During "Saved by the Bell's" short-lived college years, Slater became a social activist. He and his Chicano organization staged a lock-in held at the dean's office. I don't remember what they were protesting - it really doesn't matter. Point is, Zach Morris rudely asked Slater why he was doing this.
"Because, preppy, I'm Chicano."
After Slater stormed out, Zach broke the fourth wall and spoke into the camera, "I always thought he was Italian."
Such is the reaction every time the heritage of a Mexican-American celebrity is revealed. Latino comedian Greg Giraldo put it best in one of those "Comedy Central Presents" stand up specials they rerun constantly: "'You don't look Hispanic' people tell me, like it's a compliment. 'No seriously, you look good.'"
Dr. Octopus, Dashboard Confessional's singer, Walt Disney, the blonde cheerleader whose affection the nerdy guy vied for in "Dodgeball" - all Hispanics. And Tony Gonzalez isn't the only prominent Hispanic NFL player who isn't a kicker.
He may be lighting up the league with his shifty moves and a plethora of big plays, but Tony Romo is still playing for a contract extension. I don't blame him for keeping his background on the low (his grandfather is from Coahuila, Mexico, making Romo a third-generation Mexican-American on his father's side), but as soon as he gets his guaranteed money, I expect a press conference.
And when the state of Texas, with its sprawling, proud, colorful population of Mexicans, finds out that their beloved Vaqueros, their first place Vacqueros de Dallas, boast a Latino quarterback who is currently the cock of the walk anyway (the fact he grew up in Wisconsin is irrelevant), he will be king. As a Mexican in Texas, I can tell you that we love two things: nationalism and the Dallas Cowboys. Romo will be deified, air brushed on long tees, rooted for in every bar that serves Tecate. He'll be international: there's a reason whichever pro team got stuck playing a preseason game in Mexico City's Estadio Azteca used to sign Marco Martos just to cut him after their contractual appearance.
But, when this is revealed, new expectations and responsibilities will become attached for Romo. It's been said many times, most recently by Ozzie Smith during an ESPN special about Roberto Clemente, but the greatest measure of a man is when he can move beyond personal professional success and impact society for the better.
Prominent athletes have a responsibility to, if nothing else, lead by example. Minority pros carry a bit more weight: they are in permanent, inherent positions to provide immeasurable influence, to voice their voiceless constituency. The aforementioned Clemente died in a plane crash while personally making sure the aid he raised for Nicaragua's earthquake-ravaged populous made it into the hands of those in need. He founded a sports complex in Puerto Rico so the underprivileged could hone their talents and made the careers of guys like Jorge Posada possible decades later.
Sports needs more Jim Browns, fewer Michael Jordans. Now more than ever, when Americans tune out the news and society, numbing life's ills through Monday Night Football and funny, misogynist beer commercials, athletes should have opinions and voice them.
Yawning in commercials, judging the Miss Universe pageant and courting Carrie Underwood simply doesn't cut it for Romo. He is the face of the biggest franchise in sports this side of the Yankees and Manchester United, at least give me a United Way ad.
Monday night's Bills game is just the first of many nationally-televised moments for Romo. Dallas struggles, the Bills have owned the 'Boys since the last Super Bowl they lost, they have a permanent vendetta to rectify their horrendous short-comings, but Dallas pulls away in the second half and heads back to Big D with a 5-0 record.
Last week was abysmal, but Joey Harrington finally held me down in a Falcons win. Silver linings people. We'll play it conservative with a couple of quick hits to wrap this puppy up: the Titans ruin Atlanta's high, the Rams hang one on the Cardinals and finally win, the Dolphins do the same to the Texans.
In the battle of mediocre New York teams, I'll take the Giants. I'll also take the Seahawks to win a rematch of Super Bowl XL over the Steelers; Pittsburgh isn't that good, kudos for winning games against cupcakes and handling business, but the backslide really gets going here for Mike Tomlin's bunch. Finally, I'll take two solid squads (4-0 Packers, 2-2 Broncos) to respectively bury the seasons of the Chargers and Bears.
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