🥍 The highest honor | Sports Daily Newsletter

This morning, I’d like to introduce you to Tina Sloan Green, and why she’s a name from our area you should know today.

Green was a pioneer who broke barriers in women’s sports in the 1970s, becoming the first Black athlete named to U.S. national teams for both field hockey and lacrosse. She further paved her path when she took over Temple’s women’s lacrosse program in 1975, leading the Owls to three national titles and 11 straight Final Four appearances.

She’s already a Hall of Famer across several organizations, but this week, it was revealed that Sloan Green will receive the NCAA’s Theodore Roosevelt Award, better known within college athletics as the “Teddy.” The award is the highest honor the NCAA gives to a “distinguished citizen of national reputation and outstanding accomplishment.”

At age 80, Sloan Green will be the latest recipient of an award bestowed upon presidents, celebrities, and other dignitaries. Ahead of receiving the honor, she sat down with Inquirer reporter Aaron Carter to discuss how she managed to blaze a trail above all odds.

It’s a good week for the Owls. Just last night, men’s basketball hit 2,000 wins all-time after beating Davidson by the narrowest of margins.

— Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

❓ Which local athlete do you think is an inspiration? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Good news for Eagles fans who had concerns after seeing Saquon Barkley hobble off the field a few times during the Eagles’ 27-13 win over the Steelers on Sunday. Barkley, whom many consider a solid MVP candidate, said he’s feeling good coming off that game and was listed on the Birds injury report Wednesday among a handful of players who were granted a rest day.

Barkley, who averages 120.6 yards but just gained 65 yards on Sunday, must rush for an average of 139 yards over the next three games to seize the season rushing record, a 40-year feat held by Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson. But Barkley said Wednesday that accomplishing the feat — or not — is the last thing on this mind.

“If I don’t get it I’m not going to be depressed,” Barkley said. “If I get it I’m not going to be that crazy happy, either. It’s a record. Records are meant to be broken. My mindset is focused on winning games and competing for a championship and that’s the only thing that really matters to me.”

Ahead of a trip to take on the Commanders this Sunday (1 p.m., Fox 29), Inquirer writer Jeff Neiburg has more on Barkley and his preparation.

How did the Eagles manage to weather the media storm? The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane reports on the saga that seemed to consume everyone outside the organization, but not many people within it. Plus, veteran outside linebacker Josh Sweat joins Jeff for this week’s “Pick Six,” and shares his tips on computer building, leadership, and when to switch your number.

Jared McCain was in the midst of an exemplary start to his NBA career. The 76ers guard held down the fort as Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey missed significant time with injuries, separating himself from other first-year players and appearing destined to win Rookie of the Year. He led all rookies in scoring at 15.3 points per game and compiled a stretch of seven games with 20 points or more.

Then came Friday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers, during which McCain complained about knee soreness after taking a hard fall to the floor. A Saturday MRI revealed a torn meniscus in his left knee. On Tuesday he underwent surgery and remains out indefinitely. So how is he feeling after such a seismic shift? He’s “obviously still trying to come to grips with” the outstanding start to his rookie season being derailed by the serious injury, coach Nick Nurse said. “[He’s] very disappointed. [I] feel bad for him.”

In every sport, there are statistical oddities that even the players involved can’t explain.

Count Scott Laughton’s dominance of the Detroit Red Wings among them. Laughton’s four goals against the Red Wings last week just continued a larger trend of him scoring against Detroit. The Flyers’ resident ‘glue guy’ now has 13 goals in 20 career games against the Wings, by far his best rate against any team. In fact, 12.7% of Laughton’s 102 career goals have come against the Original Six franchise.

Off an assisted pass from Flyers’ Laughton, Owen Tippet tied the game against the Red Wings early in the third period, but Detroit scored two more goals to hand the Orange and Black their second straight loss.

Dec. 19, 1926: The Frankford Yellow Jackets win the NFL championship game behind a 14-1-2 overall record. Through many iterations, the team would be the early beginnings of what the modern-day Eagles would become.

CONAL STUTOGHT

This Flyers player, considered “the glue” of the team’s offense was just moved out to the wing. Think you know? Take a guess and click here to see if you’re correct.

We asked: Do you think the 12-2 Eagles can grab the No. 1 seed in the NFC?

Answer (no style) — Name in bold

Short answer is yes. Eagles can take the top spot in the NFC. They go to DC to play the Commanders, and then host the Cowboys in the last regular season game. The same record [the] 12-2 Lions are at Buffalo and the 49ers. Eagles should be pumped to the max and should win both their games. The Lions can very well get taken down in Buffalo, and that would leave the Eagles at 14-2 and tops in the NFC. — Everett S.

Okay, so honestly, the way the Lions have been winning is kind of annoying. I kinda like (and for most of my life have felt bad for) the Lions (As a Georgia Tech fan I have a great love for Calvin Johnson) and I don’t mind Dan Campell, but his fourth down and onside kick tendencies have been RIDICULOUS. I enjoyed seeing them lose to Buffalo on Sunday. I’m pretty sure the Birds are gonna get the No. 1 seed because:

1. I think the Bears will get revenge on the Lions for Thanksgiving on the 22nd. (No Eberflus means better clock management, right???)

2. I’m confident the Vikings will fall to either the Seahawks or Packers. I think they’re good, but not that good. Yes, the 12-2 record has been impressive, but I’ve doubted Minnesota all season with all the close games, a la Kansas City. I highly doubt out beloved Iggles lose a game the rest of the season. E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLESSSSSSS! — B. Stiles

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jackie Spiegel, Aaron Carter, Ariel Simpson, Gina Mizell, Jeff Neiburg, Jeff McLane, Vaughn Johnson, Johnny Zawislak, Keith Pompey, and Conor Smith.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Thanks for reading! We’ll be back in your newsletter tomorrow morning for the final time this week. — Kerith