The Super Bowl is upon us, and prepare for the Sports Inauguration of the first post-racial quarterback!!
Behold...that glorious and incomparable human spectacle featuring a "clash of titans" that ritually captivates America and connects us to our most basic (and perhaps sadistic) instincts. The Ravens vs the 49ers should be a game for the ages....the Harbaugh brothers...the great Ray Lewis' final game....Randy Moss and Ed Reed, the city of New Orleans' open disdain for NFL Commissioner, Roger Goddell....the commercials and, of course, will Beyonce lip-sync the national anthem?! How about a wardrobe malfunction instead... I digress.
But, as I contemplate the culmination of America's greatest sports spectacle, my mind is drawn to how the Zeitgeist often ushers in twin realities. So, while admiring the immense talent of San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his meteoric rise to stardom, I'm struck by the notion that we may be witnessing a tectonic shift in football comparable to President Obama's historic run to the White House.
Kaepernick's journey to quarterbacking his team on February 3, 2013 cannot be examined in isolation. His journey started long ago, while he figuratively sat napping astride the shoulders of giants carrying him through the flood. His success is inextricably bound to battles fought by predecessors....just as Obama is beholden to the political icons who paved the way for him. You may ask, "How can you compare a U.S. President to a mere football player?" "What really holds the two narratives together?"
Just in case you didn't peep the 411, it is reported that Kaepernick, like Obama, is the product of an African-American father and White mother. This "All-American" union is the foundational starting point of the comparison upon which all else depends. And, just as the racially ambiguous product of such a union sparked presidential curiosity, some now ask, "Is Colin really African-American?" (I don't think anyone is seriously asking that question about the President anymore.)
We know that "race" is academically considered a "social construct" and not necessarily a biological fact. But, we also know that the "construct" of race, through the institution of slavery, was enshrined in America's founding documents. We know that the U.S. Constitution originally determined that enslaved Africans would be mere property and count in the Census as only 3/5 of a person. We also know that our beloved "founding fathers" understood that only "one drop" of African blood confined you to that "constructed" racial category. So, I'll "ride" with the "founding fathers" on this one (tongue planted firmly in cheek). That notwithstanding, race is more than physical features. It's also a feeling, a sensibility, a style, a way of being in this world, a cultural comfort zone.
Of course, I don't know Colin Kaepernick, and he alone has the right to affirm his racial identity. But, it speaks volumes that Kaepernick joined a traditionally African-American social fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. (See Kaepernick in the photo above, third from right) This is particularly telling since, as the star quarterback of his college football team, he was probably "rushed" by ALL the major "white" fraternities on campus. Therefore, I venture to say he probably self-identifies as African-American. Obama also sought, embraced, and chose his African-American identity while never dismissing his "bi-racial" heritage. Likewise, it seems that Kaepernick has done the same.
Just as President Obama's election/re-election represented a significant step in America's evolution on issues of race and presidential politics, Kaepernick may achieve a comparable feat. His athletic play, tattooed body, and "swaggerlicious" (the girls love him) appearance on center stage in the Super Bowl represents a significant step in the NFL's evolution on issues of race, public image, and the "politics" of the quarterback position.
Who were those giants who carried Kaepernick through the storm while he digested his mothers milk? Ever heard of Marlin "the Magician" Briscoe, James Harris, Doug Williams, Randall Cunningham, Warren Moon, Kordell Stewart, Daunte Culpepper, Donovan McNabb, Steve McNair, Michael Vick, or Vince "VY" Young? All these African-American quarterbacks achieved significant success in the NFL and many were pioneers in their own right. But, all attained success while being STRONGLY encouraged to play the position in a traditional or conventional way.
You see, "conventional wisdom" says that success at quarterback in the NFL comes only by being a traditional "pocket passer." Conventional wisdom said that African-American quarterbacks always looked to run first and often elevated style over substance. Conventional wisdom ignored the possibility that, as relates to certain cultural sensibilities, there is no distinction between style and substance...the two are inseparable. Jim Brown didn't just run...it's the strength and power with which he ran...it's not just that Ali punched and moved...it's the effortless grace and rhythmic precision with which he performed his craft....Michael Jordan didn't just score...it's the jaw dropping nastiness with which he dunked and wagged his tongue...Tiger Woods didn't just win...it was the awe-inspiring swagger with which he dominated the field....Martin Luther King Jr. wasn't the first to utter, "I have a dream." Many, before him, said those four little words with little or no effect. It was his soul wrenching conviction, the melodious tones, and the rhetorical flourishes he used that made those words memorable. As such, I contend that style and substance are inseparable. "Conventional wisdom" is always conventional, but it's not always wisdom.
At long last, "sports darwinism" has shaken conventional wisdom from its slumbering sleep. Offensive coordinators have awakened to the fact that teams need not force square pegs into round holes...especially with such a financial investment at stake. "Old school" offensive coordinators are more like stubborn orchestral conductors than innovative Jazz band leaders. They seem to have little patience for improvisation..."run the play I called, just like it's drawn up and make ME look like a genius," they seem to say. But, an emerging generation of offensive coordinators are finding creative ways to utilize the enormous talents of these young African-American quarterbacks like Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson, and Kaepernick. These innovative coordinators are now incorporating the same "read option" offenses run in college into their NFL game plans. And, they are doing so with tremendous success. Kaepernick, Griffin, and Russell all ended the year in the top ten for Total Quarterback Rating (QBR). Imagine if VY had been allowed to incorporate the same "read option" he ran at Texas into the Tennessee Titan offense with Chris Johnson along side him in the backfield.
Let me be clear, just as it takes four wheels to be called a "car," a guy must be an accurate passer and a good leader in order to be called a quarterback. But, Kaepernick and this stable of young quarterbacks are defying conventional wisdom by proving that having a great arm, great legs, and a supple mind are not mutually exclusive characteristics. Kaepernick won his first playoff game almost exclusively with his legs, won his second playoff game exclusively with his arm, and mastered the mental aspects of the position in both playoff wins. Kaepernick proved that the synthesis of passing accuracy and athletic prowess is not only an extraordinary evolutionary advancement in quarterbacking but also a thing of exquisite beauty and a joy to watch.
As mentioned earlier, Kaepernick isn't the first to play the position with such savior faire. And, neither was Obama the first African-American to emerge on the political scene with such charismatic charm, intelligence, and political savvy. I recall the likes of MLK Jr., Barbara Jordan, Adam Clayton Powell, Andrew Young, and Shirley Chisholm,...and W.E.B DuBois, Frederick Douglas, and Sojourner Truth shocked the world before them. So, Kaepernick is not the first. But, like Obama, he may be the best "political fit" for these still racially sensitive times. (No disrespect to RG3)
This may be an enormous and unchosen burden for the young Kaepernick to carry, but he may have no choice but to carry it. He appears to be an intelligent, resilient young man well-suited to the task. Fortunately, he'll have fellow travelers, Newton, Griffin III, and Wilson to lighten the load. I wish them all the best in their careers and life.
The Super Bowl itself appears to be a toss-up. The Ravens are riding such an emotional high, they may be unstoppable at this point. But, the 49ers are supremely talented and I believe Kaepernick will be the secret weapon. So, as Alex Smith, the dislodged heir apparent, plays Hillary Clinton to Colin's Barack Obama, I can only hope that Smith plays his role as graciously as did Clinton (he may be needed). More importantly, Kaepernick must close the show with a victory and force Joe Flacco and Ray Lewis to don the threads of John McCain and Mitt Romney.
Long live Charles Darwin...and let the evolution continue!!
Until we rendezvous...
Peace!!
