Are You Ready For Some Football?

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — September 5th, 2003

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Are You Ready For Some Football?

 

Man, it's football season already? 

First, I want to give one more shout out to the Buccaneers. Big ups to the underdawgs who did the unthinkable and proved once again that while offense sells tickets, defense wins games. 

Now we can finally put last year's upset behind us.

But before we begin a new season, it's only proper that we take a moment it silence and pay our respects to Jerry Rice's Super Bowl hopes because they have been put to rest...

Aight, the 2003-2004 football season is officially underway with the first game yesterday between the Washington Redskins and the New York Jets. 

I'll give my predictions and forecasts for this season, but first let me comment on the festivities that took place downtown DC. 

Washingtonians were more than happy to host the pre-opening game gala that had everything a football fanatic could ask for.

As hundreds of thousands of people flocked to The Mall and took part in the football festivities, there 

were thousands of students, black students, who hadn't received their immunizations shots required for school. 

Wait, hold the phone, these students didn't have the proper facilities to complete their pre-first day obligations for school?

No, they didn't. 

As parents and students spent their entire Labor Day Saturday in line waiting for their shots in 90 plus degree weather, the city had $10 million dollars to spend on the pre-NFL season. 

Since when is football more important than an education? 

Wait, I forgot. This is America: Land of the Terror-Free, Home of the Paid.

It all makes sense...

This was no accident. This society puts more emphasis on athletes than it does on education. Companies endorse athletes giving them millions of dollars to skip college and go directly to the NBA. 

I am not name-dropping, just making sense of it all.

Back to the point at hand, the NFL.

The Buccaneers are playing with a target on there back and could find themselves in the super bowl again. 

And with Vick out, the Falcons may be a grounded bird. 

I am not a Falcons fan but don't count them out just yet. 

Remember when McNabb went down in the latter half of the season, the Eagles, behind A.J. Feeley still made the playoffs. 

Do we see a connection?

Two mobile quarterbacks playing for teams who are named after birds. 

Hmmm....What do you think the out come will be?

My pick to win it all? hands down, the Broncos.

Let's think about it...TD is out, but defenses would have sworn they've seen his ghost in second year half back Clinton Portis. 

1500 yards for a rookie ain't bad only fourth in the NFL behind Ricky Williams, LaDainian Tomlinson and Priest Holmes. 

The addition of Jake "The Snake" Plummer, the Broncos are going to bit through any defense, including the Raiders.