Thom Loverro
Columns by Thom Loverro
LOVERRO: Time for RG3, Mike Shanahan to stand together
The SuperBob diva storyline is a runaway train. The questions being asked about Mike Shanahan's future here in Washington in the fourth year of his five-year contract include whether or not SuperBob wants him to stay, and how much influence the embattled quarterback may have with owner Daniel Snyder when that decision is made. Published November 24, 2013
LOVERRO: The NFL games no one wanted to play
Fifty years later, the decision by Pete Rozelle — the man who helped usher the NFL into its place today in America as the national passion — to allow football to be played while feelings were still so raw over JFK's death is still a dark cloud over his legacy. Published November 21, 2013
LOVERRO: For RG3, it’s not the heat, it’s the humility
The interception at the end of the Philadelphia game was as much about the RG3 ego as anything — the voice inside his head that says "I can win the game because that's what I do." Not Sunday — and not most days this year. It's the difference between confidence and arrogance. It's the final chapter of the book of leadership. Published November 18, 2013
LOVERRO: Like it or not, Mike Shanahan should remain with Redskins
If you call for the firing of Shanahan after this year, then you are no better than the owner who angered you for years with his meddling and influence. We all know that Shanahan told Daniel Snyder he would need five years to dig this franchise out of the grave the owner had dug for it. You have to give Shanahan that fifth season. You have to see the end of this movie. Published November 14, 2013
LOVERRO: Here’s hoping rule changes can get college basketball in check
The last time we saw college basketball, it stunk. You can drone on about the glory of March Madness all you want, but it was brutal to watch — games like Syracuse's 61-50 tournament win over Indiana, when the Hoosiers shot 33 percent from the field, were becoming the rule, not the exception. Published November 11, 2013
LOVERRO: Remembering Ezra Cooper, a bright spot in D.C. football
Ezra Cooper looked at the 80 women that had assembled at a sandlot field in the spring of 2001. They were there to talk about football – not understanding football so they could share in pigskin joy with their husbands or boyfriends; not powder-puff football or playing the game in their underwear. No, Cooper was about to teach this group of women how to play football – real football, with pads and hitting and blood and guts. Published November 7, 2013
LOVERRO: Sick and tired of watching hockey beat itself down to niche-sport status
Four days after it happened, it is still sickening to watch the beatdown that Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ray Emery gave Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby Friday night in the midst of the Capitals 7-0 beatdown of the Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Published November 4, 2013
LOVERRO: Hernandez-Harrison getting his chance to shine in Madison Square Garden
A chance to fight in boxing's "mecca" comes Saturday when 19-year-old Dusty Hernandez-Harrison – a rising undefeated welterweight out of Washington, D.C. and maybe the next big thing in boxing – steps into the ring at Madison Square Garden to face Josh Torres for something called the World Boxing Council Youth Welterweight world championship. Published October 31, 2013
LOVERRO: Nats’ hiring of Matt Williams sends message that Rizzo, not players, makes the call
If you are looking for signs of hope, the Nationals hiring Matt Williams is one of them – the players don't make the decisions. Nationals general manager and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo does, and this one may be the most important of his tenure so far. Published October 28, 2013
LOVERRO: Redskins’ special teams should take a page from George Allen’s book
The former Washington coach wrote a little-known book about how to coach special teams, and if anyone could use the words of wisdom of George Allen, it is Mike Shanahan and his Redskins squad. Published October 24, 2013
LOVERRO: World Series owners Lucchino, DeWitt might have changed Orioles’ history
Think about the last 20 years in Baltimore with Lucchino and DeWitt as the team owners instead of controversial and beleaguered owner Peter Angelos. Published October 21, 2013
LOVERRO: In lingering anger over ‘No Mas,’ Sugar Ray Leonard finds bond with Roberto Duran
"I wanted him to say, 'You made me quit,'" Leonard said. "But then, at that moment, I saw him as a brother, a friend. He was struggling to think of what he could say, but nothing he could say could change what happened. I looked in his eyes. He was almost in tears. It was powerful stuff." Published October 17, 2013
LOVERRO: Mike Shanahan doesn’t have much time to get Redskins’ woes figured out
The Redskins are 1-4 and about to face the Chicago Bears on Sunday at FedEx Field and the Denver Broncos on the road the following week. Unless Shanahan can find a solution, things are about to get ugly at Redskins Park. Questions that no one wanted to answer will be asked. Published October 14, 2013
LOVERRO: Redskins-Cowboys rivalry lacks bite of bygone years
Yes, it was a great for Washington fans to witness the beating of Dallas twice last year, once on Thanksgiving to make the turkey taste a little better and a second time at FedEx Field to clinch the NFC East title. But then you witnessed RG3 offering Tony Romo comfort as they left the field. Published October 10, 2013
LOVERRO: Reggie Jackson’s latest quote denial is last straw for author
It's not quite, "A day that will live in infamy," or "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," but Reggie Jackson's words printed in the June 1977 issue of Sport magazine remain among the most powerful and defining quotes in all of sports. Published October 7, 2013
LOVERRO: Cal Ripken as Washington Nationals manager?
The Nationals job is a good one. Despite falling short of the postseason this year, many observers still believe this is one of the most talented rosters in baseball, and still poised for playoff contention for years to come. But it's not the only job out there. Published October 3, 2013
LOVERRO: Capitals have tools for success as they open season in new division
The last time the Capitals went beyond the second round of the NHL playoffs was the 1997-1998 season, when they won the Eastern Conference finals and were swept by the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals — the year before they entered the newly-created Southeast Division. Published September 30, 2013
LOVERRO: D.C. fighter William Joppy has new goal: marathon
The former middleweight champion of the world is in training, even at the age of 43, even though he officially retired from the ring more than two years ago. Published September 26, 2013
LOVERRO: Winless Redskins not passing the smell test
The Washington Redskins face the Raiders next Sunday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, a dump of a stadium that is falling apart and literally stinks, with sewage coming out of the faucets last week after a rainstorm during an Athletics game. It may be the perfect setting for the Redskins' 0-3 season. Published September 22, 2013
LOVERRO: Johnson’s post-baseball dream centers around youth academy in Orlando
Davey Johnson likes a good story. The story of the 2013 Washington Nationals season may wind up being one of missed opportunity. But that's hardly the end of the Davey Johnson story. Published September 19, 2013
