http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph0_8-LiCL0
Yes, I have friends that are white that have eaten at my dining room table. Now that I have cleared the air, I can continue this blog with a clear conscience.
And on the heals of Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers comments, I thought it would be good to share a conversation that a very good (White) childhood friend. the conversation happened via text messaging concerning Riley Cooper’s comments. It is important to note that this individual and I have been life long Eagles fans, and well, we have seen the best of times and the worst of times; sit back and enjoy a conversation about the worst of times.
> > White friend: “I need and want your opinion on Riley Cooper.”
See, we’ve grown up together, and had numerous conversations about life and sports. His family was with mine when we sat in the police director’s office when I got harassed one night by a police officer. This friend was walking down the street with me when it happened. He knows that at a time like this I may be jaded (justifiably so), but he also knows that I’m a realist, and he values my opinion.
> > Me: …
I didn’t know what to say. It’s 2013 and we as a society are still dealing with scary and hurtful remnants of the past. Really, it’s hard for me to talk about it, especially when it is all over the news.
> > Me: “See Kerry Collins.”
Kerry Collins was Drafted in 1995 in the first round of the NFL as the fifth overall pick. In 1997 during the Carolina Panther training camp, Starting quarterback Kerry Collins was accused of using the “N word” in an altercation during practice. In response to the allegations, Collins made a statement that read “while unintentional and not intended in a malicious manner, I understand that my remarks were inappropriate and do not reflect my feelings in any way. I made a mistake and regret my actions.” Afterwards, he went on to play for five other teams in a career that spanned 16 years, featured two Pro Bowl appearances, and a Super Bowl appearance with the New York Giants.
> > White friend: “From my understanding this is different. Kerry thought he was “cool enough” to say it but Riley said it out of anger.Collins incident was later reported to be just horse play, and his use of the “N word” only in jest.”
Believe it or not there are misconceptions about who can and how to say the “N word”. Max Kellerman (White) commented on the use of the word on Sports Nation Saying, “we’re talking about using the word not with an “a” but with a “er”. Shockingly, Marcellus Wiley (Black) responded,” Yup, and there are different ways to say it.” Folks, Don’t believe them. Soda, pop and cola are the same thing. The one constant is that using the “N word” is the ultimate ethnic slur in the English language.
> > Me: “Same from my perspective that both were comfortable using the word and it WASN’T their first time.”
Reily had the nerve in his apology to say that this was the first time he used the word. Anyone who believes that is as stupid as Cooper is for making that statement. And did you see and hear how fluid the words came out of his mouth in his angry tirade? If he was really sorry he would have apologized immediately after the incident happened.
> > White Friend: “Agreed. I not believe for one second that a kid from the south didn’t use that word until he was in twenties.”
A local resident took time out of his busy schedule to remind me that I was a “N word” when I took a trip to Indianapolis in 2008. So do not think that the use of the word is strictly reserved for the Southern region of the United States. Be mad at my White Friend’s implications that Riley, due to his background, may have been quite familiar with using the word? Hey, he said it, not me.
> > Me: “LOL! I heard he used to have a VIP seat at Paula Dean’s restaurant!”
Just my attempts at a humorous confirmation.
> > White Friend: “Oh…low blow…”
You know, I think that my White Friend is not happy with the recent representation of his ethnicity lately. Think about it from his point of view; he lives in the South and unfortunately, someone may prejudge him based on the actions of a few stupid individuals.
> > Me: “Really though, the last thing we needed was another distraction and a divided locker room.”
These are arduous times for Eagles fan. Andy Reid’s departure, the collapse of the Dream Team, and being one of the most successful franchises in the NFL to never have won a Super Bowl title. And now Cooper has to walk into a locker room, and on the field, in an industry that is predominately African American (on the field anyway, management and ownership is a whole nother conversation). This is something not to take lightly, and could have a negative impact on a team that is struggling to find an identity under a new head coach.
> > White Friend: “Does he get cut right away if Macklin doesn’t tear his ACL?”
Uh oh…now my White Friend has opened the NFL’s Pandora’s Box. This is an industry that is defined by dollar signs, wins and losses. Moral and just decisions are often sidelined if an individuals upsides support the two characteristics I identified. Need examples: search, Leonard Little, Bill Romanowski, and Lawrence Phillips.
What my White Friend is alluding to is that if the Eagles did not need to fill the wide receiver position, the decision to let Cooper go would be simple. But because they already lost a starting wide receiver to a season ending knee injury, they may be inclined to find a way to keep Cooper on the roster.
>> Me: “Yes.”
> > Me: “Release him …”
> > White Friend: “Wouldn’t happen until they (Eagles) know they have a WR.”
> > White Friend: “Sad but true.”
My White Friend is right; money and wins and losses, money and wins and losses… an age old tale…
> > Me: “Hell, do you want a WR that has his head on a swivel every play cause he knows someone is trying to decapitate him every play. You can’t catch the ball like the ball like that or be successful in the NFL like that.”
It’s a rough sport, and after years of physical abuse wide receivers begin to adopt what is known as “alligator arms”. After a numerous concussions, and hits going across the middle, the receivers anticipate contact and begin to drop balls; which in tern, leads to receivers being dropped from the team. Now Cooper is young, but his uniform now has a bullseye stitched on it and well, he knows the hits are coming. It’s like a boxer that has been knocked down for the first time. His confidence is shaken for the rest of his career and doubt begins to creep into the mind. I guarantee Cooper knows the hits are coming.
> > White Friend: “Kerry Collins went to the Super Bowl afterwards…”
> > White Friend: “I am not disagreeing I am just saying its about talent.”
> > White Friend: “You know that.”
> > White Friend: “Teams will take that chance if they know that he can score touchdowns”
Again, sad but true. If the Eagles release Cooper, another team with a void at wide receiver will indeed pick him up. (Again, See Kerry Collins)
> > Me: “What does talent have to do with every black safety on the league willing to take a $50,000 fine knowing all of your teammates will front the bill if you end his career?”
> > Me: “You asked for my opinion and I’m telling you there is a secret bounty on his head that nobody will ever fess up to.”
The NFL is trying to promote a more conscientious and safe league under the leadership of CEO Robert Goodell. The NFL has cracked down on violent collisions in light of the rise in conclusion awareness. Players have been fined up to $50,000 for helmet to helmet hits. And recently, the New Orleans Saints suffered heavy fines and suspensions, for players and coaches, after an investigation determined that players were offered financial incentives to take opposing players out of the game.
But make no mistake about it, there is a bounty on Copper’s head. Players know it, and the league knows it, but this is a bounty that is written in the secret code of athletics. Players will be trying to end Cooper’s career, and no fine or punishment will stop a player from attempting to complete the task. Have you ever seen a pitcher hit a batter intentionally on the mound? Just look at Marcus Vick’s, the brother of starting Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, tweet:
> “Hey, I’m putting a bounty on Riley’s head 1k for the first Free or Strong safety that light his ass up! Wake him up please…”
He does not even play in the NFL, but he is saying what every defender is thinking. And when it happens, and the fines are levied on the defender, I’m sure that the collection plate will be passed around the locker room.
> > White Friend: “I see what u saying.”
My White Friend knows this to be true.
> > Me: “and if he’s laying on the field twitching like Michael Irvin, brothers will be looking at the CEO daring them to fine them; that’s real”
Football is a vicious, violent and emotional sport and when Cooper is laid out on the field, the player that put him there will be standing over Cooper like a vigilante for social justice; daring Cooper to say the “N word” again and daring Roger Goodell to write the pink slip.
> > White Friend: “You’re right. Cut him.”
Cancer is as cancer does, and Cooper is a cancer. He must be released from the team.
I wonder who Cooper will be inviting over to his house for Sunday dinner this week?
Ridiculous Jargon 