really in control. But I feel Im as fired up and just as ferocious as Diana. I guess o

Serena Williams made waves recently with a Facebook post denouncing police brutality, which was met with an expectedly high level of resistance.What was surprising were those who said Williams was trying to capitalize on this moment -- those who wondered why she chose now, when Colin Kaepernick has been the catalyzing image of this issue.Heres what she posted:Her perspective is a sobering look into the existence of Black America, including, but not limited to, a black woman who experiences those fears while being one of the most prominent athletes in the world.Despite the publics selective memory, Williams is not capitalizing on Kaepernicks protest. She has made it a point to speak out about the Black Lives Matter movement in the past few years.?In November 2015, she wrote for Wired on this very issue: Im a black woman, and I am in a sport that wasnt really meant for black people. ...So to those of you involved in equality movements like Black Lives Matter, I say this: Keep it up. Dont let those trolls stop you. Weve been through so much for so many centuries, and we shall overcome this too (see Get Up, Stand Up). To other people, I say: When someones harassing someone else, speak up!Serena also spoke about this in July, after she?raised her fist in pride and later won Wimbledon, having just tied Steffi Graf with the most major wins of any tennis player, and mirroring John Carlos and Tommie Smith at the 1968 Olympics. After she gave us that powerful image, she spoke about the spate of murders of unarmed black men, such as Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, while denouncing the then-recent shootings of policemen in Dallas, expressing the fear she had for her nephews. She told reporters:Perhaps the fact that youre only hearing her now indicates the effectiveness of the broader protest in amplifying her voice. But with all the evidence that Williams has spoken up about Black Lives Matters in the past, its quite an incredible spectacle to see a movement spurred by Kaepernick (a backup quarterback, as the least vitriolic critics refer to him) elevating the voice of the highest-profile woman in sports. It took a backup quarterback -- and a man -- for the general public to listen to her.Of course, this isnt the first time womens activism has taken a backseat to mens. In July, a group of prominent NBA players including LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony opened the ESPYS with an impassioned speech on Black Lives Matter. But, just a few days before the award ceremony, members of the Minnesota Lynx wore warm-up T-shirts declaring that Black Lives Matter and calling for Change and Accountability.The next day the New York Liberty followed suit, also donning?shirts?reading #Dallas5 to honor the slain officers, and in the ensuing weeks several other teams joined in. A week after the ESPYS, the WNBA tried to fine a few of these teams, but ultimately decided not to after several pointed out that the men had not been similarly punished for wearing I Cant Breathe shirts following the death of Eric Garner.You could easily say that the platform of the ESPYS combined with the much higher profile of the NBA players accounts for them making bigger headlines than their WNBA counterparts. But its pretty telling that Serena, whose every move down to her manicure choices is endlessly scrutinized, went largely unheard on this issue until now, until Kaepernick focused everyones attention.Her sister Venus, also among the most prominent women in sports, unfortunately made headlines by saying all lives matter after being asked about her Serenas post, which she said she hadnt read. This isnt the space to go into why those words are hurtful and unhelpful -- here?and here?are some links to help you with that -- but her use of those words is disappointing in their dismissiveness nonetheless.That said, the vitriol leveled against Venus in response -- disparaging her as the lesser sister, tearing down her successful campaign for equal pay, even questioning her athletic achievements -- only displays the ways in which the fight for equality often comes in terms of contradiction rather than necessary intersectionality, and even perhaps reluctant compromise.Its true that the feminist movement has often, if mostly, manifested in white terms, leaving behind racial equality among women in the name of furthering some nebulous, homogeneous sense of womanhood. But we dont need to bring down women in order to raise up the cause for civil rights, and if anybody knows that truth, its women of color, particularly black women. If anyone has been at the forefront of furthering both causes simultaneously, its the Williams sisters -- both of them.Venus has had to endure every argument of female athletic inferiority in her fight for equal pay. Meanwhile, Serena has been projected with every negative aspect of not only athletic inferiority, but of feminine inferiority, body image, achievement, success, etiquette, high expectations, low expectations, celebrity, fame, dating -- all of which have been informed by notions of race.That extends to her voice, which she has used in the past but is only being heard now.That doesnt stop with Serena. As The Undefeateds Mark J. Spears covered extensively this weekend, Warriors power forward David West has also publicly protested the national anthem for years. As West said, his stance is about much more than police brutality against the black community -- its about the various ways he sees his community being subjugated, far beyond issues of civics.What about education? What about infant mortality? How about how we die younger and our babies die sooner? West said. We die. [Black men] have the shortest life expectancy. Cmon, man. The health care system? There are so many [issues]. ...I cant start talking about civic issues. I cant start talking about civility and being a citizen if m--f-- dont even think Im a human being. How can you talk about progress and how humans interrelate with one another when you dont even recognize our humanity?West told Spears he doesnt see Kaepernick, et als, protests having a lasting impact. Its an understandable perspective from one of many voices who have gone unheard for so long -- until now.Marshall Faulk Youth Jersey . The Swede became the first golfer to win the PGA Tours FedEx Cup and European Tours Race to Dubai in the same season. "It is still taking a little time to sink in what Ive achieved this week as was the case when I won the FedEx Cup but then it just kept getting better and better as the days went on and I am sure this will be the same," he said. Bobby Evans Rams Jersey . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. http://www.ramsrookiestore.com/Rams-Cooper-Kupp-Jersey/ . Arsenal failed to take full advantage of its main rivals stumbles on Saturday as substitute Gerard Deulofeu levelled with a hard shot from a tight angle in the 84th minute to give Everton a deserved point. Ahead of a crucial fortnight that will see them play against Napoli in the Champions League, Manchester City and Chelsea, Arsenal leads by five points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea. Cooper Kupp Jersey . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. David Long Rams Jersey . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. Shouldnt the ruling on the ice (good goal) stand after an inconclusive review? Why was this overturned? James Veaudry Pembroke, ON -- Hey Kerry, Youll get a lot of these, but why was the Montreal goal against Nashville Saturday night overturned? Eller puts the puck on net and the on ice ruling from the ref behind the net is a Montreal goal.Were nearing the end of the Adventures of Penelope Jane, that searing saga of the friendly but fearless, sharp-shooting, screen-setting, rebounding, beloved basketball heroine of the desert.Well, thats our Americanized version of Penny Taylor, an integral part of three Phoenix Mercury championship teams who will retire from the WNBA at seasons end. Phoenix fans affectionately claim her as their own, while fully respecting that she is an Australian whose influence on her countrys national team is also a huge part of her sporting legacy.Taylor, 35, is averaging 12.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the Mercury, who are trying to secure the last playoff spot. She certainly could keep playing in the WNBA longer if she chose. But she believes its time to stop.Its my body telling me, Taylor said. I dont ever want to be a hindrance to a team. I want to make them better, and never be holding them back in any way.I feel like Im still contributing, and I love that I can still play, with this group especially. Because I love this team and the coaching staff. But I want to make the decision for myself, and the time just feels right.Its the exact answer youd expect from a player who has always put team first, even though nobody thinks shes holding back the Mercury. To the contrary, there will be a?void without her. But its about the most Penny Taylor thing ever that she would opt to exit just a little bit early than too late.Penny is one of the nicest people Ive ever met, said Indianas Tamika Catchings, who also is retiring at seasons end. But the competitive nature that we each have, Ill always remember that about her. And from the international standpoint, her being a role model for players who come from Australia.Ah, yes: nice. A very bland adjective, right? Yet its impossible to talk about Taylor without that word. However, she isnt some generic brand of nice.Anyone who has spent even a little time around Taylor can remember a particular nice thing she did for them. For players -- both teammates and foes -- its some kind words when they were soaring or struggling. For coaches, its how she was always very low-maintenance.For fans, its all the times she has posed for photos, smiled, listened to their stories, and made them feel like they were part of the Mercurys success. And, yes, even the media have experienced countless nice Penny moments. Such as when the Mercury had clinched their first WNBA Finals berth in 2007, and the celebratory music playing in their locker room was so loud reporters couldnt hear the quotes. Taylor jumped up, saying, Let me go turn down the music real quick.Yet, as Catchings said, Taylor also will be remembered as a fiercely determined competitor.Its the grit on both sides of the court, Chicago coach Pokey Chatman said. A lot of times when you talk about grit, youre talking about defensive players who dont have a skill set offensively. But thats not Penny.Shes a threat inside and outside, and you have to guard her out to the 3-point line. And she plays so well with others. I have to coach against her overseas, too, and its the same thing. Im a huge fan of her, and its because she has the toughness and the skills.A natural fitPenelope Jane Taylor was born in May 1981 in Melbourne, Australia. Her parents both were natives of England before they moved Down Under; her mom as a young teen, and her father when he was an adult. They met in Australia, and Taylor said there was a definite English influence in her upbringing and that of her siblings.Even now when people meet me, they say my accent is a little different from other Australians, Taylor said, adding with a laugh, I very rarely say, mate, for example, which for most Australians is every second word.Taylors parents introduced her to basketball at age 4. She took to it, but acknowledges she probably would have done the same with any sport because she was so competitive. But basketball fit the eventual 6-foot-1 Taylor perfectly.She went to the Australian Institute of Sport and played in the countrys womens pro league, the WNBL, plus made the national team, the Opals.Taylor was drafted into the WNBA by Cleveland about a month before her 20th birthday in 2001. It seems crazy in retrospect to think a player as good as Taylor went as late as the No. 11 pick, but that was a talent-rich draft, including another Aussie teen: No. 1 selection Lauren Jackson.Taylor was to become one of the leagues elite; a case could be made that she deserved a spot on the leagues top-20 players list voted on earlier this 20th anniversary season.She spent three years with Cleveland, then was the top selection by the Mercury in the dispersal draft when the Rockers franchise folded after the 2003 season.Like with all the Australians in the WNBA, Taylors desire to play against the best in the world helped motivate her to travel around the world to pursue her career.A lot of us are pretty ambitious, Taylor said, so you dont really have a choice. Its what I wanted to do, and I couldnt expect myy family to drop their lives and go with me.dddddddddddd It was my dream.I wouldnt call it a sacrifice because I wanted to do it. I never felt anyone begrudged me that. Not my parents, or my sister and brother. I was very lucky that they were unselfish like that. Im sure it wasnt always easy for my mom and dad, but they never said anything. They were always supportive.Both of Taylors parents have passed away after battling cancer; her mother in May 2013 and her father in December 2014. Taylor sat out the 2015 season in part to take time, emotionally, to recover from those losses.But the past few years also have presented Taylor with some physical challenges. She tore her ACL in March 2012 while playing in Turkey, which cost her both the WNBA season that year and the chance to play at the London Olympics.She had setbacks after her initial surgery and wasnt able to return to the WNBA until late June 2013, appearing in just 12 games that season. There were difficult periods during 2012-2013 that Taylor really wondered if shed ever get back to playing at a high level. Although she said the silver lining of being away from the game meant she got precious time with her mother in her last months.Then in 2014, everything came together just right again, as Taylor helped Phoenix win its third WNBA title.That championship was particularly meaningful to Taylor because she was playing for an Australian coach with the Mercury, Sandy Brondello, and alongside another Aussie, guard Erin Phillips.Michele Timms and Brondello had led the first wave of Australian players when the WNBA began, and Taylor has always been grateful to them as the pioneers. They would be the first to say, with great pride, that Taylor has carried that torch well.Australian attitudeTaylor was never the designated star for the teams on which she won her most prestigious titles: the three in the WNBA, and a gold medal in the 2006 world championship. For Phoenix, that star was Diana Taurasi; for Australia, it was Jackson. Yet you cant picture any of those championships without Taylor. She has always filled in whatever role was needed.I just think thats the way youre supposed to play, Taylor said. I dont really care about anything other than winning.In 2007, when Phoenix won its first championship, Taylor averaged star-like numbers at 17.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists in the regular season. She bumped that to 19.3, 7.9 and 3.8 in the playoffs, with Phoenix beating Detroit in five games to take the title.The 2009 WNBA Finals also went five games, with Phoenix prevailing over Indiana. That already had been a challenging season for Taylor, who played just 14 regular-season games due to injury. Then Taylor took an elbow to the mouth in Game 2 of the Finals, suffering a laceration inside her mouth and the displacement of two front teeth. That didnt stop her from playing the rest of the series. For the 2009 postseason, she averaged 14.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists.Ive always wanted to be tough, and tried to be, Taylor said. Maybe its that Australian attitude that we like to have.Taylor just grins whenever you talk about her calmness or how shes a contrast to the emotional Taurasi on the court. As Taylor once put it, People will say to me, It looks like youre really in control. But I feel Im as fired up and just as ferocious as Diana. I guess on the exterior, it doesnt look like that.No, but it always has looked like Taylor would be one of the first people you would pick as a teammate, no matter the sport. What will she do when shes done playing? It seems likely well see her in coaching; she loves basketball too much to leave it and is eager to keep studying the game.The recent Olympics were difficult for Taylor and the Aussies, who were upset in the quarterfinals. And it has been an up-and-down season for the Mercury, although they might still end up being a threat in the playoffs.Whenever Phoenixs season ends, Taylor will take some time to relax and pursue a few other things.I want to cook better, she said. Ive been a vegan for a year, and thats something that really interests me, learning more about nutrition. I look forward to some beach time, some surfing.Is she a good surfer?No, Im horrible, Taylor said, laughing. But I love being around the water, and I think I can improve.So the Adventures of Penelope Jane really arent ending after all. But Taylor will be missed a great deal by everyone who has followed the WNBA.Something she said back in 2007, when the Mercury were on the path to their first title, explains why Taylor has thrived in her career and her life, regardless of all the miles traveled and time spent far away from Australia.Ive always loved different cultures and parts of the world, Taylor said. Ive never woken up in some country and thought, My God, what am I doing? Why am I here? I feel wherever I am, Im surrounded by friends. ' ' '