Do Individual Players have Rights?

Posted on January 23, 2022 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

Novak Djokovic deportedOn the TunneySide of Sports January 24, 2022 #884 Up next… Do Individual Players Have Rights?

After further review… Obviously, the media surrounding Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ stance on his personal decision to not get the COVID-19 vaccine to inoculate him from the virus that is raging our country is of great concern to the National Football League as well as the effect it has on the rest of our country. As a member of an organization (Green Bay Packers) does a single individual have that right to not participate? Does his individual decision affect his teammates?

As you ponder the situation with Rodgers also consider the case of Novak Djokovic, arguably the best male tennis player in the world. Djokovic, a Serbian professional tennis player was recently denied entry into Australia to play the 2022 Australian Open and was deported from Australia after losing an appeal against visa cancellation. He was denied an opportunity to seek his tenth trophy which would break his own record as well as his 21st victory from all major championships. The fans could care less that he has not been vaccinated (an Australian mandate) as they just want to see this champion play.

“Rules are rules,” said the Australian administrator. Since you witnessed Rodgers quarterbacking the Packers yesterday, either he complied with the vaccination mandate, or maybe the NFL decided he needed to play – not sure where this ended up.

Regardless, the issue here is, do individual rights supersede those of the organization’s rules?

Will you log-in your thoughts on this issue?

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com. “Impartial Judgment” is now out of print but is available for $20 with free shipping from the website or contact Jim at 2962 Club Rd. Ste #32 Pebble Beach, CA. 93953. It includes Jim’s autograph. 

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Jim’s books include many messages about rules and regulations (remember he was a referee). His bobblehead on your desk or shelf will be a treasure in your office or home. Jim’s Bobblehead includes no tax and comes with free shipping. Use PayPal or mail check to 2962 Club Rd, Ste 32, Pebble Beach, CA 93953. Enjoy your Holidays!

Shop here.

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com  or email jim@jimtunney.com.

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We Have Never Cancelled a Super Bowl

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

Super Bowl VI Tulane Stadium New OrleansOn the TunneySide of Sports January 17, 2022 #883 Up next… We Have Never Cancelled a Super Bowl

After further review… It was January 2020 when we became aware of and have had to live with what can only be termed a global emergency due to COVID-19.

Remember the good old days when we were assured that it would only take three weeks to flatten the curve? Here we are in January 2022 and how we live our day-to-day lives has changed dramatically. How we play and watch sports has very definitely changed.

For instance, the 2021 NFL regular season has come to an end and the 2022 postseason began Saturday with 14 teams in the hunt to win the 2022 Super Bowl. But are we even positive where Super Bowl LVI will be played? As of this writing, it is still scheduled at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Feb. 13. Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti is confident the Super Bowl will not move from SoFi Stadium. Let us hope that he is right.

No Super Bowl has been canceled, nor has it been changed from its scheduled date. Before COVID the only thing we really worried about was the weather. What would happen if a major weather event did threaten the safety of spectators on Super Bowl Sunday? A weather contingency plan would be enacted.

I was the head referee for Super Bowl VI on Jan. 16, 1972, in New Orleans, which to this day is still known as one of the coldest Super Bowls played. I had the honor of being chosen for the opening coin toss. The Cowboys defeated the Dolphins by the score of 24–3, to win their first Super Bowl.

My point here is that we have never canceled a Super Bowl and we won’t this year.

How and where will you watch the Super Bowl this year?

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com. “Impartial Judgment” is now out of print but is available for $20 with free shipping from the website or contact Jim at 2962 Club Rd. Ste #32 Pebble Beach, CA. 93953. It includes Jim’s autograph. 

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Jim’s books include many messages about rules and regulations (remember he was a referee). His bobblehead on your desk or shelf will be a treasure in your office or home. Jim’s Bobblehead includes no tax and comes with free shipping. Use PayPal or mail check to 2962 Club Rd, Ste 32, Pebble Beach, CA 93953. Enjoy your Holidays!

Shop here.

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com  or email jim@jimtunney.com.

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Bringing The Super Bowl Back To California?

Posted on January 10, 2022 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports January 10, 2022 #882 Up next… Bringing The Super Bowl Back To California?

After further review… It has been six years since the Super Bowl was hosted in the Golden State. On Feb. 13, Super Bowl LVI will kick off at the SoFi Stadium located in Inglewood, just outside of Los Angeles. The stadium is home to two National Football League teams: the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams. However, the NFL, not surprisingly in the midst of a rise in COVID-19 cases, has looked into other potential sites for next month’s Super Bowl. According to the Associated Press, the league is already looking at AT&T stadium in Arlington, Texas as a possible replacement. AT&T Stadium is home to the Dallas Cowboys.

“We plan on playing Super Bowl 56 as scheduled at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 13,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Wednesday. “As part of our standard contingency planning process that we conduct for all regular and postseason games, we have contacted several clubs to inquire about stadium availability in the event we cannot play the Super Bowl as scheduled due to weather-related issues or unforeseen circumstances.” Unforeseen circumstances, meaning the omicron variant may throw a wrench in those plans.

There is no question that things will change and change swiftly as needed so making travel plans at this time may be unwise and costly.

Reminiscing … A few years ago I co-authored a book titled “Super Bowl Sunday: The Day America Stops,” presented by CBS Sports and edited by author and sports journalist Matt Fulks. My contribution was focused on Super Bowl XI played between the Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders in the Pasadena Rose Bowl on Jan. 9, 1977. Oakland won 32-14. It was the first Super Bowl played in that iconic stadium and I was the referee. My friend the late great John Madden was the Oakland Raiders Head Coach.

It was special to me since my dad, Jim Sr. was the referee in the college Rose Bowl game on Jan. 1, 1947, between Illinois and UCLA – the latter won 45-14. Exactly 30 years later – to the month – I officiated Super Bowl XI in that same stadium as my dad.

I have been fortunate to be associated with the National Football League for 60 years as it celebrates its 102nd year!

How will you watch the Super Bowl this year?

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com. “Impartial Judgment” is now out of print but is available for $20 with free shipping from the website or contact Jim at 2962 Club Rd. Ste #32 Pebble Beach, CA. 93953. It includes Jim’s autograph. 

—————

Jim’s books include many messages about rules and regulations (remember he was a referee). His bobblehead on your desk or shelf will be a treasure in your office or home. Jim’s Bobblehead includes no tax and comes with free shipping. Use PayPal or mail check to 2962 Club Rd, Ste 32, Pebble Beach, CA 93953. Enjoy your Holidays!

Shop here.

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com  or email jim@jimtunney.com.

Posted in NFL, Sports, Tunney Side of Sports Columns | Tagged | Leave a comment