Mood:
not sureTopic: "You Take the High Road"
Frodo loves picking the NCAA Final Four almost as much as he enjoys charting the NFL Draft. Particularly on Draft Day, comparing his analysis of the gains made by teams he likes, and the mistakes made by those whom he abhors is a purely subjective use of hypocrisy. It doesn't hurt anyone, and it gives him the opportunity to communicate with brave Boromir, ever loyal to his Viking horde.
The first selectee this day was 20 years old. He is instantly endowed with assets that will exceed all that Frodo will earn in a lifetime. This young man may never accomplish anything, but he will never face financial hardship. In all likelihood, if not already (since he attended Utah), he will be a Republican. He will seek to minimize his tax liability, and he will have little experience with the struggles of life in modern-day America.
Nearly all of the selectees are black. Listening to the post-selection interviews, Frodo heard one young man use the phrase "y,know" more than twenty times in simply describing how he feels. There is a mindful parallel to the supporting cast of characters in "The Gladiator," starring Russell Crowe. Adored for their feats of skill, ridiculed for their social skills, the selectees this day differ from gladiators only in the specifics of objective. The gladiator fought to live, the selectees play football to make lots of money.
Frodo remembers a name from one such day as this a long time ago. Joe Romig was an offensive lineman at the University of Colorado, and he was, by all accounts, far superior in ability to anyone else in that genre. He was the second overall player drafted that particular year. Joe Romig never played a day of professional football, in fact he never signed a contract. Joe Romig, remembers Frodo, wanted, more than anything, to be a doctor. Joe Romig turned down the riches of the NFL to go to Medical School.
Frodo supposes that it would not be too terribly difficult to find out what has since happened to Joe Romig. However, it is an anonymity that Frodo feels deserves respect, for a lot of reasons.
Of one thing, dear reader, you can be sure, should Frodo someday cross paths with Dr. Romig, Frodo would stand and cheer.
Posted by loveysdaddyga
at 10:50 PM EDT
Updated: Friday, April 29, 2005 8:27 PM EDT
