Sports Perspectives

A veteran and grandfather's kinetic tribute — on the arm of Chase Young, college football's best player

Ohio State defensive end Chase Young (2) now honors his Air Force veteran grandfather, Carl H. Robinson, with a special tattoo.<br>Columbus Dispatch file photo/TNS

Authentic souls such as Air Force veteran Carl H. Robinson tend to linger vividly in mind, but as Chase Young returns Saturday from a two-game suspension, his grandfather will live on in the 21st-century method of utmost tribute.

Referee Matt Boland officiates the Raptors-Clippers game Nov. 11 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.<br>TNS

COLUMN

Why NBA referee Matt Boland credits the military for straightening out his life

"I was in a point in my life where I was in college and not focused and not doing well and joined the National Guard in 1987," NBA referee Matt Boland remembered. "I came back a different person."

Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, left, talks with Washington Nationals Manager Dave Martinez, wearing an Expos throwback uniform before a 2019 game.<br>John McDonnell/The Washington Post

PERSPECTIVE

The former Expos are finally in the World Series, and Montreal isn't sure what to think

After the Montreal Expos may have left Canada for Washington in 2005, a small cohort of their fans never abandoned the ballclub. But plenty of other Montrealers can, or at least can actively not pay attention to the team they once called "Nos Amours," or in English, "Our Loves."

The Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James directs his team against the Atlanta Hawks on February 12, 2019, at Philips Arena in Atlanta.<br>Curtis Compton, Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS

COLUMN

China is getting exactly what it wants from LeBron James and the NBA: capitulation

LeBron James and the rest of the NBA need to decide which audience they value more, the Chinese one, or the American one. The choice is stark and no amount of confusing the issue with cultural relativism and talk of rudeness to the host can obscure it.

"It's definitely hard for offensive linemen," said Landon Tengwall, a junior Good Counsel in Olney, Md. "You know, all the skill guys will show up and make fun of them, and they just think it's joking, but a lot of guys do get hurt from that, especially if they've gotten teased before by someone else."<br>Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post

PERSPECTIVE+

For high school offensive linemen, fat-shaming and health risks come with the territory

Fat-shaming has long been associated with the offensive lineman position, and it can be especially cruel in the formative years of teenagers who are aggressively adding body mass in pursuit of college scholarships.

Navy quarterback Malcolm Perry races down the sideline for a 12-yard gain in the third quarter of Saturday's game at Annapolis, Md. Perry ran for 111 yards in a 34-25 Navy win.<br>Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes

PERSPECTIVE

Navy's program-defining win was eight months in the making

Navy’s gutsy, hard-fought 34-25 victory over Air Force in the first leg of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy series validated all the moves made by head coach Ken Niumatalolo since the end of last season.

A parent delivers a strong message before the Navy-Air Force football game at Annapolis, Md., October 5, 2019.<br>Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes

COLUMN

Just another service academy thriller, stuffed with emotion

The things that make military academy football unique must be seen, experienced and felt. But there was a moment Saturday evening just a few minutes after Navy had beaten Air Force, 34-25, in a donnybrook of a game that provided a dramatic snapshot of why this rivalry — like Army-Navy and Army-Air Force — is so special.