THEY AREN'T BLACK

MLB’s Torii Hunter is in hot water for his comments during an interview with USA Today in which he said Latin players, particularly those who players from countries like the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Costa Rica et al, are imposters. Hunter’s comments came in response to a question about the diminishing number of African-American players in MLB.

Hunter was quoted as saying: "People see dark faces out there, and the perception is that they're African-American. They're not us. They're impostors. Even people I know come up and say: 'Hey, what color is Vladimir Guerrero (pictured)? Is he a black player?' I say, 'Come on, he's Dominican. He's not black.’”

He’s NOT black? That’s funny, did anyone ask Guerrero what color he is? NO! Because no one but another black man would point that out to him!

So am I to believe that ONLY players of African-American descent are black? If a guy like Torii Hunter, who is for the most part considered to be a good guy by his peers, can classify blacks from….other blacks, then what are the rest of us to believe about the decades of racist rhetoric that civil rights leaders have been fighting against in order to give people of color the rights that Hunter and the rest of us enjoy today?

When someone recently told my friends ‘Anapesi Ka’ili and Richard Wolfgramm that racism no longer exists in America I thought, ‘Perhaps there is some truth to that.’ After reading stories like this, I seriously wonder what world people like that live in.

I’m willing to give Hunter a benefit of a doubt because I do believe that he is a good guy. But I don’t think anyone has the right to spew racist remarks no matter what the situation may be.

What’s your take?

Valdimir Guerrero 2005 Topps Turkey Red Ad Card #120

FAHU A BENGAL?

Will the love affair between the Cincinnati Bengals and players of Pacific Island descent continue with the signing of former BYU star running back Fahu Tahi? Only time will tell, but if they are really looking for a quality back to fill the void left by Jeremi Johnson who is riding the free agent train in the hopes of a big pay day, then the Bengals and head coach Marvin Lewis need to take a serious look at Tahi.

Keep in mind that Fahu, a product of Granger High School in West Valley City (gotta plug that one), was signed to the Bengals practice squad in 2006 as an undrafted free agent, spent a brief stint there before they bid him farewell. Later that year he found a home in Minnesota where he became a significant contributor to the team and was listed as the No. 1 fullback on the depth charts in 2008, where he has helped Adrian Peterson chew up a lot of real estate ever since.

If in fact the Bengals decide to tender Tahi an offer, that would bring the number of Polynesians on the roster to five. Defensive Tackles Jonathan Fanene and Domata Peko, Linebacker Rey Maualuga and Tahi's cousin Fullback Fui Vakapuna make up a talent PI quartet that would welcome Fahu with open arms.

I saw Tahi at last weekend's BYU-Utah rugby match on the BYU campus (the Cougars won by the way) but didn't get a chance to speak with him. I'm hoping to get a comment from him soon regarding his options. Stay tuned and good luck to all the Poly's who are still looking for a new home in the NFL.

YOU CAN TEACH GOOD, BUT BAD COMES NATURALLY

Linebacker Scott Fujita said goodbye to the Big Easy today with Super Bowl ring in his pocket on his way to a pile of cash waiting for him in his new home with the Cleveland Browns. But before leaving New Orleans, Fujita donated $41,000 dollars (half of his play-off winnings) to the city he and his family have called home for four years. The donation will go to coastal restoration projects. Fujita's random act of kindness may not be a lot, but its nice to know that in a barrel full of sports stars, not all of them are scrapping the bottom of the moral barrel.

Unfortunately, not all is well in the state of Louisiana thanks to LSU Wide Receiver Terrance Toliver and LSU freshman basketball player Dennis Harris. Toliver, a star on the Tigers' offense this year was arrested for disturbing the peace and public intoxication. Harris was arrested on interfering with police charges.

The incident happened outside Fred's Bar, a popular hangout near the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. Head Football Coach Les Miles says the the school is still looking into the incident. Its been a year since a football player has been arrested, quite a dry spell for Miles and his staff and its the first under the tenure of Head Basketball Coach Trent Johnson who took the job two years ago.

FREE AGENT ISLANDERS

The future of several players of Pacific Island descent hangs in the balance this week as free agency and the NFL draft looms on the horizon. Though some of the names on the list are a surprise, there are a few who may be packing up for good but I'm holding out hope that their careers are far from over.

DT Maake Kemoeatu was released from Carolina but has enjoyed eight great seasons in the league. There are seasoned veterans like Pisa Tinoisamoa who has been at Chicago after spending a few very productive years at St Louis. Four year veterans Taitusi Lutui, Naufahu Tahi and Junior Siavii are also on the trading blocks. Pro Bowlers Kevin Mawae and Junior Seau have been around the league for a combined 35 years. Is this the end of the road for these two wily competitors? Time has been good to them but I'm guessing that they may be happy to finally move on to other meaningful projects in life.

Best of luck to the free agents and the rookies this week.

Francisco, Aaron RFA-Colts (SS, 6-2, 207)
Hunter, Wayne RFA-Jets (OT, 6-5, 303)
Keiaho, Freddy RFA-Colts (MLB, 5-11, 226)
Kemoeatu, Maake Released-Panthers (DT, 6-5, 345)
Lutui, Deuce RFA-Cardinals (OG, 6-4, 338
Manumaleuna, Brandon UFA-Chargers (TE, 6-2, 295)
Mawae, Kevin UFA-Titans (C, 6-4, 289)
Seau, Junior UFA-Patriots (LB, 6-3, 250)
Siavii, Junior RFA-Cowboys (DT, 6-5, 318)
Tahi, Naufahu RFA-Vikings (FB, 6-0, 254)
Tinoisamoa, Pisa UFA-Bears (OLB, 6-1, 230)

BEST WAYS TO AVOID DIVORCE

When news that Tawanna Iverson filed for divorce from her famous tattooed husband Alan Iverson today were you surprised? The soon-to-be ex-Mrs. Iverson stated that her marriage to the NBA-star is "irretrievably broken," five children and 8 1/2 years of marriage later.

I'm not an expert on divorce and no one is ever going to accuse me of being Dr. Phil (if anything I'm a close second to Jerry Springer when it comes to marital advice), but over the years there are a few things that have taught me about relationships. Things that Mr. Iverson might find useful as he mends his broken (I think its broken) heart.

1) Don't be gangsta - Screaming little girls will tell you anything to win your favor including telling you that being a thug is cool. Unfortunately when you're pushing 40 the gangsta life is not the right life, especially when you have five mouths to feed. Retire your hoodie and Chuck Taylors and surround yourself with some financial advisers - You're going to need them by the time Tawanna's done with you. Oh, and stop trying to be a rapper....please!

2) Karma is a beautiful thing (if you're living right) - Take it from a guy who has lived his life with a chip on his shoulder, you're going to get more chips and fewer friends than the guy who lived a humble life of compassion and kindness. I don't like dropping names but guys like Tim Duncan immediately come to mind.

3) Love your woman - She'll love you back, I guarantee it. Its that simple. Well, maybe not that simple but its a good starting point to ensuring a long lasting and memorable marriage.

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work

DUDE HITS LIKE A LADY

I'm not sure that Margaret Brent and Alice Stone Blackwell would agree with the tactics of Baylor freshman Brittney Griner who decided that she would use her fists (actually it was more like a clothesline) instead of her jumpshot in retaliation to Texas Tech sophomore Jordan Barncastle's initial rough tactics. You never like to see this in sports, but I have to say that if this is what it takes to make women's sports more exciting than maybe there should be more hockey-esque breakouts of violence.

Your playing basketball, not Aussie Rules footie. And if you're going to throw a punch, PLEASE make sure you knock her out. If you're going to do the deed you'd better be committed. You really want to be the enforcer? Than be a man and put your work in and make sure the other dude wakes up in another time zone.

All kidding aside, Griner's meltdown is reminiscent of last year's New Mexico Lobo Elizabeth Lambert's classic violent outburst against BYU in a soccer match. We watch sports to enjoy the skill, athleticism and intelligence of its athletes. Even when you are expecting violence in a sport, such as mixed martial arts or boxing there is still an underlying undertone; an unspoken principle in any sport: sportsmanship.

For her lack of sportsmanship, Griner is the first female recipient of the O.J.

Oh Yeah? Take That!

When two top-ten college basketball teams meet, particularly if they are conference rivals, there is bound to be some heated confrontations. Players will trade shots, elbows and insults from the opening tip off to the final whistle. And in any competition where there are two worthy opponents who have given every ounce of sweat and strength to achieve a favorable outcome, the true character of an individual is eventually exposed.

On the night of the BYU-University of New Mexico basketball game last week, two very evenly matched opponents, both vying for the coveted Mountain West Conference title, BYU forward Jonathan Tavernari and UNM Head Coach Steve Alford got into a heated argument in which Alford shouted an expletive at Tavernari for not shaking his hand.

Whether you think Tavernari was in the wrong for not shaking Alford’s hand or that Alford was justified in cussing out Tavernari for his obvious slight, both men displayed absolute disregard for sportsmanship and common decency.

It’s never good to lose your temper but its far worse to lose your dignity. For that, Tavernari and Alford share today’s O.J. for displaying unsportsmanlike conduct.