Kayla Smith

[Spartans Illustrated @Spartans_Illo]

Today, on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, we at Spartans Illustrated are proud of the women on our team, we are proud to publish this poem by our own @sydneypadgetti, and we are proud of the young lady in the MSU press room last week who didn't back down when belittled.

...

Recently,
in a media room full of journalists,
before coaches took to the podium,
a man decided his impatience
deserved volume.

A woman held paper box scores,
and he mistook her calm
for permission.

He raised his voice
like a reminder of who he believed
should bend first.

But she didn’t.

She stood.
She answered.
She claimed the space he assumed
was already his.

So he doubled down,
tightened his tone,
snatched the paper,
choosing dominance
over reflection.

This isn’t about box scores
that live perfectly well online.
This is about the cost of walking
into sports journalism
with a woman’s body
and a woman’s voice.

It’s about being talked over,
cut off,
shrunk to the edge of the room.

About doors dropped closed
just fast enough
to keep you out.

About introductions repeated
like you’ve never earned
the right to be remembered.

So today,
on a day meant to honor women in sports, this is the reminder:

Stand up.
Take up space.
Ask the question anyway.
Lift the camera.
Raise your hand.
Raise your voice.

You belong here.

Not because they allow it,
but because you are meant to be here.

[Drew Smith @DrewDisneyDude]

ROBERT AND WITNEY DESERVED A 10 FOR THIS JAZZ. 👏

#DWTS #DWTS34 #WickedNight

[NFL @NFL]

FINAL: @Patriots win big at home!

[New England Patriots @Patriots]

Happy #VictoryMonday to all!

[New Heights @newheightshow]

This pretty much sums up everyone’s reaction 😅 @JasonKelce

[New Heights @newheightshow]

NEW NEWS!!!!!

Congrats to @tkelce and @taylorswift13 ❤️‍🔥

[Luis Vercetti @97Vercetti]

me leaving work at 5pm without saying bye to anyone

[Boston Celtics @celtics]

Our new three point king 👑

[Shania Twain 💎💎💎 @ShaniaTwain]

I've said it before and I'll say it again... LET'S GO GIRLS ❤️‍🔥

[Elmo @elmo]

Elmo is just letting you know that Elmo might be a little grouchy today. Naptime didn't go as planned.

[AntionetteTheGirlNextDoor @DrToniSaidit]

I’m finna sue the United States of America for emotional distress

[iya ★ @hotmessjunk]

“you’re so quiet” thanks! i hate it here so i will go to secret gardens in my mind people need a key to get to.. the only one is mine

[Boston Celtics @celtics]

RT if you love @Dwhite921

[Boston Celtics @celtics]

Can’t let an opportunity go by without wishing people a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 😏

[Savage @Savageboston]

Joe Mazzulla explains why he was trying to get to the referee after the game:

“Just trying to wish them a Merry Christmas, happy holidays”

😭😭😭

[✩ CEL ✩ @moonlithoax]

Taylor: “i couldn’t be more proud of you”