Starting this coming autumn, I'm going to find more productive ways to spend my Sundays.
Recently, the brothers Pouncey - those titanic offensive linemen from the Steelers and Miami Dolphins - were photographed wearing hats inscribed with the words "FREE HERNANDEZ". Lapse in sound judgement aside, in sporting these ball caps they are sending a very clear message - they are in support of an accused murderer. What's more, both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins now appear to be "Hernandez Sympathizers" by mere association with these two. The New England Patriots and even the NFL have attempted to distance themselves from due process by having a "jersey return/exchange" and photograph removed from the hall of fame, respectively. So, if Hernandez's former team and the very league he in which he was playing is trying to make a clean separation, why would anyone think it would be a good idea to embrace Hernandez or the crimes he's accused of? Do the Pouncey brothers believe he didn't do it? Or, do they believe the act of killing Odin Lloyd wasn't wrong and shouldn't be punished? I tend to lean toward the latter...Society is teaching teenagers that if you grow up as a drug dealer, you'll be rewarded with a highly successful rap career, a radio show and various TV and movie appearances. I suppose you can only expect that the "gangsta" mentality of "snitches get stitches" is embraced by the network of criminals that make up the majority of the league. The vast majority of fans will cast this incident aside like they so often do when it comes to poor choices, bad behavior or arrests. And as long as it doesn't interfere with your God given right to watch Steelers football on Sunday, you're perfectly happy. But that is the very definition of "gangsta" mentality...