The first week of the NFL season provided hard knocks and happy times for black coaches and starting quarterbacks.
The dean of black NFL coaches, Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts, watched his good friend Lovie Smith’s Chicago Bears batter his team in brand-new Lucas Oil Stadium. While it didn’t make up for the 2006 Super Bowl loss, Smith’s guys prevailed over the Super Bowl contender Colts 29-13.
The Pittsburgh Steelers made second-year head coach Mike Tomlin smile with a 38-17 thumping of the Houston Texans.
Tomlin’s other black AFC North head coaches did not fare as well.
Romeo Crennel’s Cleveland Browns had a tough assignment against the visiting Dallas Cowboys, and injuries to key players made matters worse. The Cowboys controlled the game and eased to a 28-10 win.
Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis’ offseason was consumed by the antics of Chad Ocho Cinco (yes, that’s his real name, now) and yet another arrest of Chris Henry. Henry had charges dropped for his early-morning antics in June and is suspended for four games. But Lewis’ Bengals are probably in store for a long season, and it began with a 17-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ Herman Edwards saw his team knock superstar Tom Brady out for the season (on a clean hit) and then play a strong game against the New England Patriots. The 17-10 setback is at least something to build upon.
So the six black head coaches were 2-4, with Dungy and Smith facing each other.
The first week for black quarterbacks began with the Washington Redskins’ Jason Campbell completing 15-of-27 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. The entire offense is obviously still learning new coach Jim Zorn’s complex system.
As any St. Louis Rams fan can attest, Donovan McNabb looked spectacular against a sorry defense. He was 21-of-33 for 361 yards and three touchdowns. He had the NFL’s highest quarterback rating after one week.
In a battle of black QBs, Vince Young’s Tennessee Titans got the win over David Garrard and the Jacksonville Jaguars. But Young sprained his knee and is out for two to four weeks. He was a dreadful 12-of-22 passing with two interceptions and just 110 yards. Garrard was sacked seven times and threw two interceptions, but managed to connect on 23-of-35 passes for 215 yards.
On Monday night, the Minnesota Vikings’ Tavares Jackson didn’t get much done in a 24-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Jackson was 16-of-35 for 178 yards with one interception. He also rushed for 65 yards.
JaMarcus Russell of the Oakland Raiders was OK, but his team certainly wasn’t.
The second-year QB, who barely played during his first NFL season because of a lengthy holdout, was 17-0f-26 for 180 yards and two touchdowns. But the Raiders got stomped at home 41-14.
Like black head coaches, black QBs were also 2-4.
America SCORES kick off Sept. 17
America SCORES St. Louis, an after-school program that uses soccer and poetry to help urban youth develop leadership skills, good fitness habits and a love of learning, will hold its annual Fall Frenzy kickoff from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, September 17 at Penrose Park, across the street from the Mathews-Dickeys Boys and Girls Club at 4245 North Kingshighway Blvd.
More than 200 public elementary school students will participate in games, soccer clinics and other festivities celebrating the new America SCORES St. Louis season and National Youth Soccer Month.
“Sometimes complex problems have relatively simple solutions,” said Serena Muhammad, America SCORES St. Louis executive director.
“When kids are given fun and easy strategies for staying fit, they are more likely to take charge of their own health and well-being. We use the Fall Frenzy to introduce kids to fun games that also increase their fitness level. Kids focus on the fun, but benefit from the physical activity.”
For 10 weeks each fall and spring, America SCORES St. Louis provides daily after-school programs to 240 students, ages 8-11. Teachers and volunteers run these programs from the schools the students attend. Each focuses on a variety of issues ranging from vocabulary building and creative expression to teamwork and physical education. In addition to the daily programs, there are also inter-school soccer games held on Fridays and special events throughout the year, starting with the Fall Frenzy.
For more information, please visit www.AmericaSCORESStLouis.org.