http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2242567/Terry-Achane-Married-fathers-horror-wife-places-baby-adopted-Frei-family-telling-him.html?ICO=most_read_module

Unfortunately, the non-sports media sees this as a color thing, but in the lockerroom and as an ex-coach and player, I know all the guys see it the same. For me I would look at the white player all tatted up the same as the black player all tatted up. For me when I see some tatted up (not just a tatoo) I wonder. What’s the background? Is this guy ok? He seems quite expressive about his story? Is there something going on with him (based on him being tatted up) that might keep him from being able to focus and lead his team. They’re just genuine questions. Anything he needs to tell me that I can help him with?

You’re right the focus shouldn’t be on minorities. Unfortunatley, there are still a small few who are narrowed minded and it gives them an out to be bigoted. These days guys are more individualized and expressive…even the white guys. Starting tackle for the Dolphins whole arm is covered, Clay Matthews for the Packers’ hair is as all the down his back, Vikings defensive linemen Jared Allen has a few also, White Chocolate Jason Williams ex-Miami Heat point gaurd had a bunch..Birdman for the Nuggets.

Most of the sports crowd is diverse and open minded. So I wouldn’t let one asshole get us down.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattoo

Corporate America always wants to have it both ways. One minute you want urban culture then you don’t. I remember years ago people talking about banning brothers from wearing lock in football. Really! We all have different nuances to our different cultural backgrounds. Nothing wrong with that. As long as you don’t hurt me and I dont hurt you then what’s the issue. A lot of these journalists, who tend to be white alot, come off real jealous to athletes, especially black ones. Then when they say some slick shit, or print a picture or caricature of a player and then a player gets offended and says something, then they want to hide behind free speech. Free speech won’t save you when that athlete (no matter the ethnicity) catch you by yourself and whips your weak ass. Some of these ponk ass reporters need their asses whipped for the shit they talk. Media loves to phrase things in a certain way to start trouble. I realized over the years that i had a lot of things in common with whites. But because I was younger, and considered myself black, I automatically assumed that myself and whites could never get along. Come to find out it’s not the case. But you know who drove that thought home: media. Not saying blacks and whites haven’t had conflicts but individually, never had any conflicts with whites. So whether you’re black white pink or purple, learn people individually first. Stop making ignorant assumptions about people you just don’t know. Just because a person plays a sport doesn’t mean your stupid ass journalism degree allows you the right to judge people off of their profession haphazardly. In my opinion, media is the number one reason why society can’t move forward in a positive way because of the dissension it likes to cause amongst different groups. Damn it’s just a fucking tatoo and he’s a football player. Dude didn’t commit a crime. if people engaged their government as much as they did their fantasy leagues and sports figures, maybe this country could be the jewel it was meant to be damn idiots.

I will be waiting…

WHITE STANDARD – I couldn’t disagree with you more. Just like you and leaderchips said it doesn’t define ones character, HOWEVER, it’s just one less hurdle you have to jump through. Kaepernick seems like a decent young man even when he was at Nevada U. It’s not a white standard…that standard applies to all regardless of race and especially those positions of leadership. If it were my middle linebacker, I wouldn’t even blink. We’re talking quarterback. I want that guy looking like Peyton Manning, Doug Williams, Tom Brady, Tony Dungy, Steve Nash, Dwayne Wade – crisp and sharp like you’re on you’re way to work and all the guys and teammates dependent on you can SEE THAT eveytime they pass you. To me it’s gladly accepting the fact you are representing everybody at that position..not just yourself. One of my best friends is the head coach at a predominately black university in Louisiana. He believes the same thing even for his quarterback at the predominately black university. It just doesn’t apply to the “white” institution. To me it transcends.

TATTOOS VS TATS – Both you guys are correct, ultimately character will prevail. However it’s human nature. Tattoos aren’t an issue with me or modest earrings..whatever. However, people will second those, white or black or asian or latino, who are tatted up.

ADOPTION – Look at the process. It sucks. Over 2012 I recently tried to adopt a child who wasn’t my blood – it fell through and it’s quite painful. The process is dysfunctional and almost impossible. The truth is, there aren’t many people lining up to adopt kids in need – white or black.

Your points are valid, but for me up to a point. I abhor tats, rings and acting coonish from athletes. I have been involved in athletics for a long period in my life and I was always low keyed, even as a headliner, but then it’s a personality and self confidence issue. But I don’t wear a westernized suit either because this is a judgment based off of European standards. And as a student of African mystory and European history, they are the least ones I would use as a measuring stick in image consultation.

Military personnel, of which I know well, have tattoos, regular people have tattoos, and does that make them prisoner material? This European standard is a playing field with a constantly moving goal post. Other quarterbacks wear tattoos, other Caucasian athletes wear tattoos, again I don’t like it, but for him to equate this just with prison culture is bullshit and he gets a pass for adopting African girls. This is the classic case of getting caught with hoof in mouth disease and then saying …”I have black friends!” as if that excuses you from being what you are. Hell, I have African friends who hate themselves and love Caucasians to no fault, should I give them a pass too?

THIS STATEMENT – I AGREE. Why? B/C there are some positions in life like a dad, a boss, a general, a CEO, a president of the US, a preacher, a point gaurd etc. where appearance does matter. Is it the end of the world? – of course not. Unlike say the primadonna wide receiver or mouthy cornerback who thinks he’s going to pick off every pass, those guys have no interest in being the ambassador for the rest of the team, the coaching staff, university or NFL team, fan base etc. However, the quarterback and point gaurds are different. As a former player and coach in both college and the NFL, I want my quarterback to BE INTERESTED IN APPRECIATING THE ABILITY TO LEAD MEN (not avoiding the opportunity) and therefore take their leadership skills to the next level.

I don’t take Whitley’s comments offensive or as racist (although he may have already been that prior to even knowing of Kaepernick). Look at the content of it. He’s saying nothing different than my dad said to me as well as my grandmother would’ve told me if I had tatooes all over my body. In fact, just before my freshman year at an NCAA institution I had earrings put in before two a days practices started. My dad, who was an old school black southern conservative and gentlemen, asked me if that was wise for obvious and various reasons. The answer became obviously “NO” and I had the earrings taken out. How would it look that a guy in a position of leadership and other men, who’s not played a down yet or earned anyone’s respect, walks onto campus with gold earrings, bling, etc and has the appearance that they’ve already made it big time? It “looks” odd – FOR THAT POSITION…any other position – knock yourself out! That’s all the writer is saying.

Do I judge others for them using their bodies to display artwork? No, it’s their choice and I respect that. But I applaud all those who try to do it the right way. In this day and age, we cannot have enough young black men who aren’t afraid to tone it down, maintain respect on the field/court and who also can have fun with it the right way.