One way to look at the Internet is to see it as an
endless series of binary polls. You have to pick a side. Maybe that’s just a
reflection of the current culture where everything is red or blue. You can’t be
a conservative Democrat or a liberal Republican any more. Sophistication is
cowardice. You are with us or you’re against us. As Bob Dylan once said, it may
be the devil or it may be the Lord but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.
I’m looking at you, Tony Dungy. Do you really know
what team you’re on?
In a piece
published in the Tampa Bay Tribune, Tony Dungy was quoted as saying the
following…
“I wouldn’t have taken him. Not because I don’t
believe Michael Sam should have a chance to play, but I wouldn’t want to deal
with all of it. It’s not going to be totally smooth… things will happen.”
Sport blogs that have linked to the Tribute piece
(The
Big Lead, Bleacher
Report) have also mentioned Dungy’s previous statements supporting Sam’s
right to play in the NFL. Quoting Dungy again…
“The NFL has always been based on merit and I
think that will continue to be the case whether it’s Michael Sam and the issue
of homosexuality or anything else. Guys who produce and play well will be welcome
in the league.”
That sounds great until you remember that those
guys need a chance to prove they can play, a chance that Tony Dungy would not
give Michael Sam.
Convicted felons? Sure, as long as they can produce
and play well. Dungy famously stood up for Michael Vick when he was released
from prison. Granted, Michael Vick didn’t kill any people and the NFL has found
roster spots for a number of guys who produce and play well despite the
manslaughter convictions on their curriculum vitae. Apparently, Dungy thought
things would go totally smooth with Vick’s return to the NFL. If he hadn’t, he
wouldn’t have wanted to deal with all of it. You know, those “things” that “happen.”
Sanctimony
is the worst form of hypocrisy.
Reasonableness
is often the subtlest form of bigotry.
Once upon a time, Tony Dungy would not have been
able to play professional sports simply because of who he is. Not that long
ago, he wouldn’t have been hired as a head coach in the NFL. For no other
reason than because of who he is. If anyone should be willing to give Michael
Sam a chance you might think it would be someone like Tony Dungy.
You might, but you’d be wrong.
Sadly, there isn’t a single decent clip of “Serve
Somebody” on YouTube. Maybe it’s just as well. Maybe it wasn’t really as ironic
as I thought it was.
Maybe this is…
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