"It is ridiculous to think the NFL or any sports league is capable of solving a cultural and socioeconomic issue that the United States has struggled with for more than two centuries." - John SmallwoodDear Friends,
If you watched the Philadelphia Eagles play the Green Bay Packers this past Sunday (9/12/10), then you saw Michael Vick prove why he deserves the utmost respect as both a thinking athlete and pro quarterback.
Still, on the link below, a longtime buddy of mine who is also one of Americas premier sports writers, John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Daily News, delivers a now somewhat prophetic piece about what happens when you just allow a person to be himself or herself. Cheers!
G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/top_story/20100805_John_Smallwood__Vick_s_case_should_focus_on_football__not_social_justice.html?viewAll=y
2 comments:
Interesting post and column. My 20 year old, non-sports fan, daughter had an exchange as she responded to my FACEBOOK post about my feeling that the Mike Vick QB error should be starting in Philly. My post was only about his recent and potential football accomplishments. Here's the exchange:
"Brenna Adams: I mean he did really well last year why didn't he get his props, is it just cuz eveyones still stuck on the dog fighting?
Leon Adams: Vick played sparingly, but well. He's being held back by managements fear of the left over animal abuse issue.
http://dailyphiladelphian.com/2010/09/12/kolb-injury-vicks-performance-a-potential-nightmare-for-eagles-brass/
Brenna Adams: thats stupid he paid his debt to society and really I'll never understand why sport leagues like to pretend its their job to take the moral high ground...just cuz hes a bad guy doesnt mean he cant throw a ball"
My libertarian leaning young daughter felt the team should stick to strictly football criteria, not social engineering.
The fact is that the condescending behavior of the football higher ups is despicable and probably a manifestation of other serious issues of perceived superiority.
It is understandable that the NFL be cautious of the possible foolish public outcry over Vick's dog abuse problems. Truth be told, these same over reactors don't give a damn about the myriad human abuses going on. Furthermore, if Vick had no football skills to offer them, they would not care if he was an axe murderer. The NFL would discard him like a used tissue.
Hey Man...both you and you daughter made profound comments...Thanx for adding such important views...Cheers!
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