BAMAPHIN 22
FinHeaven Elite
Yes, it will be a landmark moment when either Lovie Smith or Tony Dungy becomes the first African-American coach to lead his team to a Super Bowl championship.
But right up there on the importance meter is the hiring of Mike Tomlin as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Smith and Dungy are two men who paid their dues, got their chances to become NFL head coaches and have now reached the ultimate game. They’re both class acts, and their teams represent high levels of excellence. Whether they were black, white or any other color, they’re deserving of respect.
The fact that they’re African-American holds up a mirror to history and illustrates just how foolish and embarrassing it was that they had to wait longer than white guys in order to get their opportunities.
But Tomlin’s appointment to succeed Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh is just as significant in some ways. The Steelers aren’t a franchise that has had a conga line of coaches travel through. They change coaches every 15 years or so. When they settle on a head coach, it’s a candidate whom the Steelers believe will be there for another 15 years.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14400754/