Issa Rae put it beautifully when she said, "I'm rooting for everyone Black." Within the last few months, we've seen a lot of different barriers fall. At the highest level of politics, Kamala Harris became the first Black Vice President in American History. A few weeks later, Patrick Mahomes became just the second quarterback to play in multiple Super Bowls. Just last month, Dawn Staley and Adia Barnes became the first duo of Black coaches to make it to the women's Final Four. This week, there is another trailblazer emerging in the world of sports and his name is Tyler Tynes.
Tyler Tynes made history this spring by announcing his new role at GQ. The North Philadelphia native is the first full-time sportswriter in the publication's long history that dates back to 1931. The rising voice in sports made the announcement on Instagram just a few days ago.
"When I was a teenager, every now and again, I’d go to the library at my high school and nab an old GQ from the periodicals sections. I’d ride the trolley into 'Norf' Philly and for 15 minutes, [I would] pretend that I was one of the vaunted writers that blessed these hallowed pages. Now this week, I’m starting a new job as GQ’s latest staff writer," he wrote.
"And [I'm the] first sportswriter in the magazine’s history. [I'm] a black [boy] from down 'Norf' Philly with a byline in the most iconic men’s publication in the world. In the world, dawg. Words cannot describe the excitement in my bones, the joy dancing [through] my body."
Tynes comes to GQ after spending time at SB Nation and The Ringer. He's already gotten off to a fast start by heading down to Tuscaloosa for the Crimson Tide's Pro Day and profiling iconic sports announcer Gus Johnson. His next piece could be hitting the pages of GQ any day now.
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