I remember the good ol' days when the sight of Roger Goodell would send crowds of NFL fans into a booing frenzy.
I admit it, I was one of those fans.
Then, tonight, I noticed something strange. Amidst the party atmosphere in Kansas City, there seemed to be a lot of CHEERING for the Commissioner.
I also noticed something else, the first 10 picks in the NFL Draft were handsome young Black men and most of them HUGGED the Commissioner. Young Black men surrounded by their families wearing their Sunday best.
Why would these young athletes hug the Commissioner? Because they just became millionaires. What's my beef with young Black millionaires? None at all, but am I the only one that sees the problem with the optics?
What the hell am I talking about?
When young Black men shake Adam Silver's hand at the NBA Draft, those young men have won the lottery. Millions and millions of guaranteed money and, more or less, a normal life.
When young Black men hug Roger Goodell, those young men have won the lottery, but at what cost?
The average NFL Players' lifespan is now 56 years old, more than 20 years shorter than the average American's.
The average NFL Players' career is 3 1/3 years, by far the shortest of the 5 major sports.
99% of former NFL Players have (CTE) Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
How the NFL avoids paying disabled players: February 2023
Less than 6 months ago, a Black player died on the field, Roger Goodell wanted play resumed after the commercial break...
"Fred Hunt, you only look at the negative side of football."
Listen, trading 20 years off your life, and immeasurable suffering past 40, for a wheelbarrow full of money really sounds like a deal with the devil.
"And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds." - 2 Corinthians 11: 14-15
Will I stop watching football? Oh heck no, I've said it before, "I am your typical, stupid football fan." But in an era of social justice, how does Roger Goodell perform a little shimmy shake and criticisms of his league just fall away?
I mean REAL life and death criticisms?