usatoday--2020-08-08--Without the Indy 500, some IndyCar teams would have disappeared: 'I'm not sure we would have survive

Without the Indy 500, some IndyCar teams would have disappeared: 'I'm not sure we would have survived'

If Roger Penske hadn ’ t relented on his June proclamation , when he said he ’ d host the 2020 Indy 500 only if fans were able to attend , IndyCar might have lost the presence of the most dominant driver and one of the most recognizable names in series history .
For more than 60 years , A.J .
Foyt has been a staple of American open-wheel racing – particularly at the Indianapolis 500 , where he solidified his place in history as the first-ever four-time winner .
Either he or his team have run in every edition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1958 .
But had the unthinkable become reality – had Penske stuck to his guns and shelved this year ’ s 500 earlier this week once it became clear hosting fans even at just 25 % capacity wasn ’ t doable , the Foyt presence in IndyCar might have ceased to exist .
“ If we didn ’ t have the Indy 500 , I ’ m not sure we would have survived , to be honest , ” A.J .
Foyt Enterprises president Larry Foyt told the Indianapolis Star this week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it really is that important and that big for us.
” It ’ s a widespread sentiment shared throughout the IndyCar paddock , a sense of relief just to have a race on the IMS oval to practice and qualify for ahead of the Aug. 23 green flag .
The devastation of the idea of running on an NBC network broadcast in front of 240,000 empty bleacher seats was softened almost immediately on Tuesday .
“ I know it ’ s hard for some people to contemplate , and some people think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that ’ s just the way it should be , ” Graham Rahal said Tuesday in a Twitter video .
“ I was one of those guys .
“ But without this , I really don ’ t know if the series goes on in the same manner .
I don ’ t know if all the teams survive without the Indy 500 when we go on into the winter .
I know I ’ ve seen a lot of you on Twitter that would rather see us out of business than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans , but it is critical we go forward.
” Rahal elaborated more on Friday in a Zoom call with series reporters : “ We have to run this race .
I mean , no matter how you look at it.
” Tuesday ’ s announcement was just the latest example of the awkward balancing act Penske ’ s had to perform as the new owner of the series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway .
Attempt to hold races without fans , and without a tremendous deal that hurts you more in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage told IndyStar back in May that he and Penske came to an agreement on a reduced sanctioning fee where they both would dip into the red a bit .
The only other track where IndyCar has run that hasn ’ t hosted fans has been IMS itself , during what was supposed to be a blockbuster weekend with both IndyCar and NASCAR on hand for three total races .
In preparation to open the gates to thousands of spectators for the first time in his ownership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in upgrades for the fan experience and general up-keep of the facility .
A major expense that wouldn ’ t directly produce any revenue , it may go completely unseen by any fans outside a TV audience in 2020 .
And when you run with fans , as IndyCar has for doubleheader weekends at Road America and Iowa , you can ’ t expect ( or in terms of Iowa , permit ) anything close to a normal crowd , while having to increase expenses to keep guests , drivers , teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
Run races , and you ’ re bleeding money if you ’ re Penske .
Don ’ t run them , and you might be hemorrhaging teams in the offseason .
Friday offered just the latest bit of evidence – the news that this year ’ s Indy 500 purse , announced by Penske himself Feb. 14 to be $ 15 million ( nearly $ 2 million more than 2019 ) , has dropped to about $ 7.5 million to help account for a lack of 500 fan-related revenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fan-less Indy 500 : • Longtime 500 attendees react to no fans decision : 'Felt like it was a game of chicken' • Penske chose to run the Indy 500 without fans 'because there was no other way' • Doyel : Penske saved lives by removing fans from 500 because of COVID-19 • 5 things to know about 2020 Indy 500 running with no fans • Twitter reaction to Indy 500 being run without fans in stands “ This has to have been such a tough decision for Roger and IndyCar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know the losses he ’ s taking on this have to be unbelievably tough for him .
I think he made a decision that was for the best of the series , and I know it wasn ’ t an easy one .
But we can ’ t be thankful enough as teams that Roger did that and we ’ re still going to have this race.
” The thinnest of tightrope acts extends to team sponsorship , too .
The regional and , in terms of a broadcast perspective , national exposure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Capstone and Graham Rahal ’ s One Cure ) and household brands ( Will Power ’ s Verizon , Simon Pagenaud ’ s Menards and Scott Dixon ’ s PNC Bank ) pick up from the rest of IndyCar ’ s schedule is important .
But it pales in comparison to what two weeks at the Indy 500 can do when fans are in attendance .
“ When you lose your marquee event , it ’ s a lot different than looking at losing Portland on the schedule , or Barber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re in totally different atmospheres , as far as the importance to us and our partners .
“ It ’ s critical for the health of the teams that we have this race to make sure we have teams back here next year .
That sounds a little dramatic , but that ’ s the reality.
” Drivers attend VIP dinners , attend charity events and speak daily with the media , all while reciting and thanking their sponsors .
It ’ s the signage everywhere fans walk and on all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And on race day , those cars are a speeding billboard – albeit for a hefty price – for more than 200,000 people to see once a minute or more for three hours .
And if your driver wins the race , it ’ s quite literally like winning the advertising lottery .
Take all those live spectator opportunities away , and it might make more sense for a sponsor to shrug off the opportunity to appear in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing and the largest single-day sporting event in the world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars for the prime seat on the driver ’ s sidepods visible only to a TV audience .
Top Gun Racing team owners Gary Trout and Bill Throckmorton have seen this firsthand this week , as the team hopeful to appear in this month ’ s race but in need to lock down a major sponsor to get to the finish line saw a partner back out on Tuesday when it was announced the 500 would be devoid of fans in 2020 .
“ It 's hard to sell a sponsor when you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Throckmorton told IndyStar .
“ They want to smell it , touch it , feel it , hear it.
” Teams comfortably in the race have consistently said that partners lined up for the 2020 season long before the pandemic sent the season schedule into disarray have been more than cooperative , given the fan-less circumstances at hand – as team sponsors have been largely all year .
With an ever-evolving schedule that ’ s stayed right around 14 races since late-March , but shuffled around venues half-a-dozen times , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s has had to get creative .
Others , like Mike Shank ’ s Meyer Shank Racing told IndyStar they ’ ve had to give back a little money , but are still “ mostly whole ” at this point , with the help of the Leader ’ s Circle program Penske has continued , despite running just six races thus far , and the national Payroll Protection Program for small businesses .
But that cooperation from even longtime sponsors might have evaporated had the Aug. 23 race fallen off the schedule .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ financially , for MSR .
Just devastating , ” Shank said .
“ To have a 109-year tradition , minus a couple World Wars , we can ’ t stop because of this disease right now .
We need to plow through and be safe .
But I would have been really upset if we didn ’ t run ( the 500 ) and succumb to the pressures of the pandemic .
“ If we get shut down again , like a full ( series ) shutdown , we ’ re in trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SP managing director Taylor Kiel : “ What the Indy 500 brings , in terms of exposure on NBC nationwide with its marquee name , it just does wonders for us commercially .
Fans or no fans , that TV piece is huge , and it gives our partners a lot of what they ’ re looking for when they ’ re investing in a race team .
“ Running this race , it means our proposition as a team and a series is a little easier going into September , October and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncertainty for us .
It ’ s the backbone , financially.
” Carpenter , the series ’ lone driver/team owner said his views on the subject have changed since Penske ’ s remarks on June 7 that appeared to draw a line in the sand .
Back then , at least publicly , fans weren ’ t negotiable for the series owner .
• Only 31 confirmed entries for Indy 500 with one week till IMS opens for practice • James Davison , Dale Coyne add 31st entry to 500 , but 33-car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closing during 500 on-track days due to 'no fans ' announcement A version of Carpenter wearing his owner hat would have agreed then , telling IndyStar that month , “ The driver in me says , ‘ I want to run the race no matter what ’ , even though the team owner and businessman side says , ‘ It doesn ’ t necessarily make sense to do it that way.
’ ” Now , it ’ s not about making sense or not .
To him and the rest of the IndyCar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only way forward .
“ We live in not only a very volatile world right now , but ( a volatile ) industry in motorsports , ” he said .
“ It ’ s not an easy business to operate.
” Email IndyStar motor sports reporter Nathan Brown at nlbrown @ gannett.com .
Follow him on Twitter : @ By_NathanBrown .

Without the Indy 500, some IndyCar teams would have disappeared: 'I’m not sure we would have survived'
Show Caption Hide Caption Drivers weigh in on no fans for Indy 500 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing drivers weigh in on the Indianapolis 500 running with no fans. Clark Wade, Clark.Wade@Indystar.com
If Roger Penske hadn’t relented on his June proclamation, when he said he’d host the 2020 Indy 500 only if fans were able to attend, IndyCar might have lost the presence of the most dominant driver and one of the most recognizable names in series history.
For more than 60 years, A.J. Foyt has been a staple of American open-wheel racing – particularly at the Indianapolis 500, where he solidified his place in history as the first-ever four-time winner. Either he or his team have run in every edition of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing since 1958.
But had the unthinkable become reality – had Penske stuck to his guns and shelved this year’s 500 earlier this week once it became clear hosting fans even at just 25% capacity wasn’t doable, the Foyt presence in IndyCar might have ceased to exist.
“If we didn’t have the Indy 500, I’m not sure we would have survived, to be honest,” A.J. Foyt Enterprises president Larry Foyt told the Indianapolis Star this week. “As a business, right now, it really is that important and that big for us.”
It’s a widespread sentiment shared throughout the IndyCar paddock, a sense of relief just to have a race on the IMS oval to practice and qualify for ahead of the Aug. 23 green flag. The devastation of the idea of running on an NBC network broadcast in front of 240,000 empty bleacher seats was softened almost immediately on Tuesday.
“I know it’s hard for some people to contemplate, and some people think that no fans should mean no race and that’s just the way it should be,” Graham Rahal said Tuesday in a Twitter video. “I was one of those guys.
“But without this, I really don’t know if the series goes on in the same manner. I don’t know if all the teams survive without the Indy 500 when we go on into the winter. I know I’ve seen a lot of you on Twitter that would rather see us out of business than to see us run this race without fans, but it is critical we go forward.”
Rahal elaborated more on Friday in a Zoom call with series reporters: “We have to run this race. I mean, no matter how you look at it.”
Today’s news brought lots of mixed emotions, but we’ve got to do what is necessary for our fans & community’s health & safety now in order to keep this sport & race alive for generations to come. It won’t be the same without you all on 8/23, but we’ll be back strong in 2021.(1/2) pic.twitter.com/ExWRxFXhiE — Graham Rahal (@GrahamRahal) August 4, 2020
Today’s news brought lots of mixed emotions, but we’ve got to do what is necessary for our fans & community’s health & safety now in order to keep this sport & race alive for generations to come. It won’t be the same without you all on 8/23, but we’ll be back strong in 2021.(2/2) pic.twitter.com/hL2ITFB27W — Graham Rahal (@GrahamRahal) August 4, 2020
Tuesday’s announcement was just the latest example of the awkward balancing act Penske’s had to perform as the new owner of the series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Attempt to hold races without fans, and without a tremendous deal that hurts you more in the process, a promoter might not budge. Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage told IndyStar back in May that he and Penske came to an agreement on a reduced sanctioning fee where they both would dip into the red a bit.
The only other track where IndyCar has run that hasn’t hosted fans has been IMS itself, during what was supposed to be a blockbuster weekend with both IndyCar and NASCAR on hand for three total races. In preparation to open the gates to thousands of spectators for the first time in his ownership era, Penske had invested $15 million in upgrades for the fan experience and general up-keep of the facility. A major expense that wouldn’t directly produce any revenue, it may go completely unseen by any fans outside a TV audience in 2020.
And when you run with fans, as IndyCar has for doubleheader weekends at Road America and Iowa, you can’t expect (or in terms of Iowa, permit) anything close to a normal crowd, while having to increase expenses to keep guests, drivers, teams and officials safe in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Run races, and you’re bleeding money if you’re Penske. Don’t run them, and you might be hemorrhaging teams in the offseason. Friday offered just the latest bit of evidence – the news that this year’s Indy 500 purse, announced by Penske himself Feb. 14 to be $15 million (nearly $2 million more than 2019), has dropped to about $7.5 million to help account for a lack of 500 fan-related revenue and other COVID-19 losses.
More on the fan-less Indy 500:
“This has to have been such a tough decision for Roger and IndyCar,” Larry Foyt said. “You know the losses he’s taking on this have to be unbelievably tough for him. I think he made a decision that was for the best of the series, and I know it wasn’t an easy one. But we can’t be thankful enough as teams that Roger did that and we’re still going to have this race.”
The thinnest of tightrope acts extends to team sponsorship, too. The regional and, in terms of a broadcast perspective, national exposure for relatively unknown companies (Colton Herta’s Capstone and Graham Rahal’s One Cure) and household brands (Will Power’s Verizon, Simon Pagenaud’s Menards and Scott Dixon’s PNC Bank) pick up from the rest of IndyCar’s schedule is important.
But it pales in comparison to what two weeks at the Indy 500 can do when fans are in attendance.
“When you lose your marquee event, it’s a lot different than looking at losing Portland on the schedule, or Barber,” Ed Carpenter said. “They’re in totally different atmospheres, as far as the importance to us and our partners.
“It’s critical for the health of the teams that we have this race to make sure we have teams back here next year. That sounds a little dramatic, but that’s the reality.”
Drivers attend VIP dinners, attend charity events and speak daily with the media, all while reciting and thanking their sponsors. It’s the signage everywhere fans walk and on all the on-site merchandise they contemplate buying. And on race day, those cars are a speeding billboard – albeit for a hefty price – for more than 200,000 people to see once a minute or more for three hours.
And if your driver wins the race, it’s quite literally like winning the advertising lottery.
Take all those live spectator opportunities away, and it might make more sense for a sponsor to shrug off the opportunity to appear in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing and the largest single-day sporting event in the world, rather than drop hundreds of thousands of dollars for the prime seat on the driver’s sidepods visible only to a TV audience.
Top Gun Racing team owners Gary Trout and Bill Throckmorton have seen this firsthand this week, as the team hopeful to appear in this month’s race but in need to lock down a major sponsor to get to the finish line saw a partner back out on Tuesday when it was announced the 500 would be devoid of fans in 2020.
“It's hard to sell a sponsor when you don't have any interaction with people,” Throckmorton told IndyStar. “They want to smell it, touch it, feel it, hear it.”
Teams comfortably in the race have consistently said that partners lined up for the 2020 season long before the pandemic sent the season schedule into disarray have been more than cooperative, given the fan-less circumstances at hand – as team sponsors have been largely all year. With an ever-evolving schedule that’s stayed right around 14 races since late-March, but shuffled around venues half-a-dozen times, a four-driver, two-car team like Foyt’s has had to get creative.
Others, like Mike Shank’s Meyer Shank Racing told IndyStar they’ve had to give back a little money, but are still “mostly whole” at this point, with the help of the Leader’s Circle program Penske has continued, despite running just six races thus far, and the national Payroll Protection Program for small businesses.
But that cooperation from even longtime sponsors might have evaporated had the Aug. 23 race fallen off the schedule.
“It would have been devastating, financially, for MSR. Just devastating,” Shank said. “To have a 109-year tradition, minus a couple World Wars, we can’t stop because of this disease right now. We need to plow through and be safe. But I would have been really upset if we didn’t run (the 500) and succumb to the pressures of the pandemic.
“If we get shut down again, like a full (series) shutdown, we’re in trouble – big trouble.”
Added Arrow McLaren SP managing director Taylor Kiel: “What the Indy 500 brings, in terms of exposure on NBC nationwide with its marquee name, it just does wonders for us commercially. Fans or no fans, that TV piece is huge, and it gives our partners a lot of what they’re looking for when they’re investing in a race team.
“Running this race, it means our proposition as a team and a series is a little easier going into September, October and November where there’s so much uncertainty for us. It’s the backbone, financially.”
Carpenter, the series’ lone driver/team owner said his views on the subject have changed since Penske’s remarks on June 7 that appeared to draw a line in the sand. Back then, at least publicly, fans weren’t negotiable for the series owner.
The latest IndyCar news:
A version of Carpenter wearing his owner hat would have agreed then, telling IndyStar that month, “The driver in me says, ‘I want to run the race no matter what’, even though the team owner and businessman side says, ‘It doesn’t necessarily make sense to do it that way.’”
Now, it’s not about making sense or not. To him and the rest of the IndyCar paddock, it’s about accepting the only way forward.
“We live in not only a very volatile world right now, but (a volatile) industry in motorsports,” he said. “It’s not an easy business to operate.”
Email IndyStar motor sports reporter Nathan Brown at nlbrown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @By_NathanBrown.


usatoday--2020-08-07--Opinion: Only a matter of time before college athletes use all of their power to dismantle system

We already know that the likely outcome of player protest movements that have popped up around college football over the last week will ultimately be resolved with an administrative pat on the head and a few minor concessions on COVID-19 safety or long-term insurance issues that should have been addressed anyway .
Even in this particular moment of vulnerability for college sports , the reality is that the threshold for a movement that would completely upend college sports has not been met .
While players are now beginning to understand how much power they actually wield , not enough have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually boycott the season to bring the entire system down .
“ I think it ’ s wonderful what they ’ re doing , but I think it ’ ll run the course of what other things did , ” said Sonny Vaccaro , the former shoe company executive whose prescience to launch the Ed O ’ Bannon lawsuit in 2009 opened the floodgates on the name , image and likeness debate the NCAA is currently mired in .
“ This one will hit a wall because of the confusion in what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the uncertainty in what everyone ’ s doing , but it ’ s another barrier that these kids have broken .
It ’ s a step forward.
” In other words , don ’ t expect the # WeAreUnited movement out of the Pac 12 or the # BigTenUnited players or the # MWUnited group from the Mountain West to be catalysts for players to be treated as actual partners in the multi-billion dollar enterprise of college sports .
For all the publicity the players are generating and the support they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are up against a monolith that will not be moved to meaningful change by press releases and tweets .
But what is now equally clear is that the day feared most by the NCAA and the major conferences is coming , and it ’ s coming sooner than we may have thought .
At some point in the next few years , there will be a large-scale organized boycott of a major college sports event , or a team that walks off the floor , or a star player who leads a movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back .
It won ’ t happen right now , but it ’ s only a matter of time .
“ The players have realized they have a lot more leverage than they originally thought , and the players now are more accepting of the fact that what they do may not directly benefit them but will benefit players that come after them , ” said ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas , who has long been a high-profile advocate for paying college athletes .
“ I think it ’ s more likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstration or protest to use that leverage for change they consider really important.
” There ’ s been speculation for a long time about teams trying to organize some type of major protest against the NCAA , often revolving around the Final Four .
Part of the lore of UNLV ’ s 1991 national championship team is that it supposedly planned and then backed away from some type of walkout before the final game — a story that members of the team have been evasive about over the years when asked .
Likewise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boycotts have never materialized , including a plan reported in The Athletic earlier this year revolving around Michigan players trying to convince the other teams at the 2018 Final Four to skip the open practice session as a statement against the NCAA .
Like every other attempt to launch a protest on that scale , however , the inability to get everyone on board — not to mention the lingering fear of consequences and public backlash — ultimately squashed the plan .
The NCAA and the College Football Playoff should consider it nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and well-organized group of athletes has not boycotted a high-profile game .
They should also be smart enough to know that the seeds of such a dramatic event are being planted as we speak .
Small-scale boycotts have sprouted up in lots of places this summer amid the uncertainty of COVID-19 and the fervor for social justice in the wake of George Floyd ’ s murder .
Oklahoma State players who were upset with coach Mike Gundy promoting a TV network that was critical of Black Lives Matter refused to practice until he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Black players at Iowa rose up to demand changes in the way the program is run after publicly exposing a culture that was not welcoming to them .
Even more recently , syracuse.com reported that Syracuse players refused to practice Thursday due to concerns about safety standards at other ACC schools and non-conference opponent Liberty .
Taken collectively , these embers of protest show a willingness to push boundaries and challenge authority in ways that would have been considered too risky just a few years ago .
And when viewed alongside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ten player groups , you can see how the right cause -- plus the ability to organize a wide swath of players from different schools via social media -- will eventually result in the full collapse of amateurism .
“ That ’ s the motherlode , ” Vaccaro said .
“ That ’ s why it ’ s happening .
They all know each other now .
Before , they only knew each other by reputation .
That ’ s how progress is made ; one begets another one .
If these guys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show up for the final , it would shake the world.
” With each passing day , college sports is boxing itself into such an outcome .
By pushing ahead with risky plans to play football this fall that don ’ t adequately protect or compensate players for the risk they ’ re taking on , they ’ re flirting with a full-on revolt .
And yet , the scenario that would actually be safest for players — a college football bubble or campuses being closed to regular students — would be bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in not negotiating compensation with the unpaid labor .
“ I ’ m fine with the idea of no students on campus making it easier to have college sports and safer .
I don ’ t think anybody should feel like they have to run from that , ” Bilas said .
“ We already know it ’ s professional , we already know it ’ s entertainment , and we already know we ’ re doing it for the money .
It ’ s OK. Nobody ’ s suggesting you put people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that setup would be preferable because it would rip the band-aid off the charade that football and basketball players are just like regular students .
We know that ’ s not true , and the athletes know it ’ s not true — especially now .
The question is , when does the current model of “ here ’ s a scholarship and stipend , take it or leave it ” become so uncomfortable for the players that it ’ s impossible to maintain ?
When the Pac 12 player group included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s revenues with the athletes , many criticized them for being unrealistic .
When Texas A & M gave Jimbo Fisher 10-years , $ 75 million guaranteed or Clemson bumped Dabo Swinney ’ s salary above $ 9 million a year , it was only realistic because the schools had to make a value judgment about what those coaches would provide .
At the moment , schools don ’ t need to make value judgments on their players because they ’ ve never been forced to negotiate in any other paradigm .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first big crack in that wall because if nothing else , it has shown that schools will go to practically any lengths to keep their football cash flowing .
Players are now aware of that , too , along with their ability to disrupt this system forever if they are strong and organized enough to take a real stand .
College sports may dodge that bullet this time , but they won ’ t be able to do it forever .

Opinion: Only a matter of time before college athletes use all of their power to dismantle system
Show Caption Hide Caption Amway Coaches Poll: Clemson tops preseason list, LSU in surprising spot USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg breaks down the preseason Amway Coaches Poll which features the Clemson Tigers sitting at the top. Find out where your favorite team landed. USA TODAY
We already know that the likely outcome of player protest movements that have popped up around college football over the last week will ultimately be resolved with an administrative pat on the head and a few minor concessions on COVID-19 safety or long-term insurance issues that should have been addressed anyway.
Even in this particular moment of vulnerability for college sports, the reality is that the threshold for a movement that would completely upend college sports has not been met. While players are now beginning to understand how much power they actually wield, not enough have indicated they’d be willing to actually boycott the season to bring the entire system down.
“I think it’s wonderful what they’re doing, but I think it’ll run the course of what other things did,” said Sonny Vaccaro, the former shoe company executive whose prescience to launch the Ed O’Bannon lawsuit in 2009 opened the floodgates on the name, image and likeness debate the NCAA is currently mired in. “This one will hit a wall because of the confusion in what they’re going through right now and the uncertainty in what everyone’s doing, but it’s another barrier that these kids have broken. It’s a step forward.”
In other words, don’t expect the #WeAreUnited movement out of the Pac 12 or the #BigTenUnited players or the #MWUnited group from the Mountain West to be catalysts for players to be treated as actual partners in the multi-billion dollar enterprise of college sports. For all the publicity the players are generating and the support they’re receiving online from their peers, they are up against a monolith that will not be moved to meaningful change by press releases and tweets.
But what is now equally clear is that the day feared most by the NCAA and the major conferences is coming, and it’s coming sooner than we may have thought. At some point in the next few years, there will be a large-scale organized boycott of a major college sports event, or a team that walks off the floor, or a star player who leads a movement that finally knocks amateurism flat on its back.
It won’t happen right now, but it’s only a matter of time.
“The players have realized they have a lot more leverage than they originally thought, and the players now are more accepting of the fact that what they do may not directly benefit them but will benefit players that come after them,” said ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas, who has long been a high-profile advocate for paying college athletes. “I think it’s more likely we’ll see some form of demonstration or protest to use that leverage for change they consider really important.”
There’s been speculation for a long time about teams trying to organize some type of major protest against the NCAA, often revolving around the Final Four.
Part of the lore of UNLV’s 1991 national championship team is that it supposedly planned and then backed away from some type of walkout before the final game — a story that members of the team have been evasive about over the years when asked. Likewise, rumors of several other NCAA tournament boycotts have never materialized, including a plan reported in The Athletic earlier this year revolving around Michigan players trying to convince the other teams at the 2018 Final Four to skip the open practice session as a statement against the NCAA.
Like every other attempt to launch a protest on that scale, however, the inability to get everyone on board — not to mention the lingering fear of consequences and public backlash — ultimately squashed the plan.
The NCAA and the College Football Playoff should consider it nothing more than good fortune that a motivated and well-organized group of athletes has not boycotted a high-profile game. They should also be smart enough to know that the seeds of such a dramatic event are being planted as we speak.
Small-scale boycotts have sprouted up in lots of places this summer amid the uncertainty of COVID-19 and the fervor for social justice in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. Oklahoma State players who were upset with coach Mike Gundy promoting a TV network that was critical of Black Lives Matter refused to practice until he addressed concerns about how players are treated. Black players at Iowa rose up to demand changes in the way the program is run after publicly exposing a culture that was not welcoming to them. Even more recently, syracuse.com reported that Syracuse players refused to practice Thursday due to concerns about safety standards at other ACC schools and non-conference opponent Liberty.
Taken collectively, these embers of protest show a willingness to push boundaries and challenge authority in ways that would have been considered too risky just a few years ago. And when viewed alongside the movement of the Pac 12 and Big Ten player groups, you can see how the right cause -- plus the ability to organize a wide swath of players from different schools via social media -- will eventually result in the full collapse of amateurism.
“That’s the motherlode,” Vaccaro said. “That’s why it’s happening. They all know each other now. Before, they only knew each other by reputation. That’s how progress is made; one begets another one. If these guys ever banded together and didn’t show up for the final, it would shake the world.”
With each passing day, college sports is boxing itself into such an outcome. By pushing ahead with risky plans to play football this fall that don’t adequately protect or compensate players for the risk they’re taking on, they’re flirting with a full-on revolt. And yet, the scenario that would actually be safest for players — a college football bubble or campuses being closed to regular students — would be bad optics for college presidents who are invested in not negotiating compensation with the unpaid labor.
“I’m fine with the idea of no students on campus making it easier to have college sports and safer. I don’t think anybody should feel like they have to run from that,” Bilas said. “We already know it’s professional, we already know it’s entertainment, and we already know we’re doing it for the money. It’s OK. Nobody’s suggesting you put people at undue risk.”
In some ways, that setup would be preferable because it would rip the band-aid off the charade that football and basketball players are just like regular students. We know that’s not true, and the athletes know it’s not true — especially now.
The question is, when does the current model of “here’s a scholarship and stipend, take it or leave it” become so uncomfortable for the players that it’s impossible to maintain? When the Pac 12 player group included sharing 50 percent of the league’s revenues with the athletes, many criticized them for being unrealistic.
But why?
When Texas A&M gave Jimbo Fisher 10-years, $75 million guaranteed or Clemson bumped Dabo Swinney’s salary above $9 million a year, it was only realistic because the schools had to make a value judgment about what those coaches would provide.
At the moment, schools don’t need to make value judgments on their players because they’ve never been forced to negotiate in any other paradigm. A pandemic may turn out to be the first big crack in that wall because if nothing else, it has shown that schools will go to practically any lengths to keep their football cash flowing.
Players are now aware of that, too, along with their ability to disrupt this system forever if they are strong and organized enough to take a real stand. College sports may dodge that bullet this time, but they won’t be able to do it forever.


usatoday--2020-08-07--Retired cop learns identity of his liver donor

Malcolm “ Bubba ” Laws , wanted his liver donor to be anonymous .
When a family friend decided to @ @ @ @ @ ’ s family knew they had to meet .

Retired cop learns identity of his liver donor
Malcolm “Bubba” Laws, wanted his liver donor to be anonymous. When a family friend decided to be the donor, Bubba’s family knew they had to meet.
Humankind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-08-08--President Donald Trump signs several executive orders to provide coronavirus relief

The orders Trump signed would provide an extra $ 400 in unemployment benefits , suspend some student loan payments and @ @ @ @ @

President Donald Trump signs executive orders for coronavirus relief
The orders Trump signed would provide an extra $400 in unemployment benefits, suspend some student loan payments and protect renters from eviction.
Associated Press, Wochit


usatoday--2020-08-08--'Peaceful protest': Trump defends members who did not adhere to COVID-19 restrictions

After reporters tweeted that guests were not adhering to New Jersey COVID-19 regulations , members were given masks to wear @ @ @

'Peaceful protest': Trump defends audience protesting 'fake news'
After reporters tweeted that guests were not adhering to New Jersey COVID-19 regulations, members were given masks to wear by staffers.
USA TODAY, Wochit


usatoday--2020-08-08--Ex-Sheriff Joe Arpaio loses Arizona primary race in comeback bid

PHOENIX- Jerry Sheridan has won the GOP nomination in the race for Maricopa County sheriff , beating ex-Sheriff Joe Arpaio .
The race has been close , but the latest primary election results released Friday evening showed Sheridan had pulled way ahead of his former boss .
The results are not official yet .
But with fewer than 3,000 votes left to tabulate , it would not be possible for Arpaio to close the 6,000-vote deficit .
This was Arpaio 's second attempt to make a political comeback .
He lost his seat as sheriff to Democrat Paul Penzone in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third in a three-way race for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate .
Sheridan , who worked in the Sheriff 's Office for 38 years , mostly during Arpaio 's 24 years in office , said Friday he was happy .
He retired as a deputy chief after Arpaio lost his 2016 reelection bid .
Sheridan said he has respect for his former boss .
`` Joe Arpaio did a great job for a long time , '' Sheridan said .
`` He will never be irrelevant , but I think his political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheridan said , he will refocus his energy on the November race against Penzone , who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary .
`` Penzone is very beatable , '' Sheridan said .
Arpaio said he `` gave it a shot , '' but the voters selected somebody else .
`` I 'm a little shocked losing , '' Arpaio said .
`` This will be the last time I run for office . ''
Before the Friday numbers , the race had been deadlocked between Arpaio and Sheridan .
At one point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes , with Sheridan ahead .
In 2016 , Penzone easily beat Arpaio .
In 2012 , Penzone had lost to Arpaio .
Before 2016 , Arpaio could easily win elections .
But his dwindling support in this primary and in 2018 shows many conservative voters have been ready to move on from him , political observers have said .
`` There is certainly fatigue in the Republican Party on Arpaio 's legacy , '' Chuck Coughlin , a Phoenix-based Republican consultant , previously told The Arizona Republic .
`` I think in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been convinced he ca n't win a general election .
The common-sense solution is to give someone else a try . ''
While Arpaio has loyal supporters , his tough-on-crime approach and immigration enforcement has turned off many Republican voters .
A federal judge found Arpaio and Sheridan to be in civil contempt of court stemming from a racial profiling case .
Another judge in the racial profiling case had found that deputies under Arpaio racially profiled Latino motorists during immigration raids .
More : What to know about the NY AG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2011 , the judge told Arpaio to stop the raids , but he continued with them .
Sheridan had claimed he was unaware of the judge 's order .
Arpaio was charged with criminal contempt of court , and in 2017 the former sheriff was found guilty of willfully violating a federal judge 's order .
President Donald Trump pardoned Arpaio before his sentencing .
Sheridan was not charged because of the statute of limitations .
Sheridan 'has an uphill fight ' against Penzone Because of the legal tangle and past policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hard time in the general election against Penzone , Republican consultants have said .
Barrett Marson , a Republican consultant in Phoenix , said that Sheridan `` has an uphill fight . ''
Marson said that even though Penzone is a Democrat , he has had Republican support .
But with Arpaio out of the picture , out-of-state donors could lose interest in the race .
In 2016 , immigrant rights groups rallied around Penzone to help defeat Arpaio .
And billionaire and philanthropist George Soros gave $ 2 million to Maricopa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped defeat Arpaio .
`` What is unclear right now is whether the liberal groups that spent heavily in 2016 to defeat Joe Arpaio will come to Arizona and spend similar money to defeat a former underling , '' Marson said .
Penzone in a previously released statement said he is looking forward to the general election .
“ As sheriff of Maricopa County , I have removed politics and focused on restoring the office to an ethical , professional , and transparent organization , '' he said .
`` I have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an unwavering focus on public safety . ''
Penzone was elected sheriff with help of immigrant advocates , but he 's been at odds with some of them during his nearly four years in office .
Advocates have wanted him to stop allowing immigration agents in his jails who screen inmates for immigration status .
He has continued to allow them , and pretrial inmates have been deported .
Penzone has defended the policy , saying it 's a public safety measure and not a partisan issue .
Advocates have also criticized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Arpaio 's racial profiling case .
A recent report found that Hispanic and Black drivers are more likely than white drivers to be held longer or searched by deputies during traffic stops .

Ex-Sheriff Joe Arpaio loses Arizona primary race in comeback bid
Show Caption Hide Caption Why voter suppression in the US has increased since 2013 Civil rights experts point to long wait times to vote as a sign of growing voter suppression in the U.S. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
PHOENIX- Jerry Sheridan has won the GOP nomination in the race for Maricopa County sheriff, beating ex-Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
The race has been close, but the latest primary election results released Friday evening showed Sheridan had pulled way ahead of his former boss.
The results are not official yet. But with fewer than 3,000 votes left to tabulate, it would not be possible for Arpaio to close the 6,000-vote deficit.
This was Arpaio's second attempt to make a political comeback. He lost his seat as sheriff to Democrat Paul Penzone in 2016, and in 2018 came in third in a three-way race for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate.
Sheridan, who worked in the Sheriff's Office for 38 years, mostly during Arpaio's 24 years in office, said Friday he was happy. He retired as a deputy chief after Arpaio lost his 2016 reelection bid.
Sheridan said he has respect for his former boss.
"Joe Arpaio did a great job for a long time," Sheridan said. "He will never be irrelevant, but I think his political career is over."
Now, Sheridan said, he will refocus his energy on the November race against Penzone, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.
"Penzone is very beatable," Sheridan said.
Arpaio said he "gave it a shot," but the voters selected somebody else.
"I'm a little shocked losing," Arpaio said. "This will be the last time I run for office."
Before the Friday numbers, the race had been deadlocked between Arpaio and Sheridan. At one point, they were separated by about 400 votes, with Sheridan ahead.
In 2016, Penzone easily beat Arpaio. In 2012, Penzone had lost to Arpaio.
Before 2016, Arpaio could easily win elections. But his dwindling support in this primary and in 2018 shows many conservative voters have been ready to move on from him, political observers have said.
"There is certainly fatigue in the Republican Party on Arpaio's legacy," Chuck Coughlin, a Phoenix-based Republican consultant, previously told The Arizona Republic. "I think in the last election cycle, most Republicans have been convinced he can't win a general election. The common-sense solution is to give someone else a try."
Racial profiling court case
While Arpaio has loyal supporters, his tough-on-crime approach and immigration enforcement has turned off many Republican voters.
A federal judge found Arpaio and Sheridan to be in civil contempt of court stemming from a racial profiling case. Another judge in the racial profiling case had found that deputies under Arpaio racially profiled Latino motorists during immigration raids.
More: What to know about the NY AG's attempt to take down the NRA
In 2011, the judge told Arpaio to stop the raids, but he continued with them. Sheridan had claimed he was unaware of the judge's order.
Arpaio was charged with criminal contempt of court, and in 2017 the former sheriff was found guilty of willfully violating a federal judge's order. President Donald Trump pardoned Arpaio before his sentencing.
Sheridan was not charged because of the statute of limitations.
Sheridan 'has an uphill fight' against Penzone
Because of the legal tangle and past policies on immigration enforcement, Sheridan could have a hard time in the general election against Penzone, Republican consultants have said.
Barrett Marson, a Republican consultant in Phoenix, said that Sheridan "has an uphill fight."
Marson said that even though Penzone is a Democrat, he has had Republican support. But with Arpaio out of the picture, out-of-state donors could lose interest in the race.
In 2016, immigrant rights groups rallied around Penzone to help defeat Arpaio. And billionaire and philanthropist George Soros gave $2 million to Maricopa Strong, a political action committee that helped defeat Arpaio.
"What is unclear right now is whether the liberal groups that spent heavily in 2016 to defeat Joe Arpaio will come to Arizona and spend similar money to defeat a former underling," Marson said.
Penzone in a previously released statement said he is looking forward to the general election.
“As sheriff of Maricopa County, I have removed politics and focused on restoring the office to an ethical, professional, and transparent organization," he said. "I have been committed to a foundation of integrity, with an unwavering focus on public safety."
Penzone was elected sheriff with help of immigrant advocates, but he's been at odds with some of them during his nearly four years in office. Advocates have wanted him to stop allowing immigration agents in his jails who screen inmates for immigration status.
He has continued to allow them, and pretrial inmates have been deported.
Penzone has defended the policy, saying it's a public safety measure and not a partisan issue.
Advocates have also criticized how Penzone has handled court orders related to Arpaio's racial profiling case. A recent report found that Hispanic and Black drivers are more likely than white drivers to be held longer or searched by deputies during traffic stops.
Follow Uriel Garcia on Twitter @ujohnnyg.


usatoday--2020-08-08--Getting tired of political ads? Here's how to manage your Facebook settings

QUESTION : I ’ m getting tired of seeing the same political ads .
Is there a way to block political ads on Facebook ?
ANSWER : With the national elections coming up , you can bet that the number of political ads you ’ ll see on Facebook will increase .
Fortunately , if you ’ re willing to spend the time , you can dramatically reduce what pops up in your feed , but remember ads are how Facebook makes money .
The following tips are specifically what you will see using Facebook on a computer , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm too old to find a new career ' : More than half of Americans fear job losses Are dress clothes gone for good ?
: Store closings , bankruptcy cases pile up for business wear retailers Facebook allows you to stop seeing any ad that appears in your feed – not just political ads – by clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner of any post .
The first menu that is presented provides options that include `` Hide ad '' and `` Why am I seeing this ad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Hide ad , '' it tells Facebook that you never want to see this ad again .
You should then get a `` Ad Hidden '' pop-up notification that asks why you want to hide the ad along with an option to `` Hide all ads from XXX . ''
As long as you choose one of the responses , you can click on the `` Done '' button to keep ads from this specific advertiser from appearing in your feed .
If you click on `` Why am I seeing this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an explanation along with an option to `` Hide all ads from this advertiser . ''
Another option you have to modify what ads you potentially see is by clicking on the `` Make changes to your ad preferences '' link that ’ s at the bottom of the `` Why You ’ re Seeing This Ad '' screen .
This will present you with a variety of settings that start with what Facebook thinks your interests are based on your activity on the network .
You can remove any item in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ item and clicking the `` X '' in the upper right corner , which will modify future Facebook ads .
You ’ ll need to go into each category if you want to review everything , which may take quite a bit of time .
If you really want to keep this section to a minimum , you ’ ll need to do this on a regular basis , because as soon as you like or view any new content , new interests will be added back in .
In the `` Advertisers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to manage future political ads is by clicking on the `` More '' option , then on the `` Whom you ’ ve visited '' option .
Look for anything that looks political , and float your mouse pointer over it to get the down arrow option to appear on the right side .
Click on the down arrow , then select `` Hide ads from XXX '' to hide all ads from that advertiser .
In the `` Ad Topics '' section , scroll down to the `` Social Issues , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the `` See Fewer '' button to the right .
Every category listed on the `` Ad Preferences '' page has an impact on what you will see in the future , so spend the time to go through every menu for the best results .
Ken Colburn is founder and CEO of Data Doctors Computer Services , datadoctors.com .
Ask any tech question at facebook.com/DataDoctors or on Twitter @ TheDataDoc .

Getting tired of political ads? Here's how to manage your Facebook settings
QUESTION: I’m getting tired of seeing the same political ads. Is there a way to block political ads on Facebook?
ANSWER: With the national elections coming up, you can bet that the number of political ads you’ll see on Facebook will increase.
Fortunately, if you’re willing to spend the time, you can dramatically reduce what pops up in your feed, but remember ads are how Facebook makes money.
The following tips are specifically what you will see using Facebook on a computer, not via the mobile app.
'I'm too old to find a new career': More than half of Americans fear job losses
Are dress clothes gone for good?: Store closings, bankruptcy cases pile up for business wear retailers
Hiding ads on Facebook
Facebook allows you to stop seeing any ad that appears in your feed – not just political ads – by clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner of any post.
The first menu that is presented provides options that include "Hide ad" and "Why am I seeing this ad?".
When you click on "Hide ad," it tells Facebook that you never want to see this ad again. You should then get an "Ad Hidden" pop-up notification that asks why you want to hide the ad along with an option to "Hide all ads from XXX."
As long as you choose one of the responses, you can click on the "Done" button to keep ads from this specific advertiser from appearing in your feed.
If you click on "Why am I seeing this ad?" you’ll get an explanation along with an option to "Hide all ads from this advertiser."
Facebook election advertising blackout?:Company weighs political ads ban in final days before election
Your ad preferences
Another option you have to modify what ads you potentially see is by clicking on the "Make changes to your ad preferences" link that’s at the bottom of the "Why You’re Seeing This Ad" screen.
This will present you with a variety of settings that start with what Facebook thinks your interests are based on your activity on the network.
You can remove any item in this section by floating your mouse over the item and clicking the "X" in the upper right corner, which will modify future Facebook ads.
You’ll need to go into each category if you want to review everything, which may take quite a bit of time. If you really want to keep this section to a minimum, you’ll need to do this on a regular basis, because as soon as you like or view any new content, new interests will be added back in.
In the "Advertisers and Businesses" section, the fastest way to manage future political ads is by clicking on the "More" option, then on the "Whom you’ve visited" option.
Look for anything that looks political, and float your mouse pointer over it to get the down arrow option to appear on the right side. Click on the down arrow, then select "Hide ads from XXX" to hide all ads from that advertiser.
In the "Ad Topics" section, scroll down to the "Social Issues, Elections or Politics" option and click on the "See Fewer" button to the right.
Review everything
Every category listed on the "Ad Preferences" page has an impact on what you will see in the future, so spend the time to go through every menu for the best results.
Ken Colburn is founder and CEO of Data Doctors Computer Services, datadoctors.com. Ask any tech question at facebook.com/DataDoctors or on Twitter @TheDataDoc.


usatoday--2020-08-09--North Carolina, Virginia rocked by most powerful earthquake in region since 1916

A magnitude 5.1 earthquake along North Carolina 's border with Virginia on Sunday shook homes and rattled dishes as far away as Atlanta .
No serious damage or injuries were immediately reported .
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was the strongest to rock the region since a magnitude 5.2 quake in 1916 .
Sunday 's temblor , which struck at 8:07 a.m. , was centered just southeast of Sparta , North Carolina , about 100 miles north of Charlotte .
`` It felt like a big locomotive going by and a big wave coming underneath the bed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` A big wave coming to lift you .
...
I 've lived here my whole life and have never felt anything like that . ''
Brinegar said some foundations apparently cracked and books were knocked off shelves .
More than 100 miles to the south in Stanley , Gary Hooper was sitting on my couch when the temblor hit .
`` I felt the couch move and then all of a sudden it just shook the whole house for four or five seconds , although at the time it felt like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I thought it was a tree falling.
” The quake shook residents out of their beds and drew a crowd to social media .
`` OMG !
!
!
We experienced an earthquake in Charlotte , NC this morning !
!
!
Our whole house shook !
!
! ''
tweeted DJHiPrayzeRadio .
`` We are okay .
There is no damage that we can detect !
!
! ''
Bill Griesmyer , an engineer in Charlotte , said the quake was strong enough to drive people out of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but shook the house and brought the neighbors out in their yards to see what happened , '' he said .
In Atlanta , Aisha Howard tweeted that `` I know I ’ ve been awake since 430am but I ’ m pretty sure my apartment just shook in midtown ATL .
I might need to get some rest ''

North Carolina, Virginia rocked by most powerful earthquake in region since 1916
Show Caption Hide Caption Rare North Carolina earthquake felt more than 300 miles away The rare quake was the strongest to rock the region since a magnitude 5.2 quake in 1916. USA TODAY
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake along North Carolina's border with Virginia on Sunday shook homes and rattled dishes as far away as Atlanta.
No serious damage or injuries were immediately reported.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was the strongest to rock the region since a magnitude 5.2 quake in 1916. Sunday's temblor, which struck at 8:07 a.m., was centered just southeast of Sparta, North Carolina, about 100 miles north of Charlotte.
"It felt like a big locomotive going by and a big wave coming underneath the bed," Sparta Mayor Wes Brinegar told CNN. "A big wave coming to lift you. ... I've lived here my whole life and have never felt anything like that."
Brinegar said some foundations apparently cracked and books were knocked off shelves. More than 100 miles to the south in Stanley, Gary Hooper was sitting on my couch when the temblor hit.
"I felt the couch move and then all of a sudden it just shook the whole house for four or five seconds, although at the time it felt like it was much longer,” Hooper said. “I thought it was a tree falling.”
According to the @USGS database, the 5.1 magnitude earthquake near Sparta, NC this morning is the second strongest earthquake to occur in NC since 1900. The strongest was a 5.2 magntitude earthquake near Skyland, NC in February 1916. #ncwx #scwx #gawx — NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) August 9, 2020
The quake shook residents out of their beds and drew a crowd to social media.
"OMG!!! We experienced an earthquake in Charlotte, NC this morning!!! Our whole house shook!!!" tweeted DJHiPrayzeRadio. "We are okay. There is no damage that we can detect!!!"
Bill Griesmyer, an engineer in Charlotte, said the quake was strong enough to drive people out of their homes.
"Not a big one but shook the house and brought the neighbors out in their yards to see what happened," he said.
In Atlanta, Aisha Howard tweeted that "I know I’ve been awake since 430am but I’m pretty sure my apartment just shook in midtown ATL. I might need to get some rest"
Contributing: Kevin Ellis, Gaston Gazette


usatoday--2020-08-10--Kelly Osbourne wows fans with 85-pound weight loss: 'It feels good'

Kelly Osbourne is making good on that New Year 's Eve vow to prioritize self-care .
In new photos shared to Instagram , the reality star/actress/singer revealed to fans that she 's lost 85 pounds .
The 35-year-old daughter of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne posted a glam car selfie of herself last Tuesday , wearing red Gucci with her pale purple hair swept up and topped with a braided bun .
“ That ’ s right ...
I lost 85 lbs since I last saw you , ” Osbourne wrote in response to Olivia TuTram Mai , mom of Jeannie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who remarked on her weight loss .
“ Can you believe it ?
” Kelly Osbourne on sobriety : ' I didn ’ t think I could do anything if I wasn ’ t drunk or high' A couple of shots shared Friday , in which she wore a long pink and purple braid , were jokingly captioned , `` Kelly Longstocking . ''
In an Instagram Story posted Saturday , Osbourne held up a Size 26 clothing tag , perhaps from her old wardrobe , and wrote “ Yes … I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it feels good !
!
!
” “ Oh my goodness you look incredible !
” fan @ megmiller_94 wrote .
“ You lewk so good !
” drag queen Vicky Vox replied .
“ I hope your heart feels as great !
” On Dec. 31 , Osbourne wrote `` 2019 has been one hell of a year '' – before she knew what 2020 had in store .
`` Through all the good and bad it has been incredibly educational for me .
I have come to the realization that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my own .
I allow myself to be put in situations that make me feel uncomfortable for fear of upsetting someone else , ” Osbourne wrote .
“ Well this all STOPS today .
2020 is going to be the year of me !
!
!
It ’ s time to put myself first.
” Osbourne has been open with fans about working toward a healthier weight since her 2009 days on “ Dancing With the Stars , ” when she danced and dieted to lose 20 pounds .
In 2011 , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said she ’ s “ finally learned to do it right ” : “ I never thought in a million years I 'd be that healthy girl who wakes up every morning to exercise .
”

Kelly Osbourne wows fans with 85-pound weight loss: 'It feels good'
Kelly Osbourne is making good on that New Year's Eve vow to prioritize self-care.
In new photos shared to Instagram, the reality star/actress/singer revealed to fans that she's lost 85 pounds.
The 35-year-old daughter of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne posted a glam car selfie of herself last Tuesday, wearing red Gucci with her pale purple hair swept up and topped with a braided bun.
“That’s right ... I lost 85 lbs since I last saw you,” Osbourne wrote in response to Olivia TuTram Mai, mom of Jeannie Mai of “The Real,” who remarked on her weight loss. “Can you believe it?”
Kelly Osbourne on sobriety:'I didn’t think I could do anything if I wasn’t drunk or high'
A couple of shots shared Friday, in which she wore a long pink and purple braid, were jokingly captioned, "Kelly Longstocking."
In an Instagram Story posted Saturday, Osbourne held up a Size 26 clothing tag, perhaps from her old wardrobe, and wrote “Yes … I’m bragging because I worked hard and it feels good!!!”
“So chic my queen,” singer Betty Who wrote.
“Oh my goodness you look incredible!” fan @megmiller_94 wrote.
“You lewk so good!” drag queen Vicky Vox replied. “I hope your heart feels as great!”
On Dec. 31, Osbourne wrote "2019 has been one hell of a year" – before she knew what 2020 had in store.
"Through all the good and bad it has been incredibly educational for me. I have come to the realization that I constantly put the needs of others before my own. I allow myself to be put in situations that make me feel uncomfortable for fear of upsetting someone else,” Osbourne wrote. “Well this all STOPS today. 2020 is going to be the year of me!!! It’s time to put myself first.”
Osbourne has been open with fans about working toward a healthier weight since her 2009 days on “Dancing With the Stars,” when she danced and dieted to lose 20 pounds. In 2011, she appeared on the cover of Shape magazine and said she’s “finally learned to do it right”: “I never thought in a million years I'd be that healthy girl who wakes up every morning to exercise.”
'I'm about 75% there': Ozzy Osbourne details 'slow recovery' from spinal surgery


usatoday--2020-08-09--Hall of Famer Paul Westphal diagnosed with brain cancer

Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Westphal has been diagnosed with brain cancer , a friend announced on Twitter .
New York Daily News columnist Mike Lupica , a friend of the longtime NBA player and coach , shared the diagnosis Sunday .
`` I 've been close friends with Paul Westphal ever since his 1972-73 rookie year with the Boston Celtics and had the pleasure of celebrating his wonderful career with him last September when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame , '' Lupica tweeted .
`` With his permission I am letting the basketball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with brain cancer .
Specifically glioblastoma .
Please pray for friend , No .
44 . ''
The Phoenix Suns , for whom Westphal played and coached , released a statement Sunday evening to share `` their unwavering support '' for Westphal and his family .
`` We are devastated to hear of his brain cancer diagnosis , '' the Suns said .
`` Paul has been an iconic cornerstone of the Phoenix Suns franchise for decades , both as an outstanding player and coach .
His tenacity on the court and on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA Finals appearances and his impact on the Phoenix community extends well beyond the hardwood . ''
Westphal , 69 , was inducted into the Hall in 2019 after playing 12 seasons in the NBA .
He was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1972 as the No .
10 overall pick and went on to win the NBA championship in 1974 .
He also played for the Suns , Seattle SuperSonics and New York Knicks and was named to five All-Star Games and was awarded first team All-NBA three times .
Westphal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sacramento Kings and Suns , where his No .
44 jersey is retired .
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey @ usatoday.com or on Twitter @ analisbailey .

Hall of Famer Paul Westphal diagnosed with brain cancer
Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Westphal has been diagnosed with brain cancer, a friend announced on Twitter.
New York Daily News columnist Mike Lupica, a friend of the longtime NBA player and coach, shared the diagnosis Sunday.
"I've been close friends with Paul Westphal ever since his 1972-73 rookie year with the Boston Celtics and had the pleasure of celebrating his wonderful career with him last September when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame," Lupica tweeted. "With his permission I am letting the basketball world know he has just been diagnosed with brain cancer. Specifically glioblastoma. Please pray for friend, No. 44."
The Phoenix Suns, for whom Westphal played and coached, released a statement Sunday evening to share "their unwavering support" for Westphal and his family.
"We are devastated to hear of his brain cancer diagnosis," the Suns said. "Paul has been an iconic cornerstone of the Phoenix Suns franchise for decades, both as an outstanding player and coach. His tenacity on the court and on the bench led the franchise to two NBA Finals appearances and his impact on the Phoenix community extends well beyond the hardwood."
#Suns statement on former player, coach Paul Westphal's brain cancer diagnosis: pic.twitter.com/yNhSZak335 — Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) August 9, 2020
Westphal, 69, was inducted into the Hall in 2019 after playing 12 seasons in the NBA. He was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1972 as the No. 10 overall pick and went on to win the NBA championship in 1974. He also played for the Suns, Seattle SuperSonics and New York Knicks and was named to five All-Star Games and was awarded first team All-NBA three times.
Westphal was head coach of the SuperSonics, Sacramento Kings and Suns, where his No. 44 jersey is retired.
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey.


usatoday--2020-08-10--Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams celebrate their would-be wedding day wearing white, drinking wine

No sense in crying over a postponed wedding .
`` Modern Family '' alum Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams celebrated in style on Saturday , the day they were scheduled to get married , even though the wedding was postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic .
The lovebirds posted the party on Instagram , which included donning matching `` Mrs. '' and `` Mr. '' face masks .
`` On our wedding day , we did n't get married , '' Hyland wrote in Instagram Stories .
`` Also wear a damn mask . ''
In a series of photos shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vineyard , the two held hands and beamed at each other with Hyland wearing a white midriff-baring top , a straw hat and a white veil featuring the words `` Bride to be . ''
`` A couple , a pandemic , & a postponed wedding : A series .
We were supposed to get married today .
Instead ... we took pictures and drank wine , '' Hyland , 29 , wrote .
`` I love you to Pluto & back . ''
`` Bachelor in Paradise '' star Adams , 36 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same scene , grabbing his wife 's bottom for a photo as she stuck her tongue out and laughed .
`` We were supposed to get married today .
We didn ’ t .
But I still got to grab a butt .
So , ya know , still pretttty cool , '' Wells wrote .
Adams appeared on Season 12 of `` The Bachelorette '' in 2016 .
Although he did n't win JoJo Fletcher 's heart , he did catch the eye of Hyland , who tweeted about her crush , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the best from the start '' and `` Men who read are hot . ''
The online flirting transitioned into a relationship in October 2017 .
The two were engaged last July in Fiji , with Adams sharing video footage of the proposal on his Instagram account , set to the tune of Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors ' `` I Like to Be With Me When I 'm With You . ''
`` I ’ ll be Johnny , you be June .
But forever , '' he captioned the sweet @ @

Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams celebrate their would-be wedding day wearing white, drinking wine
Show Caption Hide Caption 'Modern Family' star engaged to 'Bachelorette' alum "Modern Family" star Sarah Hyland is engaged. Hyland and her boyfriend, "Bachelorette" alum Wells Adams, announced their engagement on social media. USA TODAY
No sense in crying over a postponed wedding.
"Modern Family" alum Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams celebrated in style on Saturday, the day they were scheduled to get married, even though the wedding was postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The lovebirds posted the party on Instagram, which included donning matching "Mrs." and "Mr." face masks.
"On our wedding day, we didn't get married," Hyland wrote in Instagram Stories. "Also wear a damn mask."
In a series of photos shot in front of a stunning, sun-strewn vineyard, the two held hands and beamed at each other with Hyland wearing a white midriff-baring top, a straw hat and a white veil featuring the words "Bride to be."
"A couple, a pandemic, & a postponed wedding: A series. We were supposed to get married today. Instead ... we took pictures and drank wine," Hyland, 29, wrote. "I love you to Pluto & back."
Sarah Hyland engaged Well Adams: Their romantic Fiji proposal
"Bachelor in Paradise" star Adams, 36, had a cheeky play on the same scene, grabbing his wife's bottom for a photo as she stuck her tongue out and laughed. "We were supposed to get married today. We didn’t. But I still got to grab a butt. So, ya know, still pretttty cool," Wells wrote.
Adams appeared on Season 12 of "The Bachelorette" in 2016. Although he didn't win JoJo Fletcher's heart, he did catch the eye of Hyland, who tweeted about her crush, adding the hashtags: "Knew he was the best from the start" and "Men who read are hot."
The online flirting transitioned into a relationship in October 2017. The two were engaged last July in Fiji, with Adams sharing video footage of the proposal on his Instagram account, set to the tune of Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors' "I Like to Be With Me When I'm With You."
"I’ll be Johnny, you be June. But forever," he captioned the sweet video.


usatoday--2020-08-09--Rare 5.1 magnitude earthquake hits North Carolina, but felt in several southern states

Rare North Carolina earthquake felt more than 300 miles away The rare quake was the strongest to rock the region @ @ @ @ @ in 1916 .

Rare North Carolina earthquake felt more than 300 miles away
The rare quake was the strongest to rock the region since a magnitude 5.2 quake in 1916.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-08-10--Rita Moreno on bravery (still hard), her journey (not over) and the importance of listening (we must

Rita Moreno on bravery (still hard), her journey (not over) and the importance of listening (we must do better).

Rita Moreno is one of USA TODAY 's Women of the Century .
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment , we 've assembled a list of 100 women who 've made a substantial impact on our country or our lives over the past 100 years .
Read about them all on Aug. 14 .
When Rita Moreno first saw the Statue of Liberty , she thought the icon was holding a giant ice cream cone .
`` And my mama said , 'No , no , that 's the torch that she holds so that everybody in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country is , where people can be what they want to be , ' `` Moreno said .
Moreno was 5 years old , moving to New York from Puerto Rico .
Her mother had been in New York for the past few months , working in a sweatshop to save enough money to retrieve her daughter .
Her mother 's journey meant divorcing her husband , who Moreno says was unfaithful , but also leaving Moreno 's little brother , Francisco .
Her mother told her he was too little to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
Moreno never saw him again .
As an adult , she said , `` I looked for him and looked for him . ''
She later learned he had passed away .
`` We moved to New York because in my mother 's view , America was the land of opportunity , '' she said .
`` It 's easy to be derisive now and say , 'Oh , yeah , yeah . '
But in fact , that 's what it certainly represented then , especially .
The lady has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then . ''
Today , at `` nearly 89 , '' Moreno recounts the smallest details .
`` It was the first time I 'd ever worn a coat , boots , gloves .
And on the way to the room ( in the Bronx where we were staying ) , I was astonished that there were no leaves on the trees . ''
That was her first big shock .
The second was entering kindergarten .
`` I was left alone to fend for myself in a room full of children that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this was before the Puerto Rican diaspora .
It was horribly scary . ''
She had a decision to make , one she would continue to make throughout her career .
`` Do you have a choice to be courageous ?
I guess you do .
The choices are very narrow .
You can either sink or swim , and I obviously chose to swim . ''
In Puerto Rico , her grandfather would put on records and she would bop all over the living room .
She was with her mom in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was a dancer , and she began dancing around the tiny apartment .
The friend asked if she could take Moreno to her dance teacher .
`` And that 's where it all began . ''
`` It '' is one of the most celebrated and honored careers in arts and entertainment .
Moreno is best known for playing Anita in `` West Side Story , '' a role that won her an Oscar , making her the first Latina to win the award .
She went on to add an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Can you talk about who paved the way for you ?
Rita Moreno : I am so glad you asked that .
It 's a very important question with someone like myself who comes from another country , I 'll tell you who paved the way for me .
Nobody .
Nobody .
They did n't give a s -- - .
And I do n't even say that bitterly , it 's the way it was .
Nobody cared .
I was a little Hispanic girl .
That 's it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ or did n't dance well , did n't really matter a whit .
I 'll tell you who my mentor was later in life , Elizabeth Taylor , by watching her in the movies .
And I figured , well , we 're more or less the same age .
She 's going to be my role model .
I did n't even know that term .
Who do you pave the way for ?
At the moment , ( I 'm helping ) someone from Uganda with their education .
I practically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are not insured .
I feed people ( through ) food banks .
I 've always felt that if you 're hungry , you ca n't think straight .
I had to make decisions on how I could use my money .
I 'm not Jane Fonda , and I 'm not Barbra Streisand .
I ca n't afford what they can afford .
Has there ever been a time in your life when you were hungry ?
No , we always managed .
We were really poor .
We were on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was called then .
We went to buy clothes at this huge warehouse where they had tables and tables of clothing .
That 's how I dressed , unless my mother was sewing for me .
But we never , never went hungry .
There 's always rice and beans , which I love to this day .
There are always plantains , which are cheap .
There are vegetables .
If it was really bad , it would be rice with a fried egg over it .
You 've talked about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let me tell you the most awful professional experience I ever had in my life .
My agent called one day and said , `` I 'm sending you a script .
It 's a wonderful featured role . ''
It was colorful .
It was funny .
It was just all kinds of marvelous things .
So we set the date for the audition .
And it was for a director who was very famous .
I get into the room and there is this famous Mr. Director with his minions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have this scene . ''
It was about three or four scenes .
`` I think I have this character down and I ca n't wait to do it for you . ''
And I showed him the script and the scene where I had underlined my part .
And there was this terrible pause and he 's looking at the script and he says , `` Oh , um , is that the role you were working on ? ''
And I said , `` What is the role ( you wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , `` It 's the part of the Mexican whorehouse madam , would you read for it ? ''
I just got so pale .
I felt so humiliated .
So crushed .
Another Mexican lady with an accent .
And he wanted me to try out for it .
Read for it .
Me .
I had already won an Oscar .
I won a Tony .
I won a bunch of awards .
I finally said to him , `` No , I 'm sorry .
I , I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I could barely contain the tremble in my voice .
I do n't know where I got the courage .
I took my coat up , put on my shoulder bag and then slowly walked out of the room .
I got in my car and cried for an hour .
And I 've never forgotten it .
And this is one of the very few times I can tell that story .
So God I 'm finally over it .
Tell me about the March on Washington .
You were there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's one of the proudest moments of my life .
Maybe the proudest , it plays a bigger part than the Oscar .
Harry Belafonte , whom I knew , had a meeting at somebody 's house in Bel Air .
And he said Martin Luther King is going to do a talk and a demonstration in Washington , D.C. And he said , `` I told Martin that I would like to invite some Hollywood people , deliberately Hollywood people , because I want him to understand that it is n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyelashes and makeup . ''
I remember James Garner was there .
Sammy Davis Jr. was there , all kinds of folk .
So we were literally sitting in folding chairs ( at the Lincoln Memorial ) not 10 or 15 feet from Dr. King , who was going to speak .
And he was standing there .
And I remember turning around and looking at that sea , I get goosebumps , that sea of faces , people who were there to show their support and how important it was to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Harry Belafonte .
You 've also talked about the current protests and that they 're a good thing because they are exposing the problems in our country .
Do you see a solution ?
I think Americans listen very badly .
I ’ m talking about listening in a very different way than we are used to .
It 's difficult to listen in such a nuanced way , that despite your prejudices you will hear what is being said , not what you think someone is trying to say .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole lot better .
And I think we are .
This is what 's so exciting about these movements .
There 's two things going on at once and the other is about women .
They 're interlocked and it 's so exciting , and I 'm so glad that at almost 89 , I 've lived to see this happen .
What is your definition of courage ?
Courage is being definitely afraid of something and going on with it anyway .
And that 's my story , being deathly afraid and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do this .
I 'm obliged to do this .
I must do this .
I must be responsible .
I 've been afraid so many times in my life .
Oh my God .
I am such a scaredy cat about so many things .

Rita Moreno is one of USA TODAY's Women of the Century. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, we've assembled a list of 100 women who've made a substantial impact on our country or our lives over the past 100 years. Read about them all at usatoday.com/WomenoftheCentury.
When Rita Moreno first saw the Statue of Liberty, she thought the icon was holding a giant ice cream cone.
"And my mama said, 'No, no, that's the torch that she holds so that everybody in the world can see where this wonderful country is, where people can be what they want to be,' " Moreno said.
Moreno was 5 years old, moving to New York from Puerto Rico. Her mother had been in New York for the past few months, working in a sweatshop to save enough money to retrieve her daughter.
Her mother's journey meant divorcing her husband, who Moreno says was unfaithful, but also leaving Moreno's little brother, Francisco. Her mother told her he was too little to come, but they'd go back for him. Moreno never saw him again. As an adult, she said, "I looked for him and looked for him." She later learned he had passed away.
"We moved to New York because in my mother's view, America was the land of opportunity," she said.
"It's easy to be derisive now and say, 'Oh, yeah, yeah.' But in fact, that's what it certainly represented then, especially. The lady has been wounded many, many times since then."
Today, at "nearly 89," Moreno recounts the smallest details.
"It was the first time I'd ever worn a coat, boots, gloves. And on the way to the room (in the Bronx where we were staying), I was astonished that there were no leaves on the trees."
That was her first big shock. The second was entering kindergarten.
"I was left alone to fend for myself in a room full of children that spoke no Spanish at all, because this was before the Puerto Rican diaspora. It was horribly scary."
Rita Moreno poses for a portrait in her home in Berkeley, Calif., on July 27, 2020. Moreno was born in Puerto Rico and brought to New York as a child. She said being the only Spanish speaker in her kindergarten class was frightening, but she made the decision to be brave. It's a decision she's continued to make during her 70-year career. Hannah Gaber with Cameron Fisher/USA TODAY
She had a decision to make, one she would continue to make throughout her career.
"Do you have a choice to be courageous? I guess you do. The choices are very narrow. You can either sink or swim, and I obviously chose to swim."
In Puerto Rico, her grandfather would put on records and she would bop all over the living room. She was with her mom in the New York apartment of a friend, who was a dancer, and she began dancing around the tiny apartment. The friend asked if she could take Moreno to her dance teacher.
"And that's where it all began."
"It" is one of the most celebrated and honored careers in arts and entertainment. Moreno is best known for playing Anita in "West Side Story," a role that won her an Oscar, making her the first Latina to win the award. She went on to add an Emmy, Grammy and Tony.
Women of the Century: Rita Moreno says nobody paved the way for her, 'you can sink or swim' Actress, singer and dancer Rita Moreno is the first Latina to achieve EGOT (winner of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards) status. USA TODAY
Question: Can you talk about who paved the way for you?
Rita Moreno: I am so glad you asked that. It's a very important question with someone like myself who comes from another country, I'll tell you who paved the way for me. Nobody. Nobody. They didn't give a s---. And I don't even say that bitterly, it's the way it was. Nobody cared. I was a little Hispanic girl. That's it. And the fact that I danced well or didn't dance well, didn't really matter a whit.
I'll tell you who my mentor was later in life, Elizabeth Taylor, by watching her in the movies. And I figured, well, we're more or less the same age. She's going to be my role model. I didn't even know that term.
Tweet Facebook Email Email this story Share Share this story Rita Moreno I’ll tell you who paved the way for me. Nobody. Nobody. They didn’t give a s---. And I don’t even say that bitterly, it’s the way it was. Quote icon
Rita Moreno presents the award for best foreign language film at the Oscars in 2018. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Who do you pave the way for?
At the moment, (I'm helping) someone from Uganda with their education. I (help fund) a clinic that helps people who are not insured. I feed people (through) food banks. I've always felt that if you're hungry, you can't think straight. I had to make decisions on how I could use my money. I'm not Jane Fonda, and I'm not Barbra Streisand. I can't afford what they can afford.
Has there ever been a time in your life when you were hungry?
No, we always managed. We were really poor. We were on home relief, which is what welfare was called then. We went to buy clothes at this huge warehouse where they had tables and tables of clothing. That's how I dressed, unless my mother was sewing for me. But we never, never went hungry. There's always rice and beans, which I love to this day. There are always plantains, which are cheap. There are vegetables. If it was really bad, it would be rice with a fried egg over it.
Rita Moreno poses on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, Calif., in 1988. Nick Ut, AP
12 of America’s most remarkable women Photo gallery
You've talked about the pain of being typecast in Hollywood.
Let me tell you the most awful professional experience I ever had in my life. My agent called one day and said, "I'm sending you a script. It's a wonderful featured role."
It was colorful. It was funny. It was just all kinds of marvelous things. So we set the date for the audition. And it was for a director who was very famous. I get into the room and there is this famous Mr. Director with his minions.
Rita Moreno won the Oscar for best supporting actress for her role in "West Side Story" in 1962. Co-star George Chakiris took home best supporting actor. AP
I said, "I think I have this scene." It was about three or four scenes. "I think I have this character down and I can't wait to do it for you." And I showed him the script and the scene where I had underlined my part. And there was this terrible pause and he's looking at the script and he says, "Oh, um, is that the role you were working on?" And I said, "What is the role (you wanted me in)?" And he said, "It's the part of the Mexican whorehouse madam, would you read for it?"
I just got so pale. I felt so humiliated. So crushed. Another Mexican lady with an accent. And he wanted me to try out for it. Read for it. Me. I had already won an Oscar. I won a Tony. I won a bunch of awards.
I finally said to him, "No, I'm sorry. I, I don't do Mexican whorehouse madams." I could barely contain the tremble in my voice. I don't know where I got the courage. I took my coat up, put on my shoulder bag and then slowly walked out of the room. I got in my car and cried for an hour. And I've never forgotten it. And this is one of the very few times I can tell that story. So God I'm finally over it.
Tell me about the March on Washington. You were there. What did that mean to you?
It's one of the proudest moments of my life. Maybe the proudest, it plays a bigger part than the Oscar.
Harry Belafonte, whom I knew, had a meeting at somebody's house in Bel Air. And he said Martin Luther King is going to do a talk and a demonstration in Washington, D.C. And he said, "I told Martin that I would like to invite some Hollywood people, deliberately Hollywood people, because I want him to understand that it isn't all just about movies, and false eyelashes and makeup." I remember James Garner was there. Sammy Davis Jr. was there, all kinds of folk.
So we were literally sitting in folding chairs (at the Lincoln Memorial) not 10 or 15 feet from Dr. King, who was going to speak. And he was standing there. And I remember turning around and looking at that sea, I get goosebumps, that sea of faces, people who were there to show their support and how important it was to them. I was there. Thank you, Harry Belafonte.
Rita Moreno says being at the March on Washington in 1963 was one of the proudest moments of her life. Hannah Gaber with Cameron Fisher/USA TODAY
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You've also talked about the current protests and that they're a good thing because they are exposing the problems in our country. Do you see a solution?
I think Americans listen very badly. I’m talking about listening in a very different way than we are used to. It's difficult to listen in such a nuanced way, that despite your prejudices you will hear what is being said, not what you think someone is trying to say.
But we have to learn to do a whole lot better. And I think we are. This is what's so exciting about these movements. There's two things going on at once and the other is about women. They're interlocked and it's so exciting, and I'm so glad that at almost 89, I've lived to see this happen.
What is your definition of courage?
Courage is being definitely afraid of something and going on with it anyway. And that's my story, being deathly afraid and saying, but I've got to do this. I'm obliged to do this. I must do this. I must be responsible. I've been afraid so many times in my life. Oh my God. I am such a scaredy cat about so many things.
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Tweet Facebook Email Email this story Share Share this story Rita Moreno Courage is being definitely afraid of something and going on with it anyway. And that’s my story, being deathly afraid and saying, but I’ve got to do this. I’m obliged to do this. I must do this. Quote icon Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
I think you're brave, for what it's worth.
I do, too. I do, too. But at the same time, I'm scared of everything.
So is there a guiding principle or a mantra that you tell yourself?
No, I don't have mantras. (If I did), it would be, "Oh, shut up. Come on, get on with it." (Laughs)
What advice would you give your younger self, that 5-year-old just starting off in the classroom, the 13-year-old working on Broadway?
I would say you have value. You are very special, because everyone is special. You are unique, and what is unique about you is that you have great qualities as a person. I would encourage myself to just keep going forward.
I think that I would have been, and I really believe this, I believe that I would have been a more successful movie star or actress than I ever was, and I believe it's because of my Hispanic name. Because I'm hardly exotic looking. But that name, Rita Moreno, has been, in a way, a curse.
And I wouldn't change it for the world.
Nicole Carroll is the editor in chief of USA TODAY. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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