The Lead

Baltimore recently lost a sports icon. Mo Gaba first gained fame as a 9-year-old, when he began calling into a local sports talk radio show and entertaining listeners with his unique sense of humor and unforgettable voice. But then, as his lifelong battle with cancer became known to the public, his story took on a new meaning. The Athletic's Britt Ghiroli, who met Mo several times, joins us to reflect on his life, his message, and his unforgettable final radio show.

Read Britt Ghiroli and Jeff Zrebiec's story about Mo Gaba:

https://theathletic.com/1989076/2020/08/12/mostrong-the-boy-who-inspired-athletes-and-rallied-a-city/?source=theleadpodcast

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Dawn Staley is one of the most accomplished players and coaches in basketball history. Over the past 13 years, she's built a powerhouse program at the University of South Carolina, and recently took home her sixth SEC championship in the past seven years. Outside of her basketball accomplishments Staley has become well-known for her outspoken approach to social and political issues. Today, The Athletic's Josh Kendall tell us about how Staley's North Philadelphia upbringing made her into a person who refuses to back down either on the court or off it.

Read Josh Kendall's story about Dawn Staley here: https://theathletic.com/2420351/2021/03/03/the-unrelenting-force-of-dawn-staley-my-heart-wont-let-me-shut-up/

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It was one of the strangest moments in hockey history. During a nationally-televised NHL playoff game in 2018, Boston Bruins star Brad Marchand leaned in close to a Tampa Bay Lightning opponent...and licked his face. And it was the second time Marchand had done this in two weeks. But since then, the frequently suspended and widely loathed winger has not faced disciplinary action by the NHL a single time. The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa wondered how this remarkable transformation came about, and discovered that it started with a conversation at a backyard barbecue. Three years later, Marchand is aiming to rewrite his legacy and lead the Bruins to the Stanley Cup.

Read Fluto Shinzawa's full story about Brad Marchand's transformation:

https://theathletic.com/2377748/2021/03/04/after-the-lick-how-the-bruins-brad-marchand-eliminated-the-rat-from-his-game/

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Need a little help on your office pool bracket? Or are you just really excited to watch the drama of the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament unfold? Either way, The Athletic's Seth Davis, who also covers the tournament for CBS Sports, has you covered. Seth joins us to explain who he thinks will win it all, who might self-implode, and who could become the feel-good stories of the year.

Check out Seth Davis's complete March Madness bracket:

https://theathletic.com/2446936/2021/03/15/2021-ncaa-tournament-seth-davis-picks-his-entire-march-madness-bracket/?source=theleadpodcast

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