Game Recognizes Game: Mike Tyson's Inner Fight
Oct, 14, 2009
By Glenn Minnis
Vibe.com
Mike Tyson lives in solitary
confinement. That dank, desolate place where the heart and soul seek to escape when all other rhyme and reason ceases to run
free.
It's been 14 years now since a then-28-year-old Tyson was paroled from the Indiana Youth Center after serving
part of a 10-year bid born of a rape conviction. And yet, as he sat through his epiphany with Oprah this
week, it seemed clear his spirit still wrestles with a sentence so stern and griping he readily admits to having never expected
to see so much as his 40th birthday.
"I've lived a wild and strange life," the former champ and one-man
star of the brutally honest, recently released documentary Tyson said during the critically-acclaimed film. "I've
used drugs; I've had physical altercations with dangerous people; I've slept with guys' wives, they wanted to kill me. I never
thought I'd live to this age. It's just a miracle."
Throughout the Oprah gabfest and the film itself, much of
that imagery unfolds in the vividly uneven tones one might expect from a character who spent much of his youth in and out
of detention centers and foster homes, eventually becoming one of the globe's most celebrated sports stars.
But at
what cost did the Tyson legacy come? Tyson is a sobering portrait of the fast life and times of one of the sports'
most ordained and gifted, yet fundamentally flawed men. In an even broader context, it touches the surface of just how one
can perhaps come to have too much too soon and speaks to the undeniable burden of living up to all the newfound fame and baggage
that generally begets.
In the case of Tyson himself, at least a measure of that abnormality seems born of his self-professed
"baddest man on the planet" moniker. Clearly, that title grew to become a distinction for which his altar-ego knew
no boundaries, billowing to the point where it clouded not only his assessment of himself as a fighter, but as a man, as well.
How else can you explain the hubris that allows one to blow through some $300 million in less than a decade? Or even his
constant run-in with the law or wayward ways with so many women? Yet in the riddle that is Tyson, the now 42-year-old, heavily
indebted, one-time legend comes across as being as much about heart as he is defiance.
As he sat there with Oprah, rhapsodizing
about just how weary he has grown of the tiring act of failure, no one could be certain where Iron Mike goes from here. Let's
hope it's a step closer toward freedom.
Gilbert Arenas fails to recognize that gunplay is not a game
By
Glenn Minnis
TheGrio.com
Think Gilbert Arenas may have taken his 'Agent Zero' persona just a bit too much to heart?
Certainly these are sobering and soul searching times for the three-time NBA All-Star, who -
much like the character from the 1960's hit song 'Secret Agent Man' that bore his alter ego - now faces the very real prospect
of having his name taken away and tragically replaced by a number.
Only time, and much more scrutiny, will ultimately
reveal what did and didn't happen in the Washington Wizards' locker room in the days just before Christmas when Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton are alleged to have squared off, guns-at-the-ready, in a stare down so intensely defiant it would have given Tony Montana cause for pause.
But no
matter the outcome, what's already indisputably known is that Arenas violated every code known to an athlete by turning the
team's should-be sanctuary into a potential crime scene by storing as many as three firearms in his Verizon Center locker
stall.
"I used bad judgment," admitted Arenas, who also took the time to shoot down rumors that the dispute stemmed from a $25,000 gambling debt. "I don't gamble,"
he insisted. "I'm a goofball, that's what I am. Even with something like this, I'm going to make fun of it. Anything
I do is funny, well it's funny to me."
But in a time when firearms account for far too many deaths each year
and an era in which fellow pro athletes Steve McNair, Darrent Williams and Sean Taylor all lost their lives to gunfire, Arenas may have a hard time gaining an audience to share in all the laughter.
He will be put to the test as never
before today when he is expected to meet with state and perhaps even federal authorities to further articulate his side of
the story. And, for his sake, it better be clear and concise.
The District of Columbia harbors some of the nation's
strictest gun laws, and given Arenas' 2003 conviction for carrying a concealed weapon, the courts may not be so forgiving
this time. At the very least, both he and Crittenton face stiff discipline at the hands of no-nonsense NBA
Commissioner David Stern.
And all for what? A measure of false bravado? A superficial level of one-upmanship? Two
careers now precipitously hang in the balance because neither man had the resolve, gumption or mindset to simply walk away.
Is it any wonder why the Wizards now roam and hover among the league's perennial bottom feeders?
Game Recognizes Game: Tell Rush Limbaugh To Get Off My (Foot)balls
Ocr. 11,
2009
Glenn
Minnis
Vibe.com
What's next, Glenn Beck being entrusted to man the
halls of A.C.O.R.N.? Maybe Bill O'Reilly being handpicked to curate the social significance of hip-hop?
Indeed, news that Rush Limbaugh is being seriously considered as a new, potential NFL owner resonates
as just that appalling. How could it not when you consider that roughly two-thirds of all NFL players are black and how, time
and time again, Repressive Rush has shown the world he absolutely has no use or affinity for that very life form.
Can you say Donovan McNabb? Or Barack Obama--that's Mr. President
to you, Rush--for that matter? Meet his one overriding criteria, and Rush seems an equal-opportunity hater.
"I
don't want anything to do with a team that he has any part of," New York Giants star linemen Mathias Kiwanuka
assured all that would listen in a recent interview. "All I know is I heard he said in Obama's America white kids are
getting beat up on the bus while black kids are chanting 'right on.' He can do whatever he wants, but if it goes through I
can tell you where I am not going to play. I liken it to South Park when I am listening to him."
Only
Limbaugh's words and views are no joke, as thousands, upon thousands, upon even more thousands gobble up his brand of hatred
as if it were chicken soup for the soul. Yes, he is their Dr. Feel Good.
But this time, on
this issue, Limbaugh's voice won't be the only one heard. The Brothers have vowed to make certain of that. Fight the power.
Game Recognizes Game: The Irony of "Money" Mayweather
Sept, 20,
2009
By Glenn Minnis
Vibe.com
What's
the irony in being $6 million in debt and celebrated as "Money" at the same time?
Floyd
Mayweather may have put on a show for the ages in Vegas last night by easily outclassing Juan Manuel Marquez, but the bigger
news seems to be that "Money" now finds himself embroiled in a stare down with Uncle Sam, himself.
Stories persist that Mayweather is more than $6 million in debt and only returned to the ring after a 21-month retirement
as a means to pay off the IRS upwards of what he'd earn from the fight. Word is, he needed to enter a prearranged agreement
with the government simply to prevent the bean counters from rushing the ring to garnish his purse.
For what it's worth, "Money" disputes it all as fluidly as he fires off one of his lightening-fast combinations.
"Floyd Mayweather with money problems... please," insists the man widely regarded as the industry's best pound-for-pound
grappler.
"We got the big-boy mansion, we got Lambos, we got Rolls Royces, we got a lot
of stuff, but guess what? The difference between me and everybody else - my (stuff) is paid for, what about yours?" asks
Mayweather.
Well, maybe not everything, Floyd. The six-time world champ in five different weight
divisions was sued back in 2007, and had a Maybach repossessed after he stopped making his $9,000 monthly payments. And certainly,
"Money" wouldn't be the first athlete to somehow blow through millions upon millions in riches before even embarking
on life's golden years.
Call it the curse of being a world-class athlete, the maddening sense
of invincibility and entitlement that earnestly seems to come with the territory. Remember, Mike Tyson, Latrell Sprewell and
Evander Holyfield all had it. But et tu,
Game Recognizes Game: Thank You, MJ23
Sept. 11, 2009
What can you say about a man whose acts have forever rendered the world speechless?
Perhaps
the greatest compliment you can pay Michael Jordan derives from comparing his own words to the actions of all those that have
so reverently followed in his sneakers.
"My standards have always been mine alone,"
MJ once proudly boasted to ESPN in the wake of his second NBA three-peat with his dynasty-laden Chicago Bulls. "I have
never tried to be like somebody else or live up to the expectations of others. I don't believe in following."
Now, ask yourself what baller hasn't tried to be like Mike? On one level or another, Kobe, LeBron, AI, D-Wade, nestled
at the heart of what they all do lies a clear and fundamental obsession with Air.
And today,
Hoop's Nation takes pause. Pause to not only reflect on all the glorious memories, but express one lasting salutation to the
man who has graced us with a clearly distinguishable measure by which we now define and interpret hardwood greatness.
MJ officially enters the NBA Hall of Fame today in a formality that seems as long in coming as the creation of a national
healthcare plan. There's no denying that on the hardwood his Airness was simply "God disguised as Michael Jordan,"
as Larry Bird attested in 1986 after MJ dropped 63 on the Celts in a playoff game at the old, fabled Boston Garden.
And in some ways, Jordan's impact has been nearly as profound in the arena of pop culture. MJ popularized baggy
shorts, made cropped cuts a fad so cool it still persists and, of course, gave us Air Jordans. Perhaps we should have taken
our cue to just how much he would come to change the game back in 1997, when he posed on a Vibe cover alongside Chris
Rock, who interviewed him for the feature. He schooled us on the do's and dont's of the advertising game: Condoms were viewed
as okay--provided someone was willing to make and promote a larger model--but cigars, maybe, not so much.
That would be vintage Jordan, a man simply blessed enough to master feats that still resonate as far outside the box,
perform at heights we once could only dream of maybe reaching.
It all comes full circle on this
day, when Michael Jordan officially ascends to the throne of basketball royalty. Go ahead Your Airness, and take a bow, a
standing-ovation No one has ever done more to merit the distinction.
Game
Recognizes Game: Nine Reasons LeBron Should
Enter Dunk Contest
Dec. 12, 2009
By Glenn Minnis
Vibe.com
Word on the street is LeBron James may have finally been cajoled
and prodded enough to take part in his first NBA All-Star Weekend dunk contest down in Dallas in just a few short weeks. Let
us all, hoop fans everywhere, bow our heads in hope and trust those rumors indeed come to ring true. But just in case The
King may still be wavering a bit, we here at Vibe.com have nine reasons why he should be feel so inclined just might be enough
to spur him to action...
⑨ It'll keep the
Nike balance sheets upright. And with all the recent Tiger Woods hoopla, Swoosh execs might be in need of
a little good news.
⑧ It would save the fans
from having to sit through another over-hyped, anti-climatic Nate Robinson final round.
⑦ A showing of The King may be the only thing regal enough to entice Vince
Carter into a last stand.
⑥ Was
that a Michael Jordan sighting? If MJ's one of the judges--as poetic justice surely suggests he should be--he
has to actually show his face, right?
⑤ For
once we'd get to see LBJ free to wheel and deal, and not handcuffed by Mike Brown's stagnant and prohibitive offense.
④ Can you imagine the lyrics Jay-Z
could record to pay homage?
③ It's a rites
of passage. Dr. J, His Airness, Dominique, VC and Kobe have all respected
the pledge you've got to give the people what they want. King, or no King, LeBron is obligated to do the same.
② Wouldn't you love to see Shaq throwing
the alley to LeBron's oops once the teammate assisted portion of the comp rolls around?
① He who wears the crown
makes the rules. Which translates to mean come victory, The King gets to strut and dance all he wants
Game Recognizes Game:
10 Reasons The Lakers Might Not Repeat in 2010
Oct. 28, 2009
The
Los
Angeles Lakers got their rings and won their opener this week. So things are looking pretty good for the Lake Show,
right? Not so fast. Check out these 10 reasons
Kobe Bryant and Co. might not repeat...
By
Glenn Minnis
Vibe.com
⑩ In keeping with his ritual
of handing out inspirational tomes to all his players before the start of a new season, Phil Jackson settles
on Pat Riley's "The Winner Within." The copies never arrive, getting stalled somewhere over Miami.
⑨ Kobe now has tasted No.
4, how much hungrier can he really be?
⑧ Each time the Staples
Center hype man spins War's classic "Why Can't We Be Friends" during pregame this season, Khloe Kardashian-(Odom?)
and Vanessa Bryant bolt the arena. Separate exits, of course.
⑦
We haven't even mentioned Ron Artest yet.
⑥
How much longer can Derek Fisher be expected to keep up with the trifecta of Chris Paul,
DeRon Williams and Tony Parker?
⑤
Lamar Odom will miss at least 25 games this season tending to various injuries. He'll really just need the
time to film more footage for his new reality show with Khloe.
④
Nothing the Zen Master has ever experienced, from smoking weed in the Himalayas to coaching Jordan, Rodman
and Pippen in the Chi, can aptly prepare him for what's about to go through this year in Cali.
③ Jack Nicholson meets the Kardshians.
② This isn't what Pau Gasol
had in mind when he convinced his parents to allow him to shun the family business of medicine for a run at the NBA. Then
again, maybe is is.
① The Kardashian sisters figure to have full
access to the Lakers locker room. That means all nine black players on the team's opening night roster will soon be at their
mercy.
Game Recognizes Game: Who's The Real Superman?
By Glenn Minnis
Vibe.com
Game recognizes game, right?
So why would Shaquille
O'Neal be so vexed over the notion that Dwight Howard would want to follow him in both deed and
acknowledgment? All hell broke loose in the days preceding an otherwise peaceful All-Star Game Weekend when the two behemoths
came face-to-face during a Cavs vs. Magic matchup and the subject of who now most justifiably should own dibs to the Superman
moniker heard light of day.
Of course, Shaq has sported the name longer—if for no other reason than he's the
more veteran player—and has the big, requsite “S” tattoo and “Man of Steel” lettering to prove
it. But given his angst reaction to Howard daring to brand himself similarly, you would think he's
trademarked it as well.
“Superman, my ass,” said Shaq, openly taking offense with the idea Howard rarely
plays him one-on-one in their head to head showdowns. “When I was coming up and there was Ewing and Hakeem, I never
doubled anybody. You tell me who the real Superman is. I never doubled nobody.”
But being-doulecrossed? Well,
in Shaq's mind that seems a whole other story. "It's normal for a kid to copycat his idol, but you know he can never
be this good," ranted O'Neal. “He's a good player; he can jump. But they'll probably never be another me. Everything
he's done, I've invented. So I'm not impressed."
To his credit, the upstart Howard has taken the high road, behaving
in a way that only seems fitting when one of the game's greatest legend would be clearly your rather imaginary adversary.
"I'm a young player trying to get to where he's at,” said Howard. “I felt it would be better if he tried
to help me instead of trying to put me down. I would just ask that somebody like Shaquille O'Neal help me become a better
basketball player and a better person. He can have the name."
Mind you, this wouldn't be the first time Shaq has
grown a little sensitive when he suspects in the least that his own greatness may somehow be growing diminished. Think, Penny
Hardaway, Kobe Bryant or even Dwyane Wade.
Hey, Big Fella, Shaq, Superman---
whatever name it is you you prefer--- just chill out for a minute.
What's the logic in a couple of brothers going to
war over something neither one of them really owns to begin with? Try feeling all the love, but remember to share it
a little bit as well. We all know they'll never be another one quite like The Diesel.
Game Recognizes Game: Nike x Kobe x Guns?
By Glenn Minnis
Vibe.com
Just don't do it.
That would be my stern and
rather lordly advice to the suits at Nike now struggling to sell their best Ruben Studdard "I'm Sorry" impersonations
to all the world after the company's ill-advised release of a bevy of ads trumpeting Kobe Bryant's boast: "I'll do whatever
it takes to win games. I don't leave anything in the chamber."
With all due respect
to Gilbert Arenas, when did such brazen gun references, or worse yet possession, become such a cool or lighthearted source
of communication? Long known for its somewhat edgy and pushing-the-envelope style of advertising, Nike misses the ball from
the jump here in daring to prompt both Bryant and co-star LeBron James into striking their most menacing Prisoner Cell Block
H promotional poses.
"Prepare for Combat," reads a slogan pasted next to a picture
of the side-by-side stars and the Nike logo. Now, is it just me or does that seem a bit extreme just to peddle sneakers and
t-shirts? Particularly, to an already highly-impressionable, youth-oriented market.
Of
perhaps equally damning consequence, this all comes on the heels of Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton pleading guilty
to carrying firearms inside their team's locker room. Ditto for the eerie prediction of world renown sociologist Dr. Harry
Edwards who recently warned: “Somebody is going to wind up shooting up a locker room. It's happened in courthouses;
it's happened in schools, fast food places, post offices and offices buildings. We had better get on top of this gun thing.”
For all our sakes, Dr. Edwards this is one time I hope you're way off base. But the Nike ads
just left me a little more spooked. - Glenn Minnis
Game
Recognizes Game: The King Has Spoken
Oct. 9, 2009
By Glenn Minnis
Vibe.com
How does one
descend from the platitudes of favorite son and into the realm of exile about as quickly as you can utter the words "NBA
tittle?"
Such treason is now known as the "Braylon Edwards rule,"
as the now-condemned, former Cleveland Browns star meets such a fate after daring to overthrow a king.
That would be King James, as in LeBron, as in NBA patriarch, whom Edwards' not so wisely raised the
ire of this week after being involved in a late-night brawl with one of his primary subjects. Edwards allegedly clocked LBJ
BFF Edward Givens outside a Cleveland nightclub Sunday night, all but assuring his banishment from the banks of Lake Erie.
Seems the former may have thought the town of Ohio might not have been large enough for the two men, or at least that's
what the latter seems to think. "I've never crossed paths with Braylon before, but it seems like there's a little jealousy
going on with me and my friends," said LeBron. "I have no idea why. "I've never said anything to Braylon, but
for him to do that is very childish. My friend is 130 pounds. Seriously. It's like hitting one of my kids."
And with that, the 26-year-old Edwards was immediately ordered to his room to ponder the errors of his ways. Only now,
he'll find that space somewhere in New York City, where the Browns shipped him less than 48-hours after his alleged tirade.
For Braylon's sake, let's hope from this point on LeBron shows himself to be a merciful ruler. After all, you know
NYC loves The King.
Game Recognizes Game: The Perfect Salute
Glenn Minnis
Vibe.com
Now that's G. Crossover appeal at a whole other level.
As the Yankees accepted keys to
the city in recognition of their record 27th world championship before throes of adoringly mesmerized supporters this week,
New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg eagerly stepped to the podium to pronounce the Bombers the planet's unabashed
greatest. And as a testament to those lyrics, that indisputable standing, he offered the sentiments of.... Jay-Z.
Yes, it's never been more platinized that the Jigga Man and what he invariably stands for has unquestionably arrived. So
much so that he was empowered enough to perform his signature N.Y. anthem "Empire State of Mind" virtually solo,
or at the very least sans collaborator Alicia Keys.
The Yanks graciously basked in their newfound
limelight as they breezed past their Canyon of Heroes parade, but it was clear Jay offered up equal parts star power for the
demo. One by one... Jeter, A-Rod and CC, all came to regale in the vibe of the people. And
in the end, Jigga capped the performance.
Go ahead and take a bow, a standing ovation. All of you.
Game
Recognizes Game: Ron Artest Gets Stripped.. Literally
By Glenn Minnis
Vibe.com
By Ron Artest, or even L.A. standards, the mercurial Lakers
star forward latest antics seem a bit extreme.
Artest showed for his Jimmy Kimmel Live show appearance this
week dressed in a way that would make even Beyoncé or Lil Kim blush. "I was
running late," said Artest, in explaining why he appeared live wearing nothing but his boxers.
In addition to
such a show stopper, throughout the night Kimmel revealed such interesting nuggets as Artest majored in math while in school
and computes his unorthodox uniform numbers based on an ode to Michael Jackson, introduced Lamar
to Khloe and harbors aspirations of one day being a pro boxer.
And as if none of that wasn't attention
grabbing enough, Artest had Kimmel's name chiseled into the back of his dome, earnestly begging the question of if the triangle
of Artest, L.A. and NBA championship truly could ever go hand and hand.
Hey
Kobe,
Phil,
good luck with that, alright.
How Tiger can earn his stripes back
By Glenn Minnis
The Grio.com
Judging from Tuesday morning reports of a
woman being transported to a hospital from Tiger Woods' home, the ongoing drama that has become the life and times of the world's preminent golfer have yet to reach a crescendo.
Some are already wondering if he'll ever truly prove worthy of an encore. What, if anything, can Tiger do to again be looked
upon in the same light by his once adoring public?
Indeed, the road to redemption rarely ever comes without pitfalls
and the last week or so has shown Woods' plight to hold no exception. Yet folklore has also long assured us that where there's
a will, there's typically a way. Thus, herein lies a blueprint to making a way out of no way, as it relates to the restoration
of the image and career of the Tiger Woods we all once thought we use to know.
1. Tiger needs to own his own
story
In short, Woods needs to come out of hiding. Right or wrong, there exists a presumption of guilty until
proven innocent in our society and that decree holds forth even more in the world of celebrity. How can Tiger ever again prove
he's worthy of all our love and adulation when he seems so intent on never again making eye contact with any of us? Sure,
he's admitted to "transgressions" but the overly vague nature of that very response seemed to only stoke the fires of outlandishness even more. Yes, Woods long ago proved he's a stud, but so many paramours?
2. Display a greater level of humanity
One of the general raps on Tiger has always been his oft
standoffish nature. While some might now argue that clearly hasn't always been his way, if he's ever to completely reconnect
with the public at large he needs to show the world a bit more of of his soul. At times, Woods can appear as stoic and emotionless
as they come, traits that can sometimes make one seem both a bit judgmental and egotistical. And the last thing anyone wants
to feel is arrogance at the hands of an admitted "transgressor."
3. Remind us of what all the fanfare
was about to begin with
Simply translated that means Tiger needs to reemerge as vintage Tiger along the links.
And he needs to do so like yesterday. The reality is the bulk of Tiger's greatest worshipers are athletes at heart themselves,
countless men joined as one by our widespread awe with his standing as arguably the world's grandest sportsman.
While
it's unlikely many of us will ever completely turn our backs on him, we need to again see his heart --- at least when it comes
to the game.
4. Tiger needs to grow up
There's no denying that pro athletes and famous people
in general get away with far more than any of us Regular Joe's could ever imagine. But part of what makes them most endearing
to us is when they act and behave as society outlines we all should. In short, Tiger needs to drop the blatant sense of entitlement
routine and humble himself enough to act and behave as all us mere mortals have to.
5. Make good with his
family
Not for the media, not for the fans and not for the suits along Madison Ave., rather earnestly for
the salvation of his family. Whatever, he needs to do, couple's counseling, spiritual guidance, whatever, Tiger needs to show
us he truly wants the life he still professes to all he does. Being able to again sell us all his many endorsed products has
to start with us being able to truly buy the story of his life.
Game Recognizes
Game: A.I. Thrown to the Lions, er, Grizzlies
Sept. 15, 2009
By Glenn
Vibe.com
Some
theories are simply better left unproven.
Case in point, a few years back when I was toiling long hours on a project
for ESPN The Magazine and happened upon a debate between several of the mag's editors. The subject was none other
than Allen Iverson--they all were adamant that the moment A.I. began to show the slightest hint he's lost a step, he'd instantly
be discarded from the League in the same heartless manner ground squirrels are known to devour their young.
The idea
was The Answer had simply burned too many bridges. His free-spirited nature was the direct result of far too much angst and
tension among all those powerfully unforgiving beings that likewise signed his paychecks.
I thought for a
moment back then about what it must feel like to be chastised for simply being who you are, vilified because your personality--no
matter how innately genuine it may seem--is different from what the powers that be would have it.
Still I kept it
moving, not to reminisce of such matters again until a few years later, when as sports editor for a Russell Simmons-owned
Web property I met with A.I. in his hometown of Newport News, Virginia to talk Larry Brown, the City of Brotherly Love and
his foray into the rap game.
It wasn't long before I was getting to know and understand an Allen Iverson far different
from the one I'd long been presented with. He talked love of family, vocation and for all of mankind. He talked honor, giving
back to his community and how he too had heard many of the same rumblings voiced in those ESPN offices back in the day.
"I know when I'm done playing, I'm pretty much done with basketball," The Answer reflected. "You won't
see hanging around any body's arena. If that's the price for not turning my back on my friends just because some people think
they're not good people, so be it. I've known most of them all my life, and I know otherwise."
But NBA GMs and
execs know what they know, too, or at least what they perceive to know. So when A.I.'s numbers fell off to 18 ppg last season
from 26 the year before, many of them sought to seize their moment.
Granted, Iverson just signed a one-year deal with
the Memphis Grizzlies that will pair him with newbie hotshot O.J. Mayo in the backcourt, at nearly $4 million. Still, at a
salary decrease of around $18 million from the season prior, you can't help but feel this may be the beginning of the end
in the big payback.
Yeah, I know all the baggage A.I. carries. The missed practices, problems with the law and issues
with his posse. But I also know that over his 13-year career few have played the game any better or harder.
Still
think this was just about basketball?
Game Recognizes Game: Meet President Terrell Owens
Sept.
30, 2009
Glenn Minnis
Vibe.com
Where
you as shocked as I was to see Terrell Owens morph into President Barack Obama right before your very eyes?
The climate was certainly ripe for such a metamorphosis this week when an incorrigible band of media members peppered
the Buffalo Bills star wideout with the same sort of loaded, repetitive questions our commander-and-chief now faces on the
regular.
The missives come disguised as questions for which there are no real answers, at least
not any that wouldn't lead to even greater persecution of the subject. But, then, that is the point, isn't it?
Try as he might to defuse it all, T.O. was simply at a loss when he took the podium Sunday following the Bills 27-7
home loss to New Orleans, his first NFL game without a single catch since his rookie season some 13-seasons ago. "T.O.
this has to be frustrating for you; T.O. this has to be insulting for you; T.O."--you get the crux and aim of the interrogation.
Granted, not many athletes have been greater manipulators of the media or individual serve-servers than Owens over
the last decade, but isn't there some limits as to just how much that should have to do with any true in-the-moment interview?
Besides, the job of any journalist is always to simply report the news, never create it. Somehow, all that got lost
with T.O. on Sunday, just as it seems to with our new president each and every day.
Now, ask
yourself what's the undeniable variable in both those sequences?
Game Recognizes Game:
In Serena's Shoes...
Sept. 18, 2009
By Glenn Minnis
Vibe.com
Perception
is everything.
Action speaks louder than words.
Three strikes
and you're out.
Given the ever-pervasive and expressive nature by which those phrases have
come to explain and exemplify so many of our everyday feelings and reactions to virtually everything around us, is it totally
implausible that Serena Williams would be on the edge as she was on the U.S. Open stage last week?
All those elements--and the emotions born of them--came to bear for Serena in her winner-take-all, grudge match
outing against Kim Clijsters.And let's not forget the likely repressed on-court nightmare of 2001 in a loss to Jennifer Capriati.
The calls made and actions taken against Williams by one referee were deemed so egregious, tour officials moved to suspend
the ref.
"She's obviously anti-Serena," Williams said of umpire Mariana Alves that
night on the very same court where her meltdown against Clijsters took place. "I feel very angry and bitter right now.
I felt cheated. I just feel robbed."
Add all those still rather raw emotions to the nightmare
memories of 2000, when chants of "kick her butt Lindsay (Davenport)," reigned down incessantly on big sis Venus
as she sought to win her first U.S. Open title against Davenport before a nearly all-white, not totally adoring U.S. Open
crowd and... well you start to capture the potential volatility of last week's rather controversial moment.
Clearly, Serena Williams may have taken center court at the site of some of her most painful memories with a defensive
chip on her shoulder. And yes, she may have reacted to her night's adversity in a way unbecoming of a champ of her stature.
Yet when you consider these three instances she's lived through in that very venue, doesn't it all become a bit easier to
understand?
Game Recognizes Game: Plaxico Burress Dropped the Ball
Sept. 28,
2009
By Glenn Minnis
Vibe.com
Be careful what you wish for. And even more to the point, be ever prudent about what you do and
how you do it once you get what you've got.
That's the harder lesson to be learned from the Plaxico Burress debacle:
The clearly undeniable reality that fame, fortune and notoriety alone are not enough to absolve you of all life's trials and
tribulations.
Plax had all those things and more--a man considered to be among the wealthiest of the wealthy,
one who just relocated to one of the biggest cribs near all of NYC. Now ask yourself if there's anyone that would change places
with him right now?
For all those with stars yet in their eyes, you need to know the score. Understand that
no one can reach the aforementioned needed moment of reckoning in your stead. Yes, I may indeed be my brother's keeper, but
that doesn't make me his conscious. And certainly not his salvation.
In the end, fame can and often times is
quite fleeting. Plaxico Burress learned that the hard way. And while there is certainly no exact science on how one should
best handle all the drama it can entail, what Plax left us with is a blueprint of how not to do so.
Game Recognizes Game: So Favre, So Good
Oct. 6, 2009
Glenn Minnis
Vibe.com
It
was vintage Brett Favre last night (October 6), as the venerable vet used the Monday Night Football stage
to recast himself in classic character. Call it an episode of a "relic with a cause."
Alas,
motivation again reigned as the great equalizer, as the drunk-with-thoughts-of-revenge Favre outplayed upstart Green Bay quarterback
Aaron Rodgers to the point of making the New Jack look like Father of Time might convince you the 40-year-old
gunslinger should at this point.
"You guys are going to print what you want," the
Minnesota Vikings QB told a contingent of reporters in the wake of his three touchdown, 271-yards passing masterpiece. "I
just did what I was expected to do today. You make the decision."
Consider it done, my
man. What Brett Favre did was show that there are no substitutes for heart, resolve and, in the final and greater assessment,
God-given ability.
After all the fanfare had ceased to be, Favre admitted that he took the field
as nervous as he's ever been over the course of his more than two-decade-long career. But lucky for him, there wasn't much
time to think about it.
Remember, time waits for no one.
