Bigotry Killed the Football Star (The NFL is Running Out of Chances)

by with No Comment FeaturedSports

In a previous article, I wrote about how successful the National Football League continues to be despite the past several seasons. The National Football League has experienced its fair share of controversial incidents. 

And trust the NFL will be fine, but… being as popular and as important as it is in 2019, will come to an end. 

Gonna use the classic one-hit-wonder song, Video Killed the Radio Star (1979) by the English new wave band The Buggles, to illustrate my point. 

This song has historical significance because it was the first music video aired on MTV, forever changing the landscape of music.

From that point, music was no longer just about making an album, getting radio play, and then going on tour. 

Music videos allowed pre-MTV artists to present themselves to a younger population, and for those apart of the “MTV” revolution, it allowed them to not only build a fanbase through their music, but videos as well (such as MJ’s Thriller). 

Radio, of course, continued, but DJ’s controlling what you heard was now over. That power and control had forever shifted to multiple players.

The NFL seems to be the radio of late whereas the National Basketball Association is MTV, Spotify, SoundCloud, basically anything but the boring radio. 

NBA owners and commissioner Adam Silver seem to have the formula for a winning culture, which includes both the players and fan base alike. A formula or culture the NFL simply doesn’t have.

Like radio stations and their bosses caring less about anything not directly linked to increasing their profits, the NFL wants no parts of. 

MTV caved to pressuring from noble English artists like David Bowie to play videos by Black artists like Michael Jackson. Think about that… in 1981, MTV didn’t want to play MJ. Yes, that Michael Jackson… and before you could blink, they came out with Yo! MTV Raps a few years later.

The NBA got rid of racist LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling. The NBA listened to players about playing back-to-back games, and now the NBA is listening to fans to curb players sitting games. 

The NFL on the other hand, we still don’t know what a catch is! And the newly implemented rules to protect the quarterback seem to be the latest change, which isn’t sitting well with their players or fans. 

Disclaimer – I’ve never played organized football. I fully support the NFL’s effort to curb concussions, head injuries, and increase the overall safety in football. However, new rules seem to protect one position the most… the quarterback. 

Why? 

It’s two-fold… the QB is the single most important player in any team sport, BUT (and you know it’s coming)… many believe that because the position of QB is still resoundingly White, more protection must be made to avoid injuries and further their careers. 

This new rule began in 2018. (Rule 12, Section 2, Article 9(b)) calls for a “roughing the passer” penalty when a defensive player lands on a passer “with all or most of the defender’s weight.” In other words, falling on a quarterback is illegal, even when it’s the result of an otherwise legal hit.

Defensive players and surprisingly even former quarterbacks like Steve Young question these new “can’t touch the quarterback” rules.

These rules have changed the course of NFL history, literally. Case and point… last years AFC title game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots, New England QB Tom Brady was gifted a roughing the passer call, which of course led to a touchdown and ultimately a win in overtime. 

Then there’s the incident between Cleveland Browns Lineman Myles Garrett and Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Mason Rudolph. The helmet swung that has been seen around the world. 

The optics – A big muscle-bound Black man swinging his helmet against a clean-cut White man. 

The facts – both Garrett AND Rudolph contributed to the brawl. Yes, Garrett deserves a heavier punishment for swinging his helmet, but that’s about it. 

The outcome – Out of all players involved only the Black players received suspensions. Rudolph, the White quarterback only received a fine. 

The NFL should be careful… I can see and hear that Buggles music video playing now. 

Similar Read: Corporate Social Justice, By Jay-Z 

Rudolph Kicks, Garrett Swings, But Only One Suspended… Why?

by with No Comment FeaturedSports

Last week an ugly altercation played out at the end of the Cleveland Pittsburgh game. Most people woke up to clips of Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett swinging his helmet and striking Pittsburgh Steelers QB Mason Rudolph in the head, but very few, including the media, took time to watch the entire play.

Instead, the media, pundits, and millions of fans jumped to conclusions suggesting that Garrett should be suspended for the rest of the season if not longer. Some suggested he should be banned from the NFL, and former player and MNF anchor Booger McFarland even suggested that he should charged with assault. It’s even rumored that the Cleveland Police entered the locker room after the game.

But when you look at the entire play, Mason Rudolph kicks Myles Garrett in the private area, he is clearly seen trying to yank his helmet off, and he’s going after Garrett despite his teammate separating them from their initial tussle on the ground. All this happened BEFORE Myles swung his helmet. That’s the definition of provoking someone. Did Myles overreact, absolutely. Should he be penalized, fined, suspended, absolutely. I think he would be the first person to admit that, but to suggest that he wasn’t provoked or triggered to react at all is reckless. It’s bad journalism in the least, and racist at the very worst.  

Within hours, the NFL indefinitely suspended Myles Garrett (for at least the rest of the season – 6 games), Pittsburgh’s Maurice Pouncey who threw several punches and kicks at Garrett was suspended for 3 games, and Larry Ogunjobi who shoved Rudolph to the ground was suspended for 1 game.

But what about Mason Rudolph, who’s now been seen in multiple still shots kicking, attempting to yank Garrett helmet off, and even reaching to grab Garrett’s private parts, what punishment will he face for his part in all this? As of now, nothing. The man who literally started all this… gets nothing? Is that fair?

To make things worse, Myles Garrett and the other two players who were suspended are Black, and Rudolph is White.

Why were the they suspended, and not him? Race is inevitable in sports but did that play a role in the decision? Despite Rudolph’s actions, does he not deserve any punishment, a suspension, fine, etc? Whether the punishments or lack there of are warranted, it looks bad. No pun intended, but the NFL continues to drop the ball… and this is just another example.

Dems Can Learn From the Patriots… “On to Milwaukee”

by with No Comment FeaturedPoliticsSports

I’m sure you’re familiar with the phrase “We’re on to Cincinnati.” This was the famous line used by New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick during a Monday Night Football postgame conference. He used the phrase after the New England Patriots were blown out by the Kansas City Chiefs (not those Chiefs with Patrick Mahomes) 41-14, and fell to 2-2 in the early 2014 season.

The reason behind the phrase, and Bill Belichick’s entire coaching style for that matter, was that the loss was not due to the Chiefs, but due to the Patriots. “On to Cincinnati” was his way of saying… look we got blown out, we’ll adjust, it’s on to the next game to do what we do best… win.

The Patriots would hold true to that and beat the tiger stripes off the Cincinnati Bengals… 43-17. And oh, that Bengals team went to the playoffs the year prior and the same 2014 season the Patriots beat them. 

You see, the secret sauce to the Patriots success is their relentless discipline to only focus on one opponent at one time. And each opponent is analyzed with the same mindset that they can beat the Patriots. In other words, the Patriots focus on their own strengths against the weakness of their opponents… in order to beat them. 

2020 Presidential Election… 

At the time of this writing (October 2019), there are more legit Democratic candidates than teams in the NCAA tournament! And though there are many candidates… they all have the same mindset…

DEFEAT TRUMP! 

The same mindset… from the useless impeachment orchestrated by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to each and every Democratic candidate during debates using Trump as their rally call to gain an edge against their opponents. 

We know Trump is terrible, so what… his base is MORE entrenched now than they were in 2016. Which means that if a lackluster candidate wins the nomination for the Democratic Party… you’re looking at a close night come Tuesday, November 3rd 2020. 

So what’s the answer? Go to Milwaukee and double down on bold clear agendas on why a Democratic president is needed moving forward. No matter who it is, the policies are what matter. That’s the Patriots way. That’s why they went 3-1 without Tom Brady and 11-5 overall him during their 2016 Super Bowl Season. Because for the Patriots… opponents don’t matter… THEY DO. 

So go to Milwaukee Dems. Make bold declarations that the Democrats along with its newly elected president will be bold on the environment, be bold on fixing immigration, full legalization of marijuana, universal healthcare, and so on.  

Make the race about principles over (Trump) the person, because the current way isn’t working. Dems need to go to Milwaukee and plan to win in November 2020. The Patriots are great because they focus on one team and one game at a time. Despite starting the 2014 season 2-2, the “on to Cincinnati” Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl. And Dems can do the same. 

Similar Read: The Language of the Soul: The Power of Sports

All Eyes on AB

by with One Comment FeaturedSports

The AB Raiders saga is over. AB arrived in Oakland with a contract guaranteeing him $30 million, and he’s leaving with $0, not even his “signing bonus.” 

You might ask how does this happen, it’s worth another article, but this is reason #1,249 why the NFLPA is the worst union in all of professional sports… (a lack of actual guaranteed monies and contractual language that highly favors the team)

A short AB in Oakland timeline might be helpful…

In July, he was placed on the non-football injury list for a foot injury.

In August, he missed several practices in training camp due to his helmet grievances.

On Wednesday, September 4th, he was fined for missing practices and had a heated confrontation with General Manager Mike Mayock where he allegedly called him a “cracker.” (Ummm, yeah)

Cue Adam Schefter…

AB let sources know that he refused to play in Oakland since his once guaranteed money was no longer guaranteed, and asked for a release the next day…. via Instagram, of course. He also secretly recorded a conversation he had with Head Coach John Gruden, and then released a mini video with audio clips of the coach essentially trying to have a heart-to-heart talk with him where he basically asked him to stop doing this, whatever this is.

So upon his request the Raiders released him, and within hours the New England Patriots signed him to a 1-year deal worth $15 million with $9 million guaranteed. Yeah… despite his tumultuous exit from Pittsburgh, his short and rocky time in Oakland, he’s now a New England Patriot, who were already picked to return to the Super Bowl. With the addition of AB, it’s hard to think they won’t return with all the talent Brady now has on the outside.

Is that fair? Probably not. But what does that say about AB and the NFL?

AB has a lot of issues, clearly… whether he’s selfish, conceited, the money has gone to his head, mental health issues, or maybe he just doesn’t want to play football anymore and loves the attention, who knows, but something is going on. Whatever it is, we know the NFL is still willing to deal with it because at any moment this 5’9-185 lbs wide receiver can change the game in the blink of an eye. Based on his numbers alone, you can make the argument that he’s arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL. And maybe that’s why the NFL is the only employer in the world, with the exception of other professional sports leagues, who will put up with such behavior and conduct detrimental to their organization and reputation, just because he gives them a greater chance to win, and win it all.

Mike Tomlin, the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was trending on Twitter over the weekend… people were praising him for essentially controlling AB for all those years and somehow managing a locker room of 53 guys and still finding a way to contend for a championship every year. If that’s true, including many of AB’s former teammate Ryan Clark’s recent comments in which he’s criticized AB’s selfish behavior, then Tomlin probably does deserve some slack and an award or two for holding it together for as long as he did.

Will his antics stop in New England? Probably long enough for him to collect a few big checks. If that’s before or after they hoist the Lombardi trophy for winning Super Bowl LIV (54) in Miami Gardens on February 2, 2020… only AB knows.

Similar Read: Segregated Rosters 

Corporate Social Justice, by Jay-Z

by with No Comment CultureFeatured

We look up to our heroes… our athletes, entertainers, those who make it out. Society has deemed us only worthy of certain achievements, so when one of us reaches a certain level… it’s hard to admit, personally or publicly, when that person has messed up, or even worse, compromised their values for personal gain.

Obama was the first Black president. And because he was the first, he can do no wrong. I’m sure you’ve heard this argument before… from the loyal Obama supporter who’s willing do dismiss all reasonable logic when it comes to his presidency… just because he was the first.

Jay-Z is viewed by many in a similar light. He’s a billionaire. The first hip-hop artist to ever reach that status. He set the Blueprint, literally, for millions of innercity youth throughout the country. He’s loved and respected for it, and like Obama, for many, he can do no wrong.

But so exists the Obama supporter and the Jay-Z fan who can also call BS when they see it. If you’re a true fan, you’ve earned the right to criticize your heroes when they do unheroic shit. 

So when Jay-Z announced a Roc Nation partnership with the NFL to co-produce their halftime shows moving forward with a social justice campaign caveat attached to it, many people applauded the move, but just as many scratched their head and asked why. It’s a legitimate question, and I think the answer rests with his new corporate partner, the National Football League.

Let’s be honest, the NFL has blackballed Colin Kaepernick. It’s no longer about kneeling, because it if was Eric Reid and Kenny Stills who continue to kneel, wouldn’t have a job. This is about principal, and the NFL owners have decided to not sign him and hold firm to that position. While Kaepernick is not without fault, mainly for choosing to settle his collusion case and for signing a lucrative endorsement deal with Nike, you can make the argument that he did what he was sent to do, which was create a movement worthy of discussion and dialogue.

MLK and Malcolm were assassinated for their convictions. Someone inevitably had to pick up the torch to continue their movements. While Kaep is not a traditional Civil Rights leader, nor do I believe he’s striving to be, he’s still alive and well… it’s hard to justify the advancement of his movement without him being a part of it, especially when you’re set up to get a fat check in the process. For many, that’s common sense, and for others, they’re convinced that Jay-Z has a plan and we should give it time to develop. But you see, that’s not how social justice works.

If we appreciate anything about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and true social justice, it should be The Letter from Birmingham Jail he wrote in 1963 in response to eight white religious leaders of the South who questioned his visit to Birmingham, Alabama. If we just trust King’s intuition and grace in a moment of great contention and perceived controversy in America, we quickly realize that the “wait and see” strategy has never worked for oppressed communities.

“For years now I have heard the word “wait.” It rings in the ear of every Negro with a piercing familiarity. This “wait” has almost always meant “never.” We must come to see with the distinguished jurist of yesterday that “justice too long delayed is justice denied.”” – MLK 

So again, why should we wait, continue to wait, and trust that Jay-Z’s social justice campaign will deliver… with not even a blueprint or list of action steps? We shouldn’t.

The NFL wins big with this partnership. They get one of the best entertainers in the world to manage their Super Bowl halftime shows (which frankly have been hit or miss.) And more importantly, this entertainer happens to be Black and perceived to have a lot of leverage within the Black community. What better way to win back the good graces of many of their Black fans than partnering with one of their biggest heroes.

To make things even worse, we find out that Jay has been working on this deal for a year. If this social justice campaign was intended to be impactful, why wouldn’t they at least highlight the objectives of the campaign when they announced the partnership? Are communities of color expected to wait and see what the campaign entails?

Jay chose income over community, personal gain over values, and he’s paying the price for it. A week later and we’re still waiting on any details regarding this social just campaign. We can’t afford to wait… on the NFL, or Jay-Z.

Can’t Get On My Level

by with No Comment Sports

My business mentor once said, “leverage is the most important thing anyone can have.” He would go onto to explain that leverage, or influence, is the only element that makes things happen. 

He wasn’t lying. Think about it… 

Leverage or influence is power over another, and this isn’t necessarily right or wrong; but it’s simply needed to make things happen. 

There was no better display of leverage than this past weekend when NBA free agent Kawhi Leonard, and reigning NBA Finals MVP, after much-anticipated wait and speculation, informed the Los Angeles Clippers that he would be there uniform for the next 4 seasons… but… not before bringing along five-time All-NBA team power forward Paul George. 

PG13, Playoff P, or just Paul George, prior to Kahwi’s demands was still a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the midst of a recently signed four-year 137 million dollar contract. 

So how on Earth did this happen then? 

Leverage. 

Something not even a top NFL QB like Tom Brady or Russell Wilson could demand. A demand that requires leverage, and frankly only possible in the NBA. Kawhi, a free agent who had NEVER been on a particular team and still NOT signed to said team, tells the team he will sign, but only if his boy comes along???? Yeah, that’s exactly what Kawhi did… and it worked. 

Brady or Wilson making that demand and seeing it come to fruition… not happening. 

And, that’s why NBA players, particularly top-end players like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Kawhi Leonard, are the face of their league and the reason why the NBA brand continues to grow… because their players have leverage. The owners must split 50% of profits with their players, making NBA players and owners true partners, unlike the other major sports which have no such arrangement. 

Kawhi knew he had both the star power and leverage needed to make his demands, and more importantly, make sure his demands were met. 

You have to tip your hat to Kawhi and take note. When you have leverage, make sure you take advantage.  

(Colin Kaepernick) What’s Next?

by with No Comment CultureFeaturedSports

One of the last songs Tupac Shakur recorded is a little known track entitled What’s Next, in which he questions things in his past and how they’ve impacted others. To no particular entity or without any particular purpose, Pac repeatedly asks, “What’s Next?” In summary, Pac questions the purpose of his past and what is to come in the future.

It’s been exactly two months since Colin Kaepernick settled his collision lawsuit against the National Football League. Prior to the settlement, since the Fall of 2016, Colin Kaepernick and his silent protest of kneeling during the national anthem was a constant topic amongst both sports and general news outlets. Despite not being in the league for the past two seasons, both kneeling during the anthem by other players and the conversation around the awareness of the protest remained strong up until the settlement.

Then… nothing.

We haven’t heard from Colin Kaepernick. We also haven’t heard from Eric Reid, his most vocal and visible NFL player supporter. We haven’t heard anything on news outlets. And this upcoming season, I can bet dollars to doughnuts no one will kneel during the anthem. 

So what’s next?

Like Tupac questioned the purpose of his past and what was to come in the future, we, the supporters of the anthem protest wonder what’s next with player activism. A tactic that, despite backlash, has been a successful tool in beginning the conversations and actions needed to address gross the injustices taking place in this nation.

I’m sure NBA players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, and countless others will continue to speak on social issues. But what about the NFL? 

The main goal of the kneeling protest was to bring awareness to the injustices within law enforcement and the criminal justice system as a whole against Black people in America.

Mission accomplished.

The protest might have only entrenched the main sides of this issue (pro-police vs Black Lives Matter); however; many in the middle listened and some like Patriots owner Robert Kraft even made steps towards supporting criminal justice reform.

There probably won’t be any more anthem protests, but there’s still a lot of room for the NFL to make an impact and create social change. We, the supporters, just need to know what’s next. 

Segregated Rosters

by with 4 Comments FeaturedSports

This current NFL offseason has been arguably the most eventful in NFL history. The antics of Antonio “big chest” Brown have been the most entertaining. Brown, arguably the best all-around wide receiver in the NFL, showcased his desire to leave the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rarely seen in the NFL are players who publicly demand transactions on their behalf. Unlike in the NBA or Major League Baseball even, players in the NFL have found out all too well that the NFL is NOT a players league and only the very elite players have any leverage.

Some have tried to increase that leverage at their own personal expense.

Look no further than Antonio Brown’s former teammate, Le’Veon Bell. Bell, who sacrificed an entire season of play and salary, did so in an attempt to get running backs, in particular, bigger salaries and more guaranteed money.

His new contract with the Jets doesn’t really reflect any true success on that venture; however; the new collective bargaining between the NFL players association and the 32 owners is near, and I hope his sacrifice doesn’t go in total vain.

That was a good part of the offseason. The bad part is two-fold…

The past few days the NFL has been filled with player transactions. Either via trade or free agent signings, teams have been seen as either wanting to win or not knowing what they’re doing (cough the New York Giants).

It has to be mentioned this offseason saw the firing of five Black head coaches. All were replaced by a White head coach, shocker, except for Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins.

In conjunction with the firing of Black coaches has been a frenzy of free agent signings and trades.

Specifically, take a look at the Jets and Browns who both have made major moves this off-season. Each netting a top player at key positions. It’s important to note: those same moves and transactions were not made when they had Black head coaches. In other words, Black head coaches were given terrible rosters, yet expected to win. However, their White coaching replacements have been given day one rosters with Pro Bowl talent, which puts them in a much better position to win and be successful immediately. 

Sounds like segregated payrolls to me and possibly a more sinister motive in the making.

The NY Jets General Manager of the past four years, Mike Maccagnan, kept his job. Despite voiding the Jets roster of a true pass rusher, running back, wide receiver, and of course a quarterback. 

The Browns started to give Hue Jackson players this past season, and success soon followed while under his watch. However, nothing compared in what the Browns have recently done this offseason, including getting Odell Beckham Jr.

So what gives?

Why are Black coaches given little to no effort under their respective watch with proper rosters, yet as soon as they’re fired, the front office magically begins constructing a team capable of something.

I’m just waiting for the Dolphins to be as advertised, terrible, and fire Brian Flores sometime January 2020. And then sign Patrick Maholmes, Zeke Elliot, and Julio Jones March 2020, of course beforehand hire some random young White college coach who had coffee with Sean McVay and liked a picture of Baker Mayfield on Instagram. Because you know, that’s the growing credentials these days for NFL head coaches. ? 

Similar Read: What the Giants Trade Says About the Black Athlete

What the Giants Trade Says About the Black Athlete

by with 4 Comments FeaturedSports

In a blockbuster deal, the New York Giants traded star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr (OBJ) to the Cleveland Browns for 1st and 3rd round picks, and starting Safety Jabrill Peppers. Analysts argue whether or not OBJ was as explosive this season as he was prior to the injury. Nonetheless, the fact still remains, despite Saquon Barkley in the backfield, OBJ still demanded the attention of every Defensive Coordinator and their top Cornerback. Not to mention, just last year the Giants resigned him to a 5-year $90 million contract with $65 million guaranteed. And let’s just say their starting quarterback, Eli Manning, is on the decline… not necessarily playing at 2007 or 2011 peak playoff levels, which is somewhat expected… he just finished his 15th season with a depleted offensive line. In fact, most mock drafts have them drafting a quarterback in the first round.

So why trade arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, when you just drafted a great every-down running back in Saquon Barkley, and your 15-year quarterback is playing like he should’ve stopped playing at year 13? 

Make it make sense. You can’t, because it doesn’t.

You decide to ship OBJ out of town… your dancing-loud-playmaker, yet arguably the best wide receiver in the league. And you decide to keep your over-the-hill quiet quarterback who, let’s face it, isn’t going to win you any games in his 16th season, and now he just lost his best weapon on the outside? You’d think this was the Cleveland Browns or the Detroit Lions making such personnel decisions, and not a storied franchise like the New York Giants. 

Sure, you can make the argument that the Giants need to free up cap space to fill holes on the defense and other key positions… aka rebuild. But there’s not enough rebuilding in the world worth trading the best wide receiver in the league.

We’ve seen the NFL jeopardize winning over and over in order to make a point. The entire NFL did it with Colin Kaepernick. The Steelers did it with Le’Veon Bell, despite him statistically being the best running back over the past few seasons. You can make the argument that James Connor had a great season as his starting replacement, but ultimately they didn’t make the playoffs, and it’s hard to imagine them missing the playoffs with Bell on the field. And OBJ, vocal during the season about Eli’s play and not getting the ball, and other comments throughout his career as a Giant, sent him packing. Black athletes make plays, but whenever they question the front office and make legitimate demands regarding social justice (Kap), their salary (Bell), or who’s throwing them the ball (OBJ), both good and bad teams, are willing to lose in order to make a point. The Giants are willing to change their entire roster, literally, and likely have several losing seasons in a row to prove a point.

So we look ahead, and from a distance, the pastures appear to be pretty green for OBJ as a Cleveland Brown. He reunites with one of his best friends and former LSU teammate Jarvis Landry. He also reconnects with his former LSU and Giants wide receiver coach Adam Henry. If Baker Mayfield can continue to progress with now the best 1-2 punch on the outside in OBJ and Landry, not forgetting the Kareem Hunt pick up, it’ll be hard for Cleveland not to win the division and be a force in the playoffs.

Similar Read: Candy Corn Sports… What Happened to Baseball?

A Bowl of Soup, Super Bowl Politics

by with No Comment FeaturedSports

You ever have a good bowl of soup? I mean a really good bowl of soup. Either jumbo, crab soup or Étouffée… well, I don’t think Étouffée is soup but it’s served in a bowl with soup like features… all of which leave mouth watering feels if you don’t eat it that often. That’s because soup is generally blah served via a can and you’re only eating it cause you’re a little under the weather or cold. So when you do get a good bowl of soup, my God, it’s amazing. More amazing than a traditional dish of food sometimes. 

I for one gladly break my plant-based diet during my annual trip to New Orleans to satisfy my desire for some shrimp Étouffée or jumbo. Delicious!

I thought about a bowl of soup while thinking of a Super Bowl recap. Whether you’re a casual football fan or a die-hard fan like myself, it’s hard not to say this Super Bowl lived up to the hype. It was a bowl of disappointment, reminding me of regular soup. The soup we all order at a restaurant that isn’t terrible, but not memorable.

Each football season we look forward to the Super Bowl. It’s an unofficial holiday, and despite never knowing exactly who will be playing, it’s mega get together akin to Thanksgiving and Christmas. We love the Super Bowl, even if our respective clubs aren’t playing.

Last Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots was exactly that – a bowl of soup on the menu that looked promising, but ended up not being eaten and made you have that awkward talk with the waiter to “try something else” instead.

Outside of Patriots fans, no one had an interest in seeing the Patriots appear in their third straight Super Bowl and their fourth in the last five years. Most knew if the Patriots got in, especially against the Rams, they were going to win. No matter what transpired in the actual game, a super dud in many opinions, the outcome was going to be Tom Brady hosting up the Lombardi trophy. 

The backdrop of the Super Bowl didn’t help the lack of interest either. The conference title games between the Patriots and Chiefs and the Saints and Rams both ended in major controversy. Between a bogus roughing the passer call on Tom Brady, not shocking, to the missed pass interference call against the Rams, many fans felt as if the Patriots and Rams didn’t even belong in the Super Bowl, let alone excited to watch them play. 

To make the situation worse, the game was terrible. Terrible in every sense of the word. It didn’t deliver the same excitement we saw in earlier season games, and it was definitely underwhelming in comparison to last years Super Bowl with the Eagles and Patriots.

The Super Bowl was supposed to be some world famous Wolfgang Puck tortilla soup, but instead, it tasted more like hard strips of stale chips in broth. Yuckers! 

Next year’s presidential election will likely be similar to the stale chips. It’ll pit Trump against a Democrat primary sure to be full of drama and intrigue. While we’re all excited to see the complete list of candidates, we know the eventual primary winner is sure to be common and uninspiring. Obama ’08 was an anomaly, not the norm. 

Every now and then we get a Patriots comeback against the Atlanta Falcons (SB LI – 2017), or the Seattle Seahawks (SB XLIX – 2015) Russell Wilson throwing an interception on the goal line when everyone in the stadium just knew they’d score and take the lead with seconds remaining. Those Super Bowls were anything but common, just like Obama ’08. But, for the most part, Super Bowls have either been blowouts or okay at best. Or should I say, just a regular bowl of soup… and 2020 will be no different.