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A Genetics Lesson For Michael Irvin
The Evening Bulletin ^ | 12/1/06 | Michael P. Tremoglie

Posted on 12/01/2006 8:57:34 AM PST by Miami Vice

Rush Limbaugh was vilified and damn near lynched in 2003 for saying that sportswriters do not harshly criticize Donovan McNabb because they want a black quarterback to succeed.

Now in 2006, we have Michael Irvin saying that the only explanation that Dallas Cowboys quarterback phenom Tony Romo is as good a football player as he is must be because he has some African ancestry somewhere in his family history.

While appearing on a radio show on Nov. 20, ESPN analyst Irvin said, "He (Romo) doesn't look like he's that type of an athlete, but he is. He is, man. I don't know if some brother down in that line somewhere, I don't know who saw what or where, his great-great-great-great-grandma ran over in the 'hood or something went down....If great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandma pulled one of them studs up out of the barn, 'Come on in here for a second,' you know, and they go out and work in the yard. You know, back in the day."

Needless to say if Michael Richards had said this about a black quarterback, he would be standing next to Jesse Jackson apologizing the next day. Oh, that's right. Michael Richards was standing next to Jesse Jackson apologizing for something he said about blacks. Forgot about that. Well, Irvin, let me set you straight. Tony Romo does not need any African genes in him to be a great quarterback. You see Michael (Irvin, not Richards), Romo is an Italian name - and all he needs to be a great quarterback are Italian genes.

Just in case you need some reminding, go to Canton, Ohio. Or just look in the

(Go to this link to read the rest of this long article http://www.theeveningbulletin.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17536535&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=574088&rfi=6)


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: delaware; football; irvin; limbaugh; michaelirvin; newjersey; pennsylvania; richards; texas; tonyromo
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1 posted on 12/01/2006 8:57:37 AM PST by Miami Vice
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To: Miami Vice

I thought Romo was of Mexican descent. Anyway, I thought Irvin was just joking. Certainly it wasn't meant to be a serious commentary like Limbaugh's, nor was it painful to listen to as was Michael Richards' rant.


2 posted on 12/01/2006 9:00:56 AM PST by Cyclopean Squid (Authoritarianism depends on lack of information. Totalitarianism depends on misinformation.)
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To: Miami Vice
All he needs is Italian Jeans?

3 posted on 12/01/2006 9:01:07 AM PST by Paloma_55 (I may be a hateful bigot, but I still love you)
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To: Miami Vice
"He (Romo) doesn't look like he's that type of an athlete, but he is. ...... his great-great-great-great-grandma ran over in the 'hood or something went down

And Irvin came to this conclusion just because Romo is a mobile QB? By that 'logic" the ancestors of John Elway, Fran Tarkenton, Steve Young, and Joe Montana (among countless other white QBs) "ran in the 'hood" as well.

4 posted on 12/01/2006 9:03:28 AM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: Miami Vice
You see Michael (Irvin, not Richards), Romo is an Italian name - and all he needs to be a great quarterback are Italian genes.

For some reason this line made me think back to a commentary on Sicilian lineage delivered by Dennis Hopper's character to Christopher Walken's character in the movie True Romance.

That aside, you are correct about the double standard with regard to Irvin making these comments.

5 posted on 12/01/2006 9:04:50 AM PST by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: Miami Vice

Wonder why Michael Irvin can only imagine grandma playing in the 'hood and not grandpa?


6 posted on 12/01/2006 9:05:55 AM PST by GourmetDan
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To: Miami Vice
There are definitely too many sissified citizens in this country.
7 posted on 12/01/2006 9:08:36 AM PST by verity (Muhammed is a Dirt Bag)
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To: Miami Vice

Please, Irvin was obviously joking.


8 posted on 12/01/2006 9:08:53 AM PST by Paradox (American Conservatives: Keeping the world safe for Liberalism.)
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To: Cyclopean Squid

I am sure he was joking. Are you saying people have not been crucified for making racial jokes?

What makes you say Romo is Mexican. Romo is Italian name could be Spanish as well.


9 posted on 12/01/2006 9:09:41 AM PST by Miami Vice
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To: Miami Vice
It was a despicable comment, perhaps worse than Richards', because it insulted Romo's great+ grandmother. Perhaps there are those modern types who don't see this as terribly dreadful, but there are still those of us who know better.
10 posted on 12/01/2006 9:10:45 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Miami Vice
"I don't know if some brother down in that line somewhere, I don't know who saw what or where, his great-great-great-great-grandma ran over in the 'hood or something went down....If great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandma pulled one of them studs up out of the barn..."

You see Michael (Irvin, not Richards), Romo is an Italian name - and all he needs to be a great quarterback are Italian genes.

Oh man, this reminds me of a classic scene from True Romance. Christopher Walken vs. Dennis Hopper.
11 posted on 12/01/2006 9:12:44 AM PST by Thrusher ("If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.")
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To: Cyclopean Squid
"I thought Romo was of Mexican descent. Anyway, I thought Irvin was just joking. Certainly it wasn't meant to be a serious commentary like Limbaugh's, nor was it painful to listen to as was Michael Richards' rant."

What did Rush say that was wrong in his "serious commentary? By the way, Jimmy the Greek was drunk in a bar, not a time for serious commentary either. They crucified his @$$.

12 posted on 12/01/2006 9:13:36 AM PST by Hatteras
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To: Miami Vice
What makes you say Romo is Mexican.

According to Wikipedia, Romo is a third generation Mexican American. His Grandfather came from Mexico. They quote his father as saying "I've always said this is a country of opportunities. If you don't get a job or an education, it's because you don't want to.". Glad to have em!

13 posted on 12/01/2006 9:13:46 AM PST by Paradox (American Conservatives: Keeping the world safe for Liberalism.)
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To: trisham
"...because it insulted Romo's great+ grandmother."

But you forget that (in the culture that Michael Irwin comes from) this is no big deal and certainly no insult.

All the women he knows act that way. ;-)

14 posted on 12/01/2006 9:15:32 AM PST by GourmetDan
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To: Paradox

I found this from this website http://www.sportsfrog.com/2006/11/tony_romo_fever_epidemic_in_da.php

"As a local wise-rump -- regrettably, it was me -- once wrote, under the guise of supposed cleverness, 'Romo' in Italian, I think, means 'backup quarterback.' The line was probably a lot funnier five weeks ago, before Romo took over at quarterback for Drew Bledsoe and started to prove a lot of us wrong."


15 posted on 12/01/2006 9:17:56 AM PST by Miami Vice
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To: GourmetDan

Yes esp. since 'back in the day' it usually the other way around...men in forbidden clubs,etc.etc.etc. Storyville and stuff like that.


16 posted on 12/01/2006 9:17:57 AM PST by cyborg (No I don't miss the single life at all.)
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To: GourmetDan
Goodness. I hope not. If so, he has not only my disdain, but my sympathy.
17 posted on 12/01/2006 9:18:19 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Miami Vice
What makes you say Romo is Mexican? Romo... name could be Spanish as well.

That really makes zero sense. Can't anyone with a 'Spanish' lineage name also possibly be from Mexico?

18 posted on 12/01/2006 9:18:27 AM PST by Michael.SF. (Note: Sell Diebold Stock.................NOW!!)
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To: Miami Vice

Good article btw


19 posted on 12/01/2006 9:20:50 AM PST by cyborg (No I don't miss the single life at all.)
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To: Michael.SF.

Of course someone from Mexico is of Spanish lineage.

Don't they speak Spanish down there in Mexico?

What are you talking about or do you just want to hear yourself talk?


20 posted on 12/01/2006 9:20:50 AM PST by Miami Vice
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