Super Bowl 50

It's interesting that the HGH story is getting absolutely no traction. Obviously part of that is because people like the guy. But I think it's also because people sympathize with the injury recovery he was going through, as opposed to using it to bulk up and blow people up at linebacker. No one thinks that Peyton Manning's career has been built on a foundation of PEDs, unlike A-Rod or Bonds.

 

That's true. But there is no answer he could have given, other than the one he gave, that would have been anything but a lie. To quote Lionel Kaffee, "Well, we appreciate that but you are under oath now and I think as unpleasant as it may be we'd all just as soon hear the truth."

 

Exactly Right. That was a ridiculous pseudo-controversy stirred up by folks just itching for an excuse to bash Manning.

FWIW, in that game the Colts did not just have protection problems, in the first half their offensive line inexplicably had a complete fucking breakdown. Manning's description was actually a vast understatement of what happened. So how the hell else was he supposed to answer questions grilling him specifically about why he had no time to throw? There's only one honest answer. And it was a glaringly obvious answer to anyone who watched the game.

His mistake was adding the "trying to be good teammate" qualifier before giving the answer. He did that because he's smart enough to see how the media might spin it and thus was reluctant to give the truthful response. But instead that qualifier just served as a dog whistle alerting his critics that something juicy was coming that they could run with.

 

Oh Wade ...

 

Adults. And probably children who are mature for their age.

 

Nobody kills a story like the NFL.

 

It's the behavior, not the color. If you can't see that it's your problem. I have stood up for Newton, but that post-game presser he did should embarrass any functioning adult. There's no crying in football.

 

You know, you might be on to something there with that theory.

 

When Bubba Watson is a prick to the press its just "Bubba being Bubba."
How many times has Saban been a difficult prick in press conferences?
Kirk Gibson was a dick for years to the press. Steve Carlton was a dick for decades.

Yet the black guy has the nerve to not play nice with the media (which is really what this is about. Media hates when people don't do the dance with them) and it's "better grow up, boy." How many were telling Bill Laimbeer to grow up after his shitty display after the Bulls kicked their asses in 1991?

 

A lot of football fans have also been exposed to year after year of Mike Golic, someone they like because he seems like a good guy, admit that he used PEDs while trying to return from an injury. He kind of de-stigmatized it, particularly in that context, so that it no longer represents the whole of the player to people.

 

I don't think this one is race-related. I really don't. He's the reigning MVP, and he's a colorful guy when things are going well. That's why he's on blast today.

 

The same people who care that he is such an intelligent young man, bright, fun loving, celebratory and charming. That he not only has redefined the position of NFL quarterback with size and speed but that he's a pocket passer with a great ability to run. He has style, and he is a self identified fashion and attire template. When the call is to allow Cam to be Cam and revel in the joy he creates on the field, his SUperman gestures as well as his joyous interactions with children why then is it no big deal when he's honest in defeat? We love when he's honest and unbridled in victory. When he celebrates and poses and styles on the sideline of a playoff game before it's over it's often called charming and the public better learn to deal with this superstar who plays the game at level never before seen.

Who the fuck cares how he acts when he's on a roll, when he's winning, when he makes a great play (or even a mundane play that causes him to celebrate as if he's never run for a 1st down before)? Why do cameras and reporters follow him when he's making great plays, but when he shows another honest side of himself we are supposed to act as if that's a private matter, and not for public consumption.

What is clear, like most narcissists and bullies, he can dish it out but can't take it. And that is the true measure of this man.

I think the public, rightfully, is entitled to be thoroughly enthralled with him when he great and find him petulant and churlish when things don't go his way.

No one should give a fuck about him during good times or bad, it's just a game to benefit 32 billionaire-families. But if we are going to give a fuck when the ball rolls his way we ought to give a fuck through it all.