Wednesday, November 17, 2010

A Tale of 2 Quaterbacks

As you read this, especially if you are a fan of football, you may be still marveling at the gridiron feat composed by one Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles against the Washington Redskins. It was indeed a work of art comparable to Tchaikovsky’s Overture of 1812, Prince playing each of the 16 instruments used to make his first album at age 16 or martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter From a Birmingham Jail. His six touchdown sonata included 300 yards in the air and an astonishing five touchdown drives in a row to begin the game.

Unfortunately, as opposed to pronouncing this historical accomplishment on its own merits, the America I live in as expressed via commentary, prefers to couple this even with his past of dog fighting and incarceration (that serviced his criminal debt) albeit more than two years past. I find this strange and have asked the question why this is so? Yes, Vick did commit a crime and he also paid for it, but in comparison, Pittsburg Steelers’ Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, seems to have been given a pass although his iniquities have occurred during the current year and are recurrent. I did not hear one mention of his problem behaviors during the Steelers beat down by New England this past Sunday Night. But for Vick, it is a continuous theme.

I suspect that the main reason why Vick is always discussed with his past and Roethlisberger is not, is rooted in the fabric of American history. In America, African descendents have always been considered less than white people and even equated to livestock in the US constitution. Consequently, dogs were regarded in higher esteem by whites than slaves or the African Americans trough the times of Jim Crow up until the civil rights movement – maybe this is why dogs were released on protesters during that period. Thus it would not be unreasonable to assert that Mike Vick and what he represents humanly is not as important or valuable as a dog to many. Likewise, that it is more heinous to fight and kill a dog than molest, assault or have forcible sex with women- in particular under-aged college girls, with GBI documented bodily fluids of her alleged attacker.

Now I may be wrong but my recollection of history is not. America has always saluted rapist, drug addicts and other sultry types if they were of European descent. Thomas Jefferson (who raped his slaves), Rush Limbaugh (drug addict), Andrew Jackson (Indian killer) and now Ben Roethlisberger.


I guess it is easier for folks to speak about redemption and forgiveness than it actually is to do such. Folk just need to get off Vick’s phallus, but I know they will not, for they do not desire to see him as the MVP and in their mind he will always be behind Tom Brady, Matt Ryan and even Ben Roethlisberger; for he will never have blond hair or blue eyes.

5 comments:

12kyle said...

Great post, bruh

You're dead on point with this one. Nobody mentioned Ben's indescretions on tv. It's never brought up. I can understand why Vick's past is brought up. But you can mention it and then let it go. He put on a historic performance. Ben played very average vs the Patriots.

I listened to a few sports talk shows yesterday just to hear what people were saying. One dude said "I don't know why you're praising him. Jaguars QB (who is black) did the same thing."

Peter King from Sports Illustrated SCREAMED on the dude. He said..."Don't call here with that. Vick has paid his dues and he put on a great performance. You are either someone who has an agenda, a racist, or you're a member of PETA." It was refreshing to hear someone from the media other than the 2 Live Stews take up for Vick.

I hope he keeps playing well. The dude has the talent. He always had it. Now, he's putting it all together.

Anonymous said...

I Googled "Michael Vick" and this was the first hit:

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/31737/time-to-break-out-the-vick-m-v-p-chants

I found this slide show interesting for its number of white compared to black folks and what they were accused and/or prosecuted of:

http://www.comcast.net/slideshow/sports-athletestrouble

I also find it a bit strange that the link you provide for Roethlisberger says that no charges are being filed, thus no prosecutions, but are still comparing this to a convicted felon (Vick).

I wouldn't find it the least bit surprising that he assaulted the girl (or worse), but to be fair, shouldn't we compare apples to apples?

And from my experience (and what I remember from TV over the years) a jock thinking that every woman belongs to him and they can do whatever (especially when drunk and most especially when they are at his house) is fairly commonplace. In highschool it was the case. And evidently in the pros (as the slideshow exhibits). This, of course, doesn't make it right, but that it is some sort of mindset that some of these narcissistic jocks have (correct me if I am wrong).

I am no football fan (and don't really keep up with the sport's figures), but it is evident that Michael Vick is an awesome quarterback. If he keeps playing this well, he should be MVP and they should be very happy they (the team and fans) brought him into the team. They will soon forgive and forget.

He might want to avoid dogs in the meantime.

Keep in mind that I am not even a good armchair quarterback.

SLC said...

SO SO TRUE.
I couldn't understand why Ben got a 6 game suspension with a reduction to 4 if he stayed out of trouble! That's like saying if you can go through the spring and summer without raping anybody, we'll cut you some slack.

Apples to Apples?
Animals to Humans?
Plea bargaining witnesses to Two Victims?
Black to White?

The souls remedy said...

Brother T,
there is not much to say! Ditto to your post and the aforementioned comments ALL ARE ON POINT!

TIGNER

oakleyses said...

instyler ionic styler, canada goose outlet, beats headphones, canada goose outlet, abercrombie and fitch, p90x workout, vans outlet, birkin bag, mac cosmetics, reebok shoes, wedding dresses, ugg outlet, soccer jerseys, soccer shoes, chi flat iron, longchamp, insanity workout, jimmy choo shoes, babyliss pro, roshe run, valentino shoes, nike huarache, nfl jerseys, north face jackets, herve leger, giuseppe zanotti, mont blanc pens, new balance outlet, north face outlet, celine handbags, canada goose outlet, hollister, rolex watches, mcm handbags, ugg soldes, ugg boots, marc jacobs outlet, uggs outlet, nike trainers, bottega veneta, canada goose, asics shoes, ugg, lululemon outlet, ferragamo shoes, ghd, uggs on sale