If this bothers you.... allow me to further disturb you and make you even more uncomfortable.
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These are athletes. Heroes to some. Villians to others.
They all attempted -- some more successfully than others -- to make a difference.
I'd argue that if these images bother you, infuriate you, make you uncomfortable or otherwise disrupt your warm and friendly space, then they're all doing precisely what they're supposed to be doing.
A lot of people are upset that Colin Kaepernick's image wasn't on the cover of the current issue of Sports Illustrated.
I could care less either way, but one person's image that didn't make the cover was San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who earlier this week, made perhaps the most cogent comments of all regarding the current landscape in sports and its turbulent relationship with the political and social landscape.
"We know how everything happens, we know where the power in the country is, we know the racism that exists. But it's gone beyond that to a point where I'm more worried about, and confused by, the people around our president. These are intelligent people who know exactly what's going on. They basically were very negative about his actions but now it seems like it's condoned. We saw it this weekend with his comments about people who should be fired or people who shouldn't be allowed to do this sort of thing. I wonder what the people think about who voted for him, where their line is, how much they can take, where does the morality and decency kick in?"
Despite the dire warnings made by POTUS of where the business of the NFL was headed, it can be safely reported that it is in fact, not going to hell.
In fact, the NFL is headed to Green Bay, Wisconsin tonight for Thursday Night Football. I know that because (shameless promotional comment coming) we're broadcasting the game on FOX.
The NFL is also headed this weekend to Miami where the Dolphins host the New Orleans Saints.
It's headed to Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas and Minneapolis. Chances are pretty good that there are people in those communities -- as well as in places like Baltimore, Houston, Los Angeles and Denver -- who have been effected, one way or another by some of the very same issues your favorite athletes are attempting to bring to light.
Maybe someone, or more than a few, would be interested in having a discussion. A civilized discourse where we can admit to our shortcomings and come up with ideas where we can all do better.
Oh yeah.... the games will all be entertaining. Men will hit each other, touchdowns will be scored, penalties will be disputed and people will be captivated by watching athletes doing what they're paid insane amounts of money to do on a regular basis
Surely we can be entertained and better informed at the same time.
Rest In Peace, Hugh Hefner.
The creator of PLAYBOY Magazine. The man who built it a media and entertainment-industry giant died on Wednesday at the Playboy Mansion near Beverly Hills, Calif. He was 91.
The photo above is of Carmen Berg, Miss July 1987. My all-time favorite Playmate.
Obviously I had to find the most allowable and appropriate photo for this particular blog post. There were many others I could have chosen, but not without some risk to my employment status.
After all, we are a family-friendly outfit here at FOX AM1340/93.9FM!
But I can admit (again) that Google is a very good thing. And recalling Berg's photo shoot in that particular issue brought back some wonderful memories.... alright, there more like fantasies than actual memories, but you get the drift.
The Broncos face the Raiders this weekend. It's a game you'll hear on Sunday afternoon. We'll preview the game with Ryan Edwards of the Orange and Blue Network.
We'll also talk college football and more with our resident USC man Chuck Hayes. The Trojans have an important Friday night date with Washington State. It's one of two college football games we're broadcasting this weekend.
That and so much more is coming up this morning on FIRST SPORTS. You can hear the show anywhere across America on the I Heart Radio app through our website at foxsports1340.com, or locally on the radio dial at AM1340/93.9FM.
Tune in today and every weekday from 9am - Noon ET.
You're welcome, America.