Weekend Hot Reads....

The BOSTON GLOBE's Bob Ryan writes under the header, "Athletes Shouldn’t Be Pressured To Speak On Issues Of The Day." If a player chooses to speak out, it is "very often a lose-lose proposition." If a player "chooses to become involved in the public dialogue, it is not without risk," as there "could be financial ramifications, with regard to endorsements."

The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES' Rick Morrissey wrote Bears Owners the McCaskey family "aren’t going anywhere, and neither are the Bears." The "problem is that the McCaskeys aren’t like your typical NFL owner." They "don’t care about money" and they "don’t spend the money on themselves." They "care about the Bears," but they have "no idea what they’re doing when it comes to building a championship team."

Elsewhere:

• Taking a look at "what's the matter with college basketball."
• The Cubs have "plenty to ponder when designing World Series rings."
• Cal Ripken Jr. reflects on the success of his family's foundation.
• Young talent puts N.Y. at the "top" of the list to be sports' next "Titletown."
• The U.S. can "look towards its athletes as examples of unity."
• Reviewing an upcoming book about the life of Pro Football HOFer Chuck Noll.
• The 45-year-old fighter who "may be Russia’s favorite American."