January 21, 2007

Congratulations to Coach Smith and his Chicago Bears Squad. One of the class acts in the NFL Coaching Ranks and last years "Coach of The Year" sure proved to all the pundits Nationwide that his trust in Rex Grossman and the Dynamic Defense that "Bears" his stamp (Pun Intended) are more than worthy of a Birth in this years Superbowl. I'm extremely proud of your accomplishment Coach Smith!

posted by skydivedad at 06:30 PM on January 21, 2007

You must have misunderstood my comment, certainly the SuperBowl Birth is much more important than his trust in Rex but Lovie stood by his choice at QB despite incredible pressure to do otherwise. The running game was great today and your spot-on, the Defense dominate the squad from New Orleans.

posted by skydivedad at 06:40 PM on January 21, 2007

Sorry skydivedad, probably did misread it. Still, not that it matters because they won, but Grossman had little to do with the win. I think Orton or Griese could have done the same (my family are Bears fans and even they don't think Grossman will win a game for them, but lose a game.)

posted by forrestv at 07:27 PM on January 21, 2007

Lovie Smith!The first black head coach to make it to the title game. Well, NFL title game at least. Pinball Clemons won the Grey Cup (CFL) back in 2004, and Darren Arbet won ArenaBowl XVI in 2002. Nevertheless, I'm glad someone finally popped that balloon and took a bullet point out of the "Blacks Can't Succeed" speech that racists like to use every so often.

posted by grum@work at 07:32 PM on January 21, 2007

whoops! sickleguy 21-21! go colts! even though my 49ers are long out of it:P

posted by bavarianmotorworker at 08:00 PM on January 21, 2007

In a perfect world, the "First African American head coach . . . " would not be an issue. Lovie and his staff did a great job and are one game short of reaching their goal. Success should be success, regardless of race. I think people understand that. But the fact is the people who play the "race card" in sports and in all facets, are the media. Stop saying he is "special" because he is the "first AA to take his team to the Super Bowl" Racism has not been eliminated in this world or even in this country. But Lovie never faced the fight for equality that Jackie Robinson or even Willie Mays faced. He lives a very comfortable life and stays in the same hotels, eats in the same restaurants as his white players. He is a good head coach, and now a championship coach. The only time I consider him a good "African American coach" is when it is shoved down my throat by the media. Their point is to try to hammer home "how far we have come." If we really truly embraced and believed there was equality, we wouldn't have to use the adjectives. All in all a great win by the Bears and Coach Smith. Good luck in the Super Bowl I will be cheering you on from Ron (Puerto Rican) Rivera to Lovie (African American) Smith to Hunter (Caucasian) Hillenmeyer. But I will be cheering you on as simply "THE BEARSSSSS"

posted by Tokens0605 at 08:13 PM on January 21, 2007

One other thing . . . Will there be an uproar from the words "First BLACK head coach . . . " Instead of "First AFRICAN AMERICAN coach . . . "? That line written by the media, alone. shows where the race card is being played.

posted by Tokens0605 at 08:20 PM on January 21, 2007

All the worries about how genuine the Bears' outstanding season was disappeared thanks to running back Thomas Jones, All-Pro kicker Robbie Gould and a defense that, while not dominant, made enough decisive plays. The article affirms that Rex Grossman wasn't really a deciding factor in that game. Like forrestv said, it might as well have been Orton out there. There have been teams who have won the Super Bowl without much talent at quarterback (Trent Dilfer comes to mind) but I still see Grossman hurting the Bears when it really counts.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 08:35 PM on January 21, 2007

Best wife ever.

posted by Joey Michaels at 09:22 PM on January 21, 2007

Hey you know guys I'm sick of the BS around here. To bad we don't live in a perfect World get over it. It is a big deal to have the first Black or African American as a Head Coach going to the Super Bowl and now with Indy winning we have 2. I think it's fantastic and have no problem saying so or rejoycing in that fact. If you have a problem with me posting this go .... yourself. I'd do it again. If you don't think we have a problem providing deserving Black Coaches opportunities in this country I suggest you take a look at the recent history of the NFL as well as the current state of affairs in Div 1 NCAA College Football. It's a great accomplishment for Coach Smith and Coach Dungy.

posted by skydivedad at 09:29 PM on January 21, 2007

SDD, I agree that it is a great thing. I don't think anyone was attacking you or your opinion.

posted by hawkguy at 09:49 PM on January 21, 2007

People are people and if YOU create differences then YOU are the racist. WAKE UP! On preview, SDD. Maybe I was wrong.

posted by hawkguy at 09:50 PM on January 21, 2007

Well said, rcade.

posted by hawkguy at 09:53 PM on January 21, 2007

My peeps already have Tom Flores, so I guess I can't argue.

posted by forrestv at 10:09 PM on January 21, 2007

Making this a race issue just creates racism. People are people and if YOU create differences then YOU are the racist. WAKE UP! So essentially you're saying we should all be color blind and not recognize and respect people of different cultures and nationalities? We should turn our backs on the fact that minorities are at a disadvantage in this country while assuming they have every right and opportunity as whites? Maybe we should also believe we're a country of equal pay for equal work, that race is irrelevant when it comes to the size of our paycheks. If that's the case, how do you reconcile Lovie Smith being the lowest paid coach in the NFL the year after being named Coach of the Year? I'd have a good look in the mirror before you start slandering the perspectives of others. sdd, I think the other folks were saying that it's a shame that we're still in a world where the first _______ anything is a headline. I don't believe they were criticizing your FPP at all. A point should be made that we're about to witness the first two black head coaches in the Super Bowl, but at the same time it's an embarrassment that it's taken until 2007 for it to happen. Congratulations Bears and Colts. This could be one helluva Super Bowl.

posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 10:16 PM on January 21, 2007

Congratulations to Da Bears as a team and Coach Lovie Smith in particular for bein' one helluva coach and showing support for all of his players. Sounds like the kind of person I'd like to be. I think Grossman played great on the drive.... Holden, I totally agree with you. I think that gave the whole Bears team a confidence boost and got old mo' dead on thier side of the field. Should be a great Super Bowl...Two Great Teams. Two Great Coaches. May the better prepared be the winner!!

posted by brbcca at 10:40 PM on January 21, 2007

Texan, that was very well put. Hellamarine, sometimes non-minorities have trouble looking past the fact that some African Americans may consider this an achievement, and may want to celebrate it as such. Do you know how much media attention black athletes get when they get caught with a nickel bag of weed, or how much media attention they get when they do anything wrong? Quick example; Carmelo Anthony punches a guy, gets a 15 game suspension and blasted on every sports show nation wide for almost a week (The situation also gets 2 threads here at Spofi. Both over 50 posts long). The very next day a White Pro athlete sucker punches someone in the NHL, he gets a 9 game suspension, however, it's discussed once on espn and it gets zero threads here (keep in mind he sucker punched the guy from behind). I'm sure some will offer that it's different, the NBA is more "exposed" and "closer to the fans" and that behavior is more tolerated in the NHL, but that is see through bullshit. I know there are always exceptions (Pete Rose), but my point is, if the crime is the same, Black athletes gets twice the media coverage and 3 times the discussion on message boards such as this one. If Lovie Smith was arrested for J walking with "bling" on, there would be a 60 post thread about it. It makes me sick when people are quick to chime in on negative press threads about minorities (he's dead because he was "riding in the hood with gang colors and bling on), then turn around and don't want race discussed when it's something positive. You're entitled to your opinion, but the fact is, it is an achievement and it should be celebrated. You don't have to like it, you just have to live with it.

posted by Bishop at 12:18 AM on January 22, 2007

Will there be an uproar from the words "First BLACK head coach . . . " Instead of "First AFRICAN AMERICAN coach . . . "? Well, on one hand, "first black" would seem a bit more impressive since it includes the pool of African-Canadians, African-Mexicans, and even unhyphenated Africans. On the other hand, "first African-American" would make it clear that kicker Gary Anderson has not a coached a team into the big game. You know, his being South African and all. The term African-American has valid utility, but in this particular instance I think the use of it by the media would be a bit disingenuous. The designation is being assigned based on the color of Smith's skin, not his nationality or ethnogeographic origin.

posted by BullpenPro at 04:34 AM on January 22, 2007

this really turned out to be some celebration of the Bears' success It wasn't billed as a celebration of the Bears success, TBH. The FPP was billed as a celebration of the first black coach to take his team to the Super Bowl. The merits of that celebration are being challenged, and I think pretty much everyone, including Bishop, is keeping it above board and on topic. As for SDD, I'm not going to attack or defend his homerism, but I will say that it has got to be disappointing when your team gets cast as the villian for no reason other than that the team on the other side is the prohibitive sentimental favorite.

posted by BullpenPro at 05:42 AM on January 22, 2007

Can we talk about the game a bit? First, what is with all this disrespect talk by the Bears? So annoying. Nothing they have done in the last few games would have led anyone but the biggest homer to believe that their defense would dominate this game so thoroughly. They did, and instead of saying, yeah, we pulled it all together and played great, they want to complain because everyone didn't see it coming. Second, what is all this nonsense about Bush pointing while running into the endzone? Talking heads keep making a big deal about this. I definitely don't get it. The Bears defense needed motivation to play hard in the conference championship? Seriously?

posted by bperk at 07:14 AM on January 22, 2007

Second, what is all this nonsense about Bush pointing while running into the endzone? Talking heads keep making a big deal about this. I think it is simply a matter of taste. If you like to see pros taunting and trash talking each other, then you would believe the act to be no big deal. However, if you believe the game should be played with class, then it becomes a big deal. I was at the game yesterday. I was very near to that corner of the field where the finger pointing occurred. Bush' actions seemed to rile up the defense and they played with more intensity after that moment. Thank you Bush. I don't get the point of taunting when you are losing the game. I found that amusing. As to my taste, I think what Bush did was bush league. He did apologize for his actions after the game. Fine by me. Time to move on. More on the game.... The ensuing drive and touchdown immediately following the safety was the final nail in the coffin for the game. It completely gave back all the momentum of the game to the Bears. It was the pin in the Saints Super Bowl Balloon. For anyone to say that Rex Grossman didn't contribute much in the game must not have seen that drive.

posted by danjel at 07:44 AM on January 22, 2007

Well, thanks to SDD's rampant homerism and Bishop's seeing racism behind every post, this really turned out to be some celebration of the Bears' success, didn't it TBH I usually take your pointless jabs in stride, but this time I have to address your accusation. 1. Did you even bother to read the link title or the article. IT'S IN PART ABOUT RACE. 2. If this was Rcade or Gary posting a Dallas story about an asst coach getting food poisoning, you would probably keep your "homerism" comments to yourself. You seem to let fly at anyone that doesn't hold your account standing in their hands. This thread concerns race as well, and couldn't get 5 posts in without racism rearing its head. The one time the actual thread topic is about race, 5 people before me are discussing it and you call me out. Save that shit man. If you don't appreciate what I have to say, move the hell on, or at least add something of substance as hellamarine did with his opinion. Hell, his disagreement is more genuine than yours and he just got here. AGAIN you are guilty of doing what Admin has asked not be done, making a thread about a participant in the thread without adding anything what so ever. You seem to want to point out every example of what you think trolling is, without taking the time to diagnose your own intentions. SDD responded to what he felt like was an attack on his thoughts and opinions, so he had a moment and his feelings got the best of him. However, if his statement was asinine, your entire post was (with the exception of "nice job Bears").

posted by Bishop at 08:00 AM on January 22, 2007

Bush's run was nuts. I go bonkers when I see a runner break free, then try to juke because they always get caught from behind. So as he's making that juke, I'm thinking, "C'mon dude, just run." Then he's back to full speed in one step and is gone. The other thing about that play, was that Urlacher that spotted Bush a 20-yard heaad start but then looked like he was closing? His speed is just amazing for a guy his size.

posted by SummersEve at 08:20 AM on January 22, 2007

Watching Grossman is pretty nerve-wracking. I think he completed 5 out of his first 25 passes, then went 6-for-6 on the drive after the safety that put the Bears in command. Sometimes he looks like he's surprised to be throwing the football, and sometimes he makes beautiful throws downfield that hit the receiver perfectly in stride.. The announcers and refs didn't notice this, but on the Bears TD where the guy made a great diving catch at the two and did a backwards somersault, he scored the TD right away because the ball broke the plane of the goal. They didn't call the TD until he ran into the end zone.

posted by kirkaracha at 09:51 AM on January 22, 2007

The other thing about that play, was that Urlacher that spotted Bush a 20-yard heaad start but then looked like he was closing? His speed is just amazing for a guy his size. A cynic would say it's almost "unnatural".

posted by grum@work at 11:22 AM on January 22, 2007

Yes, good on the Bears - It was a close game that turned into a rout, and they're deserving champions. Now - back to the race thing: I stand by my original statement. It shouldn't be a big deal. At some point, if we're constantly celebrating events that we (society) should expect than we are not repudiating racism but reminding everyone that race is a big deal. Would you not expect a black head coach to get to the Super Bowl? Is racism standing in their way? No. There are enough black coaches in the NFL that it should be expected as an eventuality. I think Tony Dungy becoming the 2nd in less than 8 hours shows this. Making the Super Bowl as a black head coach just isn't a situation where racial injustice was preventing it. Now, being hired as the first black head coach most certainly is. But this isn't the same thing. Additionally, if Lovie Smith making to the Super Bowl is such an accomplishment not as a coach but as a black man, aren't you suggesting that it's because as a black man it's amazing that he made it? Why? He was hired as the coach - he's supposed to make it. Yes, it's a personal professional accomplishment. Yes, it's good for him, the organization, etc. But I can't see why it's anything else. Celebrating it like Jackie Robinson isn't encouraging to me. In fact, it some ways it shows how far we still have to come. Ah, I'm not explaining this well. Fine - go ahead, celebrate it as an American accomplishment. I hope there are more.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:41 AM on January 22, 2007

Watching Grossman is pretty nerve-wracking. I could see where Grossman's play could get a little aggravating for Bears fans, but remember, this was Grossman's first full year as a starter. Why is everyone ragging him so hard? I realize he had some really bad games, but who hasn't? Maybe he had more than his fair share this year, but he also had some really good games as well. Maybe this is due to his lack of playing time more than his talent. Give him 'til next season, and if he's still making those kind of plays after about a 1/2 season, then maybe you should be concerned. However, he apparently didn't play so bad that he kept the Bears out of the Super Bowl. As long as some ignorant ass is willing to say a black man can't do this or a black man can't do that, then it's going to be a headline. Good point, SummersEve. I wish it wasn't true, but it is. I still feel, however, that the more we point out differences, the harder it is to get past them. I hate that we can't all just be considered human beings and leave it at that. A cynic would say it's almost "unnatural". Oh boy, here we go again! Thank you MLB. Congratulations to the Saints and their fans for a helluva season. I hope you have more just like it or better.

posted by hellamarine at 12:32 PM on January 22, 2007

I dont see what the big deal about them being black is. I cant speak for this, but do african-americans feel so opressed that it is a big deal that there are black coaches succeeding? One thing I hate is the fact that people call it stereotyping saying black coaches dont do as well. Figures dont lie and until yesterday, black coaches historically have not done very well.

posted by the don at 12:45 PM on January 22, 2007

Weedy, or any other Canadien SpoFi member, are there African-Canadien labels in Canada? I am just curious, I am not trying to make any statements here. Not really. I don't believe there is a group designation at all. Some are Jamaican-Canadian, some are Haitian-Canadian, or whatever. Most people in Canada who call themselves something else besides just "Canadian" are usually from another country, or their family is. We have a lot of Italian-Canadians, Indo- Canadians and whathaveyou. Maybe some people call themselves African-Canadian but it's not a widely used term that I can recall.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:05 PM on January 22, 2007

Oh, come on, Danjel. I know what "if . . . then" means. If it isn't a big deal, then you cannot believe the game should be played with class. Maybe that isn't what you meant, but I'm certainly not making shit up. I stand by my earlier statement. Maybe your not making shit up but it certainly seems like your trying to stir some shit up. Why? I have no idea, perhaps your just in a bad mood today.

posted by danjel at 01:22 PM on January 22, 2007

I feel pretty confident saying that something besides bad luck has prevented the success of black coaches. No - something besides bad luck has prevented the HIRING of black coaches. The success of black coaches is more a question of numbers, talent and team strength... As well as good coaching.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:30 PM on January 22, 2007

Maybe your not making shit up but it certainly seems like your trying to stir some shit up. Why? I have no idea, perhaps your just in a bad mood today. No, I was just hoping that pointing out your statement would perhaps make you realize that you created a false dichotomy and lead to a discussion. Nevermind.

posted by bperk at 02:02 PM on January 22, 2007

The real question this week is not whether or not Rex Grossman is a bad QB (he is); the real question is whether or not he's the worst Super Bowl starting QB of all time. The most interesting question to me is whether he will ever be a good QB. Based on his relative lack of experience, you could view Grossman as a rookie or a second-year starter. What's the gap between what he is now and what he could be? Who had the most +100 QB rated games this year in the NFL this year? Who had the most sub-40 QB rating games in the NFL this year? Whose seven 100+ QB rating games were all against teams with losing records?

posted by holden at 02:22 PM on January 22, 2007

black, white, who cares? not me....let's just all get along and play ball

posted by bavarianmotorworker at 02:40 PM on January 22, 2007

What if Lovie's ancestors are from the Caribbean? Uhm . . . well, here's the thing. Assuming you don't mean the aboriginal peoples there, I'm guessing they would be of African extraction too.

posted by yerfatma at 04:09 PM on January 22, 2007

Ah, I'm not explaining this well. Fine - go ahead, celebrate it as an American accomplishment. I hope there are more. No, weedy, you're wrong. I think you explained it very well.

posted by Tokens0605 at 04:54 PM on January 22, 2007

Noting the achievement of an underrepresented group doesn't create racism -- it repudiates it. Dungy and Smith are breaking down a stereotype that's still strong enough that the NFL must force owners to interview minority candidates. This point, by rcade above, bears repeating, as it seems to me to get right to the heart of why making the racial distinction is valid. Whether or not we think it's worthwhile or necessary to distinguish achievements based on race, it's not going to change the fact that the NFL has a rule that is separating minorities from the the pack. The success of minority hires, I would think, indicates another baby step toward eliminating the need for this rule. I would hope that this Super Bowl will push the issue forward, forcing owners to explore minority hiring in the best interest of their teams' success rather than forcing them to explore it to accomodate a league requirement. That alone makes the distinction significant -- if you want the public to stop isolating them as "black" coaches, you need to get the league to stop doing it first. Anyone who is celebrating this as a great American accomplishment may be missing the point.

posted by BullpenPro at 05:42 PM on January 22, 2007

Anyone who is celebrating this as a great American accomplishment may be missing the point. That is to say, while this is certainly a very good step in the right direction, it is hardly a destination.

posted by BullpenPro at 05:51 PM on January 22, 2007

Think of the Rooney Rule, the mandate that minorities get an interview for any head coaching position. The fact that this even exists is an example of tokenism. I believe tokenism requires that the owners interview black candidates only to fulfill the requirements, but do not seriously consider the candidates. There has been an increase in the hiring of black coaches since it became a mandate. I don't know if any of the hires are a result of the rule, but the league seems to be heading in the right direction. I just think that if we REALLY want to be considered a nation of equality and forward thinking, dissolve the adjectives and celebrate the accomplishments of the individual regardless of race, creed,. color etc. Sometimes it is harder to do certain things based on your situation in life. It is harder to get into college if your family is poor and no one in your family has ever gone. You flat out have to work harder to get to the same place if you are poor. Why should we pretend like there is a level playing field when there isn't?

posted by bperk at 06:26 PM on January 22, 2007

I got a question for ya - who's the first black baseball coach to go to the World Series? Now, if you don't really know it outright (and my guess is most don't) - then I think that speaks relative volumes about this event.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:28 PM on January 22, 2007

One other thing . . . Will there be an uproar from the words "First BLACK head coach . . . " Instead of "First AFRICAN AMERICAN coach . . . "? That line written by the media, alone. shows where the race card is being played. Yeah, they (the media) seem to make a big deal about it. I suppose if they didn't, they wouldn't have much else to talk about (other than the game). I don't think there should be an uproar. If you heard Lovie Smith after the game, he mentioned himself as the first 'black' coach. Tony Dungy called himself 'African-American'. I think the bottom line is, you have two very good coaches, regardless of skin color, going to their first Super Bowl. Let's leave it at that.

posted by t money at 08:38 PM on January 22, 2007

'Buck O'Neil was the first black coach in major league baseball. I haven't been able to find who was first to go to, or win the World Series yet.

posted by tommybiden at 10:06 PM on January 22, 2007

I cannot really "relate" to the minority populace that does feel a sense of redemption and accomplishment that their brethren have done a fine job. But obviously, (if you couldn't tell) I am white and have not felt racial slights or oppression of any kind. I just think that if we REALLY want to be considered a nation of equality and forward thinking, dissolve the adjectives and celebrate the accomplishments of the individual regardless of race, creed,. color etc. If you want a similar but non-racial comparison, you only have to look back in the last 10 years to see how the Canadian media have handled the following events: - Larry Walker wins MLB MVP award - Mike Weir wins The Masters - Steve Nash wins the NBA MVP (twice) In every case, it was all about the "first Canadian to win..." In North American sports (except hockey), Canadians are in the minority when it comes to the top professional ranks. It's purely a numbers game (1/10 the population and talent pool). So when a Canuck achieves a goal that had previously been unattainable (or, in the case of Nash, almost unthinkable), there is/was a sense of Canadian pride that it finally happened. So is it unusual for a "minority" to get excited about one of their own finally reaching a previous unattainable level of success? I don't think so.

posted by grum@work at 11:21 PM on January 22, 2007

Before I forget ... why the fuck did the Saints suddenly switch up and run the ball only 12 times? Did that make any sense?

posted by wfrazerjr at 06:53 PM on January 23, 2007