifies the true meaning of leadership and brotherhood. His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in the lives and careers he's helped shape." Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services extended its appreciation to Capps for his decades of service, saying his leadership has left a lasting mark on the department. "Please join us in wishing Chief Capps the very best in his well-earned retirement," the department said. "You will be greatly missed, Chief." The Source The details and photos in this article were provided by the Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services.
