Can somebody tell me…?

I said I was done writing for the year, which did not allow me until now to express my concern about Tim Tebow winning the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore when in the past there were awesome, more awesome sophomores than Tebow, like Hershel Walker and Bo Jackson to name a few who could have been awarded that trophy who were not specifically because they were sophomores.

I let that concern slide. Today, I was presented with a bigger fight. Can somebody tell me why the hell Charles Woodson is not in the Pro Bowl? How many times does a brother have to show up and show out? Now, no average citizen hooped and holla’d over Sean Taylor’s senseless killing more than me, but with all due respect to his Family, Girlfriend and baby daughter, Mr. Taylor will not be showing up for the Pro Bowl, okay. I feel the gesture was great, but a moment of silence in his memory would have been more appropriate.

As far as the Minnesota Vikings receiving seven slots, I say, “WHY?” Did not the Green Bay Packers beat the Vikings twice convincingly? And pardon me if I am wrong, but the only Viking name I have heard this season with any real regularity was Adrian Peterson. I can name the Purple People Eaters faster than I can name the current roster's defensive or offensive line.

Sports announcers from Jaws to Deion Sanders have referred to Charles Woodson and Al Harris as the best DB tandem in the NFL. Webster’s Dictionary defines tandem as one following or behind the other like Fred and Ginger, Sonny and Cher, Gayle and Oprah. Not to throw salt on Al‘s parade, but that tandem couldn't exist without Charles Woodson.

Charles Woodson has been disrespected two years in a row. I am still trying to figure out why the hell his #2 jersey has not been retired at the University of Michigan. Shawn Crable or Clark Gable have no business wearing the jersey of the only defensive back in the history of college football to win the Heisman Trophy. Charles Woodson is the "Big Cheese" among college football players. He stands alone.

I heard Ron Jaworski just yesterday mention something about a player having a comeback year. Well in order to comeback, one would have had to have a career worth mentioning in the first place. Charles Woodson is such a player. I am mad as hell, and I could care less who knows it.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch- Charles Woodson!

Enough said.

“Who needs Tom Brady when you got Brett Favre?”

In the words of Steve Urkel, “Did you see that?” Brett Favre to Greg Jennings, 82-yard touchdown, game over dude, it’s a wrap, call mamma to pick you up and the Packers win!
Before pre-season and the first snap of the regular, I told people that the Green Bay Packers were going to the Super Bowl. Nobody believed me. I got this to say to all the non-believers, “look out Dallas, we coming to git yo ass.”

For all you Detroit Lions fans out their saying hold the phone we are 5-2, I say you are of no consequence to this equation. I grew up in Detroit. I went to Thanksgiving games in Tiger Stadium on Trumbull. I’ve seen Mel Farr, Charlie Sanders, Lem Barney, Billy Sims, Barry Sanders and still no Super Bowl.

Lastly for the New York Giants who play in New Jersey, Michael Strahan looks lean and mean, but beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. My eyes looked into the magic ball, shuck it and it said, “Packers.”

Daddy. Daddy wasn't there.

Inductee: Michael Boddie
Date: August 2007

Our society has sank a new low when we hand off the microphone, give the floor and lend credibility to a “dead-beat” father whose children by their own volition do not carry the last name of Boddie. If this is not disgraceful enough, he further demonstrates his immaturity and disloyalty by seizing the opportunity, “for fifteen minutes of fame”, at the expense of his sons’ reputation. Still further to add insult to injury, slaps Brenda Vick, a woman he did not marry until five years after the birth of two children, in the face who, with the assistance of her people, carried the load of both mother and father.

In times when we struggle to protect our children from Internet predators, instill in them values that protect them from bad choices and improper influences, where was daddy? Daddy wasn’t there.

Growing up in Detroit, I remember the role and importance of the alley. A lot of men matured as well as met their death in the alley. Michael Vick’s father should be escorted into an alley. Station a brother to the east and west of it and allow Brenda Vick, her family, her children and anybody else relevant to this party to pull this “bitch up”. If he is not dead by lessons end, then maybe he will resurface a man.

For those of you who feel that these comments are harsh, I only have this to say to you. There is nothing uglier than to be brought into the world due to no fault of your own only to have the experience of feeling unwanted, unloved and being unprovided for. If our children are angry, uncouth, classless, ignorant and make bad choices, we should look to ourselves. It is our blame. It is our shame.

"MICHAEL WINS"

Last week, I kept myself busy by responding to the people of Fort Myers, Florida in their response to Deion Sanders’ article on Michael Vick and the subsequent response of the NFL Network to him.

As the comments went back and forth, it was always my intention to remain respectful and I did. After all, I felt I was stepping in for a voice, similar to mine and others, which had been silenced all the while thinking and speaking not in his exact words, but marking how I thought those words might be used and articulated. I am not sure if I educated the people in that community, but they most definitely educated me. I learned that no matter how many gains and contributions African-Americans make, we still have a great work to do. This is by no means to suggest that change is our sole responsibility, but charity always starts at home and spreads abroad.

This lesson was best taught Saturday as I watched the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Since first watching and comprehending the magnitude of what was happening, it was never more heartfelt, spiritual and memorable. Each man as well as their presenter had something very significant to say in terms of the honor itself, their lord and savior who was clearly at the head of their lives, and the careful selection of who was responsible for their success. But no one say it better than Jerry Jones when he said, “Michael Irvin is a Dallas Cowboy.”

There is nothing more American than apple pie, the World Series and being a Dallas Cowboy. All of these things represent what our nation hold dear and sacred. Even though African Americans have proven success when given the opportunity to participate in the American Dream, yet we are still made to feel unworthy.

I thought Michael Irvin’s induction was bitter sweet because I feel that Drew Pearson should be in the Hall of Fame. Drew Pearson was the original number 88, but after Michael spoke, where he was at that moment in time made me realize that it’s much greater than the respect given to a number, but the importance of respect due a man. Michael Irvin gets much respect, and his words were worthy to be praised.

Having said all this, we (African-Americans) must encourage and make sure our children feel good about themselves. Perhaps, we need to redefine who we LOOK UP to. Perhaps, we should GET UP from being complacent and NEVER GIVE UP on the fact that the road ahead is still paved with struggle. The mistakes we make are apart of a process that will eventually get us to place called, “Equals.”

Redefine Fan

In lieu of the Michael Vick situation and the NFL Network placing Deion Sanders’ column on hold, I think it is time to give some thought to what it means to be a fan.

For those of you who criticize Deion’s column, you have a right to your opinion, but to suggest that he is a thing of the past or a has been is insane. Deion Sanders is a first or at the very least second ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. I’m not sure about Cooperstown, but I will follow up and get back to you. Having said this, Deion Sanders has not only made a name for himself, a name mind you Fort Myers, Florida should be proud of, but a place in sports history. Like it or not, Mr. Sanders is an “ICON”, baby.

Today, I went to TMZ.com to read comments left by everyday citizens to find one that left an image in my mind for years to come. One writer wrote: Michael Vick should be hanged and while hanging castrated with a rusty fork. While I respect this individual’s right to his opinion, one could only ask, given the history of African-Americans in this country, why and how did we moved from an alleged crime to as Billie Holiday would sing it, a tree bearing strange fruit? Are you sure this is not about race?

I asked myself, who are these people, and as fans of athletics, do we have the right to hold athletes to standards that we fall short of ourselves. Again, if he did what is alleged, he should be punished. I don’t think anyone is in disagreement with this. Should he be banned from the NFL for life? I don’t think so, but this is my opinion. Should he receive the maximum jail time of 8 years? I don’t think so, but again, this is my opinion.

What I do know is that athletes are no different from you or me. People make mistakes. People do better when they know better. People also grow, and I know people change.

I am an avid sports fan. My father taught me everything I know about sports from its ugliest past to its present day triumphs. Do I think athletes make a lot of money? You bet, but I don’t begrudge them. They are paid what the market will bear. Do they participate in activities that they shouldn’t? Yes! Should our system of justice hold them accountable? Absolutely!

In addition to this, athletes make and continue to make enormous sacrifices to provide me, you, the fan with hours of memories that make and has made us laugh, cry, proud and yes, mad. I was so pissed at the Oakland Raiders for being in that blizzard in New England. Yes! Charles Woodson forced a Brady fumble. The hell with the “Tuck Rule”, but I digress. Let’s not take away from them their contribution to their sport because of off the field behavior. Keeping Barry Bonds, Pete Rose, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and Mark McGuire out of Cooperstown doesn't make their accomplishments or contributions to baseball any less real. Let’s do our part to ensure that we are all law abiding citizens, but to wish death and claim a grown man as property in the way that the NFL Network has done with Deion Sanders and I quote, “we control your image and opinions” is a hit way below the belt.

Both Deion Sanders and Michael Vick put their pants on the same as any man in American, white, black, green or purple. Sometimes, I wonder if the fans make more of them to compensate for the lack of hero they see in themselves.

FREE DEION!!!!!!

First, I’d like to state for the record that I was not born and raised in neither Fort Myers, Florida nor do I hail from the great state of Texas.

I would like to state however that it is a sad day in America when we have to censor and censure a Deion Sanders article. I read his article, and I get it. It is extremely unfortunate that others were unable to capture its essence.

I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and I can tell you that dog fighting is not new. I can also state unequivocally that the dogs at the center of this argument are not ones we truly care anything about.

I so thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Sanders’ connection to art imitating life and vice versa.

Question, when we watch the dog competitions on television, do you ever see them highlight the Pit Bull or the Rotweiler in the way as the Whippets, Poodles, Yorkies, Great Danes, Collies and the like? These are not the dogs in the center of the ring on Friday and Saturday nights I can assure you.

Another question, where were PETA and the Humane Society when the pit bull chewed up the baby and the local postman? In addition, where were PETA and the Humane Society when the police department used dogs and turned fire hosed on “real people” in the south during the turbulent sixties?

I hear your minds turning. We have most definitely arrived at the very issue of this “dog and pony show” displayed by the media and dog admiring organizations. You guessed it player, race.

In American, we still feel uncomfortable examining race and how it still plays a role in how we think, speak and behavior.

In the movie the Untouchables, Sean Connery’s character tells Kevin Costner everyone knows where the alcohol is, but what are you prepared to do? We know that dog fighting occurs and where it occurs. This is not new news, but what is also the same soup ole’ soup warmed over is our disproportionate treatment and opinions of African-Americans when we display that ever so often trait of being human and subject to error.

Our system of justice requires a man/woman is innocent until “proven” guilty. We should allow Michael Vick his day in court and those whose opinions that are different from our own their right to express it.

As Deion Sanders indicated, there are far more pressing issues of concern such as, will we ever learn the truth about Pat Tillman? Who will ultimately be punished for outing Joe Wilson’s wife? Should we be concerned that the courts dismissed her lawsuit against the Vice-President? Her career was taken away from her due to no fault of her own. I feel that she should be compensated. Who speaks for Mrs. Wilson?

Suggestion, I would be pleased to continue Mr. Sanders’ article in his absence. On this any many other issues we share the same core values and opinions ones of which should not be silenced.

Last question, is this articulate enough for you?

Coach Rob

With everything going on in the media this week, I guess I could have been distracted by another mainstream sports story, but I am choosing to stay with the feel good story, the right story, the Coach Rob story.

Since 1941, it’s always been Grambling. While I would be totally remiss in not pointing out that Coach Rob was the first collegiate coach to record 400 wins, responsible for sending 200 young men to the NFL, four of which have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Willie Davis, Willie Brown, Charlie Joiner, and Buck Buchanan), to solely focus on the numbers is neither a challenge nor a tribute.

In a time when the African-American collegiate level football player had no place else but a Historically Black College to go, Coach Rob not only taught them the fundamentals of the game, but instilled in them a set of values, rich tradition and a work ethic that transcends the game of football.

The soul of Coach Eddie Robinson runs through the veins of all the lives he touched. Those life lessons are still ever present among us as we go through our daily routines of being responsible African-Americans and American.

As I examine the life of this great man, I am continuously reminded of how good and very well meaning people can still be fascinated by the story of the same old soup warmed over when at the end of the day, it’s still Grambling! Let the symbolism and power of this statement ring in our ears as we reflect on Coach Rob’s life, the times and circumstances in which he made an impact as we continue to question what our impact will be as we face these still trying times ahead.

2007 ESPY AWARDS

On Tuesday, March 27, 2007, ESPN announced that LeBron James and Jimmy Kimmel will host the 2007 ESPY Awards set to air July 15, 2007. I would like to make a case for Charles Woodson to be named the 2007 ESPY “Comeback Player of the Year.”

Before turf toe, “The Tuck Rule”, the shoulder injury, the broken leg and the beat down in Super Bowl XXXVII, Charles Woodson was drafted in the first round, 4th pick overall, in 1998 by the Oakland Raiders. In 1998 , he was name NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, selected to Pro Bowls 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, he should have been in 2007 but I digress, was named All-Pro 3 times (1998-2001 seasons) and the first Raider since 1971 to start in all 16 games.

On April 26, 2006, Charles Woodson signed with the Green Bay Packers, led the NFL with 8 interceptions, a career high, and returned punts and kickoffs.

No finer script could have been written for this Ohio native. From the Big Ten to the Heisman Trophy, the Pros, “Title Town” and yes, second ballot Canton? “You think?”

See you on the Red Carpet!

About "Fair Game"

Hello. I’m Toni and welcome to “Fair Game.”

This is the beginning of a fun filled ride of commentary that will keep you on the edge of your seat, laughing, learning and begging for more, but first a few ground rules. Any sports story is considered “fair game”; however, I caution you that this blog’s theme centers on revenue generating sports at the collegiate level, the NFL and NBA. You are free to comment about other areas, but you will most likely not get a rise or response out of me. It isn’t that hockey, soccer, baseball and the rest are not important, but this is my blog, and I love football and basketball. Sure, I will entertain you from time to time with stories about other sports areas which may overlap, but that’s it.

Lastly, for those of you out there who love playing “devil’s advocate,” this site is for you. I may not agree with your position, but as long as the delivery is respectful, you may say whatever you like, but “beware” I, too, exercise this same authority.

Plan B

As I mourn the passing of Darryl Stingley, I smile as tears run unashamedly down my face when I think about the numerous conversations I’ve had over the years with my student athletes. I would ask them, “have you ever heard of Daryl Stingley?” The response 100% of the time would be no! Once I learned the answer that I already knew, I would make Darryl Stingley their homework assignment for the night.

I was happy to see that their curiosity motivated them to find out something about Darryl Stingley. The next day I would see them, and they would have the typical answer for me. They’d say Darryl Stingley was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He played Wide Receiver for Purdue University, they made sure to mention that to the Big Ten fanatic as I was called, and he played for the New England Patriots. No one ever mentioned “the play” on August 12, 1978 that left Darryl Stingley quadriplegic. So, they asked, “why do I need to know about him?” Why is Darryl Stingley important?

My response would be that the Darryl Stingley lecture is about dreams and the need for a Plan B. You see, all of my student athletes had dreams of going pro. It was what they ate, slept and dreamt about. While I never made light of my students or student athletes’ dreams, I felt as If I would have been an irresponsible educator if I didn’t educate them about the realities of going “pro” and the importance of an education. It was also important for me to illustrate an example to them of a person who realized that dream, and because of an injury needed a Plan B.

I once heard famed Sociologist, Dr. Harry Edwards say, “An African-American male had a better chance at being hit by a shooting star than becoming a star in the NFL, Major League Baseball and the NBA.” I don’t think Dr. Edwards was about killing dreams in making this statement either, but the reality of the situation is that there are only so many teams and too few opportunities.

I do salute my student athletes, who realized their dream (Reagan Upshaw, Tarik Glen, Lamond Murray), but I also salute those of my students, as the commercial says, “who have gone pro in something other than sports.”

Thanks Darryl! May your everlasting light continue to shine brightly upon others.

TDB

TBD

TBD

TBD

Hard act to follow

Last week I read on the Internet that Deion Sander’s former wife or her family is accusing Deion of stealing his children’s money. Firstly, I happen to really like Deion Sanders. Not that his past is not festively filled with incident after incident I’m sure he looks back on not without some shame. Remember the time Deion poured ice on the man in the locker room to cool him down, and the time he… Well no matter, this commentary has a Deion Sanders slant.

Let me just tell you what I think. Besides coming in a strong fourth on my all time DB list with Ronnie Lott leading the way followed by “The Assassin” Jack Tatum and Mel Blount, ladies some men are hard acts to follow and Deion Sanders is one of them. His former wife just as we all has truly witnessed a transformation, on his part, for the better. Sometimes, as unfortunate as it is, the second wife gets the better man. I truly do not wish to make light of this subject because it is serious, but what is even more serious is the fact that the African-American men are constantly looking over their shoulders and in most cases with good reason in America. From my vantage point, Mr. Sanders does not appear to be the type man you can’t talk to over a cup of coffee. In the future, I would hope if not for the children’s sake that an issue such as this be kept private.

As for the former Mrs. Sanders, Deion was incapable of loving anyone at that time in his life because he didn’t love himself. I hope that you too will make a new life with someone who can reciprocate that mutual feeling of love because all women who want that deserve it. As he (God) would have it, it was not meant to be with “Prime Time.”

Remember, living well is the best revenge.