Last night, the Saints beat the Chargers 30 - 27 in a thrilling overtime game in New Orleans!
The beginning of the game was scary for the Who Dat Nation because the Saints, including QB Drew Brees, were not in sync - in fact, they were sloppy. Well into the 2nd quarter the Saints trailed the Chargers 20 - 3 and rookie QB Justin Herbert looked like a seasoned veteran. But before the first half ended, Brees was back in sync; and, behind a string of consecutive pass completions, the Saints went into halftime with a 10 point deficit.
In overtime, the Saints could only score a field goal on their first possession, which gave the Chargers the opportunity to score a touchdown to win the game. With help from a roughing the passer penalty against the Saints, the Chargers were moving down the field.
On 4th & 6 Herbert completed a pass to Mike Williams and Marshon Lattimore literally stopped Williams from getting the first down by bending him back away from the first down line. Williams is 6’4” and weighs about 230 lbs. - Lattimore is listed as 6’0” and 190 lbs. But in that moment, Lattimore displayed what looked like Herculean strength to pull Williams back, denying the first down and ending the game!
The Saints started slowly again, but found a way to win. During post-game interviews players were admitting that it wasn’t a pretty win but it was a win and the Saints go into their bye week 3-2.
After the game, star running back Alvin Kamara said it was an “ugly game” and an “ugly win,” but what stood out most to me was the shirt Kamara was wearing in the post-game interview. His shirt read “More Than An Athlete.” That seemed an obvious statement relating to the NFL’s campaign of bringing awareness to racial inequality in America.
Most of the harsh criticism launched at the players is based on the idea that fans want players to be players and not use their high-profile opinions to voice their opinions about political and social issues. Karama’s shirt sent an obvious message that he and other players are “more than an athlete.”
It sent the right message - players are more than just athletes in the same way that you are more than just an account executive, retail employee, waiter, bartender, landscaper, delivery personnel. Postal worker or whatever it is that you do. Do you ever express your opinions about politics and controversial social issues?
Your platform may not be as big as the platform of a professional athlete - but I think if you are honest you would admit that you do use who you are - within a family, a business or a society - to express your opinions in hopes of influencing decisions and behavior.
Alvin Kamara’s shirt was right - he is more than an athlete - and as an American - you are more than your job title.
