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Thom Loverro

Thom Loverro

tloverro@washingtontimes.com

Thom Loverro has been a professional journalist since 1977, working for a number of newspapers, including eight years as a news editor and reporter for The Baltimore Sun, where he covered government, politics, and crime. He moved into sports writing when he joined The Washington Times in 1992. He moved to The Washington Examiner as a sports columnist in 2009 and returned to The Washington Times in 2013, where he is currently the lead sports columnist.

Columns by Thom Loverro

FILE - In this Jan. 2, 2020, file photo, Washington Redskins head coach Ron Rivera holds up a helmet during a news conference at the team's NFL football training facility in Ashburn, Va. Washington's NFL team finally joined the 21st century by dumping its racist nickname, though it took the greatest national awakening since the 1960s to finally draw out some semblance of shame from owner Dan Snyder. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Ron Rivera winning more than just football games

Ron Rivera's compelling story, the inspiring comeback of Alex Smith, the decision to jettison the polarizing nickname -- all of it has combined to win over the hearts of not just football fans, but the public at large. People want this team to win.

January 4, 2021
FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, file photo, Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder listens to head coach Ron Rivera during a news conference at the team's NFL football training facility, in Ashburn, Va. A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press the NFL has taken over the independent investigation into workplace conduct within the Washington Football Team. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Dan Snyder fate more pivotal than playoff cameo

The outside probe of sexual misconduct at Washington Football Team headquarters could be this generation's version of the Lombardi Trophy, if somehow, the report ends up forcing out owner Dan Snyder.

November 29, 2020
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looses his helmet as he is tackled by Washington Football Team defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) and defensive end Chase Young (99), during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Landover. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

No Burrow, no bite for Bengals in loss to Washington

It was Washington's third win of the season (3-7) and keeps them in the middle of the warped NFC East division battle, with their next game against one of the three teams Washington has already beaten.

November 22, 2020
Dallas Cowboys' quarterback Roger Staubach grimaces as he loses yards during second quarter action Nov. 28, 1974 in Irving, Texas. Making the tackle is Washington Redskins Verlon Biggs (86), Ron McDole (79) and Diron Talbert (72). (AP Photo/Ferd Kaufman) **FILE**

Verlon Biggs hero of Over-the-Hill Gang

"There is hardly a day I go through where I don't think about Verlon Biggs," Hall of Fame safety Ken Houston told me when I was researching the book, "Hail Victory: An Oral History of the Washington Redskins."

November 1, 2020
Washington Football Team's Ron Rivera, left, talks to New York Giants' Joe Judge, right, after an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 20-19. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Ron Rivera and difference between good, bad odds

Ron Rivera put his "Riverboat Ron" reputation on the line Sunday after his team came back from a 20-13 deficit to the New York Giants to score on a 22-yard pass from quarterback Kyle Allen to Cam Simms with less than a minute remaining.

October 18, 2020
Washington Football Team's Alex Smith walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Landover, Md. The Rams won 30-10. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

LOVERRO: Hallmark moments and double-digit losses

The Smith comeback, 693 days after he suffered a gruesome broken leg against the Houston Texans in 2018 that required 17 surgeries to fully repair, was the feel-good moment of the day Sunday at Ghost Town Field against the Los Angeles Rams.

October 11, 2020
Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

LOVERRO: Welcome to the process. Buckle up.

The interception-free Dwayne Haskins from the first two games this season was a no-show Sunday. But this is the process, we're told. Take a seat. Settle in.

September 27, 2020
Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona loss doesn’t figure on Rivera’s scoreboard

No matter what you thought of the Washington Football Team following its 27-17 upset opening win the week before over the NFC East defending champion Philadelphia Eagles, going out to Glendale to face a rejuvenated Cardinals team, led by their young second-year coach Kliff Kingsbury and his second-year quarterback phenom Kyler Murray, was going to be a tough ask.

September 21, 2020
Washington Football Team linebacker Jon Bostic (53) takes down Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) for a sack during a match against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFL game, Sunday, September 13, 2020 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

Dan Snyder on keeping Washington Football Team

Dan Snyder pretty much told the Wall Street Journal Sunday he doesn't really care what his team is called. Asked via email about keeping the name, "Washington Football Team" for good, Snyder replied, "Sure, it's possible."

September 13, 2020