Opinion

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston reacts during the ACC Championship game on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

Sports

Should Character Count In Sports Awards?

10:10am December 11, 2013

by Frank Deford

When it comes to awards in theater or television or dance or literature, Frank Deford observes, candidates don't worry about losing out because of a personal flaw. Only sports applies that off-the-field standard.

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On a visit to StoryCorps in Ohio, Dennis Hale recounted his experience surviving a shipwreck on Lake Huron to his wife, Barbara.

National

Adrift In Frigid Water, Not Caring 'If You Live Or Die'

10:49am December 06, 2013

by NPR Staff

A ship called the Daniel J. Morrell was making its last haul of the season when it broke apart in a heavy storm on Lake Huron in November 1966. A few crew members struggled to stay afloat in the driving wind and waves, but ultimately, Dennis Hale was the shipwreck's sole survivor.

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When he was being abused, Rogelio Martinez says his teacher, Lisa Moya King, showed him that he was not alone.

National

An Abuse Survivor Finds Family In A Special Teacher

3:53pm November 29, 2013

by NPR Staff

Rogelio Martinez was being abused when he started taking Lisa Moya King's dance class. Soon, Rogelio ran away, and Lisa took him in when he had nowhere to go. "You showed me that I'm not alone," Rogelio says. "That I actually have somebody."

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Metro Meteor, a retired racehorse, stands with owners Ron and Wendy Krajewski and one of his paintings at Motters Station Stables in Rocky Ridge, Md., earlier this year.

The Horse Who Picked Up A Paintbrush

10:55am November 27, 2013

by Frank Deford

After his career at the racetrack ended, Metro Meteor was adopted by an artist in Pennsylvania, who discovered the horse's gift. Now, his paintings raise money to treat his knee problems and to help other retired thoroughbreds find new homes.

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Glenda Rike's husband was in the room when President Kennedy received his last rites. She recounted his experience to her son, Larry, on a visit to StoryCorps.

National

Witnessing History In A Dallas Emergency Room

5:29pm November 22, 2013

by NPR Staff

When he went to work on Nov. 22, 1963, ambulance driver Aubrey Rike had no idea that he would soon be offering a moment of support to Jacqueline Kennedy. "It was unbelievable that something like that happened, and he was part of it," says Rike's widow, Glenda.

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New York City subway conductor Paquita Williams (left) and passenger Laura Lane became friends after a two-hour train breakdown.

National

Making New Connections On A Trapped Subway Train

12:37pm November 15, 2013

by NPR Staff

Laura Lane was heading to work when her train got stuck. Conductor Paquita Williams was soon walking through the cars, putting passengers at ease in the darkness. Laura was so impressed with how Paquita handled the two-hour ordeal, she wanted to learn more about her.

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Sports

Why Has Football Become So Brutish?

11:08am November 13, 2013

by Frank Deford

The owner of the Miami Dolphins says he will meet Wednesday with the player who has accused teammates of harassment. Frank Deford says the allegations represent just the most recent disgrace for football.

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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., talks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 3.

Was Rand Paul's Plagiarism Dishonest Or A Breach Of Good Form?

4:31pm November 12, 2013

by Geoff Nunberg

The flap over the Kentucky senator's articles and speeches is just the latest in a series of cases of plagiarism by high-profile journalists and politicians. Linguist Geoff Nunberg looks at the way the word plagiarism has been used since it was invented by the Romans and wonders if it's always immoral or just bad form.

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Sitting At Her Son's Bedside, A Mother Re-Defines Religious Nut

8:08pm November 08, 2013

by Nancy S. Aronie

Writer Nancy Slonim Aronie recalls how another mom in the hospital with a sick child helped reveal something about herself.

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"In our world of global entertainment ... passports don't matter and ... taste trumps nationalism," says Frank Deford.

Sports

Root, Root, Root For The Home Team?

9:01am November 06, 2013

by Frank Deford

Does a citizen of any country — not just the good ole U.S.A. — have an obligation to support its national teams? According to Frank Deford, in our world of global entertainment, passports don't matter and taste should trump nationalism.

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