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Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

ESPN continues its celebration of the 25^th anniversary of the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day with its multiplatform weeklong initiative, “Content of Character”, with a two-hour “town hall” and special pieces on Outside the Lines.

National Town Hall Meeting
(Friday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Hosted by Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts and Outside the Lines’ Bob Ley, this live special, from the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Dr. King’s spiritual home, will focus on the topic of the current image of the black athlete. Spike Lee

will serve as executive producer and join John Calipari, Marion Jones, Jalen Rose, Randy Shannon and Michael Wilbon on the panel. ESPN.com’s comprehensive coverage of the National Town Hall Meeting will include reports in the Cover It Live chat room – blogging and answering fans questions, some as part of the televised event.

The Buc Starts Here
Outside the Lines (Sunday, 9 a.m., ESPN)

After a impressive 10-6 turnaround this season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked up a two-year option on head coach Raheem Morris’ contract. When his tenure in Tampa began two years ago with seven straight losses, critics wondered about the then-32-year-old’s lack of experience. But Morris has always coached with a swagger that he credits to his upbringing in urban New Jersey. Mark Schwarz visits Morris’ old neighborhood and learns how growing up there has helped the Bucs coach relate to his players and be a better leader for his team.
“He made it. He got outta here!” — Mark Bell, life-long friend of Morris from Irvington, N.J.

“He has a ‘streetness’ about him, and some of that’s still there today. I know specifically what he went through to get to where he is, and he can look at anybody in our locker room and know exactly where they’re coming from. That’s a benefit for him.” — Ronde Barber, veteran cornerback visited Morris in Irvington

“I want to give it all to them because I want these guys to know you can win, you can accomplish things against all odds no matter what.”— Raheem Morris, on giving his “Irvington swagger” to his players

Favorite Sun
Outside the Lines (Sunday, 9 a.m., ESPN)

When Lance Blanks became the GM of the Phoenix Suns, he knew the expectations of a franchise that has made the playoffs five of the last seven seasons would be high. Already this season, he has orchestrated the deal that brought Vince Carter to Phoenix to join Steve Nash and an impressive supporting cast. Blanks is no stranger to high-profile line-ups, working with the Spurs and the LeBron-era Cavs. Lisa Salters talks with one of the top young executives in the NBA and learns that no one’s expectations for him are higher than his own.

“I always tease with friends that I’ve been able to ride coattails — Tim Duncan helped out a lot, and being a part of an organization with LeBron James, that wasn’t bad.” – Lance Blanks, discussing his experience

“I don’t know that the guy sleeps at night — there’s always three or four Blackberries around him, and he’s always working. He will literally stand on a table and tell you how he feels, and I think that’s extremely valuable. I think it takes courage not to tow the line, and really give an opinion and make a decision.” – Danny Ferry, former Cleveland Cavs GM, who picked Blanks to be his assistant

“I needed a basketball genius, someone who was a talent evaluator, someone who came from a winning environment, and someone who was a player who could have a presence in the locker room in ways I couldn’t. He just met all those criteria across the board.” — Lon Babby, Suns president, on Blanks

Former Contender Manfredo: From Arena Star to Arena Maintenance
ESPN2 Friday Night Fights (Friday, 10 p.m., ESPN2)

Middleweight Peter Manfredo Jr., a finalist and star in the first season of the TV reality series The Contender, will headline this week’s ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. Although rising to fame on The Contender, he has not been successful against higher level opposition, gone through all of his money, and now works fulltime to support his family in addition to boxing. ESPN2 Friday Night Fights will profile Manfredo, currently working on the maintenance crew at The Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I.

“It hit me the first time I started working there and thought ‘Wow, this is weird. I just fought here, I got beat here, and now I’m working here cleaning up.’” — Peter Manfredo Jr., on working at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center

“Whenever they ask me to be there, I’m there. I’ll shovel, I’ll pick up dog crap on the side, I don’t care. I’ll do what I have to do for that dollar.” – Manfredo, on working at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center

Danny Woodhead: Little Man – Big Heart
Sunday NFL Countdown (Sunday, 11 a.m., ESPN)
ESPN.com (Elizabeth Merrill’s story is posted)

Danny Woodhead — measuring 5’ 7” and less than 200 pounds — has been a revelation this season as a star running back with the New England Patriots. But, like any overnight sensation, there is a long back story of frustration and, ultimately, perseverance. Greg Garber visits North Platte, Neb. to discover the source of Woodhead’s grit and determination.

A Clothes Call for Morehead State
College GameDay (Saturday, 10 a.m., ESPN).

When Tom Hodges was hired to lead the Morehead State women’s basketball team last May at the age of 27, he became the youngest head coach in Division I basketball. But it’s been his outrageous wardrobe that’s gotten more attention. Influenced by golfer John Daly, Hodges now wears the colorful and bold Loudmouth Golf pants on the sideline.

“It takes a lot of coordination so you don’t just look like an absolute clown on the sideline.” – Tom Hodges, on his selection of attire