Can't We All Just Get Along?

As you have probably heard by now, Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith are the first two black head coaches to reach the Super Bowl.

It begs the question: Is the media really this far in the closet that they need to promote the color of a coach's skin to show our progressive good nature? As with most football fans, I care far more about a player's production than I do about genetic pigments. Why would I feel any different about coaches?

Let me flip the sentiment for a second: Would we have the same story if it was a white running back leading his team to a championship? In modern day football, that too would be an abnormality. But, I wager that the press room wouldn’t touch the subject with a ten foot pole. That wouldn't be politically correct since white people obviously already thrive in the NFL. (sic)

As the Cowboys wind down a search for the next big hire, we've been exposed to the Rooney Rule which requires franchises to interview at least one minority candidate for a coaching position. Please...spare me. It would be a crime if Tony Dungy did what he did in Tampa Bay and was demoted to the quarterbacks coach in Indianapolis. But, that didn't happen. Ray Rhodes, Herm Edwards...Ty Willingham? The truth of the matter is that NFL coaches are merely recycled products that are stripped away of all usable parts before they are tossed in the dumpster. Did Dennis Green ever have trouble finding work after his three year stints across the country with limited success? It happens to all races in the spectrum. Why go through the pomp and circumstance of meeting with a person of color if you already have your candidate in place? If the meeting is worthless, are the minority candidates supposed to feel better about themselves for getting the opportunity?

I long for the days where we can all just shut up and enjoy the game instead of bickering about the politics of what happens behind the scenes. So, congrats to Dungy and Smith for acheiving a milestone.

Now give us a good game.