here we go

I live in Pittsburgh. In case you are not from Pittsburgh or have just been living under a rock lately, the Steelers are going to the Super Bowl. Super Bowl XL (Roman numerals for 40, not an abbreviation for extra large) is in Detroit. Detroit, coincidentally, is the hometown of Pittsburgh’s beloved Jerome Bettis. Jerome is very likely playing the final season of his illustrious career and is hoping to finally capture a ring in his hometown.

I’m a pretty big fan of the Steelers. I have to be...it’s practically a requirement to being born in Southwestern Pennsylvania. I’m not as big a fan as say, John Kelly. Mr. Kelly teaches an honors course on ethnic relations in the Big Beaver Falls Area Senior High School in Beaver, PA. Last Friday, a student in his class named Joshua Vannoy came to school wearing a Denver Broncos jersey. Last Sunday, the Steelers played the Broncos in the AFC Championship game (and won in an overwhelming fashion).

Mr. Kelly’s class was taking their midterm last Friday. Allegedly, Mr. Kelly told Josh to get out of the chair he was sitting in and instructed him to sit on the floor to take his exam. He also (allegedly) instructed the other students to move their desks into a circle around where josh had been asked to sit. Mr. Kelly then allegedly passed out paper to the students and encouraged them to toss wadded up paper balls at Josh.

WOW. Talk about taking your team pride seriously. It seems that some of the students insist this was all a joke. Some students have even said that Josh was laughing through most of this. However, Josh has stated that he went to the Principal about the matter and that he told his parents who have (surprise!) hired a lawyer.

Mr. Kelly doesn’t seem to think this is a serious matter. He was quoted as having said on Monday, “We won the game [Sunday] night, didn't we?" That's all I was worried about.” The Principal and Superintendent do think it is a serious matter, however.

That all aside, I have a question. Did the young Mr. Vannoy really think it was a good idea to wear the Broncos jersey in Steelers Country the Friday before the biggest game (to that point of the season anyway)? On a day that most in Southwest PA had officially declared as Black-and-Gold Day? If his skin isn’t thick enough to deal with the taunting that would obviously come to such actions, maybe he should have kept the Broncos jersey in his closet.

That said I am not condoning Mr. Kelly’s actions, if they are true. No teacher should ever take entertainment (and yes, the NFL IS entertainment) more seriously than his or her students.

My guess is that come next Friday, Josh won’t be wearing a Seahawks jersey to school. I doubt there’s a store in the tri-state area that would sell him one anyway.