Sunday, April 25, 2004

Coming soon--why the NFL sucks

As Iggy would say, an uber post about our trip to NYC is in the works and will be posted as soon as I get around to writing the damn thing. Hopefully today or tomorrow. But before I tell the tale of my trip to the NFL Draft, let me say first that the death of Pat Tillman makes the ranting and crying to follow pale into insignificance. Tillman has been described in the media as a "true hero", and for a change they're absolutely correct. Tillman walked away from a job that was a dream of his since he was a kid, walked away from fame and millions of dollars, to join the fight against global terrorism. Tillman could have joined the Army and used his celebrity to become a recruiter, but that wasn't why he joined. He joined the Army, and the Rangers, because he wanted to take the fight personally to those who think mass murder is acceptable political discourse. For that sacrifice alone he and all those who are fighting deserve our everlasting respect. Tillman's death, and the death of every soldier fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq and elsewhere around the world, reminds us again and again that the freedom and liberty we enjoy come with a price--our willingness to make personal sacrifices for the common good. Sometimes our soldiers make the ultimate sacrifice, and it should break our hearts to hear such terrible news--but the fight must go on. Fighting against people who advocate theological slavery and consider suicide an acceptable use of their children's lives is as noble a cause as one could imagine. Pat Tillman died a hero, fighting for a heroic cause.

There's been talk that the NFL should create an award in his honor. The idea is pure folly--what active player could ever hope to live up to his example?

OK, that's the serious stuff dealt with. Stay tuned for the insanity and inanity to follow. Here's a sneak preview--the trip was a disaster, but I had a blast anyway. How's that for foreshadowing?

posted by Gene @ 7:03 PM   |