Hair and Helmets

In my opinion Dredlocks are a ligitimate cultural way of saying I am proud of my African heritage. So is long hair worn by Hawaian players a comment on their proud heritage. Long hair worn by white players means little more than I like my hair long, despite what my parents think. The Mohawk hairdo unvield by the Philadelphia Eagles Freddie Mitchell the week after "thanking his hands for being so great" is nothing but showing his ass; equally as accurate taunting. There are penalties for taunting in pro-football. Mitchell will get his before it is over. Mike Ditka was right on when he said, "In the '60's Mitchell would have his head handed to him." Or words to that effect. If Mitchell doesn't get his in the Superbowl, football players may not be the smartest guys in the world, but we have long memories.

During my years in football I wore a flat top hair cut, a crew cut. It wasn't particularly Irish but it was easy to wash and my helmet didn't keep it messed up. I once got a hair cut at the Pick Carter Hotel barbershop before a home game in Cleveland. It looked like my four year old did it. My hair looked like the barber had Parkinsons desease. My hair wasn't flat it was bumpy as an unmade bed. It made me madder then hell. I didn't take it out on the elderly barber but I had a hell of a game against the Cardinals hitting John David Crow so hard he fumbled twice.

I remmember my roommate All Pro Safety Don Fleming telling me "Aw Bern, don't worry about it. The difference between a good hair cut and a bad one is only five days."

There will be a lot of good hitting in this Superbowl. Both defenses a tough, physically and mentally. That is why they are the last men standing. It is a shame but great defensive games are often decided by one of those "I keek a toughdown" guys. The Patriots Adam Venatiery and Eagles David Akers are the two best kickers in the NFL. The Patriots and the Eagles defenses are also the best in the league. It could be a 6-3 game in favor of Venatiery. I will be surprised if either Terrill Owens or Freddie Mitchell is a factor in the Superbowl.