http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfYhYft8dwI
"Samurai Mike." Wow.
An ode to the "Minister of Defense:"
On a week where speeches by noteworthy new leaders were abundant, yours stole the show.
(side note: originally I wrote "took the cake," but wtf does that expression even mean?)
Having been involved with team sports for the better part of my life, listening to your rant was unbelievably gratifying. I'm not a complete idiot, I realize a post-game press conference and the acceptance speech from President-Elect Obama are hardly comparable, however, I'm fascinated with the few similarities.
Just to be clear, the 49ers aren't my team, but when you envision the Montana/Young 49ers you can't help but think of a proud tradition, a culture of success...America the Beautiful. Those Niners represented a golden era in professional football. Unfortunately, much like the Niners, few can argue that these United States have been poorly managed in recent years.
I admire Americans because at least we can channel our desperation into funny snl skits, but the truth is the (under)performance of our government has been truly laughably pathetic...just like the post-Debartolo Niners.
The parrallels are pretty obvious.
Mr. Singletary, your press conference was, for the 49er faithful, an impromptu State of the Union address. Sadly, the (Niner) Nation has lost faith and probably deserves an apology. But I really wish you didn't. Never once have I heard President-Elect Obama making apologies for the years of inept decision making by President Bush.
It's alright though Mike, I don't blame you, it was coming from the heart. That I can tolerate. I understand you're new to this Head Coaching thing, in fact, your (lack of) experience is tantamount to our new President's, and I'm certainly going to give him that leeway: if he gets it then shouldn't you?
You're just a football coach. I mean, you didn't have a staff of writers or a teleprompter to put the words in your mouth. You didn't have on the job training in the form of a campaign trail (pre-season). However, you did inherit a dejected disenfranchised group of constituents (San Fran fan base), somebody else's problems, ironically, he wore a suit to work too (Coach Nolan), and a win/loss column that mirrors America's.
All of that in mind, you took the podium, filled with emotion, and said the words that needed to be said, rather, the words that needed to be heard. I listened and nod my head in agreement, started to do the math, and smiled. Because the numbers add up; 2+2 does equal 4. Niners fans and Americans alike, finally have people in leadership roles that actually embody the American Dream. You personify progress. I smiled because a generation of kids younger than me are about to care. Just like I cared when Montana, Rice, and Craig killed it on SuperTecmo Bowl and Starter jackets were status symbols.
I smiled because sports do reflect life.
Then I stopped smiling because I remembered you coach the 49ers not the Browns. And I remembered Obama doesn't get in office until January. But it's cool. I'm a good sport:
"we'll get 'em next year."
D
