A Genetics Lesson For Michael Irvin

The Evening Bulletin ^ | 12/1/06 | Michael P. Tremoglie

[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.

[Paloma_55]

All he needs is Italian Jeans?

[Mr. Mojo]

"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.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

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.

[GourmetDan]

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

[verity]

There are definitely too many sissified citizens in this country.

[Paradox]

Please, Irvin was obviously joking.

[Miami Vice]

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.

[trisham]

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.

[Thrusher]

"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.

[Hatteras]

"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 @$$.

[Paradox]

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!

[GourmetDan]

"...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. ;-)

[Miami Vice]

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."

[cyborg]

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.

[trisham]

Goodness. I hope not. If so, he has not only my disdain, but my sympathy.

[Michael.SF.]

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?

[cyborg]

Good article btw

[Miami Vice]

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?