Huby's Halftime: Black QBs, Gamecocks, and Vernal Pools
Welcome to Huby’s Halftime. Let’s hop right into the latest in sports, culture, and vernal pools
Fear of the Black QB
Jalen Alexander Hurts. Patrick Lavon Mahomes II. These are the names of the two starting quarterbacks for Super Bowl LVII. For the first time in NFL history, we have two starting Black QBs in the Super Bowl. While this feat will not erase the fact that the NFL is still in a legal battle over racial discrimination and just months ago saw a Black man nearly die on the field of play, two Black quarterbacks in the big game is still dope as hell.
The quarterback position has historically been kept out of reach of Black folk as former NFL QB Doug Williams discussed with NPR. That history coupled with the two QBs we get the privilege of watching play is a blessing from the ancestors.
Patrick Mahomes is on pace to be the greatest QB we have ever seen. He is already shattering many statistical records at an alarming rate. Even though wins should not be a QB stat, he is winning at an impressive fashion as well making his third super bowl in four years. What is wild is that these things are not what he will be most remembered for. It feels like every 20 throws Mahomes channels some old testament spirit and makes a throw that defies everything we thought we knew about football. I mean this dude has a 13 minute video of these throws.
My hope is that we enjoy Mahomes for his greatness while it is here and do not get content and begin to look for the next best thing.
On the other side, we have Jalen Hurts. Not quite to Mahomes level but if you have watched football the last few years you are familiar with Jalen Hurts. If being a star at both Alabama and Oklahoma was not enough, Jalen has been a leader on the NFL’s best team the Philadelphia Eagles. Watching Hurts play in the NFL always brings a smile because I remember the time when QBs with his skill set did not get a chance. Hurts has proven that he is more than worth the opportunity with the fourth best QBR in the league this season according to ESPN.
Is Jalen Hurts also the coolest QB to ever play in the Super Bowl? I know there is some poor gentleman who is so excited his girl is coming to the super bowl party with him. Just wait. By halftime she will be on Fanatics purchasing a black Eagles jersey with Hurts on the back. She will follow him on Instagram and turn on alerts. My brother, it is okay. Just remember Rihanna is performing at halftime.
There you have it. A Black ass Super Bowl with the GOAT vs. Mr. Steal Yo Girl.
Gamecocks
During Black History Month we get a bevy of tributes, moments in history, and examinations from sports leagues all across America. I would like to point our attention to maybe the Blackest thing in sports right now: The University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball team.
This team, lead by its head Coach Dawn Staley and one of the most dominant players in basketball Aliyah Boston are the reigning national champions in women’s college basketball and are currently 23-0 on the season.
To begin, is there a coach across any of the major sports with more swagger and class than Dawn Staley. I know Deion Sanders gets a lot of love and media attention for his chains and sidelines apparel but his fits definitely take a back seat to Mrs. Staley’s wardrobe. To the average on looker, these outfits are the signs of someone who is self-centered and abrasive. Nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to this basketball team.
Women’s basketball has long been led by the Pat Summits, Geno Auriemma’s, Tara VanDerveer, and Kim Mulkey’s. No shade or disrespect to these folks as they have helped get women’s basketball to the place that it is now, but it is so great to see a Black woman becoming the face of the sport (along with her players.)
What I love most about this team is that they know folks are watching and waiting for their demise but like the best characters in a comic book, this only makes them stronger. Just this past Sunday, Dawn Staley repped her hometown Philidelphia Eagles while coaching on the sideline against UCONN. Can you imagine if Kirby Smart (Head football coach at University of Georgia) wore an Atlanta Falcons hoodie on the sideline? One, he would never cause he is not built like that. Secondly, the Falcons never seem to put themselves in a game of significance like the Eagles.
One may ask, “why is she wearing the hoodie of a hoodie of a team she isn’t even coaching?” and my answer to that is, who cares. One she is winning at an impressive rate, two she looks fly as hell while doing it.
If you have not taken the chance to watch these women go to work, you have the perfect opportunity Sunrday evening as they face undefeated LSU at 2 PM on ESPN.
The Weather Is Getting Spotty
Depending on where you may reside, signs of spring may be occasionally popping out. As a science teacher and wannabe naturalist this is slowly becoming one of my favorite times of year as the warm winter rains begin to fill vernal pools.
Vernal pools are defined as “spring pools" are shallow depressions that usually contain water for only part of the year. They are often associated with forested wetlands. These temporary wetlands are crucial breeding grounds for a wide range of species but especially wood and chorus frogs, mole salamanders, and fairy shrimp.
There is something beautiful about how these seemingly large “puddles” in the forest across the world are home to some of our most beloved amphibians such as the beautiful sounds of the Spring Peepers and the charming spots of the Spotted Salamander. Sadly, these spaces are slowly becoming hard to find. According to some reports, up to 90% of wetlands are being lost. It does not have to be this way. Wetlands are a crucial part in sustaining our planet's climate and we need to preserve them and the many species that call them home.
As football season is coming to an end I know so many of you will be looking for something to do. So as the weather warms and the rains fall, put on your raincoat and find your local vernal pool.
Mr Steal Yo Girl 😅🤣