Sunday, February 10, 2008
Sports, "Hunt's Grunts"

This Valentine's, let love shine

 

By Hunt Archbold

Show the love, my friends. It’s now been more than 30 years since the great Brazilian footballer Pelé played his final professional game before 75,000 fans at Giants Stadium, and to millions more in the 38 nations the game was broadcasted to. He played a half each for Santos and the New York Cosmos, the only clubs he ever signed contracts with. Not all who tuned in will remember that Pelé scored for the Cosmos in their 2-1 victory that drizzly afternoon. But no one who watched will ever forget his heartfelt speech that day, spoken in the middle of the pitch with tears rolling down his cheeks. He urged his audience to pay attention to the children of the world, and at his request, the assemblage shouted, “Love! Love! Love!’’ It was a beautiful thing.

Yes, love is the greatest virtue. And as the Eurodisco enigma Haddaway first cried to us 15 years ago, “What is love? Baby don’t hurt me.’’ As another Valentine’s Day falls upon us, we’ve been programmed to recognize this over-commercialized holiday as the time to celebrate romantic and courtly love. Such as this example brought forth a few years back by pro basketball player Delonte West, currently averaging a tad less than seven points a game for the Seattle SuperSonics.

When asked, West offered that his ideal Valentine’s date would be with Beyoncé, adding: “When we're on the yacht eating, we’re going to have some Popeyes chicken. That’s for dinner. It’s to let her know, put a mental image on her mind, first and foremost … saying, you know, ‘Yeah, I can wine and dine you, but I’m a little rough around the edges and I’m keeping it real with you. I can be romantic, but this is real, we’re going to eat some chicken tonight. Chicken and biscuits.’”

Now that’s showing the love. West has the right idea in keeping it real, and he’s spot-on about Popeyes chicken and biscuits, too. But for others, whoever said romance was dead was also spot-on. For many of us, Feb. 14 is better known as Single Awareness Day, with the understanding that matters of the heart do hurt. And maybe Swami Gone Bananas has it right with their current Bitter Chocolates, Wilted Roses and Broken Hearts Tour, currently being staged every Thursday night at The Pub in Buckhead.

People have been singing about unrequited love for as long as there’ve been songs. On this date in 1965, the number song was the Righteous Brothers’ classic, “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin.’’’ In other news that V-Day 43 years ago, former Falcons linebacker Jessie Tuggle was born. I could say that Tuggle, an inaugural inductee into the team’s Ring of Honor, demonstrated more heart, passion and love for the game of football than any other past or present Falcon, and I wouldn’t get too much of an argument.

But if one was to put forth another Falcon for consideration, would Warrick Dunn’s be appropriate? I think so. I, like so many others, have been a longtime fan of Dunn’s, not only for his play on the field, but for the exceptional manner in which he has carried himself off it. The sad Michael Vick saga (although getting to keep the bonus money surely must have a put a smile on Vick’s face last week) has been well-documented. But so, too, has Dunn’s story of giving and service. To date, his Homes for the Holidays program has helped 74 parents and 192 children and dependents achieve first-time homeownership. In the true spirit of Pelé’s words, Dunn has shown the love.

I spoke briefly with Dunn during halftime of last week’s Hawks-Lakers game. Dunn was only a few days removed from being honored at the Super Bowl as the inaugural winner of the Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP award, which recognizes players who make a positive impact in their local communities through charitable programs and contributions. He was dressed down in jeans and a hoodie, and spoke humbly of his charitable work. Then I asked him if I could turn on my tape recorder and ask him a question or two about his impending future with the Falcons.

The fact is, the team would have to take a sizeable salary cap hit to keep Dunn on the 2008 roster. He’s aging (33), coming off a substandard season (720 yards rushing, 3.2 yards per carry) and would seem an unlikely fit as a lead back in a brand of smash mouth football the new Falcons’ coaching staff has indicated he’d like them to play. Still, Dunn could take a pay cut and carve out a niche role on next season’s team. It’s unknown for now, but it’s not unlikely that Dunn has played his last game as a Falcon.

After I asked, Dunn sniffled, said he’d been fighting a cold and asked me if we could take a rain check on the taped questions. I quickly indicated no problem and then, for some reason, right there in the Philips Arena club level, I stretched my arm around his five-foot-nine frame, cupped his shoulder in my palm and gave him a quick but tight squeeze. I then pulled away and said, “Man, I just want to thank you for all you’ve done. You’re a class act.’’

And with that, I showed Dunn the love. Fortunately, Warrick didn’t have security show me the door.

Happy times … and I love you, Miranda. SP