When it comes down to issues that truly matter the most, the NFL dropped the ball long ago and they refuse to do the right thing and pick it up.
There was something strange about Super Bowl LIII, and it had nothing to do with the fact that most were expecting a show of offensive fireworks and got a defensive masterpiece instead that ended in a 13-3 Patriots win over the Rams.
To my eye, the NFL overall committed a few offensive acts that reflect the league’s warped values and misplaced priorities.
It seems more than ironic that Civil Rights icons were present at the coin tossing ceremony, and yet the racism and discrimination they fought against is the same fight that was undertaken by Colin Kaepernick.
It was rather duplicitous, don’t you think, considering that Kap has unquestionably been blackballed.
And then there was the matter of Julian Edelman being named the game’s MVP.
Julian Edelman is SUPER BOWL MVP. His career could be a movie.
– No scholarships out of HS
– Kent State QB
– 1 college catch for 11 yards
– No combine invite
– 7th-round pick
– Brady’s security blanket
– Clutch part of Pats dynasty
– 3x champ pic.twitter.com/37NcKojvmY— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 4, 2019
This is in no way meant to be a knock on him personally. Edelman certainly got busy and deserved the honor with 10 catches for 141 yards, with eight of those receptions going for crucial first downs.
He’s had an incredible journey, one that all underdogs can look at in admiration.
With his resume, he’s building a case to one day be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
What doesn’t sit right is the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy. The league comes off as incredibly tone deaf when the MVP of its marquee event missed the first four games of the season due to taking performance enhancing drugs.
Don’t get me wrong, he paid for his transgression by being suspended to start the season. But the overall message is clear. You can cheat and get a slap on the wrist.
But when you take a stance on societal inequities and stage a silent, respectful protest of the way Black people are treated in America, you’re out of a job.
10 catches. 141 yards. And a @SuperBowl MVP! 🐿
Every catch from @Edelman11's awesome #SBLIII performance! pic.twitter.com/qpqNannyK2
— NFL (@NFL) February 4, 2019
Doping is as synonymous with the game as Tom Brady winning Super Bowls. And no one seems to care. The franchises and their fans certainly don’t. But when the topic of Kaepernick taking a knee comes up, he’s public enemy #1.
The NFL celebrated its 100th anniversary with perhaps the dopest Super Bowl commercial of all-time.
The all-time greatest, most competitive NFL players gathered for the #NFL100 gala. What could possibly go wrong? pic.twitter.com/pvE0fKuSye
— NFL (@NFL) February 4, 2019
As fun and hilarious as it was, the premise of the entire spot was based on a fumble.
And nothing could be more appropriate, because when it comes down to issues that truly matter the most, the league dropped the ball long ago.
And they refuse to do the right thing by picking it up.
