Sports

SportsBeat KC: How The Star’s Forum on Race came together with Mathieu, Cuonzo, others

Kansas State guard Christianna Carr (43) drives to the basket as Baylor guard Chloe Jackson (24) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women’s conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Kansas State guard Christianna Carr (43) drives to the basket as Baylor guard Chloe Jackson (24) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women’s conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) AP

A couple of weeks ago, Star columnist Vahe Gregorian and I started talking about hosting a video discussion around the subject of race in sports. We wondered if we could find some Kansas City-area sports leaders interested in joining us.

Calls went out to a half-dozen people — six was our limit because of issues with technology and timing — and all six quickly responded in the affirmative. The show took place on Thursday.

On today’s episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast, we talk about how the program came together. After a break, you’ll hear the entire forum with panelists Tyrann Mathieu of the Chiefs, Royals general manager Dayton Moore, basketball coaches Bill Self of Kansas and Cuonzo Martin of Missouri, Kansas State basketball player Christianna Carr and Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Story links:

Chiefs’ Mathieu, Royals’ Moore, KU, K-State, Mizzou figures open up about race and sports

Star forum on race and sports evoked candid and moving conversation with All-Star panel

Even decades later, the story of the Chiefs’ Abner Haynes and race remains instructive

Blair Kerkhoff
The Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff has covered sports for The Kansas City Star since 1989. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
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