Damn the Man
There are often things that people do that casts them as villians. Well here are some things that when I saw them I either stood with the person, couldn’t see what the problem was or at least understood the action.

Pedro Martinez vs. Don Zimmer
Damn that. When I’m a geezer you won’t catch me running up on no young cat unless I know I can beat his ass. Especially in a sport where it’s common for coaches to have pitchers hit a batter. Then on top of it, Pedro was gentle. He cradled his head, side stepped and guided him down. If he had cocked back and tagged him on some Kermit Washington that would be different. All money did was make sure he was going to be safe. The most important thing to remember: the benches had just cleared cause Manny thought Clemens had thrown at him. Pedro was chilling with his bench jacket on and here comes Zimmer in a rush. WARNING: Any old men reading this: don’t rush me and expect to get off light my reflexes may be quicker than my conscience.

Ray on Trial
This one was some complete and utter bull. Fact: He and two of his friends were charged with murder. Fact: Ray Lewis did tell his friends not to say anything. Fact: Ray Lewis did testify against his friends. Fact: Witness would not say that Ray even threw a punch, many said he was telling people to stop. Fact: Ray was made to look like a villain for a while after this, even getting dissed in regards to true MVP props and was spoken of like he wouldn’t give the police any information and was some kind of thug. Even to this day when I hear or read some fans talking about him the first negative thing said is he’s a murderer. I say: He cooperated beyond a point most black men deem sufficient…he implicated his friends. He broke the rule of the playground and still America wasn’t happy. The state spent so much effort on him when they didn’t have a case that they couldn’t even prove his peoples guilty. I don’t think I’m out of line to say that when something happens before the police come in most Black will say, “don’t say nothing”. The only other thing Ray could have done would be to provide video evidence of his friends committing the murder complete with spanish sub-text, maybe that would have made people happy.

Ricky Quits
This is a situation I hated. A lot of times in life you’re told if you can’t handle something then you need to walk away. I think that’s what Ricky tried to do and he got roasted for it. Seems like he always had some issues that just didn’t go with being a Pro-Player. Remember how he would do interviews with his helmet on? No question dude was a good running back. Perhaps he owes something to his teammates. However, if your heart ain’t in it you need to go. I don’t care if all he wanted was to smoke weed and fondle himself all day…let him go. The worse part was not the criticism he endured at that time, but after the Dolphins were going to ream him for $8 million and he had to come back he was criticized about whether his heart was in it. Of course not, he thought he was out and they pulled him back in. Hell if I was told I had to pay $8 Million or chill with Dubya and Co. Best believe you’ll see me spitting game to Condi. This is a case where he actually tried to do the right thing and got creamed. How many people that work with you would you want to keep around with his situation?

Tyson Bites Holyfield
This is one I feel strongly about. In the time since this fight I have heard anyone who talks about boxing and has mentioned Holyfield say something about his headbutting. I watched that tape and he gave it to Mike like 3 times in two swipes and those weren’t the only ones. As far as boxing, once you have a cut over your eye you know that joint is going to get worked till you can’t see. I feel you Mike! If Mike had kicked him in the nuts or something maybe people wouldn’t feel so raw about it. But hey it was fight and as fights go when you’re in trouble you take what’s there.

Augusta and Women
This is a tricky one…honestly I think if he could that Hootie Johnson wouldn’t let Tiger play at Augusta either. I’m sure if he could the only people who weren’t white men would be cooking and cleaning. What makes me accept him not letting women in is this: Throughout history there have been all male clubs, schools, etc. Today this is not the case. Many all male schools have been closed because people feel like men have no culture that needs a setting to flourish in. Schools for women, however, are not viewed that way. More and more there are no places strictly for men, the reverse is not true. I can feel him on the point of wanting an all male club…I just wouldn’t endorse him in public. I think the main thing that bothers me is still hear how certain things are a man’s job or a man’s responsibility, but there’s no priviledge to back it up. On another note, how come when old white dudes are named Scooter and Hootie it’s all good, but let a brother try to run something and say his name is Ray Ray or Man and see what happens.