Gavin Class: Transplant Test
Photo credit: David Lubbers
Outside the Lines (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, ESPN2)
After surviving a near-fatal heatstroke and undergoing a liver transplant, offensive lineman Gavin Class wants to play football again for Towson University. But the school says it doesn’t have the ability to adequately protect him from potentially serious health issues during practices or games. Now Class has filed a lawsuit against the university and, as Paula Lavigne reports, it will test the idea of workplace disability discrimination on the football field.
“My offensive line coach was always like, ‘I can’t wait to have you back out here.’ It was words of encouragement and stuff that kept making me wanna come back.” — Gavin Class on returning to playing football after his liver transplant
“I think the university’s concern — and I think the NCAA’s concern also — is that we don’t want a situation where players are gonna come in with their doctors and try to dictate to the team what the team and the university should do.” – Andrew Dansicker, attorney representing Gavin Class
Braylon Beam
Sunday NFL Countdown (ESPN, Sunday, 11 a.m.)
When six-year-old Braylon Beam was diagnosed with cancer in February, the Carolina Panthers fan embraced his team’s “Keep Pounding” motto – helping him fight through treatment. One way Braylon kept pounding was by dancing, and after his videos went viral the Panthers gave him the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to fulfill his dream of coaching football. This weekend, Braylon returns to the field as honorary drummer in a Panthers tradition that signifies battling through adversity. Jade McCarthy has Braylon’s story.
“It means I’m going to keep pounding cancer.” – Braylon Beam, on the meaning of “Keep Pounding”
“It’s not just a slogan for a team to represent perseverance over obstacles, it’s you’ve got to do this. Braylon, keep pounding, buddy.” – Jesse Beam, Braylon’s father
The Sports Reporters
Sunday, 9:30 a.m., ESPN2; 10:30 a.m. ESPNEWS
This week’s Panel*
John Saunders (host)
Mike Lupica
William C. Rhoden
Israel Gutierrez
(subject to change)
As Seen on ESPN Front Row:
Collaboration, innovation and adaptation drive SportsCenter: https://www.espnfrontrow.com/2015/09/collaboration-innovation-and-adaptation-drive-sportscenter/
Behind the scenes at Hannah Storm’s LeSean McCoy SportsCenter interview:
https://www.espnfrontrow.com/2015/09/behind-the-scenes-at-hannah-storms-lesean-mccoy-sc-interview/
Journalism Release will return October 8.
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