By Carla Thomas

Music, food trucks, bouncers, and rock climbing turned Ira Jinkins Park into a neighborhood block party on Saturday, Sept. 5, as nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard hosted his 15th annual back-to-school backpack giveaway in Deep East Oakland.

The Portland Trail Blazers point guard, an Oakland High School alum, returned to the recreation center where he trained as a kid and distributed backpacks stuffed with school supplies to nearly 400 children. Lillard was joined by family, friends, and former Oakland City Councilmember Desley Brooks in an event that has become a fixture of the neighborhood.

“I know what it is to grow up here and be here in Oakland,” shared Lillard. “I do feel like it’s my responsibility to be present and supportive and be a resource and be an example for the kids and right now as somebody from Oakland that’s well positioned, with a big platform,  I’m always trying to find ways to use that platform and serve our youth and community.”

While watching children play inflatable basketball and roll a giant beach ball on the grass, Lillard took in the scene.

“Doing something positive makes me feel great,” said Lillard. “I remember attending cookouts like this as a child and it was always a lot of fun. It feels great to not only show youth a great time, but to be of service to them.”

Beyond the giveaway, Lillard is funding renovations to the Ira Jinkins Recreation Center, including major upgrades to its basketball courts, the same courts he once used daily before heading to play recreation league games across town. Last Christmas, he provided gifts to more than 400 local families.

Sports agent Aaron Goodwin, who has represented Lillard throughout his career, described the tradition as core to who Lillard is: someone who consistently looks for ways to give back, uses his platform to inspire youth, and treats events like this as more than a handout, but a chance to be a genuine resource and example for kids from his hometown.

“That’s who Damian is,” said Goodwin. “He always wants to give back. He does this every summer, and he also has an annual Christmas giveaway. He wants to inspire youth that they too can achieve.”

Lillard grew up traveling to the Ira Jinkins Center to train before playing at Rainbow Recreation Center, and he went on to star at Oakland High before his college and NBA career took off. 

Lillard who has built a life legacy hosted the event within a center carrying its own historical weight.

The facility is named for Ira Jinkins, a civil rights organizer who helped lead West Coast marches honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and pushed for the creation of the MLK Regional Shoreline Park.

Its building sits within the William “Bill” Patterson Park complex, beside the East Oakland Sports Center that opened in 2011. Patterson was known for his civic impact and work with EBMUD East Bay Municipal Utility District, Merritt College, and the NAACP, among other organizations. A film on Patterson’s life debuted at the Oakland International Film Festival this week.

Last year, before the NBA All-Star Weekend in the Bay Area, the City of Oakland dedicated a court at the center in Lillard’s honor, and Lillard launched a $25,000-per-year scholarship with Portland State University for high school students across nine East Bay schools. He also sponsors camps and other programming throughout the nation.

Lillard sat out of the 2025-2026 NBA season due to an Achilles tendon injury incurred as a Milwaukee Buck. The year of healing will allow him to return to the Portland Trail Blazers. 

“This is a great event,” said Shawn, watching his grandchild enjoying the activities. “I’ve been to every single one of them (backpack giveaways); I’ve been knowing Dame (Damian) since he was 8 years old. You don’t have many people that give back the way Damian does. There’s no better guy to do this. His whole family is awesome from the top down.”

For Lillard, the annual tradition, held in memory of his late grandfather, Albert Johnson, remains a way of reinvesting in the community that shaped him.

The NFC will be compelling this season as its storylines are seemingly endless: quarterbacks must prove themselves, teams are rebuilding, and, in the case of the Dallas Cowboys, breaking their conference championship drought.

Let’s get into the preview!

NFC East Champion: Philadelphia Eagles

NFC North Champion: Detroit Lions

NFC South Champion: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC West Champion: Los Angeles Rams

Wild Cards: Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears

Philly and the high expectations

As much slander as Jalen Hurts receives from social media, sports talk radio, and the newspapers, he is the most consistent quarterback in the NFC East. However, the offense did not look its best compared to its Super Bowl LIX run. First and foremost, Sean Mannion became their offensive coordinator after Kevin Patullo was dismissed. Wide receiver AJ Brown was cast aside, and draft pick Makai Lemon arrived along with Dontayvion Wicks.

The loss of Reed Blankenship will be huge, but Andrew Mukuba, Kelee Ringo, and Jihaad Campbell have got to step up. In the end, head coach Nick Sirianni will likely calm everyone down, keep everything the main thing, and Philly will win the division. 

The Lions will Roar Again

The Detroit Lions won nine games last year, and it was widely considered a down year, not because they didn’t meet expectations. It was because they were measured against what they were last year. Yes, Jared Goff threw for more than 4,000 yards. Yes, Jahmyr Gibbs had a stellar season. The key for the Lions will be their offensive line. They added Blake Miller, and the glaring question will be whether the offensive line will gel and protect Goff. If there are no injuries, the Lions will be exciting to watch this season.

Bounce back season for the Bucs?

Quarterback Baker Mayfield got paid – handsomely – $165 million to stay in Tampa Bay! Defensive tackle Vita Vea also wanted to leave, yet the Bucs found a way to pay him too! However, head coach Todd Bowles somehow stayed away from the hot seat despite finishing the season with an 8-9 record. They’ve got playmakers in wide receivers Emeka Egbuka, Jalin McMillan, and a returning Chris Godwin. 

What will be the Bucs’ primary issue? Todd Bowles. Can he maximize the talent he has on his defense? Tampa is the NFC South’s premier team with the premier roster. They have to prove it. 

The Land of Stars

This year’s Los Angeles Rams are the epitome of the axiom, “championship or bust.” They’ve got the consummate professional in Matthew Stafford at quarterback. Kyren Williams is a more than capable running back. They’ve got Myles Garrett, Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, and Aaron Donald coming out of retirement. They added Pro Bowl cornerbacks Jaylin Watson and Trent McDuffie to the secondary. However, Matthew Stafford’s back is something to watch as the season goes along. He is the glue to the entire operation. In 2025, Stafford dealt with an aggravated disc heading into the season.

Full Division Predictions

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants

NFC North: Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings

NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints

NFC West: Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals

NFC Champions

This year’s NFC Champion will be the Philadelphia Eagles. Yes, the Rams have the most talent. However, Jalen Hurts is unflappable under pressure, has the championship pedigree, and this offense has Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, and tight end Dallas Goedert. If the offense is functional and they get the most out of Saquon, the Eagles will fly to SoFi Stadium on Valentine’s Day 2027.

Even though two games were played, the first NFL Sunday of the 2026 campaign is upon us. Happy NFL Sunday to those who celebrate! There are teams that have made huge changes with Super Bowl aspirations. Meanwhile, other teams are retooling their rosters. Let’s take a preview into the 2026 NFL Season!

Division Winners

AFC EAST – Buffalo Bills

AFC NORTH – Baltimore Ravens

AFC SOUTH – Houston Texans

AFC WEST – Denver Broncos

Wild Cards — Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs

AFC Champion – Baltimore Ravens

The Buffalo Bills are a team that longingly desires a trip to the Super Bowl. After a crushing loss to the Denver Broncos, they fired head coach Sean McDermott and elevated offensive coordinator Joe Brady to the top spot. They acquired wide receiver DJ Moore in the hopes of solving their issue of lacking a number one receiver. Bradley Chubb, 30, became the latest veteran edge rusher signed who has discovered the fountain of youth. C.J. Gardner-Johnson gave the Bills a dependable safety alongside Cole Bishop.

The key for the Bills this year is Josh Allen not turning the ball over and shrinking in key moments during the playoffs. In the loss to the Broncos, Allen threw two interceptions. 

Super Bowl or Bust

The Baltimore Ravens have been invigorated by management’s decision to jettison former head coach John Harbaugh. Baltimore has hired Jesse Minter, the former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator, replacing Harbaugh after eighteen years. Minter brought quarterback coach Declan Doyle from the Chicago Bears to serve as his offensive coordinator. He frequently has one-on-one time with star quarterback Lamar Jackson during training camp. Lamar has taken to Doyle’s hard coaching style and the belief that he must go through his progressions before making plays with his feet. 

The major key for the Ravens’ success is Jackson’s health, and the defense must become formidable again. Adding pass rusher Trey Hendrickson could pay dividends. 

Houston has the defense and what else?

Quarterback CJ Stroud has to take the next step in his development if the Houston Texans are going to be a real Super Bowl contender. What is clear, if Stroud has a great season, he will most certainly cash in north of potentially $60 million because he’s eligible for a contract extension. However, if he throws for less than 4,000 yards and Houston does not win a playoff game, Stroud’s future in H-Town will likely be in doubt.

The Texans defense plays with an aggression and mean streak that hasn’t been seen since the Legion of Boom and the 2000s Ravens defenses. Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. are the best defensive ends in the NFL. They added Reed Blankenship, joining Calen Bullock in the back end of the secondary.

The Broncos are nearly complete

Lastly, the Denver Broncos would have played in Super Bowl LX had starting quarterback Bo Nix not gotten injured with a fractured ankle in the AFC Championship game. In the divisional round, Nix threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns against the Buffalo Bills. 

Nix benefits from an offensive line that is cohesive and elite. They’re able to run the ball when necessary, deploy the screen game, and keep Nix clean. The fact that the Broncos do not have key playmakers beyond Courtland Sutton at wide receiver is a concern. Marvin Mims will have to step up in this area.

Full Division Predictions

AFC East: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns

AFC South: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans

AFC West: Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders

AFC Champions

This year’s AFC Champion will be the Baltimore Ravens. The vibes in Charm City point to a win-now team. If Lamar Jackson stays healthy, Derrick Henry keeps churning out key yards, and the defense regains its intimidating edge, the Ravens will be bound for Southern California. 

Tournament Expands Creator Access As Viral Disruptions Prompt New Reminders About Tennis Etiquette

The U.S. Open’s effort to bring more social media creators into one of tennis’ biggest events is generating plenty of attention — just not always for what is happening on the court.

The tournament nearly doubled its official content creator program this year, growing from 54 creators in 2025 to roughly 100 in 2026. But viral videos showing guests filming content, posing for photos, and using bright lights during matches have triggered criticism from longtime tennis fans and prompted organizers to reinforce rules against disruptive behavior.

The debate has also drawn responses from two of the sport’s most recognizable Black stars, Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff, who say creators can help tennis reach new audiences — as long as they respect the game’s traditions.

Viral Videos Put U.S. Open Influencers Under Scrutiny

One of the biggest controversies erupted during Osaka’s first-round match against Anastasia Zakharova at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Play was briefly interrupted after a disturbance from a luxury suite, where a group of women could be seen recording themselves during play. Video of the incident quickly spread across social media.

Another viral clip showed a woman posing for photographs inside Arthur Ashe Stadium while Madison Keys competed against Alina Korneeva below. A bright light was being used as play continued.

@katticuspfinch Tennis etiquette is that you don’t even GET UP IN THE MIDDLE OF A POINT but now at @US Open apparently it’s ring lights and photo shoots everywhere in the MIDDLE OF A POINT. Listen, I love bringing new people to the open and I’m all for getting more people into tennis because it’s such a fun sport to watch but if you’re going to disrespect the players, you shouldn’t come to the match. And I LOVE content creators bringing tennis to everyone on social media but if you’re not going to be respectful of the game being played thats NOT OKAY. Yyou can see ring lights from all over the stadium and the umpire and players made it very clear that it’s a HUGE DISTRACTION and it’s now impacting the players ability to play the game we are all here to see. And apparently the us open and USTA are just fine with it because their staff is helping it happen. @influencersinthewild @Tennis Channel #nyccontentcreator#naomiosaka#usopen#tennistiktok#usopentennis♬ original sound – There I Ruined It

The incidents fueled complaints that content creation was beginning to interfere with a sport where spectators traditionally remain quiet during points and avoid flash photography.

Also Read: Naomi Osaka Turns Heads With Gray Hoodie and Iverson-Inspired Cornrows at U.S. Open

The U.S. Open responded by posting additional notices around the stadium and VIP suites, reminding spectators that flash photography, ring lights, and other distracting lighting are prohibited during matches.

Not everyone caught up in the controversy was part of the tournament’s official creator program. The women filmed in the suite during Osaka’s match, for example, were guests rather than officially credentialed U.S. Open influencers.

Creators Meg Radice and Audrey Jongens also made headlines after losing their tournament access. The pair initially said they believed their credentials had been revoked after they posted photographs of their passes online. The USTA later said they had actually been improperly placed on a food vendor’s staff credential list and that vendors are not authorized to credential media members or content creators.

Osaka And Gauff See Opportunity — With Some Rules

Despite the backlash, Osaka said social media creators could help introduce tennis to people who otherwise might not follow the sport.

“It could be a good thing for people to make the sport of tennis popular to their specific audience, but I think it has to be managed a lot better,” Osaka said. “You want people to continue to grow the sport. I just think it has to be in a way that everyone knows the rules and the etiquette.”

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Gauff offered a similar assessment, saying she welcomes creators and the new audiences they can bring.

“I think it’s great to have a different demographic come to the sport,” Gauff said, adding that many of the creators she follows already understand tennis etiquette.

She also said that brands inviting guests to major tournaments have some responsibility to ensure newcomers understand what is expected.

“With anything, any venue you go to, like if you’re being invited to red carpet, you wouldn’t show up in jeans,” Gauff said. “So I think it’s just follow the etiquette of the sport.”

Gauff’s comments reflect a broader tension for the tournament: tennis organizations want the visibility influencers can provide, particularly among younger audiences, without allowing content creation to interfere with competition.

That outreach comes as Black players continue to hold an increasingly visible place in American tennis. Gauff, Osaka, Madison Keys, Taylor Townsend and Frances Tiafoe are among the sport’s most recognizable names, while participation among Black Americans has also been growing.

The USTA reported that about 3.7 million Black Americans played tennis in 2025, an increase of more than 450,000 from the previous year.

For the U.S. Open, the lesson emerging from this year’s influencer experiment may be less about whether creators belong at tennis tournaments and more about making sure everyone who enters Arthur Ashe Stadium understands the same basic rule: create the content, but don’t become part of the match.

Based on reporting by San Antonio Observer.

Terrance’s Take:

PRAIRIE VIEW — On the surface, it seems like Prairie View’s dominant 52-14 win over Texas Southern in the 41st Labor Day Classic was a bold statement about what’s to come.

But in Prairie View coach Tremaine Jackson’s mind, the resounding early-season showing against a rival, SWAC opponent, and West Division foe was more of a testament to what it took for the Panthers to rise to the occasion like they did Sunday morning on an ESPN national platform.

“That they will punch you in your face,” Jackson said when I asked what he learned about his team. “I’m not trying to sound any kind of way by saying that. You don’t get to see behind the scenes with this squad. You didn’t get to see fall camp; you didn’t get to see summer training.

“So a lot of what I saw today is what we built in the summer and the spring when we go through D.O.G. training. We made them tap out. It ain’t no secret about that.”

The Panthers, the defending SWAC Champions, showed why they are the favorites to repeat as conference champs again and to represent the SWAC in the Black College Football national championship. They stole the drama out of this storied rivalry from the outset – literally – when Jahbari Kuykendall took the opening kickoff 90 yards for the touchdown.

It never felt like this one was going to be close from there. These are two good West Division teams that could finish one-two again.

Prairie View is just that much better in Year Two of Tremaine Jackson.

“We dominated. Our preparation. We prepare like nobody else,” said Prairie View running back Chase Bingmon, who rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. “The way we are built up, the way we are coached up; we’re prepared. We dominated.”

What was telling about Sunday’s performance was that Prairie View just kind of did what it wanted to do when it wanted to do it. Texas Southern, behind the ground attack of running back Athean Renfro and quarterback Cam’Ron McCoy, won the rushing battle 216 yards to 160 and dominated the time of possession 40:22 to 17:35.

Yet it wasn’t even close.

Quarterback Tevin Carter, in his first season as the solidified starter, was the pure definition of a dual threat as he picked up key yards on the ground, including a 24-yard touchdown, while he showed us what he can do with his arm and decision-making by completing 16 of 22 passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns.

The Panthers’ defense, which has shown some susceptibility to the rush over the past two weeks, showed it can pull it together and make plays when necessary. The unit kept McCoy mostly in check, with Malachi Williams and J.J. Jean-Louis combining for four of the six sacks on him.

“We forcefully dominated. We took their will,” said Jackson, whose team improved to 1-1 overall after losing its season-opening game at Tarleton State last week. “And we still didn’t play in the manner that we wanted to play. So I’m excited about where we still can go because we have a long way to go still.”

Things toughen up for the Panthers considerably next week when they head to Waco to take on the Baylor Bears of the Big 12. These are commonly known as money games, where FCS schools line up for a beatdown and a nice payday for their trouble.

But Jackson has a message for the Bears if they think it’s going to be that easy.

“I tell you what, we are not going to Baylor to pick up no checks. So don’t write that story,” Jackson said. “Don’t write no story about us; we’re just going to have a good showing. We are going to Baylor to get a win. That’s how we do things. That’s how these guys prepare.”

In the meantime, TSU and head coach Cris Dishman are having to figure out some things after coming into the SWAC opener feeling pretty good after a 42-30 season-opening win over North Carolina Central. The Tigers will play two of their next three games out of conference, beginning with a trip to El Paso next week to take on UTEP.

As bad a loss as Sunday was, Dishman said the best thing his players can do is put it behind them.

“The message was, we’ve got a game next week because one loss can turn into two losses,” Dishman said. “I don’t play Prairie View again until next year.

“I know on Twitter and social media, they play each other all of the time, but I don’t. I don’t have to worry about Prairie View, and I wish them the best of luck. But I do hope they slip up so that we can slip in.”

Jackson is sitting comfortably at the top of the West and does not currently need any help to get to where he wants to be.

“We get to sit it out and watch others fight it out for a little bit because we go non-conference for the next two weeks,” he said. “This is what we wanted to do. The winner of this game was going to put themselves in the driver’s seat in the West and control their own destiny and not need any help. That’s what we wanted to do. We don’t ever want any help from anybody else.

“We can’t rely on other people. We can only rely on what we do within our program.”

Based on reporting by Houston Defender.

Excitement filled the air at the inaugural Big Cat Classic, where the Clark Atlanta University Panthers defeated the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers 31-21 to earn their third consecutive victory against Morehouse.

Clark Atlanta struck first in explosive fashion when Trayvon Pinder broke free for a 94-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Panthers an early 7-0 lead.

Morehouse responded with a field goal before Chase Devaughn found the end zone on the ground, keeping the Maroon Tigers within striking distance.

The two teams continued exchanging blows through three quarters. Devaughn scored his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon to cut Clark Atlanta’s lead to three and give Morehouse an opportunity to complete the comeback.

The Panthers quickly answered.

Clark Atlanta quarterback Xzavier Jackson connected with Chry’Shawn Sellers for a 50-yard touchdown, swinging the momentum back toward the Panthers and putting Clark Atlanta firmly in control.

The Panthers held on from there, securing the 31-21 victory and another year of bragging rights over their neighbors across the street.

But even with the intensity surrounding the game, students believe the rivalry represents something larger than wins and losses.

“An example of what it is to disagree with one another and have a friendly battle but at the end of the day come back in love and unity so we can come together and elevate the Black community and push it forward,” said Demarion King, a senior at Morehouse College.

Morehouse and Clark Atlanta’s rivalry spans generations. In 1900, then-Atlanta Baptist College defeated then-Clark University 56-0 in their first rivalry game. Both schools shared a winning streak, with Clark Atlanta holding the longest at 12 games from 1942 to 1953.

For a few hours, Morehouse and Clark Atlanta battled for bragging rights. Despite the game’s final score, both institutions remain part of the larger AUC community.

Scores change, players graduate and another team eventually earns the bragging rights, but for those who experience the rivalry themselves, the tradition never really ends.

Based on reporting by Morehouse College – The Maroon Tiger.