Dexter's Vantage Point!

Ben Roethlisberger is on the cusp of leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to another Super Bowl appearance.  All he has to do is lead his team past the persistent Green Bay Packers in two weeks. Roethlisberger has quietly positioned himself to win as many Super Bowls as the New England Patriots’ Tom Brady. Roethlisberger has been characterized by the media as a leader. He’s hailed as the guy who can evade the rush, play through injuries and make big plays when it counts the most. By most accounts, Big Ben has had a great year.  He’s passed for 3,200 yards and 17 touchdowns with just five interceptions.  Roethlisberger’s totals would be higher, but he missed the first four games because he violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Anyone remember? Based on how the media has protected and praised Roethlisberger, it doesn’t seem like he’s missed any time at all. Unlike African-American athletes Tiger Woods, LeBron James, Michael Vick and Terrell Owens, Ro...

Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh has his pick of NFL and NCAA jobs.   In my opinion Harbaugh has it going on because of his complexion, his days as a quarterback in the NFL and the good old boys network.   Yeah, I know.   Dexter is playing the race card again right? Not so.   Just bear with me. Harbaugh is a Michigan man.   He played quarterback there before embarking on his 15-year NFL career.   All he has to do is sneeze and he can have the job if he wants it.   Harbaugh has amassed 59-27 overall record but he just a 29-21 record at Stanford.     He did most of his damage at San Diego where he was 29-6. Why is everyone so enamored with Harbaugh?   Rumor has it Harbaugh met with the San Francisco 49ers for five hours yesterday and he met with the Miami Dolphins today.   Last time I checked the Dolphins still have a head coach. Reports have consistently surfaced that Harbaugh is the hottest coach out there.   ESPN ev...

Fox News commentator and animal rights activist Tucker Carlson recently suggested Michael Vick should be executed for the dogs he killed and tortured that resulted in him being incarcerated. Carlson also took a jab at President Barack Obama. Carlson finds it hard to believe that President Obama would endorse Vick’s second chance based on his past. Carlson issued the following: “I’m Christian. I’ve made mistakes. I believe fervently in second chances. Michael Vick killed dogs in a heartless and cruel way. I think, firstly, he should have been executed for that. The idea the president of the United States would be getting behind someone who murdered dogs is beyond the pale.” The sad thing about Carlson’s comments is there are some who embrace his line of reasoning. Regardless, the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles organization felt Vick deserved a second chance. Now he has it, and he is taking it all the way. But let’s keep it real. Vick is getting a second chance because ...

January is a month of sports news. From college bowl games to NFL playoffs, we hide from the cold and indulge our inner fanatics. As someone who’s made a career of chronicling sports, it’s both an exciting and troubling time, because it reminds me that sports media remains a bastion of white privilege in journalism.  I covered my first World Series in St. Petersburg, Fla., in 2008 at Tropicana Field, when the Tampa Bay Rays squared off against the Philadelphia Phillies. As I walked into the stadium, it was packed with fans and full of energy, and I was reminded of my love for the beat I work. But when I made my way to the press box, I suddenly realized the real story wasn’t on the field. As I entered press row, I was first shocked by how many journalists were there—nearly 1,000—and then more stunned by how few of them looked like me, a person of color.  So while most of the writers on hand for Game 1 were watching the play with a keen eye, I spent my time researching the i...