Wentz’s response creates a new bond
It took a lot of guts for Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz to share his thoughts about George Floyd, the 46-year-old African-American man who died, handcuffed, at the hands and knee of police Monday in Minneapolis.
It triggered protests. Minneapolis businesses and a police station were looted and burned. Wentz weighed in on Twitter genuinely, authentically. He said something that many feel yet have been unable to express in words.
“I’ve spent a large part of my life surrounded by people of similar color, so I’m never gonna act like I know what the black community goes through or even has gone through already,” Wentz tweeted. “I’ll never know the feeling of having to worry about my kids going outside because of their skin color. However, I do know that we are all equal at the foot of the cross and Jesus taught us to value other people’s lives like they were our own — regardless of skin tone.”
Wentz had more to say, and every bit as powerfully. Institu
tional racism breaks his heart “and needs to stop.” Again, he cannot understand “what the black community has to endure on a daily basis.”
There are lot of well-intentioned people out there, white, you should know, who feel much the same way as Wentz and genuinely hope this country can heal on all levels. There are a lot of spiritual people out there who care regardless of race.
There also are a lot of frauds out there, white people pretending they know what it’s like to be black and using the horrific death of Floyd to act out their own sick agendas and delay or prevent the healing.
“This might seem like a ramble — and perhaps it is,” Wentz said. “I don’t understand the society we live in that doesn’t value all human life. It’s heartbreaking and disturbing. My prayers go out to every man, woman and child that has to endure the effects of racism in our society.”
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The Virtual Sports Legends of Delaware County offers informative and very well-done videos telling the stories of county legends.
So, it is with an account of the late Dr. Jack Ramsay brought to my attention by museum curator Jim Vankoski.
Ramsay is a 1942 graduate of Upper Darby High who got his start coaching at Saint James in Chester. A portion of his incredible journey includes some of the tough decisions he made, most notably his thought process as general manager of the 76ers when he traded Wilt Chamberlain to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Producer-director Brad Nau, a sportsman in his own rite, stuck the landing for me at the beginning of the video showing Ramsay walking through a narrow passageway in the dunes to get to the beach at the Jersey Shore.
(See “Dr. Jack’s Journey”
on youtube.)
It could have been Ocean City, where Ramsay resided. Or Sea Isle City, where he trained for triathlons. It could have been somewhere in between. The Shore was Ramsay’s refuge, his place to be alone.
On a personal level Ramsay was approachable and kind-hearted each time this reporter who covered the Sixers asked him about pro basketball. You never forget that.
And you’ll understand how genuine Ramsay was by watching the video.
You can check out the virtual museum at www. delcosportsmuseum.org. •••
NFL coaches could be back in their team facilities within a couple of weeks, providing all teams receive health department clearance from the states they reside in.
That according to Commissioner Roger Goodell, who also said the virtual offseason has been extended a couple more weeks.
That should dash rumors about teams getting together for minicamps before the end of June.
Goodell indicated in a memo made public by the NFL Network that the league is working hard to get the approval of state officials to operate safely after reopening. For the sake of fairness, until all coaches are allowed back, none are.
NFL players and coaches have been operating virtually for much of the past two months. A little bonding would benefit the Eagles’ coaching staff, which is breaking in several new assistants, including co-offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello, passing game analyst Andrew Breiner, defensive backs coach Marquand Manuel, defensive line coach Matt Burke and wide receivers coach Aaron Moorehead.
The memo also hinted that at least some players would be allowed to return by the end of the month provided safety details are worked out with the NFL Players Association.
That’s going to require a new process with testing protocols, including COVID-19 tests and temperature checks. Rolling through that on a limited scale could be a dry run for when team facilities are flooded with full rosters. A maximum of 90 players compose an offseason roster.
That’s a major hurdle for the NFL, and one the union is going to want considerations for agreeing to. The best-case scenario for the Eagles getting back on the field together is for training camp in late July.
Goodell’s memo also indicated that beginning Monday, clubs may reopen ticket offices, retail shops and other “customer-facing facilities” provided they meet state health guidelines.