Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Tommie Smith, John Carlos, Brandon Marshall.
Yeah, we know too, one of those names doesn’t belong up there with the outspoken political activists who used their respective sports as a platform for their voice. They never waited until something was over to start letting the world know what they thought. They fought for their cause during the process, not until it was decided, Brandon Marshall.
For those of you ill-informed on the sports world, Marshall is a third year wide receiver for the Denver Broncos. The Broncos played in the NFL Network’s first televised game of the year against the Cleveland Browns, two days after the election. Near the end of the game, Marshall scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown, and wanted to pay tribute to our President elect, Barack Obama. His tribute was to pull out a separate glove from his pants (the glove was black and white), and raise his fist in the air like Smith and Carlos’ famous pose at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
The problem: Marshall’s “gesture” would have cost the Broncos 15-yards on the ensuing kickoff, and the Browns had been making Denver’s defense look about as good at their trade as Paul Walker is at acting. Wisely, Denver receiver Brandon Stokely stopped Marshall’s preempted celebration before the Broncos were flagged. After the game, Marshall had the audacity to compare himself and his act to such activists as Smith and Carlos:
“Barack Obama’s election as the 44th president of the United States is a tremendous symbol of unity, I want to create that symbol of unity because Obama inspires me [and] a multicultural society, and I know at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised that black glove and fist in a silent gesture of black power and liberation. Forty years later, I wanted to make my own statement and gesture to represent the progress we made, I might get some criticism, but social landmarks are bigger than fines to me, especially two days out of an historic election.”
My question: why is Marshall just now coming out and being so outspoken about his candidate and the election? Is he now taking a stance just because the outcome is over with? And surely an All-Pro NFL wide receiver can find a better place to make a statement for Obama than on a touchdown celebration at 11:30 pm EST, and on a cable network that few Americans actually have. Bold move Marshall, you’re such a maverick.
The move was also supposed to symbolize how far African Americans and our country has come as a whole in our time. Now mind you, here are some of Marshall’s legal mishaps: two charges of domestic battery, DUI and assaulting a law enforcement officer.
For years I have been a huge fan of Dan Patrick. Patrick now has his radio show back on the air, and quite frankly, the guy knows his stuff. Right after the incident, Patrick was talking about Marshall on last Friday’s show. He had a caller on, who was African American and made the following comments regarding Marshall in the Obama incident: that he as an African American wanted no part in having Marshall be a representation of him, and that if Marshall really wanted to show how far African Americans had come as a whole, then the guy should stop getting arrested.
And for me personally, Marshall is about the least-quality man I want making a statement for our president-elect. But more importantly, if you are going to paint yourself as a rebel who goes against the grain and takes political stands, despite majority of athletes being too afraid to because of corporate sponsorships, at least be man enough to do it before your cause is decided.
Top five games you can bet on next week:
5. Carolina Panthers over Detroit Lions
Right now this pick is on history. Yes, the Lions are due. But yes, I want to see 0-16. Panthers by 14.
4. New York Jets over New England Patriots
This is where Brett Favre takes over the Jets and makes them legit. Jets 24-17.
3. Atlanta Falcons over Denver Broncos
If the Falcons want to earn their big boy pants, you take care of business at home, and you take care of it against teams that may be considered “better.” Matt Ryan isn’t playing like a rookie and Atlanta’s defense is looking fierce. Falcons 23-10.
2. Tennessee Titans over Jacksonville Jaguars
I know I picked the Jags to win the division, I just didn’t count on Kerry Collins playing like it’s 1996. Titans 13-10.
1. Washington Redskins over Dallas Cowboys
The Redskins can effectively end Dallas’ season with a win, and they know it. Skins 24-23.
Last week: 3-3
The season: 24-21
SeriouslyPowerRankings
5. New York Jets (6-3)
When this offense clicks it is downright scary.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
Big Ben lost that game, not the Steelers. If he ever heals this season this team could be dangerous.
3. Carolina Panthers (7-2)
Only the NFL could give the Panthers three straight bye weeks by giving them a bye, then Oakland and Detroit.
2. Tennessee Titans (9-0)
So Collins can through the ball after all. Still doesn’t excuse a 20-yard effort from the ground team.
1. New York Giants (8-1)
Where can’t this team win?