Last Splash

Tuesday, 23 January 2007

The Superbowl is set, and I couldn't be happier. Sure, I could care less that both head coaches happen to be African-American. I just think they're both great coaches who deserve to be there regardless of race, and as much as I loathe to hear two weeks of news about what history it makes (honestly, doesn't anyone remember the Dave Chappelle episode where he spoofed black 'firsts') it is better than the alternative.

I personally feel that sports reporting should be sports reporting. Give me stats, give me (brief) encouraging stories about players that have survived hardship or given back to others or influenced their communities. Give me hard, cold, stats, and interesting sidenotes (like the fact that the Colts overcame the biggest championship deficit to win). Don't give me long, drawn out stories about the first African American coaches to be in the Superbowl and OH MY GOD there are two at the same time!!! Doesn't it undermine the accomplishments these men have made as humans and football coaches to repeatedly point out the fact that they also happen to have a darker skin color? Jackie Robinson was groundbreaking, Rosa Parks was groundbreaking; I'm sure these two men want us to focus on the talents of their team more than the color of their skin.

Again, at least I don't have to hear the next two weeks hearing about how a pro football season has revitalized New Orleans. It's like going through Hurricane Katrina all over again. I may sound callous, heartless, capitalist, whatever, but report on sports. Don't turn the sports shows into yet another political outlet to assuage us with images of the tragedy. Don't put Ray Nagin on the phone with ESPN radio's Mike Greenberg. Come on...put Reggie Bush or Drew Brees on if you want someone to talk about the Saints.

And finally, no more New England Patriots! Thank God...if I had to suffer through one more Superbowl staring at Tom Brady's spaceship helmet and Bill Belichick's greasy sweatshirt...well, who knows?

Congrats, Colts and Bears...other than the Chargers, I couldn't have picked a better Superbowl myself!

posted by: Cannonball14 at 15:53 | link | comments (1) |
the sports report

Comments:

#1 25 January 2007 - 02:25

I agree with your analysis. Even _I_, Mr.-I-don't-watch-sports, have heard about the "two black coaches" in the Superbowl. I almost think it's a step BACKWARD for equality when we point out the color of someone's skin and go "Hey, nice job, Black Guy!" I firmly believe the color of their skin does not, and should not, be an issue. If they've overcome hardship, YAY! If they've struggled and fought their way to the top, good for them and the triumph of the human spirit! But to make it about their color almost seems racist -- "Hey, look at the black guy go! He's as good as us white guys! Who knew!?"

Bah, I say to the people who are making a big deal about it. Bah!