Frank Deford

When two teams play a game that doesn't count, call it what it is — an exhibition. Sports commentator Frank Deford reminds us that words, and their meanings, matter.

Frank Deford wonders why it took so long to build a monument commemorating the 11 Israeli athletes murdered by terrorists at the Munich Summer Olympics 43 years ago.

Sports gets bigger all the time. But even in the biggest bull markets, there are always a few stocks that fail. The same is true in sports history. Whatever happened to the Little Brown Jug? Bowling?

Somebody has to lose, right? So, let's learn from defeat.

Frank Deford wonders: Once the games are over, are the football players really accepted, or are they just hired hands?

London soon will be hosting up to eight NFL games each fall. What's behind these plans to play so many regular season games across the pond?

The time has come to recognize that Bill Belichick is the best pro-sports coach of this century, says commentator Frank Deford.

Commentator Frank Deford takes a close look at fantasy sports and concludes the profits to be made there are very real.

Commentator Frank Deford says big universities often see athletics as primarily spectator entertainment. Smaller schools, he says, do better in making it a participant activity for students.

Too many pitchers are throwing too hard for the human body to bear, commentator Frank Deford says. What makes these injuries unique is that the players are doing it to themselves.

Commentator Frank Deford marks the 75th anniversary of the college football movie Knute Rockne, All-American, which included a famous phrase, uttered by the movie's star, Ronald Reagan.

As the WNBA finals approach, NPR commentator Frank Deford explains why — Serena Williams aside — women's professional sports are not as popular as men's.

Yogi Berra died Tuesday at age 90. The Hall of Fame catcher is part of our culture in ways that other great athletes never manage. To mark his passing, Morning Edition airs this encore from 2005.

Baseball used to be a newspaper game, says commentator Frank Deford. Now, sports are equal parts television and fantasy.

Municipalities all over the country keep forking over money for new football stadiums, and sports commentator Frank Deford finds it outrageous "because football stadiums are the worst excesses."

History shows why we shouldn't be surprised that a judge recently overturned New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's suspension.

This year, the extra-point line of scrimmage has been moved back to the 15-yard line. Will that make any demonstrable difference in lowering the conversion rate?

As Serena Williams seeks her 22nd Grand Slam title, commentator Frank Deford wishes tennis produced more competitors worthy of her.

As NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and star quarterback Tom Brady head to court over "deflategate," commentator Frank Deford says it's time for Goodell to be replaced in the league's front office.

Commentator Frank Deford weighs in on two of the youngest, brightest stars in professional baseball.