Notes on a trip to the Super Bowl.I noted yesterday that Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor received the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and it's an award Taylor deserves for his play on the field and his service to the community off the field.
But I had an opportunity to speak with all four Man of the Year Award finalists last week, and Steelers receiver Hines Ward was the one who most impressed me, especially with his work in South Korea, where he was born.
Ward, who has a Korean mother and an African-American father and moved to the United States as a young child, says he's trying to raise awareness of the discrimination that often faces biracial children in South Korea. Ward started the Hines Ward Helping Hands Foundation, which helps ethnically mixed children who face discrimination in South Korea, and he says he'll travel to South Korea this year and meet President Roh Moo-hyun.
If Ward travels to South Korea next year, I hope it's to play an NFL game. I asked him if an NFL game in South Korea would work, and he said, "It would be kind of awesome to play a regular season game in South Korea, but I'm not the commissioner."
I'm not the commissioner either, but I think it would be awesome, and I think the league should do it next year, while Ward is still an active player. If Ward retires without having played in his native land, the NFL has missed a major opportunity to expose its product to a lucrative market.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-04-2008 @ 11:56AM
Karan Cerutti said...
I think a scrimmage game would be ok too. Don't know how the fan base could go and support their team. It would be a novelty for S. Koreans. I've lived there for three years - while serving in the Army and can personally attest to the vast discrimination occuring to biracial children. I believe the females suffer more than the males. Some Korean females choose to go into prostitution to make a living. Others do not choose but have no option available. It's sad to see activities as 'Baby Alley' occur. I came home in '87 so my experience is dated, but ---. I am from Pittsburgh and have heard Mr Ward speak passionately about this. I think it's a great idea. And Hooah to him and his foundation. (Hooah is Army speak for 'Attaboy'.) I do think Mr Ward is speaking more broadly about discrimination and support him ih his effort.
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2-04-2008 @ 1:30PM
Dave said...
If the NFL really cares about the children over there, then some some help and money. It probably costs a small fortune to send two nfl franchises, market the game, prepare a field or stadium, provide security, and feed all involved. That's just touching base on the obvious measures. The funds and manpower could be more wisely spent rather than masking an NFL marketing ploy to promote itself. Let's get real. I'm sure the abused women and children who are discriminated against would rather have longer notice than 3 hors of american football...
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