Curses!

He’s finally done it.

Terrell Owens has finally burned almost every bridge that he can—the one named Drew Rosenhaus is still standing, unfortunately—killed his team, and incurred the wrath of millions of frenzied Philadelphia Eagles fans. With all due respect to T.O., he is not the major cause of the Eagles’ problems. EA Sports is.

Although I am joking, there is a certain stigma that accompanies the honor of being selected as the cover athlete for the bestselling football game, Madden NFL 2006. Dating back to 2001, every athlete to grace Madden’s glossy box was either injured later that year or put up substantially worse numbers; in addition, their career was never the same. Some even argue that this trend extends to 2000, claiming that John Madden himself actually started the curse.

Turducken or not, the fact remains that every player has seen their career plummet afterwards. Eddie George had a solid year in 2001 but followed that up in 2002 with an awful year in which Tennessee won six fewer games than 2001. The same fate befell Daunte Culpepper in 2002 (1300 yards and 19 TDs less than the previous year) and Marshall Faulk in 2003 (430 yards and 4 TDs less). Michael Vick continued this evil trend, settling for missing 11 games of the regular season. Ray Lewis played hurt last year, although not to usual Madden Curse numbers.

However, the most horrifying part of the curse is what has happened to those players’ teams since their appearance. George is currently out of football and the Titans have been painfully rebuilding for four years. (A distinction needs to be made between the Titans’ rebuilding and the Texans’ ineptitude.) The Vikings, a popular preseason Super Bowl pick, have never lived up to their potential in an impressive variety of ways. The Rams turned from the “Greatest Show on Turf” to “Air America,” with similar results. The Falcons have escaped the curse so far, but Atlanta’s offense is still quite feeble. And the Ravens are starting year four of the experiment known as Kyle Boller at quarterback. I’m going to swallow the cyanide for head coach Brian Billick now and say that they’re officially on the decline.

Currently, Madden 2006 cover boy Donovan McNabb is afflicted with a sports hernia and T.O., although the second affliction is more like a team epidemic. Somewhere, George, Culpepper, Faulk, Vick, and Lewis are waiting to receive McNabb into the “Madden Curse Alumni Association” as soon as the season is over. However, before half the campus leaves to attack John Madden, a couple other possible causes for the T.O. fiasco should be considered.

Some people will claim that all Philadelphia sports teams are doomed, because of “William Penn’s Curse.” Since 1987, when the Liberty Plaza became the first building taller than William Penn’s hat on the top of City Hall, no major Philadelphia sports team has won a championship. (The minor league Philadelphia Phantoms have won titles during these years, as have the National Lacrosse League’s Wings.) In fact, since 1993, all major sports teams have played in a championship series, but none have been able to snag that elusive prize.

But before we get too caught up in the notion that these curses have caused the demise of the Eagles, we also remember two things. First, the Red Sox were cursed for eighty-six years and they still won the World Series. Second, it might just be time to deport T.O.

No other NFL franchise has done as well with developing and turning over players in recent years than the Eagles and the Patriots. Obviously, the Patriots have won two titles, but the Eagles accomplishments are impressive also. They have dealt with multiple holdouts (Corey Simon, Jeremiah Trotter, and, to a degree, Brian Westbrook) upgraded the team while maintaining salary cap flexibility, and made most fans forget the 1-15 Rich Kotite years. The Eagles, as we now see them, are a model of stability in the NFL of the past five years.

When the Eagles needed a receiver, they pulled an amazing deal for a great receiver. On top of that, they acquired the big, physical receiver that their West Coast offense needed so desperately. And, for the first year, T.O. was every bit as good as expected. He appeared to submit his ego to the team, and even made a quick return in time for the Super Bowl, in which he had a lesser but important role. Of course, this was almost exactly what happened with Terrell Owens in San Francisco also.

And, paralleling San Francisco, T.O. felt that he should be the leader of the team, even though it was clear it was McNabb’s team. Ironically enough, McNabb developed as a leader through all this, giving a sense of stability to the volatile situation, contrasting to the increasingly childish Terrell Owens. Finally, the Eagles have decided that they don’t want any more of his trouble. Quite frankly, neither would I.

For all the talent that Owens possesses and all the numbers he puts up, there is simply no place for him on most teams. What teams have a collective ego larger than T.O.’s? The teams that need him don’t have room for his pride. The teams that do have room for his ego and its sideshows aren’t anywhere close to competing or have a need for him. And after seeing his problems with the Eagles and 49ers, would you take him?

T.O. was drafted in the third round of a deep 1996 draft. That draft produced some forgettable players (ladies and gentlemen, Tim Biakabatuka!) and some very good players (Joe Horn in the 4th round, Keyshawn Johnson as the first pick). Speaking of Keyshawn, a very interesting parallel can be drawn. After Keyshawn wore out his welcome with the New York Jets, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where Chucky clone Jon Gruden eventually got fed up with Keyshawn’s antics last year and benched him for the remainder of the schedule.

The fallout between Gruden and Keyshawn was due to Keyshawn’s incessant demands for the football and his attitude over his role in the offense, and the punishment was unprecedented yet fair. What Terrell Owens has done in Philadelphia is both unprecedented and inexcusable. Could the team have won more games with another quarterback? Maybe, but there is no reason to suggest that and get into a fight in the locker room as Owens did—an incident which probably was the main factor behind his suspension and benching.

The entire Eagles organization deserves as much credit as it has received for its excellent management of a cancer. Although there is room to criticize their naivety in acquiring the powder keg, they have done everything they can to try to make this work. Unfortunately, it has not been reciprocated.

ESPN writer Bill Simmons wrote about Boston Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez’s temperamental nature using the words “Manny being Manny.” But Ramirez, although equally talented and similarly volatile, does not challenge every inch of leadership on his team. Owens, on the other hand, is a prima donna’s prima donna—the kind that leaves you eagerly anticipating their swan song. Until Owens learns to control his ego, there is no room for him in such a team-oriented sport as football—except maybe on the cover of Madden.

Tomahawk Chopped: The NCAA censors “offensive” Native American nicknames

A full post is coming quite soon, hopefully over the weekend. Here is my article from todays Bucknellian.

Imagine that the NCAA suddenly sent a letter to Bucknell informing them of a policy change regarding the school’s name. Not Bucknell, mind you, but the Bison nickname was no longer acceptable due to the massive hunting of the bison (the animal, not Bucky) and because some members of PETA had complained that this was cruel and unfair to the animal. Instantly, the Bucknellian would be filled with letters of protest. President Mitchell would send a letter to the NCAA appealing this verdict. Everyone would be upset about this decision, and rightfully so.

The situation above may be fictional, but something identical happened just over three months ago that has caused a flurry of protest on eighteen campuses across the country.

On August 7, The NCAA notified eighteen schools that their sports teams could no longer use their nicknames since they were offensive to Native Americans. The odd part of this ban is that it only applies to the postseason. During the postseason, the team cannot display those names or logos on their clothing, gym, or anything else. A few of the universities, such as the Florida State Seminoles, asked for and received a waiver because the local Native American tribes had given the school permission to use their name. Others, though, like Newberry College’s Chippewas, were denied the request.

Although this ruling has created a firestorm of controversy, this is certainly not the first time that this cry has been raised. When the Atlanta Braves began their dominance in 1991, many Native American tribes were upset by the Braves’ “Tomahawk Chop” and chanting—a practice that has carried over to innumerable sporting events, especially those involving Native American teams.
Proponents of the symbols, such as former President Jimmy Carter, have argued strongly that the Native American symbols are not meant in any derogatory way, but instead as emblems of a courageous group of people. Carter made remarks in 1991 about how everyone could be proud of the Braves for what they had accomplished and how it reflected on Native Americans. While his point stands, Carter should be thankful he was defending the 1991 Braves and not the 1988 Braves.

Opponents of the nicknames attest that such behavior, whether intentional or not, stereotypes Native Americans and creates, along with the names, a certain image of the Native American culture. They attest that the Tomahawk Chop and Chief Wahoo only presents one image of all tribes, and an unflattering one at that.

When examining the many viewpoints on this topic, it is important to evaluate each proposition as objectively as possible. The Native Americans who are angered by the Tomahawk Chop have a legitimate complaint that it strips them of their cultural identity. However, there are differences between harmful stereotyping, local culture, and a team name.

The point that the Native Americans and their supporters make about the stereotyping of all Native Americans as one tribe is legitimate and well-made. There are many different kinds of Native Americans and a person who has one image of all tribes is foolish. There’s a reason they have different names. Many diverse customs, histories, beliefs, and other characteristics are evident when looking at such a variety of tribes. It is important to recognize the culture and the heritage of each tribe distinctly.

In fact, this is exactly what Florida State said when appealing the NCAA’s decision. “Chief Osceola,” a student who is selected from a pool, must learn about the heritage of the Seminole people and the real Chief Osceola before attaining the honor. In fact, most of the NCAA schools use the names of actual tribes (Seminoles, Utes, Illini, to name a few), as opposed to professional sports (Redskins, Indians—and Chief Wahoo). The schools are trying to demonstrate a connection to the culture of the area and what it stands for.

As Florida State’s athletic site states, “Over the years, we have worked closely with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to ensure the dignity and propriety of the various Seminole symbols we use. Chief Osceola, astride his appaloosa when he plants a flaming spear on the 50-yard line, ignites a furious enthusiasm and loyalty in thousands of football fans, but also salutes a people who have proven that perseverance with integrity prevails.”

On second thought, though, maybe the people are right. Maybe there is something derogatory and harmful about labeling a group of people after a bit of local culture. Maybe Florida State should become the “Sinking Swamp” or the “Alligators.” But does “Alligators” conjure up a more peaceful image than “Seminoles?” And who gave us permission to use the moniker “Alligators” to represent the team? What if the alligators (and crocodiles) themselves are offended (not the Florida Gators, mind you)?

The accusation that the tribal names are derogatory is well-meant, but misguided. Again, quoting Florida State’s athletic site, “Any symbol can be misused and become derogatory.” I could probably write a letter of protest to the NCAA and say that I do not like Notre Dame’s use of the two words, “Fighting Irish.” As an Irishman (by blood, not citizenship), I could logically and reasonably state that the name of the team communicates that all Irish people do is to fight. I do not agree with that perception, and I think that Notre Dame should change its name to stop defaming Irish people across the world.

I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that my entire Irish side of the family is huge Notre Dame fans, in part because of it’s portrayal of the Irish as fighting and courageous. And I can’t say that I agree with the letter I just outlined.

I don’t want to seem like I think the point that the NCAA is making is ludicrous. There are some names that are in poor taste and would indeed be censorable. But to think that the use of a local Native American tribe as a sports nickname is offensive is a bit extreme. What will be the next thing deemed offensive? Quite frankly, I could probably come up with a legitimate reason why any college sports nickname besides the “Bilikins” is offensive, and that’s because I don’t know what a “Bilikin” is.

As the recent Bucknell University Conservative Club's speaker, David French, noted, there is a difference between being harassed or emotionally disturbed by something and being offended by it. Being offended is part of life; we have to learn to deal with being offended. If we do not, we will never emotionally reach our fourth birthday.

The 18 schools that the NCAA disciplined have done nothing wrong except have something offensive that a group of people were annoyed about. I use the term “group of people” because a Harris Interactive Poll from three years ago found that 81% of all Native Americans (and 69% of those on reservations) have no problem with the use of names such as Utes, Seminoles, and Illini. If the Native American population, by and large, does not seem too concerned about it, why should we concern ourselves with it? Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to study my bison history.