Posted on 01/24/2007 6:55:25 AM PST by OKIEDOC
It was insulting when much was written about how no NFL black head coach had ever made it to the Super Bowl. But couldn't it be considered equally insulting there has been much ado now that two black coaches have done so?
Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy and Chicago coach Lovie Smith, both black, will square off in Super Bowl XLI on Feb. 4 in Miami.
Big deal, or no big deal?
It's a big deal for any coach to make it to the Super Bowl, no matter what their color. For this achievement, Dungy and Smith warrant high praise, and they're getting it.
But is it wrong to consider it no big deal that both coaches happen to be black? Does feeling this way represent progress in race relations or a lack of proper respect?
The NFL had seven black head coaches this season and could have the same number next season, depending on who the Dallas Cowboys hire.
That is a big deal to some, but no big deal to others.
To be surprised at the number of NFL black head coaches doesn't seem respectful, unless you believe that number is too low.
We're only in day four of Super Bowl XLI hyperbole. Plenty more will come on this colorful black-and-white issue.
To me, here is what the order of focus should be concerning Dungy and Smith: They are (1) class acts, (2) great coaches, (3) good friends with (4) calm demeanors who both happen to be (5) black.
We already have seen this definitely has not been the pecking order.
Fortunately, these two coaches' demeanors will soothe any potential misgivings about the color of their skin.
While explaining their calming characteristics, Dungy said, "For two guys to show that you can win that way, I think that's just as important for the country to see.”
Smith saw this trait in Dungy as his assistant coach at Tampa Bay.
"As you look to young coaches coming through the ranks, a lot of us have this picture of what a coach is supposed to be, how he's supposed to act,” Smith said. "I think what guys like Tony Dungy showed me is that you don't have to act that way.”
Class acts. Both of them.
PC once again "stomps" or "trumps" accomplishment.
Doogle
Seven black head coaches out of thirty-two?
But wait, that's 22% of NFL head coaches when blacks make up 12.8% of the population.
Shouldn't there be affirmative action for whites now?
/sarcasm
Now that there are TWO black head coaches in THe Big Game, the next time a black head coach makes it back to The Big Game, his race will not be a factor. We won't have this PC BS shoved down our collective throats. Newt time 'round, no big deal. As it should be this time 'round. Win or lose on ability and merit. Not because of race.
I want to like Dungy, but his race comments are really no different than John Thompson's (Georgetown University's hard-cord racist basketball coach for several years).
you would think so, but notice all the headlines when Tomlin was selected as Steelers coach, "Tomlin 6th black head coach in NFL", etc. People who see everything and everyone through the prism of skin color will never cease their blathering.
Dungy and Smith were just responding to the inevitable questions. Both immediately shifted the focus to their teams (or tried too).
What is laughable to me is that while we are going to be constantly bombarded with this topic from the talking heads, it is almost always prefaced with the caveat "we look forward to the day when this is not even worth commenting on". If the media would quit talking about it, we will have reached that day, lol.
What gets me is the stealth assumption that there are white racists out there trying to keep the black man down. If there is racism, name the racist! Generalizations won't cut it.
Basically, the whole idea of interviewing at least one black candidate for a head coaching job is just dripping with BS. Owners should be able to hire the coach they want...period (without tampering). I wish just one owner would say, "We need a black token to make a pass thru our office so we can get on to hiring the guy we have already shook hands with."
have you heard the rumors on the Steelers/Grimm/Tomlin circus?
apparently Grimm and the Steelers had already shook hands (thus the announcement in the local media), but not signed the paperwork. the league office put pressure on Rooney to hire a black coach, not just interview one, so they had to dump Grimm. not that Tomlin is a bad hire (apparently he is very well thought of, even if he is quite young).
like I said, just a well-repeated rumor, but sounds plausible.
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