Probably one of the most compelling and rich stories on display in the world of sports was the return of Donovan McNabb to Philadelphia to face Michael Vick. There are so many interesting subplots and stories buried underneath the surface.
I was glad to see McNabb get a mostly classy, but mixed reception from the Philadelphia fans.
From the Globe and Mail:
CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE
McNabb gets warm Philly welcome
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/mcnabb-gets-warm-philly-welcome/article1740330/
Philly can be rough on its sports figures, but its fans also are knowledgeable enough to recall the good times. McNabb brought them plenty of those for 11 seasons, and they responded with an outpouring of kindness not often associated with this city.
Some in Philly remain unconvinced. I guess if McNabb's only sin to Philly fan is that he did not WIN a Super Bowl, then so be it. Enough of them did acknowledge what Donovan gave to them in striving.
The prospect of venom being spewed at McNabb for never actually winning a Super Bowl certainly existed Sunday. There was plenty of nastiness in the parking lots, but no hatefest inside the stadium.
Outside the Linc, the biggest pocket of protest was the “boo parade” organized by WIP radio personality Angelo Cataldi — the same man who put together the 1999 outing to the draft in New York when McNabb was selected instead of Ricky Williams. About 35 people, including two men on stilts, a juggler and one dressed as a clown, walked to the Spectrum next door while voicing their displeasure with the quarterback they dubbed “Dontovan” and 'McChoke.”
“The lazy, national media harped on the (draft day booing) for 11 years and ignored everything else,” Cataldi said. “They wanted a circus today, so we're giving them a circus.”
This is a guy who I have observed perform through the prism of a Giants fan, which means I was automatically conditioned to dislike him solely because he wore the Eagles uniform. But the way McNabb has carried himself - with great excellence, class, and dignity even during turbulent, controversial times - I have slowly, somewhat grudgingly at times been forced to admit that "This guy is a really good, really underrated QB" and wonder what it was about him that I disliked in the first place.
The McNabb scenario reminded me of how I used to feel about Buster Posey. When he was at Florida State, I initially was conditioned against liking him simply because he wore the Seminoles colors. Silly reason really. As I watched FSU games, at times I'll admit, I rooted for Posey to fail, just once maybe. A Seminole can't be that good, can he? But as he continued to excel behind the plate, at bat, as a closer - always coming through in the clutch - I realized again that this is a guy I would love to have on my team anytime. Why do I hate him? Because he wears colors I don't like? Probably not a great reason, right?
I mean I could justify it and say these guys "won me over" but it's kind of silly to have disrespect for them solely because they play for the opponent, even if that opponent is a fierce rival. We need opponents to play the game.
It all dovetailed into my feeling about the other QB on the field yesterday, Michael Vick.
I was watching ESPN's The Sports Reporters and listened as Mitch Albom almost sneered how he "didn't have to like" the Michael Vick story. Well, no Mitch - you big baby - you don't have to like it. But if you are the intellectual giant you present yourself to be - you should at least understand it.
Mitch wrote this about Michael Vick earlier in the season when the Vick story past through his fine city of Detroit.
http://www.freep.com/article/20100920/COL01/9200375/Rookie-Jahvid-Best-runs-wild-but-Lions-can-t-totally-recover
That's because Vick may be unlikable, an ex-con, a loose cannon -- but he still can play football.
As much as I respect Mitch Albom as a gifted writer, I have to call his understanding and compassion as a human being towards a fellow human being into question here. IMO, he's missing a very important point.
We tend look for a Michael Vick to "redeem" himself as solely a football player and think that is the be all and end all measurement of whether or not he has "returned", or "redeemed" himself. But his "redemption" will ultimately be measured in terms of how he fulfills this promise he made in 2007. Remember this?
From abcnews.com
Vick on Dogfighting Plea: 'I Will Redeem Myself'
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3527287&page=1
"I totally ask for forgiveness and understanding as I move forward to bettering Michael Vick the person, not the football player," Vick, wearing a a dark suit, said in a somber tone.
The football star today described dogfighting as a "terrible thing," adding that his experience has helped him find religion. "Through this situation I found Jesus and I'm going to ask himself for forgiveness and turn myself over to God."
I shouldn't have to remind a Mitch Albom of this. Especially not a Mitch Albom who recently wrote this.
HAVE A LITTLE FAITH by Mitch Albom
http://mitchalbom.com/books/node/5515
"It is... the most important thing I’ve ever written,” opens Albom’s (Tuesdays with Morrie) latest nonfiction book. It isn’t difficult to understand why. Using his characteristically succinct style, Albom’s prose offers readers an elegantly simple perspective on faith, tolerance, service and love while maintaining the complex reality of his characters’ true life stories.
As America struggles with hard times and people turn more to their beliefs, Mitch and the two men of God explore issues that perplex modern man: how to endure when difficult things happen; what heaven is; intermarriage; forgiveness; doubting God; and the importance of faith in trying times. Although the texts, prayers and histories are different, Albom begins to realize a striking unity between the two worlds - and indeed, between beliefs everywhere.
Albom’s expertise in piecing together a web of snapshot stories, however, reveals levels of meaning that could not be adequately told in any other way. He avoids repetitious overemphasis—the bane of much inspirational literature—and allows meaning, whether his own or the reader’s, to emerge with a quiet, confident grace. Albom’s latest is a masterpiece of hope and a moving testament of interfaith understanding.
Could these two pieces written by Albom be in more conflict? Can they be more diametrically opposed in tone? Can his understanding of the concepts related to faith be any more shallow?
If you remember the promise Michael made in 2007 - and you note his progress as a person since then - and you wrote and understood what you claim to have in Have a Little Faith than I'm sorry Mitch, I don't understand why you DO NOT like the Michael Vick story. Perhaps, I'm missing something?
Sorry Mitch, my understanding of redemption and the basis for salvation, must be somewhat different than yours. But I Thank God for that.
Ultimately, it doesn't matter what you or I think about Michael Vick, or what Michael Vick does or does not do on the football field, as long as he keeps his promise. And that promise is not to you or me.
Remember that and remember who you are and who you are not when you judge others. Shame on you Mitch Albom, it seems as if you should know better.
define redemption:
(theology) the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil
repayment of the principal amount of a debt or security at or before maturity (as when a corporation repurchases its own stock)
the act of purchasing back something previously sold
