Sports Perspectives

A new rite of passage for NFL draft hopefuls: Scrubbing their social media history

Agents and teams are vetting the social media accounts of top prospects more fervently than ever in the run-up to this month's NFL draft, and two of this class's top prospects have already seen their posting pasts come under fire.

The Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James drives to the basket against the Milwaukee Bucks' Brook Lopez in the second half at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, March 1, 2019. The Bucks won, 121-130.<br>Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times/TNS

COLUMN

As injuries and losses mount, LeBron James and the Lakers have accepted their fate

There was no denial, no hope, no fury, no sadness. The Los Angeles Lakers, beset by injuries and slipping further down the West's standings by the day, have accepted their fate. This is a lottery team, and they know it.

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman seems to deliver an early hit to New Orleans Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis late in the fourth quarter, thwarting a potential game-winning drive during the NFC Championship game on Jan. 20, 2019 in New Orleans.<br>Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times/TNS

COLUMN

NFL's instant replay quandary is about finding a solution that can win approval

The NFL's competition committee has been adamantly against making judgment calls by the on-field officials, such as pass interference, subject to replay review. That reluctance was apparent again this week.

Frank Robinson, as manager of the Washington Nationals in 2005.<br>Stars and Stripes

PERSPECTIVE

After the abuse Jackie Robinson endured, Frank Robinson refused to take it

A few seasons after Jackie Robinson retired, Frank Robinson did something Jackie only dreamed of, something he swore never to do, something that ate at him for as long as he was on the diamond. Frank Robinson fought back.

Head coach Bill Belichick takes questions during the New England Patriots' media availability at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, in Atlanta.<br>Curtis Compton, Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS

COLUMN

The Patriots' secret is focusing on the details. Every. Last. Detail.

Every NFL club is a complex organism with assets in different departments, but the New England Patriots more than any team in history are able to resolve all facets into performance on the field in crucial moments.

Bryce Harper has agreed to a record-setting, 13-year $330-million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.<br>Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes

OPINION

Something is rotten about baseball free agency

One reason proffered for the slow free agent signings last year was that teams were hoarding cash to prepare for the monster free agents to come this year, including Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. Except that we are now in very late January, with pitchers and catchers reporting in less than a month, and both superstars remain unsigned.

A Department of Homeland Security police officer checks the security of a fence built around Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the surrounding area for the Super Bowl on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Atlanta.<br>Curtis Compton, Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS

OPINION

The NFL, not the federal government, should pay for Super Bowl security

When a city bids on a Super Bowl, the NFL stipulates that pregame and day-of-game security will be incurred "at no cost to the NFL." For the host city, that might be an acceptable trade-off: Cities solicit funding from big donors or host committees to offset or augment the cost to public entities in exchange for the event's anticipated (or, at least, hoped for) cachet and revenue. There's no such trade-off for the federal government.