Marx once wrote "religion was the opiate of the masses." If he were writing today he might add sports. Few activities generate as much attention and passion as sports. From March Madness to the Super Bowl, there is enormous media coverage. Athletes are objects of adoration and idolization, that is, as long as they don't stumble off their pedestals. O.J. Simpson. Mike Tyson, Pete Rose and Mark McGuire are among those who have fallen from grace. Sports stars are often confined to just talking about their profession. They are not to have any political interests or heaven forbid actual opinions on important issues of the day. However, today some athletes are breaking from the mode, in the tradition of Muhammad Ali, and are speaking out.

David Zirin
Dave Zirin, (Zy-rin) winner of Press Action's Sportswriter of the Year Award, has been called "an icon in the world of progressive sports." He is both a columnist for SLAM magazine and a regular contributor to the Nation magazine. He is a commentator on Air America radio. He's the author of "What's My Name, Fool? Sports and Resistance in the United States." His latest book is "Welcome to the Terrodome."