Tag: Miami Dolphins

The Jonathan Martin Wake-Up Call

On By kassienetteIn Controversy, Football, NFL, SportsLeave a comment

I am going to keep this real short and simple.

Jonathan Martin of the Miami Dolphins has EVERY RIGHT to feel the way he does about the way he has been treated. I know football is a violent sport. I know football is a lot of times more of a metal game than it is physical. I know to play football you have to be “tough.” However, just because a person plays football does not mean that person has to tolerate to a culture of vulgarity, lewdness and racism . If all the allegations that are coming out of the Dolphins camp is true then someone has some explaining to do. No one, absolutely not one, should have to work in an environment that is hostile, hateful and demeaning. Football or not. If that is what you are cool with, so be it. I will definitely be looking at you strange. If that is NOT what you are cool with, then you have every right to whistleblow.

From what I know of Martin’s background, he was raised in a two parent household, both of whom graduated from Harvard. Martin had the opportunity to go to Harvard but passed on the chance so he could play football at Stanford. He was the guy who protected Indianapolis Colts’ QB, Andrew Luck’s blindside. My mother made a very thought provoking statement last night as we discussed this matter. She eloquently stated that “how are we suppose to teach kids that bullying is not ok when there are grown people out here who feel it is ok?” Great question Ma. You do not want to call it bullying? What would you call it then? And do not give me that “He is a grown man. He is too old to be bullied,” mess. We are all different. What may bother me may not bother the next person and vice versa.

This just reeks of “grown men” who are so insecure of themselves that they have to belittle someone in order have a sense of power. I believe Martin was right in walking away from the team. His state of mind, well being and sanity obviously were not high on the Dolphins priority list. I refuse to believe the front office did not know what was going on. It is not a cowardly act. It is an act of someone who understands their worth and would rather hold on to their dignity rather than lower their standards to please others. It takes a STRONG man to go up against an NFL team. Well done Jonathan Martin.

Until next time….TOODELLS.

Football & Running: These Are Two of My Fa-Vo-Rite Things!!

On By kassienetteIn Football, NFL, Running, Sports, Uncategorized1 Comment

Aaaaaah, what a great weekend. Anytime running and football are involved, it is ALWAYS a great time! So of course, you all recall my excitement from four days ago when August FIRST hit. The start of football season!! Well Saturday night was the National Football League Hall of Fame Enshrinement, one of my favorite events. I love to hear all the speeches where players, coaches and executives all talk about their childhoods, families, influential persons, coaches, former teammates, highs and lows and their dreams. Saturday night provided me with all of that. From former offensive tackle/guard Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen talking about his first date with his wife(I mean who does not love a a story that involves two whole chickens and a 40 ounce), to former Green Bay Packers linebacker, Dave Robinson, saying some of his friends and family were watching down on him, proud because of his induction, and that some of them may be looking up at him to former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver, Cris Carter, telling his mama(after having her stand up so he could pay homage to her), “Sit down Mama! You in the Hall of Fame!” The induction ceremony provided me with the opportunity to have the type of day Jimmy V said we all should have everyday. The speeches made me laugh, think and cry. To see these gentle giants essentially turn into giddy little kids before your very eyes as they soak in all that being enshrined into the Hall of Fame has to offer is truly a joyous occasion. CONGRATULATIONS to those previously named as well as legendary coach Bill Parcells, former Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle, Jonathan Ogden(who was the Ravens very first draft pick and is also the first Raven to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame), former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle, Warren Sapp and former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Curley Culp(who looks phenomenal for 67).

After an inspiring Saturday night, I set my sights on Sunday and you guessed it, running!! I rarely run on Sundays but I have been itching to connect with some new people in the area. I traveled over to the neighboring city of Winston-Salem to meet up with the Black Girls Run(BGR) Winston-Salem group. As much as my body tried to tell me, “hey, this is not what we do on Sundays”, I still pressed my way and I am glad that I did. I met a very nice group of ladies that included two women I already knew(Hey Tina and Sharolyn!). All of these women have a desire to live a healthy lifestyle, which includes running. I did a three mile run, that was not my best but hey I finished! Once you truly become a runner, you will learn that finishing is all that matters in the end. You can set time goals all you want. Sometimes you meet them. Sometimes you do not. However, if you finish you have already conquered the biggest task that laid in front of you on that trail/greenway/sidewalk/track. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The scenery was nice. The trail was nice. The weather was even nice for 6:15pm on a Sunday. I look forward to joining the ladies next Sunday!!

So there you have it. My weekend in a small nutshell. A little sample of what I got into. Fun all around.

SN: The annual Hall of Fame game was played Sunday night. It featured the Dallas Cowgirls and the Miami Dolphins. So yeah, while I am starving for some football, I am NOT that desperate.

Until next time…TOODELLS.

{Source: Google Images}
{Source: Google Images}
{Source: Google Images}
{Source: Google Images}

We talking about a hat??

On By kassienetteIn 49ers, Controversy, NFL, SportsLeave a comment

It is amazing how controversial some things can be. Songs. Videos. Bumper stickers. Twitter. T-shirts. Hats. Yes, even hats. You know those hats that have marijuana leaves on them. Those hats that are offensive to certain groups. Those hats that have profanity on them. Now we can add hats that have NFL team logos on them. Well, certain logos.

Over the weekend, San Francisco 49ers QB, Colin Kaepernick, was photographed at a beach wearing a Miami Dolphins hat. Yep, Dolphins hats are now controversial. As I was out enjoying my nice weekend, I was totally oblivious of the backlash that was brewing in The Bay(San Francisco for those of you unfamiliar with the slang.) It was not until Kaepernick posted a picture on his Instagram account(picture is below) addressing the issue that I became aware of what was going on.

{Source: Kaepernick7 Instagram}
{Source: Kaepernick7 Instagram}

The post made me laugh. At the time I did not know when he wore the hat but I was safe to assume he had worn it and some form of the paparazzi, official or unofficial, had taken a picture of him wearing it. I was right. I was not surprised that this ruffled some fans feathers but I did not realize how “controversial” the wearing of the hat was I got my daily dosage of ESPN. Not only are there fans that are upset but apparently some analysts are as well. Really? Seriously? Are you kidding me?? Remember, this is coming from a die hard 49ers fan. I guess there is an unwritten rule somewhere that says you can not wear clothing of a team that you are not a member of. Well, within your sport. Was it the best decision by Kaepernick? The PR major in me says no. The PR major in me also says it is no big deal. Players are fans of the game as well and if they chose to wear another team’s hat, then why should we care? And dare I say it, its the Dolphins. No disrespect intended because they are a great organization. However, the Dolphins have been subpar ever since Dan Marino retired. The only exciting thing happening yearly for their organization is Mercury Morris’ yearly champagne bottle opening and soliloquy after the last undefeated NFL loses(the 1972 , which Morris was a part of, are the only team to go undefeated in the NFL).

Now, if he was wearing a hat of one of the 49ers NFC rivals, or a Baltimore Ravens hat, or a potential SuperBowl contender, then yes there would be cause for a small uprising. Although, I think Kaepernick is smart enough not to do that. Oh and remember, he’s 25. A lot of our fellow millenials love hats. They love wearing hats of different teams. It is just one of those things we like do.  Regardless, the amount of attention this story has generated is ridiculous.It. Is. Not. That. Serious. It is his money. His clothes. His prerogative. Go Kaep! Go 9ers! Go America!

P.S. These are the kinds of stories you get when you are experiencing NFL withdrawal. 58 days and counting!!

 

Until next time…TOODELLS!!