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Mini-Documentary ‘Robben Island: A Greater Goal’ Examines Prison Soccer League
Outside the Lines (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, ESPN)
SportsCenter (Sunday, 10 a.m., 6 p.m., 11 p.m.)
More than 40 years ago on an island off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, a group of teenagers were imprisoned. The teenagers were some of the best minds of their generation but enemies to the racist government of South Africa, and they dreamed of a new government built on the values of justice and fairness for all. Outside the Lines tells how the political prisoners of Robben Island learned by creating a soccer league how they could forge a free and peaceful South Africa, the same country that will soon host the FIFA World Cup. Chris Connelly journeyed to Cape Town and Robben Island to conduct interviews and gain first-hand perspective of the “Alcatraz of South Africa.”
“You said you wanted your own country? Now, we’re going to give you your own country: It is Robben Island. And you forget that you exist as a human being, but embrace that you exist as a prisoner.” — Mark Shinners, who spent 20 years on Robben Island for “conspiring to overthrow the government,” recalling what the guards told him upon his arrival
“It was like the prison authorities had forgotten to lock me in that day, and I was home. The day Mandela was made president, it was nice, but being allowed to play soccer, to hear that noise and run on that field, that pitch, and do what I did best, was an experience beyond description.” — Anthony Suze, imprisoned on Robben Island for 15 years, about being allowed to play soccer after fighting for that opportunity for three years
Uruguay Hopes to Return to World Cup Glory Days
ESPN Deportes SportsCenter (Sunday, 11 p.m.)
ESPNDeportes.com (Reportajes Especiales piece)
Sixty years have gone by since the Maracanazo, the match in which Uruguay stunned host country Brazil to clinch the FIFA World Cup title for a second time. Since then, the luster of those glory days seems to have waned and La Celeste’s performance has been inconsistent. The team settled for fourth place in Mexico in 1970, didn’t make it past the group stage in 1974 and didn’t even qualify for the World Cup finals four years later. Now, the Uruguayan team heads to South Africa with the responsibility and hope of bringing back those glory days.
The Face of The Fan: Anne Howell-Davis
NASCAR Now (Saturday, 10 a.m., ESPN2)
For the average NASCAR fan, the roar of the engines is as much a part of the race as the checkered flag. But for Ann Howell-Davis, the day is more about feeling than hearing. She is a member of Deaf NASCAR Fans and her day at the track is unique. In this week’s installment of NASCAR Now‘s series “The Face of The Fan,” Howell-Davis takes you to her race – a race you don’t have to hear to enjoy.
NFL Live (Monday, 4 p.m., ESPN)
New York, aka the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey, is in the running to host the Super Bowl in 2014. If it wins, it will be the first Super Bowl played in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty and a big departure from the NFL’s commitment to warmer weather and/or domed stadiums for its biggest game. Rachel Nichols garners reaction from players and coaches.
