
The Pats-Colts game is more than just a sporting event; for me, it’s an existential event that highlights the tensions between my sports self and my black self.
Coaches (Bill Belichick vs. Tony Dungy)
Belichick: Without question the biggest asshole in the game. I have a genuine soft spot for brazen assholes, so part of me is enjoying the reign of evil Billy. While Belichick is the best NFL coach since Bill Walsh, I am uncomfortable with the way the word “genius” is thrown around to describe him and his coaching staff. First of all, it’s football; it aint rocket science. Belichick is no Dirt McGirt. The main reason Belichick is considered a genius is that 90% of NFL coaches are incompetent. There are some racial undertones and overtones to this genius bullshit. Remember when Charlie Weis, celebrated offensive mastermind, was supposed to restore to Notre Dame football the tradition and glory that “Chocolate” Ty Willingham was fired for tarnishing? As if black folks needed another reason to hate Notre Dame? And, to be completely honest, Belichick just looks like a racist. It’s the flat hairstyle and the way the thin lips curl. The only NFL coaches who look more racist are Mike Shanahan, Tom Coughlin, and Norv Turner. I can easily imagine the four of them waxing nostalgic about the good ol’ days, back when niggruhs knew their place and white men could have themselves a taste of the dark meat without repercussions.
Dungy: A respectable negro if there ever was one—perhaps the most respectable negro in the history of sports. This guy should be on our banner. But by the way that media talks about how nice, articulate, and gentle he is, I half expect some of these reporters to pat him on the head as he does a minstrel shuffle. And there’s something off about his demeanor: he’s a little too nice. He seems like the type to suddenly flip out and take out his whole family. Finally, I have no qualms with his personal relationship with Hey-Zeus, but I don't think that our most visible respectable negroes should be associating with the whole Christian anti-gay contingent.
QBs (Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning)
Brady: The idol of every heterosexual white guy in the country. Movie star looks (so I’m told), legendary track record playing the most respected and publicized position in all of professional sports, and his pick of famous white tail. Hmm, I guess that makes him the idol of a whole lot of brothers too. Anyway, Brady knocked up his ex, and refused to marry her. Granted, her pregnancy has all the makings of a trap, but still. Where’s the outrage that people express over black unwed fathers? Where are all of the middle aged white sportswriters and black buffoons talking about the bad image Brady’s bastard child sends to the youth about the sanctity of the white family? Someone needs to fund a study to determine whether lacking melanin gives white skin the properties of teflon. Also, Brady was Bush’s guest of honor at the 2004 State of the Union Address, so he loses 25 black points.
Sanity: 0
3 comments:
Actually, Dungy seems to be in the Cheater's head. It's been a while since the Pats have beaten the Colts.
The big reason, IMO, this particular matchup is receiving so much hype is because the TV people (and by extension, the commercial sports media) and the NFL understand that the overall quality of their product is mediocre. Putting aside momentarily the personas of the coaches and quarterbacks cited here, it's management and organization that determines how well teams perform on the field. The Colts and Patriots are two of the small handful of NFL franchises that are well run, from top to bottom. That's why they're producing winning seasons every year.
FWIW, Belichick and Dungy are equals; so are Brady and Manning. Who cares about their public personas or private lives? If politeness was really important to good coaching, Norv Turner would be the second coming of Lombardi. But... there's a racial aspect to the hype?
I think you're staring at the blot a little too hard. Yes, anti-Black racism still permeates the NFL. But there are much, much better examples around to provide as evidence.
Great points. I actually agree. These are the only two consistently good teams in the league, helmed by the best coaches and QBs, so I understand the NFL's business decision as well as the public's interest.
My point wasn't to describe the hype as racist, but to say that the media provides racialized lenses in their treatment of everyone. I don't think that the personal behavior or character of any sports figure should matter that much, but the double standards are maddening.
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