NFL Misses Its Chance

Congratulations to the NFL for making a mockery of Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball by creating a non-event like the revealing of the NFL schedule. Sorry, but we already know the opponents. Does it matter when the Chargers are hosting the Panthers? That was so urgent, that had to be known today.

The NFL released the prime time games during baseball�s opening day, but trying to draw away attention from Jackie Robinson seems rather low. And as Lil� Hater said, having Al Campanis read the schedule was just an unnecessary shot.

(Somebody might want to tell him that it was actually John Madden adding his thoughts.)

Not that you can completely fault the NFL. They have this huge network that nobody is watching. There are only so many times you can show the making of the Chargers Girls or the Tuck Rule game. (Although the latter get better with each viewing.)

If the NFL really wanted to strike a blow against baseball, how about a two-hour special on Kenny Washington and Woody Strode � two African American players and UCLA teammates of Robinson who signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 1946. A full-year before Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball. (Plus there was Fritz Pollard, an African American who was a quarterback and a coach in the 1920s.)

The NFL, for whatever reason, hates its history. Instead of making taking an opportunity to share its own connection with Robinson, the NFL chose a �look at me� moment like the releasing of the schedule to try to prove its point. Good idea.

Now, I didn�t have a chance to glean the schedule much, other than some of the highlights that came across my desk. The Chargers have six primetime games, meaning they are destined to a go 6-10. The Cardinals and 49ers will tangle once again in primetime, showing the league didn�t learn its lesson from last year.

Lil� Hater, however, was able to add some additional thoughts.

Based on the five seconds I spent looking at the schedule I say the Raiders go 4-12 (again), Hat goes 10-6 and the Giants have 14 TV appearances in Southern California. Wake me up when the season�s over.

Word Lil� Hater, word.