Superbowl makes history

In less than two weeks, two classy coaches, two great staffs, and the two best teams in the NFL will face each other in a game that features championship teams, commercials, and maybe a wedding proposal. There are so many story lines we will hear about . . . Peyton over coming the hump. T-Rex in the Superbowl? Will there be a Superbowl shuffle remix? Two good friends coaching opposite each other - oh did I mention that the two coaches are black. Let the one-track-minded media begin the regurgitation of the same story now.

In this time of teaching tolerance and equality (why do we choose the word tolerance and not acceptance), why is that for the next two weeks we will have to hear what an amazing feat it is that two black coaches will be opposing each other in the Super Bowl? That may seem like an extremely callous, insensitive, and ignorant thing to say, and admittedly it may be. I sincerely don't intend it to come across that way, but I am sure that it may.

We attempt to teach our children (and many adults) respect, acceptance (I'm starting the revolution now), and blindness. We do this by telling them that everyone is the same, women should be paid the same as men, and not to stare at the one legged person in the wheelchair wearing an eye patch. So how do we do this? Apparently by constantly pointing out differences and telling people that we are more different than alike. For an outsider or someone unfamiliar with our "beat it to death" media style it could come across as a striking fundamental difference from our "all men are created equal" guarantee. Would this not appear to go against that cornerstone of our freedom?

This story line is great for us as a nation and a society. But, like many other stories in our unoriginal media it will be created, regurgitated, shoved in our face, until sick of the same phrases uttered from every media outpost. We will hear the same "thoughts" about how these two great, wise friends that have been through so much will continue to do what they love. Well will probably hear comparisons to many other great people that have broken barriers, but none of it will bring about wide spread revelations. This game will not change people sadly. If a person is racist, bigoted, or hateful, this game will not change their small mind about how everyone should be treated equal. It scares me to say but I think this much press and publicity about two black head coaches, the "Rooney Rule", etc may trigger some sort of weird, wire crossed mental delusion, that can be turned around and used as propaganda. Resentment may then grow around this story and leak into some of our societies weak minded individuals.

Please don't get me wrong. Firsts are great. Everyone loves to witness and even be a part of history. These men are making history and I commend both of them on coaching superior football teams. I understand that this event is significant, but people need to shut up about it until you can put a new spin on it. This game is full of many storylines, and in the spirit of equality here are a few that may or may not be worth mentioning.

• First time a quarterback from Tennessee and Florida start a Super Bowl game, let alone go against each other
• Indi has outscored the bears 820 - 687 in a total of 37 meetings and holds a 22-15 edge in wins
• The famous '85 Bears beat the colts 17-10
• The last time these teams met (2004) the Colts stomped the Bears 41-10 with Peyton going 17-28 for 4 touchdowns and no pickles. The Bears lone touchdown came on a two yard pass from Craig Krenzel (from where??) to Dustin Lyman. Even though Dustin is still listed on the Bears roster he has no stats for the last two year. I smell a trick play.
• Ricky Proehl (3/7/1968) is the oldest player on either roster. Marvin Harrison is the third oldest player on either roster (08/25/1972). Could this be his last year?
• Poor Edgerin James

Maybe I just read too many sports articles or watch too much Sports Center, but this is a storyline we will all have to be ready to hear. Football fan or not.