Recently former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam announced to the world that he was gay. Sam is the first ever NFL prospect to be openly gay.
Recently I wrote an article that no gay NFL player would come out while still playing in the league. While Sam is a prospect, he has not been drafted as of yet. This still does not take away from the fact that there are more players in the league currently who, despite Sam's announcement, will not come forward and admit their sexuality. Not that they need to, a person's sexuality is as relevant to their ability to play sports as hair or eye color.
Reaction to Sam's announcement has been overwhelmingly positive both by fans and personnel in the league. While I applaud Sam for his announcement, I await the day when someone admitting that their gay is not a big deal. As a diehard NFL fanatic I only care that someone can play the sport well and bring their team championships. Anything in regards to their personal life is irrelevant. Let their play speak for them as an athlete.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Super Bowl XLVIII Prediction
Seattle Seahawks (15-3) vs Denver Broncos (15-3)
The number one ranked offense against the number ranked defense. This is the kind of matchup people hope for. Seahawks come in off a close win in the NFC Championship against the 49ers at home last week. QB Russell Wilson had a QB rating of 104.6 completing 16 of 25 for 215 yards and 1 TD. RB Marshawn Lynch rushed for 109 yards on 22 carries and 1 TD. The Seahawks D picked off 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick twice and forced a fumble. Broncos come in off a convincing win over the Patriots at home in the AFC Championship. QB Peyton Manning had a QB rating of 118.4 completing 32 of 43 for 400 yards and 2 TDs. WR Demaryius Thomas had 7 receptions for 134 yards and 1 TD. Broncos defense sacked Pats QB Tom Brady twice. This should be an exciting low scoring game. Prediction: Broncos
The number one ranked offense against the number ranked defense. This is the kind of matchup people hope for. Seahawks come in off a close win in the NFC Championship against the 49ers at home last week. QB Russell Wilson had a QB rating of 104.6 completing 16 of 25 for 215 yards and 1 TD. RB Marshawn Lynch rushed for 109 yards on 22 carries and 1 TD. The Seahawks D picked off 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick twice and forced a fumble. Broncos come in off a convincing win over the Patriots at home in the AFC Championship. QB Peyton Manning had a QB rating of 118.4 completing 32 of 43 for 400 yards and 2 TDs. WR Demaryius Thomas had 7 receptions for 134 yards and 1 TD. Broncos defense sacked Pats QB Tom Brady twice. This should be an exciting low scoring game. Prediction: Broncos
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Eliminating PATs
This week NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell started a firestorm of discussion. Goodell suggested that the competition committee will consider eliminating the point-after-touchdown (PAT) kick. While some have lauded the idea saying it will help speed up the game, others see the idea as ridiculous.
With the proposed change a place kicker would only have to focus on field goals and kick-offs. This did not sit well with kickers in the league. San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson took to Twitter with his feelings: "Eliminate PATs? Success rate too high? QBs better be careful. The forward pass is becoming increasingly efficient. # penalize progress"
Former Saints OLB Scott Shanle had a few choice words for the commissioner and his proposed chang: "The arrogance of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is snowballing outta control. No more extra point kicks!?! Stop messing & changing our game!!"
ESPN's Mel Kiper also doesn't believe the NFL should eliminate the PAT. Kiper ranted on ESPN Radio "Let's eliminate the easy throws. No pass can be less than 10 yards. You don't eliminate things because people are accomplished at it."
It is understandable why some people would want to eliminate a play that is essentially automatic. In the more than 1200 PATs this season only five were missed. Kickers accuracy has steadily increased in the last four seasons from 99.1 percent in 2010 to 99.6 percent in 2013.
The proposed idea for now is that a touchdown would now be worth seven points. The current two point conversion would be worth one additional point giving you eight points or if you miss it, you would lose one point giving you six points.
Keep in mind when the idea of adding instant replay and coaches challenges was conceived in 1999, many people were against it. They felt that a review of so many plays would essentially slow down the game. Fourteen seasons later it is hard to imagine the league without it.
As much as people may be against it now, if the idea is adopted by the competition committee, the league and the fans would eventually adjust to the change as they have every change that has occurred in the game since its inception.
With the proposed change a place kicker would only have to focus on field goals and kick-offs. This did not sit well with kickers in the league. San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson took to Twitter with his feelings: "Eliminate PATs? Success rate too high? QBs better be careful. The forward pass is becoming increasingly efficient. # penalize progress"
Former Saints OLB Scott Shanle had a few choice words for the commissioner and his proposed chang: "The arrogance of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is snowballing outta control. No more extra point kicks!?! Stop messing & changing our game!!"
ESPN's Mel Kiper also doesn't believe the NFL should eliminate the PAT. Kiper ranted on ESPN Radio "Let's eliminate the easy throws. No pass can be less than 10 yards. You don't eliminate things because people are accomplished at it."
It is understandable why some people would want to eliminate a play that is essentially automatic. In the more than 1200 PATs this season only five were missed. Kickers accuracy has steadily increased in the last four seasons from 99.1 percent in 2010 to 99.6 percent in 2013.
The proposed idea for now is that a touchdown would now be worth seven points. The current two point conversion would be worth one additional point giving you eight points or if you miss it, you would lose one point giving you six points.
Keep in mind when the idea of adding instant replay and coaches challenges was conceived in 1999, many people were against it. They felt that a review of so many plays would essentially slow down the game. Fourteen seasons later it is hard to imagine the league without it.
As much as people may be against it now, if the idea is adopted by the competition committee, the league and the fans would eventually adjust to the change as they have every change that has occurred in the game since its inception.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Why No Gay Active Player Will Ever Come Out in the NFL
Last year Jason Collins became the first "active" player in the NBA to come out as gay. The response was overwhelmingly positive and Collins found himself held up as how progressive our society now is in accepting a gay professional athlete.
This season Collins finds himself as an unsigned free agent. Despite many players, owners, coaches and teams professing to not having an issue signing or playing with a gay player, no team in the league has signed Collins. This may be more as a direct result of his low career averages of 3.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, and 41 percent shooting from the field. He has never averaged more than seven points or seven rebounds in a season. He was never a star athlete, just a small role player.
So the question becomes what would it take for a star athlete to come out as gay? In particular in a sport like football which involves a lot more contact between players. Could such a tough manly sport handle having a gay athlete amongst its ranks?
Many former NFL players have come out as gay. Even as recently as last year when former San Francisco 49er offensive lineman Kwame Harris was outed in the media after an altercation with an ex-boyfriend. Not long after the incident rumors and stories began swirling that anywhere from one to four gay NFL players were going to come out. As of this date not one has done so.
Coming out as gay may be seen on some levels as more socially acceptable. We like to think of ourselves as progressive, tolerant and forward thinking, but even this being the case, our society has strong beliefs in what is considered masculine. Being athletic is considered masculine. Being athletic and gay is not.
Many gay former NFL players admitted to being scared to come out while they were actively playing. Fear of repercussions and being ostracized by teammates, opponents, fans and the media have been enough to keep them in the closet until long after their career in the league is over.
There are far more repercussions for gay players than just hate mail, teasing, torment, bullying, ostracizing and physical violence, they face unseen long term punishments. Such is the case with former NFL player Jerry Smith.
Smith was a tight end with the Washington Redskins in the 1960s. During his 12 year playing career, the two time pro bowler made 421 receptions for 5496 yards and 60 TDs, a record for tight ends that would stand for more than two decades. Smith never came out as gay during his playing career but it was not unknown around the league. Smith would later die of AIDS in 1986.
Despite retiring with several records for a tight end Smith has never been voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame despite having similar numbers to other tight ends of that era who are in the HOF. Many believe that this is punishment for Smith being gay, an allegation the league of course denies. Whatever the case, Smith being held out of the Hall of Fame is enough to keep many players quiet about their sexuality.
While we can claim to be willing to accept a gay professional athlete, there are still certain sports that it would be hard for us to do so. The NFL is one of those sports. While statistically speaking the likelihood that a gay player currently plays in the NFL is beyond likely, we have a hard time accepting a homosexual playing such a hegemonic masculine activity.
Until we break the stereotypes of what a gay athlete can do and being gay is more widely accepted, no active player will risk the long term repercussions of what coming out will do to their career even after they retire.
This season Collins finds himself as an unsigned free agent. Despite many players, owners, coaches and teams professing to not having an issue signing or playing with a gay player, no team in the league has signed Collins. This may be more as a direct result of his low career averages of 3.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, and 41 percent shooting from the field. He has never averaged more than seven points or seven rebounds in a season. He was never a star athlete, just a small role player.
So the question becomes what would it take for a star athlete to come out as gay? In particular in a sport like football which involves a lot more contact between players. Could such a tough manly sport handle having a gay athlete amongst its ranks?
Many former NFL players have come out as gay. Even as recently as last year when former San Francisco 49er offensive lineman Kwame Harris was outed in the media after an altercation with an ex-boyfriend. Not long after the incident rumors and stories began swirling that anywhere from one to four gay NFL players were going to come out. As of this date not one has done so.
Coming out as gay may be seen on some levels as more socially acceptable. We like to think of ourselves as progressive, tolerant and forward thinking, but even this being the case, our society has strong beliefs in what is considered masculine. Being athletic is considered masculine. Being athletic and gay is not.
Many gay former NFL players admitted to being scared to come out while they were actively playing. Fear of repercussions and being ostracized by teammates, opponents, fans and the media have been enough to keep them in the closet until long after their career in the league is over.
There are far more repercussions for gay players than just hate mail, teasing, torment, bullying, ostracizing and physical violence, they face unseen long term punishments. Such is the case with former NFL player Jerry Smith.
Smith was a tight end with the Washington Redskins in the 1960s. During his 12 year playing career, the two time pro bowler made 421 receptions for 5496 yards and 60 TDs, a record for tight ends that would stand for more than two decades. Smith never came out as gay during his playing career but it was not unknown around the league. Smith would later die of AIDS in 1986.
Despite retiring with several records for a tight end Smith has never been voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame despite having similar numbers to other tight ends of that era who are in the HOF. Many believe that this is punishment for Smith being gay, an allegation the league of course denies. Whatever the case, Smith being held out of the Hall of Fame is enough to keep many players quiet about their sexuality.
While we can claim to be willing to accept a gay professional athlete, there are still certain sports that it would be hard for us to do so. The NFL is one of those sports. While statistically speaking the likelihood that a gay player currently plays in the NFL is beyond likely, we have a hard time accepting a homosexual playing such a hegemonic masculine activity.
Until we break the stereotypes of what a gay athlete can do and being gay is more widely accepted, no active player will risk the long term repercussions of what coming out will do to their career even after they retire.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Cleveland Browns hire Mike Pettine as Head Coach
After taking the longest of any team to make their decision about filling their head coach position, Browns announced today that they hired former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. This is the Browns seventh new head coach since 1999 and their fourth in the last six years.
Pettine spent one year as the Bills defensive coordinator after being the Jets defensive coordinator for three years. He started his NFL coaching career as a coaching assistant for the Baltimore Ravens in 2002 and would spend six years with the team rising to assistant defensive line coach and later an outside linebackers coach.
Pettine was hired after Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel both bowed out. Browns also considered Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn but Quinn would not be available until after the Super Bowl.
Pettine is known for his hard nosed aggressive style of defense. In his single season with the Bills he was able to improve their defense in all categories. His pass rushing style was perfected during his time under Rex Ryan with the Jets.
Pettine walks into a situation with a Brown teams in desperate need of a franchise quarterback. They also need to replace their running back after they traded away their number one draft pick Trent Richardson during the season. The team has 10 selections in the upcoming NFL draft including two in the first round. The Browns have only been to the playoffs only once since being rebuilt in Cleveland in 1999 and are in desperate need of a head coach to turn the team around.
Pettine spent one year as the Bills defensive coordinator after being the Jets defensive coordinator for three years. He started his NFL coaching career as a coaching assistant for the Baltimore Ravens in 2002 and would spend six years with the team rising to assistant defensive line coach and later an outside linebackers coach.
Pettine was hired after Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel both bowed out. Browns also considered Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn but Quinn would not be available until after the Super Bowl.
Pettine is known for his hard nosed aggressive style of defense. In his single season with the Bills he was able to improve their defense in all categories. His pass rushing style was perfected during his time under Rex Ryan with the Jets.
Pettine walks into a situation with a Brown teams in desperate need of a franchise quarterback. They also need to replace their running back after they traded away their number one draft pick Trent Richardson during the season. The team has 10 selections in the upcoming NFL draft including two in the first round. The Browns have only been to the playoffs only once since being rebuilt in Cleveland in 1999 and are in desperate need of a head coach to turn the team around.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
The glorification of athletes
As athletes complete college and head into the professional ranks the constant media attention they received in college does not diminish. In fact it continues to grow. The United States has promoted these athletes to demi-god- like worship. This is evident in the commercialization of professional athletes. Athletes are used to promote everything from sports drinks, to fast food, to cars and more. They are idealized and with such power, made to believe they are beyond reproach.
The unfortunate downside of this build up, is the inevitable crash, and when an athlete crashes it is with a sonic boom played out in the media for the world to scrutinize and judge.
In 2012 ESPN 30 for 30 did a documentary called “Broke” which told the story of professional athletes who, through poor financial decisions, mismanagement and bad investments, had gone bankrupt. The series showed former athletes like former NFL players Kevin McCants and Andre Rison who admitted to spending money lavishly on frivolous and wasteful activities like alcohol, drugs, parties and women as well as giving away much to friends and family.
A March 2009 Sports Illustrated article “How and why Athletes Go Broke” told how many athletes are ignorant to how their money is even being invested or where it is going while they are playing leading to disaster once they retire. According to the article
The news is filled with stories of former athletes who have gone broke, committed suicide, had affairs and messy divorces, fathered numerous children, gone to jail or became drug addicts. The same media which built these players up through their college playing days are the same ones who dismantle them.
A great example of this rapid rise and tragic fall is former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez. When Hernandez was drafted in the fourth round of the NFL draft in 2010, he was believed to have overcome a sad and difficult childhood in a rough part of Connecticut. He became a star athlete at the University of Florida. While a report about failed drug tests in college made his draft stock drop, he was still drafted number 113 overall.
In the summer of 2013 Aaron Hernandez was charged with homicide. Suddenly the triumph over tragedy image was shattered and the media now took it upon themselves to destroy the image they had helped to create. Hernandez went from a tale of overcoming hardship to social pariah and disgraced athlete. The media went out of its way to drag up details of his bar fight, shooting involving a friend and a double homicide which Hernandez has only been investigated for.
Hernandez lost endorsement deals, a video game portrayal and Hall of Fame potential. His contract with the Patriots and his career in the NFL were over.
Hernandez is now viewed as a fallen athlete. His tale now told of one who was given too much fame, glory, attention and worship. But who gave him this fame if not the media? How can the media condemn someone for being given too much attention when they are the ones who gave it?
The media does an extraordinary job of placing athletes on pedestals and of hyping them to great levels. They make athletes into heroes rather than mortal men. When they fail to live up to these high expectations, the same media will destroy them. Until the realization that athletes are simply people gifted with athletic ability this glorification and demonization will continue to happen over and over.
The unfortunate downside of this build up, is the inevitable crash, and when an athlete crashes it is with a sonic boom played out in the media for the world to scrutinize and judge.
In 2012 ESPN 30 for 30 did a documentary called “Broke” which told the story of professional athletes who, through poor financial decisions, mismanagement and bad investments, had gone bankrupt. The series showed former athletes like former NFL players Kevin McCants and Andre Rison who admitted to spending money lavishly on frivolous and wasteful activities like alcohol, drugs, parties and women as well as giving away much to friends and family.
A March 2009 Sports Illustrated article “How and why Athletes Go Broke” told how many athletes are ignorant to how their money is even being invested or where it is going while they are playing leading to disaster once they retire. According to the article
- By the time they have been retired for two years, 78% of former NFL players have gone bankrupt or are under financial stress because of joblessness or divorce.
- Within five years of retirement, an estimated 60% of former NBA players are broke.
- Numerous retired MLB players have been similarly ruined, and the current economic crisis is taking a toll on some active players as well.
The news is filled with stories of former athletes who have gone broke, committed suicide, had affairs and messy divorces, fathered numerous children, gone to jail or became drug addicts. The same media which built these players up through their college playing days are the same ones who dismantle them.
A great example of this rapid rise and tragic fall is former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez. When Hernandez was drafted in the fourth round of the NFL draft in 2010, he was believed to have overcome a sad and difficult childhood in a rough part of Connecticut. He became a star athlete at the University of Florida. While a report about failed drug tests in college made his draft stock drop, he was still drafted number 113 overall.
In the summer of 2013 Aaron Hernandez was charged with homicide. Suddenly the triumph over tragedy image was shattered and the media now took it upon themselves to destroy the image they had helped to create. Hernandez went from a tale of overcoming hardship to social pariah and disgraced athlete. The media went out of its way to drag up details of his bar fight, shooting involving a friend and a double homicide which Hernandez has only been investigated for.
Hernandez lost endorsement deals, a video game portrayal and Hall of Fame potential. His contract with the Patriots and his career in the NFL were over.
Hernandez is now viewed as a fallen athlete. His tale now told of one who was given too much fame, glory, attention and worship. But who gave him this fame if not the media? How can the media condemn someone for being given too much attention when they are the ones who gave it?
The media does an extraordinary job of placing athletes on pedestals and of hyping them to great levels. They make athletes into heroes rather than mortal men. When they fail to live up to these high expectations, the same media will destroy them. Until the realization that athletes are simply people gifted with athletic ability this glorification and demonization will continue to happen over and over.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Championship Weekend Picks
New England Patriots (13-4) vs Denver Broncos (14-3)
The Patriots come in off a convincing win over the Colts last week in New England. QB Tom Brady had a QB rating of 78.4 last week but did not throw any TDs as the Patriots stuck to a ground game. RB LeGarrette Blount 166 yds on 24 carries and 4 TDs and RB Stevan Ridley rushed for an additional 2 TDs. Pats defense picked off Colts QB Andrew Luck four times. Broncos come in off a win last week against the Charger in Denver. QB Peyton Manning had a QB rating of 93.5 completing 25 of 36 for 2 TDs and 1 INT. RB Knowshon Moreno rushed for 1 additional TD. These two teams faced each other in week 12 resulting in a win for New England. Brady has won 10 of 14 matchups with Manning's teams, including a 2-1 mark in the postseason in which the home team has prevailed each time. Prediction: Patriots
San Francisco 49ers (14-4) vs Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
49ers come in off an eight game winning streak. QB Colin Kaepernick had a QB rating of 87.8 last week completing 15 of 28 for 196 yds 1 passing TD and 1 rushing TD. Niners defense picked off Panthers QB Cam Newton twice last week. Seahawks come in off a win last week against the Saints at home. QB Russell Wilson had a QB rating of 67.6 last week completing just 9 of 18 for 103 yds and 0 TDs as the Seahawks leaned on their running game for the win. RB Marshawn Lynch rushed for 140 yds on 28 carries and 2 TDs. Seahawks have the top ranked defense in the league. These teams split the last four meetings. Seahawks have only lost one game at home in the last two seasons but Colin Kaepernick is 4-1 in the postseason including 3-0 on the road. Prediction: 49ers
The Patriots come in off a convincing win over the Colts last week in New England. QB Tom Brady had a QB rating of 78.4 last week but did not throw any TDs as the Patriots stuck to a ground game. RB LeGarrette Blount 166 yds on 24 carries and 4 TDs and RB Stevan Ridley rushed for an additional 2 TDs. Pats defense picked off Colts QB Andrew Luck four times. Broncos come in off a win last week against the Charger in Denver. QB Peyton Manning had a QB rating of 93.5 completing 25 of 36 for 2 TDs and 1 INT. RB Knowshon Moreno rushed for 1 additional TD. These two teams faced each other in week 12 resulting in a win for New England. Brady has won 10 of 14 matchups with Manning's teams, including a 2-1 mark in the postseason in which the home team has prevailed each time. Prediction: Patriots
San Francisco 49ers (14-4) vs Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
49ers come in off an eight game winning streak. QB Colin Kaepernick had a QB rating of 87.8 last week completing 15 of 28 for 196 yds 1 passing TD and 1 rushing TD. Niners defense picked off Panthers QB Cam Newton twice last week. Seahawks come in off a win last week against the Saints at home. QB Russell Wilson had a QB rating of 67.6 last week completing just 9 of 18 for 103 yds and 0 TDs as the Seahawks leaned on their running game for the win. RB Marshawn Lynch rushed for 140 yds on 28 carries and 2 TDs. Seahawks have the top ranked defense in the league. These teams split the last four meetings. Seahawks have only lost one game at home in the last two seasons but Colin Kaepernick is 4-1 in the postseason including 3-0 on the road. Prediction: 49ers
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