You Don't Know Jack

It's just all part of the show …

By Mike Burke

"Why do they keep showing this?"

That was the most overheard question at the beginning of each #NFLTheTVShow presentation last Sunday afternoon during the reconvening of our weekly – okay, daily -- Tavern Mensa session.

It was finally football season again, such as it may or may not end up being, and all the lads in attendance carried an extra giddy-up to their step. This was, after all, our first full-fledged meeting since #NFLTheTVShow closed the curtain on yet another hit season to rave reviews and ratings way back in February with its annual season-finale, which, I understand, some people like to call … the Super Bowl?

There wasn't a care to be had. After all, the reach of the Monday morning alarm clock was still a good 15 to 18 hours away for those currently fortunate enough to still have to answer it, and all the boys were together once more to revel in each other's company, as well as our lies (that grow in scale with each new swig of hops) and to watch football all day long.

Our world's troubles had been left at the door. Yet, somehow, they found their way all at once to the dozen television screens hanging in our Mensa hall, as those annoying networks persisted on showing us members of competing teams joining forces to protest racial injustices in the United States with their various forms of unified and personal demonstration.

The demonstrations had begun on Thursday night when the Houston Texans remained in their locker room for the playing of the national anthem before their game with Kansas City, a form of demonstration that was repeated by a number of NFL teams on Sunday.

Players who chose to demonstrate on the field during the national anthem took knees, raised fists and locked arms with teammates and opponents alike. There were many methods of protest on display over the weekend, and that's what seemed to bother a select number of viewers from our little peanut gallery the most – that they were on display. "Why are the networks showing this? Politics has no place in sports!"

Politics has no place in sports? Where have you been picking up your mail for the past century, Never Never Land?

Politics has been the core fabric of sports – organized sports – since the beginning of time, starting with the original Olympic Games nearly 3,000 years ago which were held as a religious festival in honor of Zeus, the king of the gods. (Not long before Budweiser became the King of Beers.) I mean, what's ever been more political than religion? Then throw in some organized sports and some know-it-all parents and you might as well just stage a convention.

Just since the beginning of the 20th century, we've had the politics of Jack Johnson, Jim Thorpe, the Black Sox, the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Jackie Robinson, The Cleveland Summit and Muhammad Ali, the 1968 Summer Olympics, the 1972 Munich Olympics and haven't stopped since. Nor will we. For as Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle said in March, "Sports are the reward of a functioning society."

Just how functioning our society stands at the moment is a matter of debate, but that politics and sports are intertwined has remained a constant and continues to stand the test of time.

This is nothing new. The only difference this time around is it's being tolerated; actually, sanctioned and mass produced by the National Football League, which suddenly is wearing its new-found social justice on its shield as though it had been there for centuries.

Aside from the fact that the demonstrations are the news of the day – not the entertainment of the day for a functioning society – the networks are showing them because #NFLTheTVShow is their meal ticket and the NFL has sold out to the movement at hand, having five days ago launched its new brand campaign (what do you know?), "It Takes All Of Us."

Unless, of course, your name is Colin Kaepernick or Eric Reid.

That's right, Commissioner Roger Goodell and his 32 bosses are suddenly on board and, certainly, it's not a bad thing that they're on board, even if most of their cold black hearts aren't really into being on board.

What the NFL is on board with is the brand – any brand, as long as it sells. They've done a 180 turn because they have no choice but to go with the brand of the players, because it is the brand of the athlete these days that sells; not the brand of the league, or even a particular team.

The heavily coveted young market – the same market Weasel Rob Manfred claims he is trying to destroy the game of baseball for – follows players first and the brand they promote and the products they sell. It's no longer about the team with the current market – the way the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders and L.A. Lakers were in the '70s and '80s, for instance. The team stuff will come once the player is determined – Jordan, Kobe, LeBron, Tom Brady. Players don't stay in one place any more for their entire careers. There's too much money to be had wearing another team's stuff.

And the NFL has finally caught on and, yes, Goodell admitted that, Gee whiz, maybe we should have listened to what "Kaep" was trying to tell us a few years ago. Goodell had his epiphany when he said he realized the "misrepresentation" of what Kaepernick and other players had been doing in their peaceful protests – "exercising their right to bring attention to something that needs to get fixed" – "gnawed" at him.

Then that means he didn't understand what had been happening in communities around the country and he really was the privileged and stupid Country Club junior executive waiting in the wings for his turn at the corner office?

No, Goodell understood. He just didn't want to see because he was afraid to cross Jerry Jones and the likes. But now the likes are following another brand, and there's their boy Goodell leading the parade. So now what's a little peaceful protest or two before each #NFLTheTVShow, particularly now that we've marketed our own brand for it?

You don't like it? Look away. Because now it's all just part of the show.

Mike Burke has been writing and covering sports since 1981. Write to him at [email protected], or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeBurkeMDT and listen to him, Matt Gilmore and Lydia Savramis on their "You Don't Know Jack" podcast. Follow "You Don't Know Jack" on Facebook as well.

The US Open is fantastic as always with a wins for Serena and her well on her way to a final game to vie for her 24th major win. Djokovic has been DQ'd after a serious gaff when hitting a line judge in the neck. We however are excited to see what new talent emerges on the Mens side now that the #1 seed is out.

25 years ago Cal Ripkin Jr. celebrated his fantastic milestone of 2131 the most games played by any player in the MLB and still has not been broken. Mike discusses what it was like to be there on the historic 2130, and 2131 nights. Cal also disclosed that he had and was successfully treated for Prostate Cancer, encouraging anyone with a prostate over the age of 50 to get regular PSA checks.

With the NFL kicking off their season last night, we felt it only fitting to give our predictions on the over and under for the year. We all know that getting even to the playoffs will be a very difficult task to pull off with a 53 men traveling... but here we are.

Finally we talk about two baseball greats, Lou Brock and Tom Seavers who we lost this past week.

Be on the look out for Mike's First Column back from a year hiatus, you will be able to find links to his fantastic work on our Facebook page.

This week, we cover the US open, the latest with the Washington Football Club, and the loss of the great and history making John Thompson.

US open looks and sounds a lot different this year without the wonderful NYC crowd that rallies behind the players for two weeks in the late summer evenings.

NFL: Taking charge of the Daniel Snyder investigation and retained the heavy hitter Beth Wilkinson to conduct the investigation.

Finally, John Thompson the first black coach to win an NCAA championship in 1984 and opened the doors for minority coaches on the collegiate level. In his words"Big Ace is Cool"

Have questions for us. Drop us a line on Twitter

Matt @JMPGGPMG

Mike @MikeMDT

Lydia @RTLPOD

This weeks episode we talk about the fact that we are far from a functioning society that deserves sport. Washington Football has 25 more sexual misconduct allegations in a great piece in the Washington Post

As teams move toward boycotts of games in hopes that it will enhance the simple right of respecting of black lives.

We are asking that you make your voice heard this November and VOTE! If you know of someone who might struggle to make it to the polls help in anyway that is safe.

We can and we must do better.

Get in contact with us: @MikeBurkeMDT @JMGGMPG and @RTLPOD

This week we remember the great Jim Refosco and the brilliance of his coaching and the famous Wing T. We then pivot to the newly named head coach of Fort Hill Football Zach Alkire, and finally we discuss the glory of the NBA and the folly of the O's.

All that and more with Mike Burke and Matt Gilmore.

Heads up: Remember those who are less fortunate in your local community and if you can make a donation to your local food banks or community pantries.

It is becoming clear that without the use of technology we would not be enjoying professional sports during the time of COVID. The NBA and NHL have embraced the widespread use and so far it is working.

The cancellation of all fall sports in the area is putting safety first but students will be understandably are disappointed, but time marches on and we have some insight into the new football head coach of Fort Hill High School with eight candidates in the running.

We are introducing a new segment to the show this week.. YDKJ goes to the movies..

This week we are kicking it off with The Natural, in honor of Americas favorite past time.

The MLB did not make it a week without issues, NFL is allowing players to opt out, fall college sports is some leagues are cancelled. Can the NBA succeed with it's bubble??

Listen for our take on the action!

It is hard to talk about sports without mentioning the hardships of being in the throughs of a pandemic, but we are doing our best to still break down games, teams, and our outlook remains positive.

The best example of positivity was in Mo Gabba, a birdland hall of fame inductee and all around wonderful guy. Mo lost his battle with cancer this week and we join in remembering how wonderful a life he lead in his short 14 years.

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Matt Gilmore: @JMGGMPG

Mike Burke: @MikeBurke MDT

We cover a lot of ground in this weeks episode. We kick things off with the retirement of Todd Appel. After 12 years Todd leaves with the most wins in Allegany County football history and is added to the great legacy of coaches in our area.

We pivot to the Washington Football team and the "dumpster fire" they have created for themselves and delve a little deeper into the history of the culture of the team.

Finally, at long last Opening Day is here!!

We discuss the beauty of good scouting, healthy players, and leaving it all on the field with only 60 games to play. Matt starts our over/under tournament for this season, with our "local" teams and a few extra special ones too.

Mike and Matt would love to hear what you think, follow them on

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Mike Burke: @MikeBurke MDT

Matt Gilmore: @JMGGMPG

Or send an email to [email protected]

What will high school, collegiate, and professional sports look like in the age of COVID-19? Mike Burke and Matt Gilmore are digging into that topic on their very first podcast.

In this episode we introduce ourselves and give you are credentials to let you know, we are well worth your time!

Follow Matt on Twitter @@JMGGMPG