2007-01-21 10:32:22 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football (American)
I liked what John Thomson said when he coached Georgetown to the NCAA championship. When asked how he felt to be the first black head coach to win that championship, he replied that he rejected the premise of the question, because it implied that he was the first black man capable of coaching a champion, when in reality there were many others before him who could have done it, but they were never given the opportunity.
I wonder if Lovie Smith would feel the same way.
2007-01-21 10:44:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not naive to think that race relations in this country are great. They are much better than before, but not great. Having said that, This is about a football game, NOT RACE. I for one couldn't care less that Lovie Smith is black. He is the coach of my favorite team. He just happens to be black. He could be red with purple spots for that matter. I have answered this question a couple of times on this board, and don't see the big deal. What people don't see is that football is the ultimate team sport. No one player can do his job without the other 10 on the field. No one player or coach is bigger than the team. Does being black make Lovie or Tony Dungee a better coach? NO. Should it matter. NO. It's about the biggest football game of the year for these guys. NOT RACE. Even Tony Dungee and Lovie are downplaying it. Both guys have been class acts all the way. While they understand their place in history, they realize it's all about the TEAM. You want to know why the media keeps bringing stuff like this up? They have to. The african-american population in this country is the only segment of the population they have to do this for. Why? Do you hear anyone yelling that there are no Hispanic head coaches? What about Ron Rivera, the Bears defensive co-ordinator? Is he making a big stink about not getting a head coaching job because he is hispanic? What about Chinese head coaches? Polish? Did you hear anyone jumping up and down when the White Sox won the World Series about how great it was for the Latino population? No, if an african-american does it, they have to make a big deal about it. In this age of political correctness, everyone is afraid to say the wrong thing and do the wrong thing, for fear of not being "sensitive" to the race and differences of others, and therefore being labeled a racist. I say lets just get back to the game of football. I for one can't wait until the Bears take apart the Colts. Go Bears, and thank you Lovie Smith.
2016-03-14 21:44:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a sad fact of life, but people think that being black means the person isn't going to be as good of a coach. It's the same with quarterbacks. People just need to realize Lovie Smith is a coach, so is Tony Dungy, and so is every white guy they talk about and don't bring race into it. It shouldn't be a big deal about his race, but for some stupid reason, being black is overshadowing the fact that he coached the team well, got them into the playoffs, and has won 2 games to get his team to the Super Bowl.
2007-01-21 10:48:35 · answer #3 · answered by Kaotik29 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of the history of discrimination throughout the history of our society. Hopefully, the Colts will win and Tony Dungy will go too. Then there will be two black head coaches in the Super Bowl.
You are correct. Lovie is just a coach. It will be great when someday we don't even think to mention race like this.
2007-01-21 10:37:15 · answer #4 · answered by DB Cash 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree. Football is a game of stats and firsts but they don't have to make a big deal about all of them. If the Colts win, it will be the first time two black coaches went against each other. So what. The NFL is not a popularity contest. Its a business. The goal is to win. Owners want the most qualified GM, player, or coach you can get.
2007-01-21 10:46:09 · answer #5 · answered by All_Dawgs_Go_To_Heaven 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
at the heart of the matter you are correct and everyone should be seen without any reference to color; white, black, asian, etc, etc, etc. however, this is incredibly notable for the african-american race as we're talking about a sport where the majority of the players are black yet the majority of the coaches are white??? go figure... i don't know if even the percentage of african american coaches in the nfl matches the same percentage of african americans in the general population which to me is bad. lovie is a great coach and now maybe owners won't be so reluctant to offer more black coaches a job.
2007-01-21 10:48:00 · answer #6 · answered by David W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is a mile stone a african american will coach in the super bowl for the first time it's about time we get the chance to show that we are just as talented as the white coaches
2007-01-21 10:38:02 · answer #7 · answered by thomasl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can't you just let him enjoy the moment and the accomplishment? He would cheer for you if a rice eating coach went to the Super Bowl...Secret Asian Man.
2007-01-21 10:37:29 · answer #8 · answered by angrycelt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree, I heard come out of four peoples mouth in post game wrap ups and they even asked at the end of the game. He is a coach, who cares if he is african american he is an american and the head coach of the nfc champs! But that show how america is, we always have to count "milestones" by black, hispanic, the better man and better team won.
2007-01-21 10:50:28 · answer #9 · answered by wombizzle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Coach is a very important part of most teams.
2007-01-21 10:41:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋