Why are your balls oblong?

Get a group of testosterone laden, chest bumping hooligans together and throw a topic in the middle no matter how mundane and eventually they will find a way to segue into what almost always matters most in life: sports! Amongst Pacific Islander males who have had some significant exposure to two pervasively masculine sports, ultimately the conversation steers towards the topic of, ‘Which is bigger, yours or mine?’

In the United States there is no comparison between the game of rugby and its counterpart, American Football, thanks in large part to the National Football League which has made it a mainstream phenomenon. There are names in the NFL that are more popular amongst children and youths than politicians, Brad Pitt and his country brother Brad Paisley combined. Say the name Troy Polamalu and everyone from California in the west to Pittsburgh in the east can tell you that he is the long haired hitting machine that wears No. 43 for the Steelers. Say the same name in an English pub and their bound to throw you out with an accusation that you are cussing in your native tongue. Arguably the same can be said of rugby stars with a large international draw like Jonny Wilkinson or Jonah Lomu. If you don’t follow the sport, chances are you really don’t know the daily intricacies and dramas.

A long standing argument is that rugby players are tougher than football players because they don’t wear pads. Football players argue that if a rugby player were to stand in the path of a 240-pound wrecking ball they would get a better appreciation for the hits they sustain every Friday night under the lights or on Sunday afternoons on CBS.

Rugby players have better stamina and conditioning because the dimensions of the pitch is larger and they run non-stop for 40 minutes, rest for 15 and then run another 40 with a bit of stoppage time for good measure. Football players will contend that running at top speed, colliding head on with a wooly mammoth and sustaining that type of punishment for four 15 minute quarters will never be classified as a brisk stroll in the park followed by crumpets and tea on the lawn.

Regardless, there are minutiae in the preparation and execution of each game. There is a wholesome combination of speed, power and agility on both ends of the spectrum. There is fault and folly; there are oversights and lapses in judgment. But overall, whether you’re a fan of one or the other, once you come to understand the particulars of the game you least understand, you come to the realization that rugby players and football players are athletes with a love and a passion for their game of choice.

Why I'm an Addict

Edward R. Murrow once said, "Just once in a while let us exalt the importance of ideas and information." All thoughts have the ability to invoke a reaction, good or bad. I appreciate the exchange of information and it is the reason that I started this blog. My thoughts, in writing, are seldom right. But it's not the reason that I began writing in the first place. Writing, is my attempt to 'vocalize' my opinion, solicit a response and amplify my belief in the Pacific Islander experience.

When I began writing many years ago, my sole intent was to give Pacific Islanders (young and old), positive stories from people of Pacific Island ancestry. None of these athletes, entertainers, educators, etc are perfect. However, it is their ability to rise above their situation, whether those circumstances are economic, personal or a result of societal woes, is the impetus that compels me to write.

Along the way my opinions have been met by more than an occasional resisitance, often open opposition to my views regarding talent on the stage and on the fields  and courts of the world. Sometimes the comments are hostile but more often than not, the opinions expressed are constructive and thought provoking. Though it is difficult to sometimes read harsh comments I've come to understand that criticism helps me to further refine my craft and to accept the opinions of others as part of the process and not just as objectionable ranting.

After all these years the irresistable obsession still urges me on in the hopes that young Pacific Islanders will capture the spirit embodied in the work ethic and the perseverance of others and learn in turn to uncover pride and objectivity in their own efforts.

If you have ideas or subject matter that you would like me to research and write about, feel free to email me at contextsports@gmail.com.

WHERE DO WE DRAW THE LINE?

What should 12 and 13-year-old kids be doing on a typical afternoon? Riding bikes in the summer, snowboarding in the winter. Perhaps reading a book and chatting it up with friends. Sadly, for some tweens and teens they are being exploited by the media and college coaches. Its nothing new to the world of sports but its still a puzzling one all the same.

This week, 13-year-old David Sills of Bear, Delaware verbally committed to USC and their ever enigmatic head coach Lane Kiffin.

Is it too early to tell if a kid is going to be the next Matt Leinart or Matt Barkley? according to personal quarterback coach Steve Clarkson, who by the way discovered Leinart and Barkley, not so in the case of Sills who he believes is going to be the next big star when he is officially eligible to sign his letter of intent...in 2015.

Sills' father David senior, is adamant that if we were in his shoes we would do the same.

Quoting from ESPN, Sills Senior says, "The way I look at it is if David was a phenomenal mathematician and I held him back, wouldn't that be wrong? If he was a great piano player or a gifted child actor and I held him back, wouldn't that be wrong?" Sills' father asked. "There are a lot of things that people don't put a negative stigmatism to because they're considered prodigies and all I'm doing is saying David has been recognized as a decent athlete and I'm allowing him to fulfill whatever opportunities that he can. It's as simple as that. There's no pressure, there's gentle encouragement. He's the one that always says dad let's go to the gym and let's throw. It's what he enjoys doing. If he ever got to a point where he doesn't love what he does I told him to stop."

I think there is a difference between solving algorithms as a math prodigy and getting your mind and your body beaten down daily in the hopes that you may be the next great Leinart. And five years from now, will Clarkson's prophecy hold true? He's banking on it with an all out media blitz that includes possible appearances on Oprah and Ellen.

So what do you think? Too much too soon or not enough face time on ESPN? I'm on my way to drop my 7th grader to play a game of pick-up basketball. Maybe Tom Izzo will be there.