Thom Loverro
Columns by Thom Loverro
LOVERRO: Bieniemy hire handcuffs a new Commanders owner
Eric Bieniemy's hiring last week as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach has been hailed by Commanders cult members and those handing out the Kool-Aid as some sort of game-changer, when there is really one move for the Washington franchise that will change the game. Published February 20, 2023
LOVERRO: Burying the truth is no way to honor two key legacies
The truth doesn't have to die with the passing of Ted Lerner, the owner of the Nationals, and Ron Labinski, noted Kansas City sports architect. Published February 16, 2023
LOVERRO: Nationals title fulfilled lifelong dream for Lerner
Ted Lerner's legacy, capped by bringing baseball and a World Series title back to Washington, is as rich and accomplished as that of any lifelong resident of Washington. Published February 13, 2023
LOVERRO: D.C. fans can pass Philadelphia on way to NFC East cellar for Super Bowl bragging rights
If the Philadelphia Eagles manage to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII Sunday -- and I believe they will -- Washington Commanders fans will lose a coveted place in bragging rights between the NFC East teams. Published February 9, 2023
LOVERRO: Nationals sale, MASN deal hinge on Orioles’ fate
If you're a Nationals fan, you may be wondering why should you care about the Orioles' finances. Here's why -- the future of these two teams are joined at the hip, so much so that the sale of the Nationals may not take place until the sale of the Orioles. Published February 7, 2023
LOVERRO: Remembering Bobby Beathard, the visionary who fueled the dreams of a team and its fans
The flame of home. The shivering, undernourished souls of Washington football fans who have found solace in remembering what was and dream of what might be again have the late Bobby Beathard to thank for that. Published February 2, 2023
LOVERRO: Jeffrey Nahom, cruise partner dumped by Commanders, has a story to tell
Everybody's got a story, and some of us have more than one. In the tale that Jeffrey Nahom likes to tell, he's a hard-working entrepreneur who's hit a run of bad luck. Published February 1, 2023
LOVERRO: Commanders ax Fan Cruise as details of business partner’s shady record emerge
It appears that the first Washington Commanders Fan Cruise has sunk before the ship has even boarded. Published January 25, 2023
LOVERRO: Silence on Ovechkin skipping Pride Night activities speaks volumes on Russian relations
Ivan Provorov did not participate with his teammates in the Flyers pregame warmup Tuesday, which included wearing special Pride-themed warmup jerseys with players' names and numbers in rainbow colors. He wasn't the only one to opt out of the commitment to diversity and inclusion. Published January 19, 2023
LOVERRO: Dolphins not likely to have perfect 1972 season if Jurgensen avoids injury
Miami defeated Washington 14-7 in a forgettable Super Bowl VII -- except for Washington players and fans, who for 50 years have still wondered what might have been, and for Miami players and fans, who have toasted their perfect 17-0 1972 season every year since. Published January 16, 2023
LOVERRO: Cash-starved, payroll-shedding Nationals primed for miserable season
Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was fortunate enough to find some change in the cushions of the couch in his office -- perhaps leftover from the last time owner Mark Lerner was in the building -- and used the found money to drive by 7-Eleven to pick up another player. Published January 12, 2023
LOVERRO: Sale of the team is the silver lining behind another disappointing season
Sunday's win over the visiting Dallas Cowboys may very well have been the franchise's last game under the ownership of Skipper Dan the Sailing Man. Published January 9, 2023
LOVERRO: Storied Jurgensen-Kilmer rivalry shaped identity of franchise
Sonny Jurgensen became a beloved figure for Washington sports fans in part because of the storied rivalry he shared with Billy Kilmer -- a fierce competition that grew into a lifelong friendship. Published January 5, 2023
LOVERRO: Wentz fiasco, Browns loss should seal Rivera’s fate
The decision to sit Heinicke in favor of Wentz is reason enough to fire Rivera. But add to that the bizarre postgame comments, in which Rivera seemed surprised that because of the loss to the Browns, his team faced playoff elimination if the Packers defeated the Vikings later that day. Published January 2, 2023
LOVERRO: NFC title win 50 years ago still glows amid the darkness
They were conquering heroes. They had vanquished the hated Dallas Cowboys, 26-3, just a few blocks away at RFK Stadium in the NFC Championship Game, sending the Redskins to their first Super Bowl. Published December 29, 2022
LOVERRO: Rivera owes the journeyman, but the owner signs his check
Ron Rivera publicly committed to Taylor Heinicke. Imagine what he told the journeyman quarterback behind closed doors. I suspect it was a more passionate pledge, as coaches typically do to their players in those moments. There was no such commitment Tuesday. Published December 27, 2022
LOVERRO: The World Cup, which embraced Qatar, passed on Snyder, FedEx Field
Ghost Town Field, officially named FedEx Field, was offered by Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder as a potential host stadium for games by the DC2026 World Cup bid committee. But the stadium was a nonstarter before the local bid was even submitted. Published December 25, 2022
LOVERRO: Hard truth is the Giants just tougher than Commanders
This is clear -- the Giants are tougher. Washington has a better roster of players. But New York's roster plays at a higher level of intensity and has bought in fully to rookie coach Brian Daboll's message of commitment, just a bit more than Ron Rivera's players have. Published December 19, 2022
LOVERRO: Any conversation about Ovechkin among D.C. greats must include Johnson, Baugh, Gibson
Alex Ovechkin being the greatest athlete in Washington team sports history isn't a declaration, as much as some would like it to be just that. It's a conversation. Published December 15, 2022
LOVERRO: Among those who faced him on the court, Bird’s legacy undeniable
In a 1997 interview with sportscaster Ahmad Rashad, when asked to select the greatest players they had ever seen other than themselves, Wilt Chamberlain picked Bird. Russell selected Bird third after Magic and Jordan -- not Oscar Robertson, who he played against, but Bird. Published December 12, 2022
