Bad game, but a great day for the Parker party

The football game stunk but a Parker family tailgate party produced memories.

Philadelphia’s Eagles claimed a boring 27-13 season-ending victory over Dallas Sunday as quarterback Tony Romo played his final regular season game with the Cowboys. Ditto for quarterback Mark Sanchez who underscored his lack of talent with a pitiful performance.

Sanchez produced a “he who smelt it, dealt it” effort while stinking up Lincoln Financial Field.

Dallas rookie quarterback Dak Prescott played the first quarter. Romo played one series, really an audition for Denver, and Sanchez finished up.

Eagles Mr. Everything, Carson Wentz, played an awful first half then looked better against the Cowboys second and third string players.

Wentz did connect with Eagles’ tight end Zach Ertz for a third quarter touchdown after Romo had found his man Terrance Williams in the second quarter. Both scores occurred diagonally right in front of us.

Overall, Eagles fans were buzzed or boozed up on the first day of 2017.

No matter. Our family party delivered a perfect celebration as the all-male event of second and third generations enjoyed brotherhood. Most in attendance had been together for our annual family Christmas party hosted by my niece Keesha Wright.

So, this band of brothers, sons, uncles, fathers, and grandfathers, created a new history, offered a changing perspective for our family.

Progress never gets wasted here. Yes, the United States stands as the greatest country in the world but our leaders make outrageous decisions then need decades or centuries to rectify those mistakes.

A personal fixation deals with World War II. Our daddy, just like many other black and Spanish-speaking men, served valiantly to preserve freedom. They risked their lives for a nation that had supported segregation and other initiatives that made skin color a reason for terroristic attacks and discrimination.

George McNair, one person in our football party who holds no relationship although he and his wife Betty are surrogate parents, had served in World War II but when he returned, instead of receiving every opportunity, this country pushed him in the back of the line, even behind Caucasian men who had dodged their duty.

Any person who risks their life for this country whether in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Camden or Chicago, deserves respect and support. By the way, Trenton city council members who support raising the legal smoking age to 21, need psychological help.

Let me get this right. A young man or woman can sign up to serve in the U.S. armed forces as 18-yearolds, even die, but must wait three years before lighting up? That’s goofy, twisted pretzel logic.

Anyway, McNair, he’s the guy front and center, never sulked about the obvious injustice. He and his wife worked hard and made incredible personal upgrades to reach middle class life.

McNair turned 80 on Tuesday and we laughed about how he could never have imagined such a life after being raised in dirt poor Douglas, Georgia.

“I remember when out town got its first television,” McNair said.

George McLaurin, my brother Kenny’s father-inlaw, (wearing sunglasses) is another rock solid “old head” with incredible success and wisdom. Just a good father, man and friend who delivers strong insights about how to navigate life.

Young black men could learn a lot from our elders who stayed strong through difficult times, found success and kept their dignity.

McNair and McLaurin give strength to all of us younger men who still need suggestions about relationships, fatherhood and perseverance. They have our respect and make us proud.

Sure, the football game did not deliver many special moments but January 1, 2017 and several photos made this day a keepsake.

Happy New Year, fellas and thanks for the memories.

Let’s plan another night out, maybe catch the Sixers or head out to the Main Line and catch GQ fabulous Jay Wright and his Villanova Wildcats.

Parker family tailgate at Eagles-Cowboys game delivered more notable memories than the NFL game.