One reason to boo an otherwise perfect NFL Draft
The worst part of being trolled, of being used, of being reduced to a play-toy is that, generally, the victim is the last to know. That’s what happened last week when the NFL, its TV partners and the commissioner conspired to make a cartoon out of Eagles fans.
Because the NFL Draft was in Philadelphia, and because the league has managed to make it a three-day TV show, the producers needed all the standard background shots. So it would be. There would be cuts to rowers on the Schuylkill, a short-order cook chopping cheesesteak meat and the William Penn statue. Of course, better they should skip a shot of the Liberty Bell than to pass on the caricature of Philadelphia fans booing.
So with the commissioner at the podium begging them to heckle, and with him later encouraging former Dallas receiver Drew Pearson to remind them that the Cowboys, not the Eagles, have been Super Bowl champions, the show was on. Sadly, Eagles fans complied. They booed Roger Goodell every time he appeared, booed every mention of the word Dallas, booed every pick by both New York teams. They didn’t even mix in a good hiss.
Booing has had a long history in Philadelphia. In many ways, it was a proud history. For generations, it was an exhibition not just of passion, but of knowledge. When Philadelphia fans booed, it was for a reason. It was because Ron Jaworski too seldom avoided a sack, or because John Felske was inept, or because they had a hunch that someday Donovan McNabb would have stomach issues late in a Super Bowl. They booed overpaid, under-performing slobs like Jon Papelbon, and they booed superstars, like Mike Schmidt, whenever a slump lasted too long.
They knew when to boo. They didn’t do it on demand so that TV viewers 11 states away could stare at them and giggle, as if watching a bad reality show.
Blessed with perfect weather (always a coin-flip around here in April), Philadelphia ably and tastefully hosted the NFL Draft, accommodating a quartermillion fans, all without a known major incident.
With that it’s being whispered that Philadelphia could be asked to host the draft next year, too. But that’s not a good idea. That’s because the nasty truth about perfection is that it is impossible to improve on. If it rains, or if a drunken brawl breaks out, or if the equipment fails, then the next Philadelphia draft will not have been as special as the first one.
Let some other cities try it for a while. Maybe even let them fail a little. Then – and only then – bring it back in triumph, not with the pressure to be perfecttimes-two.
The highlight of the NFL Draft: Bruno Sammartino, the greatest winner in the history of sports, announcing a Steelers pick. The champ, then and always.
I don’t get calling the president, regardless of who he is, POTUS. It’s one syllable and four letters shorter. Are we in that much of a hurry?
*** If the interest in boxing begins at the top, then maybe the sport’s next revival can begin with Englishman Anthony Joshua, who stopped Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round Saturday in London to improve to 19-0 with 19 knockouts.
With Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury (as soon as he is freed to fight after being snagged in a doping scandal), there could be a nice bubble of heavyweight talent, bitterness, competition and cash. Klitschko, 41, might even have a few more paydays.
The question: Will Joshua bring his act to the United States? His handlers have been cool to the idea, hinting that there is more value in fighting in China.
The No. 1 problem with boxing is that there is no reason for any fighter or camp to do what is best for the sport. It’s an individual, money-making pursuit, not a league-run industry. So Joshua’s upcoming agenda will be fascinating to monitor.
But if he can dazzle in the United States, the heavyweight division will percolate. If that happens, the rest of the sport should, too.
*** Not a Jimmy Fallon guy.
*** The Union, which has been in existence a long, long, long time is having, yes, a throwback night May 6. About time, wouldn’t you say? Nope, when it comes to soccer tradition, nothing can match the spectacle and excellence that has been bubbling on the Chester waterfront for darn near a decade.
That was Joel Embiid photographed at the NFL Draft. Is it me, or is he always around something where there is a minutes restriction?
Me, I give the Tennessee Titans draft a C-plus.
Very neighborly of the Edmonton Oilers fans to sing The Star Spangled Banner before a playoff game against Anaheim. But if they think they are can collectively become the NHL’s No. 1 rated anthemist, boy will Lou Nolan set them straight.
Good news for the Flyers: In the lottery, they won the second pick in the draft. Better news: The first pick went to the New Jersey Devils, whose owner is OK with selecting injured players and not playing them for years.
And any TV show with the word housewives in the title? Don’t get.