A brief NFL reminder

Tim Tebow kneeling before God in 2011. Tebow bad. Kaepernick good. End of story.

Eric Reid of the San Francisco 49ers states that there is “systemic oppression” in the United States and the NFL. He stated this because Vice President Mike Pence, whilst attending the Colts and 49ers game last Sunday the 8th, left the stadium when 23 San Francisco players took a knee during the national anthem. Eric Reid said:

“This is what systemic oppression looks like,” he said. “A man with power comes to the game, tweets a couple of things out and leaves the game with an attempt to thwart our efforts. Based on the information I have, that’s the assumption I’ve made.”

In response, Vice President Pence said:

“I left today’s Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem.”

How quickly people forget some of these aspects.

2011: Tim Tebow “took a knee” for God whilst quarterbacking for the Denver Broncos and it was heresy, heresy I tell you. Tebow is a Caucasoid.

2013: Football coach Joseph Kennedy lost his job for kneeling at the 50-yard line after games. Perhaps he should have knelt during the national anthem. Is the difference simply a matter of timing?

Kennedy, an assistant high school coach in Bremerton, Washington, used to lead his team and staff in prayer in the locker room, and then prayed at the 50-yard line after games. Students would join him and the school district squashed that because Kennedy was endorsing a religion.

The district would allow Kennedy to pray at the 50-yard line after everyone had left the stadium.

Kennedy agreed to this, but eventually began praying before all the parents and students exited. He was suspended, and eventually fired.

Kennedy unsuccessfully sued the school district and was himself sued.

2013: The NFL fined Brandon Marshall $10,500 for daring to wear green cleats to raise awareness for people with mental health disorders. Marshall is black.

2014: Robert Griffin III entered a post-game press conference wearing a shirt that said “Know Jesus Know Peace” but was forced to turn it inside out by an NFL uniform inspector before speaking at the podium. Griffin is black.

2015: DeAngelo Williams was fined $5,787 for wearing “Find The Cure” eye black for breast cancer awareness. Williams is black.

2015: William Gay was fined $5,787 for wearing purple cleats to raise awareness for domestic violence. Gay is black.

2016: The NFL prevented the Dallas Cowboys from wearing a small decal on their helmet in honor of the five Dallas Police Department officers killed in the line of duty that year.

2016: The NFL prevented and threatened to fine players, like Avery Williamson, who wanted to wear cleats to commemorate the 15th anniversary of 9/11. Williamson is black.

So, Eric Reid, just who is oppressive and for what reasons?

I wrap with this quite telling quote from Colin Kaepernick, the instigator of the whole “sitting down” and “taking a knee” thingie. He’ll stand if he gets an NFL job.

Looks like Kaepernick doesn’t truly mind performing a bit of corporate fellatio when he benefits. Eh wot? Now that it got out, he’s walking it back of course. Too late, my callow friend.

Knowing that, I wonder how the rest of you football wonks feel about having been abandoned by your stone idol?

BZ

 

Super Bowl 50 FINAL: Broncos 24, Panthers 10

Super Bowl 50 Angles FlyoverWhy Super Bowl 50 instead of Super Bowl L?  Because most persons have no idea that L is the designator of the number 50 — in Roman numerals.

As Peyton Manning said before the game, “I’m still a member of the band.  I’m not the lead singer all the time, but I can still sing a few solos.”

Held this year at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, a town on the very southern tip of the San Francisco Bay and not far from the amusement park Great America, the score at the half is Broncos 13, Panthers 7.

And no, it hasn’t been the wipeout by Carolina that everyone surmised.  In fact, it’s been rather a challenging afternoon for Panthers QB Cam Newton, sacked and tired as he’s been and is.

SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers fumbles the ball in the first quarter of Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. The ball was recovered by Malik Jackson #97 of the Denver Broncos in the end zone for a touchdown. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

SANTA CLARA, CA – FEBRUARY 07: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers fumbles the ball in the first quarter of Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. The ball was recovered by Malik Jackson #97 of the Denver Broncos in the end zone for a touchdown. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Second Half:

Uh oh.  Panthers kicker missed a field goal.  Inauspicious way to begin the second half.  Cam Newton continues to be sacked by the Broncs.

You have any favorite commercials?  So far, mine is the one involving the Honda Ridgeline singing sheep.  Or “punch it Richard.  Come on, punch it.”

In case you’re curious, BZ is rooting for the Broncos.  I’d like to see 39-year-old Peyton Manning make his last game a great game.

It was the late 4th quarter touchdown by 5’8″ Broncos running back C.J. Anderson that put the game in the bag for the Broncos.  Then the Broncos held the Panthers at about the goal line.

That’s it.  The party was over.  Broncos 24 and Panthers.10.  Gary Kubiak is the first-ever NFL coach to win a Super Bowl having played for the same team.

And Peyton Manning?  Let’s not forget that he was a league record holder as a five-time NFL MVP, a two-time Super Bowl winner with the Indianapolis Colts and now the Denver Broncos, drafted by the Colts in 1998, named to 14 Pro Bowls.

Because of a neck injury he was released by the Colts in 2012.  Some people thought his career was over, but Manning proved them wrong, signing with the Broncos just five days after his release.

During a 2009 Monday Night Football game, Manning received the nickname “The Sheriff” from color commentator Jon Gruden due to his tendency to make audibles prior to the snap.

Peyton Manning is, along with my great Packer QB Brett Favre, one of only two starting quarterbacks in NFL history who have beaten all 32 teams.  He also beat Favre’s then-standing record of 509 career touchdown passes.  Peyton Manning has 200 total wins under his belt in the regular and post-seasons, the most of any player.

This season had its ups and downs for Manning.  Osweiler started, then Peyton came back from his foot injury as a backup to Osweiler, then re-entered the prime QB slot.

Finally: goodbye to Peyton Manning, and “Omaha.”

Peyton Manning Says Good ByeAt 39 you’ve had a spectacular career and you’ve been one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks.  I must admit that I am SO happy for Peyton Manning.  What a GREAT way to end a career for a football player. It simply could not get better than that, the proverbial “fairy tale” ending.  Peyton Manning was the classiest of acts.

I shall miss you sir.

Us old dudes have to represent.

BZ

P.S.

Caroline Panthers coach Ron Rivera in the post-game interview proved that, he too, is a class act and a very gracious and professional man.  Two years ago Rivera was fired from the Houston Texans  Now he and his young team made it to the Super Bowl.  Not too damned bad, sir.

 

Broncos and Panthers in Super Bowl 50

Cardinals Lose to Panthers 1-24-16And there you go, the Caroline Panthers beat the Arizona Cardinals 49 to 15, a proverbial “blow out.”  It’ll be the Broncos and Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, February 7th, at 3:30 PM.

Luckily, both these Sunday games went my way, after my Packers were eliminated by the Cardinals in the playoffs.

I was rooting for the Broncos, and rooting for the Panthers.  Why?

I’d like to see Peyton Manning win another Super Bowl ring, as it’ll likely be his last.

And the Panthers?  They haven’t been anywhere.

Who would I root for?

Not quite sure yet.

At least the Seahawks, Cardinals or Patriots aren’t going to the Super Bowl.

Schadenfreude.

BZ

 

AFC Final: Broncos 20, Patriots 18!

PATRIOTS LOSEI’ve had enough of the Patriots and, like a bad country song, their cheating ways.

The Broncos are going to Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, February 7th, at 3:30 PM.  They’ll be playing, at this point, either the Arizona Cardinals or the Carolina Panthers.

I, ladies and gentlemen, am rooting vigorously for the Panthers.

Good for the Broncos!

BZ

BRONCOS Own the Patriots

My Packers beat Cowboys, face the Seahawks next week for the NFC title

Packers vs Cowboys 1967When everything was said and done, it was the Green Bay Packers 26 and the Dallas Cowboys 21, at home in Lambeau field in Green Bay, WIsconsin, home of the only publicly-owned non-profit team in the NFL.

Now, on to the NFC Conference title game next Sunday against the Seahawks, in Seattle.

Additionally, the Colts will play the Patriots in New England next Sunday, for the AFC title.

BZ