Since we have yet to score any notable interviews — most likely due to not actively reaching out for them as we remain rooks to this online sports talk world — it only seems fit to point out other interviews that took place by folks with better connections who put in the work.

Today’s group of interviews are interlinked in some way, shape or form. You’ll notice early. As we round up more, we’ll post more “Interview This” spots through the summer.

(If you have any noteable interviews you’d like to point out, go ahead and drop a comment off or send us an email us at mindritesports@gmail.com)

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Jason Whitlock via TheBigLead
This interview, once it moved down the line from web reader to web reader, proved that even the largest powers-that-be do, in fact, read your blogs. The boys at TBL squeezed this interview out of the self-proclaimed “Big Sexy” and the rest is history. Already having removed himself from ESPN’s Page2 for what he viewed as greener pastures with AOL Sports, ESPN removed Whitlock from their network TV shows (The Sports Reporters and guest-spots on PTI… although the most recent rumor was that he guest hosted Rome Is Burning a week or two ago).

His riff with Scoop Jackson and hip hop music was nothing new, but in this interview he was very candid with both, as well as adding that his fellow coworker was “bojangling” — a word that makes people of all sorts, especially big networks, uncomfortable. He’s since taken to a higher platform, appearing on CNN and Oprah, accusing people across the country of bojangling. Also, let’s clear this one thing up — Whitlock is not “the voice” of Black America. Rather, he is “a voice” of Black America. His views are just one of millions but he seems to make the most noise by calling people out — rightfully or not — from his sports platform, either by way of his Kansas City Star post or AOL Sports.

This initial TBL interview was, in my opinion, life-altering. But he has since done multiple interviews, including one with Michael Tillery (first appeared on BlackSportsNetwork.com but now available on MichaelTillery.com).

Etan Thomas via TheStartingFive
Not a big fan of Whitlock, Etan Thomas is one of those athletes who isn’t afraid to speak out about his feelings of societal issues. More athletes should follow suit and take Etan as a shining example. He writes for SLAM magazine online, and at one point wrote an open letter to Whitlock addressing the Don Imus issue and how he felt Whitlock’s methods were hurting Black America (my words, not his). Athletes are on a unique platform to speak out and be heard and Etan risks hearing the infamous words, “don’t quit your day job,” by separating himself from every being called a sterotypical jock, but instead shows off that he has no time to bite his tongue — he has a world to save.

Dave Zirin via TheStartingFive
Zirini knows how impactful Etan Thomas is — he sang Etan’s praises back in ‘05. Of course, mixing sports and politics makes people uncomfortable, but so does mixing politics and air. Zirin is a white man who deals with issues combining sports, society and politics — an atypical assortment of topics to constantly focus on for for the typical white journalist. Zirin’s no average journalist, as he has written a number of books, including “Welcome To The Terrordome” and “What’s My Name, Fool?” He can also can be found at The Nation or his own site, Edge of Sports.

Scoop Jackson via TheStartingFive
Jason Whitlock seems to hate this guy. A lot. Called him a “bojangler” even. What did Scoop do after reading the aforementioned hate in the TBL.com interview? He wrote a wonderful, tame yet thoughtful piece in his ESPN Page 2 spot, called “The importance of being civil.” (unfortunately, it’s insider-only) Among all of the words he spoke, my favorite were: “Regardless of how I personally feel about another brotha, I understand that the first step in creating a Civil Rights Movement is being civil.”

He’s disliked in circles both black and white for his unorthodox writing voice that is definitely his own, but he’s been around the writing game for many, many years, notably moving from a big-time spot at SLAM magazine notably before he moved over to ESPN.com. Say what you will about Scoop’s presentation or laid back, conversational style of writing, but he does have his own voice. Much of the debate surrounding him tends to be whether or not he is a “representative” of Black America, or if he’s being stereotypical by adding an atypical voice to a very popular network’s site. He’s unorthodox and although he may not be universally loved, he does his thing regardless of any dissenting opinions.

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Until I read otherwise, the biggest interviewer right now is Michael “Mizzo” Tillery, currently of TheStartingFive. He’s scored some of the best, most insightful and mature interviews seen anywhere in the sports world. Among notable the noteables: David Aldridge, John Cheney, Dan LeBetard, Jason Whitlock, Scoop Jackson, Dave Zirin, Jemele Hill and the Christies (Doug and Jackie). You can find them all at his personal website, MichaelTillery.com and TheStartingFive where he currently posts.