Football Will Kaepernicks "Inked Up" look prevent him from being a marketable star? - Page 4

Deberg_1990 · 11-30-2012, 09:09 PM

Interesting column

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/stor...contract-draft

San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick is going to be a big-time NFL quarterback. That must make the guys in San Quentin happy.

Approximately 98.7 percent of the inmates at California’s state prison have tattoos. I don’t know that as fact, but I’ve watched enough “Lockup” to know it’s close to accurate.

I’m also pretty sure less than 1.3 percent of NFL quarterbacks have tattoos. There’s a reason for that.

NFL quarterback is the ultimate position of influence and responsibility. He is the CEO of a high-profile organization, and you don’t want your CEO to look like he just got paroled.

Now along comes Kaepernick. Since taking over for Alex Smith two games ago, he has convinced everybody in the Bay area that he’s the second coming of Steve Young.

Smith is coming back from a concussion, ushering in the attendant QB controversy. But he is looking like Wally Pipp and Kaepernick is Lou Gehrig. All I can do is look in the mirror and sigh.

Forgive me, but I suffer from tattoo-ism. I sport no ink, and I don’t want any. I know that attitude qualifies me for an AARP card, and I’ve tried to get with it.

I realize tattoos are ways to pay homage to your religion, children and motorcycle gang. I’m cool with LeBron James looking like an Etch A Sketch.

I still cringe when I go to the gym and see middle-aged women with barbed wire circling their biceps. They have bigger arms than I, so I never make fun. But I can’t shake the notion that a person’s body is a temple, and you don’t cover temples in graffiti.

For dinosaurs like me, NFL quarterbacks were our little Dutch boys. The original hero stuck his finger in the dyke to save Holland. Pro QBs were the last line of defense against the raging sea of ink. When our kids said they wanted a tattoo, we could always point to the Manning brothers.

My guess is Archie would have made Peyton throw an extra 1,000 passes before dinner if he’d come home with a tattoo. The old man knew QBs are different.

Did Sammy Baugh, Johnny Unitas, Doug Williams or Joe Montana have arms covered in ink? Do Tom Brady, Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers? The world will end when Tim Tebow shows up a tattoo parlor.

It’s not just a white thing, I hope. When the Panthers interviewed Cam Newton, owner Jerry Richardson popped the question.

Do you have any tattoos?” he asked.

“No, sir,” Newton said. “I don’t have any.”

“We want to keep it that way,” Richardson said.

He was OK with body art on other players, including the human canvas that is Jeremy Shockey. But Newton would be the face, arms and legs of the franchise. The boss didn’t want them covered in ink lines.

“Let’s keep it that way,” he told Newton.

I realize not all NFL quarterbacks are pristine. Ben Roethlisberger has a “COURAGE” tattoo on the right side of his upper body. Smith has one honoring his Serbian heritage. They can’t be seen when the players put on their uniforms.

Then there are Michael Vick and Terrelle Pryor. Neither exactly fit the CEO image, unless your CEO has done a stretch in Leavenworth or has gotten Ohio State on probation over free tattoos.

That’s what makes Kaepernick a threat to the stereotype. By all accounts, he’s polite, hard working, humble and has never been to prison. He sounds more like a Tebow who can throw.

Not to get too far ahead of ourselves here, but it’s not hard to envision him leading the 49ers into the playoffs. If not this season, in the years to come.

His ink-covered arms will one day raise the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Imagine the impact that could have.

For one thing, Jerry Richardson would clutch his chest in horror. At the next Pro Bowl, you might spot Peyton by the pool with a Papa John’s logo on his ankle.

Sigh again.

I still think tattoo removal is going to be huge industry in the coming years. But for now, I might as well accept that Holland is probably doomed.

If you can’t draw the tattoo line at NFL quarterback, you can’t draw them anywhere.

WhiteWhale · 12-01-2012, 01:33 AM

Yeah... no way an athlete can be a star if he's got tattoos.

Lebron who?

Quarterbacks are not CEO's, they're athletes.

**KcMizzou** · 12-01-2012, 01:58 AM

Oddly enough, while watching Kaepernick kick ass, I didn't even notice his tattoos. And I'm an old white dude!

Seriously, nobody gives a shit.

**Baby Lee** · 12-01-2012, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -King-

His dumb ass would probably get it tattooed on his back.

Everyone knows if you want Cassel to have an unimpeded view, you'd need to tattoo the playbook on Pioli's lower belly.

okoye35chiefs · 12-01-2012, 06:40 AM

people still buy michael vick jerseys...so...

BIG_DADDY · 12-01-2012, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyChuckles

There's twinges of racism in that article.

You are hillarious.

Did the marketing guys hold back on AI or more importantly LeBron? He is an athlete and it doesn't hurt his marketing ability that much. If he were a banker would it hurt his ability to represent, you bettcha. Here is the deal though, could it have hurt his abilty to be selected to represent the franchise? Sure, tell me how many tatted up bad boys you see on the Yankees. I am sure there are other team owners that feel the same.

chiefzilla1501 · 12-01-2012, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

You are hillarious.

Did the marketing guys hold back on AI or more importantly LeBron? He is an athlete and it doesn't hurt his marketing ability that much. If he were a banker would it hurt his ability to represent, you bettcha. Here is the deal though, could it have hurt his abilty to be selected to represent the franchise? Sure, tell me how many tatted up bad boys you see on the Yankees. I am sure there are other team owners that feel the same.

Ridiculous to think that any team would not bring a player in because of tattoos. If they are character issues, yes. But A-Rod is a douche bag without noticeable tattoos (and he's not the only guy without a ton of tattoos that is a character issue). AJ Burnett and Jason Giambi were two tattoo guys on the Yankees.

This is a non-issue. If you can tell me a legit sports superstar who is undermined because of tattoos, let me know. Right now, we're talking about a QB who may or may not be starting two weeks from now.

Hoover · 12-01-2012, 11:27 AM

I actually thinks it will make him a bigger star

mcaj22 · 12-01-2012, 11:30 AM

kids look up to this guy. this is the NBA's most marketable small market player. He has an entire city/fanbase by the balls and if he told them to go jump off a bridge to better the team they would probably listen.

Pasta Little Brioni · 12-01-2012, 11:44 AM

Geno wore his hat backwards that one time, so I've taken him off my big board.

BIG_DADDY · 12-01-2012, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Ridiculous to think that any team would not bring a player in because of tattoos. If they are character issues, yes. But A-Rod is a douche bag without noticeable tattoos (and he's not the only guy without a ton of tattoos that is a character issue). AJ Burnett and Jason Giambi were two tattoo guys on the Yankees.

This is a non-issue. If you can tell me a legit sports superstar who is undermined because of tattoos, let me know. Right now, we're talking about a QB who may or may not be starting two weeks from now.

Sure, superstars are exceptions. Before they become superstars and are being considered for a position that could make them the face of the franchise though you can't tell me that it is never considered. We are really talking about something that could never be verified one way or the other so it's really irrelevant. He is getting his chance now with a good team. I personlly believe there is no way Harbaugh is turning back this year unless he just totally sucks ass but that isn't going to happen. He made his choice.

Radar Chief · 12-01-2012, 11:59 AM

Pompadour skull tattoo on his arm but Jimbo never did no body no harm. /the Rev

keg in kc · 12-01-2012, 12:03 PM

Not in today's world.

**Rausch** · 12-01-2012, 12:09 PM

He wins - he wins...

milkman · 12-01-2012, 01:07 PM

Just lock him up now.

He's clearly a thug.

**RealSNR** · 12-01-2012, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

kids look up to this guy. this is the NBA's most marketable small market player. He has an entire city/fanbase by the balls and if he told them to go jump off a bridge to better the team they would probably listen.

That's hometeam-style tattooing there. Gotta say, it's almost as gay as the shit Bray did.

11-30-2012, 09:09 PM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3944454	Will Kaepernicks "Inked Up" look prevent him from being a marketable star? Interesting column http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/stor...contract-draft San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick is going to be a big-time NFL quarterback. That must make the guys in San Quentin happy. Approximately 98.7 percent of the inmates at California’s state prison have tattoos. I don’t know that as fact, but I’ve watched enough “Lockup” to know it’s close to accurate. I’m also pretty sure less than 1.3 percent of NFL quarterbacks have tattoos. There’s a reason for that. NFL quarterback is the ultimate position of influence and responsibility. He is the CEO of a high-profile organization, and you don’t want your CEO to look like he just got paroled. Now along comes Kaepernick. Since taking over for Alex Smith two games ago, he has convinced everybody in the Bay area that he’s the second coming of Steve Young. Smith is coming back from a concussion, ushering in the attendant QB controversy. But he is looking like Wally Pipp and Kaepernick is Lou Gehrig. All I can do is look in the mirror and sigh. Forgive me, but I suffer from tattoo-ism. I sport no ink, and I don’t want any. I know that attitude qualifies me for an AARP card, and I’ve tried to get with it. I realize tattoos are ways to pay homage to your religion, children and motorcycle gang. I’m cool with LeBron James looking like an Etch A Sketch. I still cringe when I go to the gym and see middle-aged women with barbed wire circling their biceps. They have bigger arms than I, so I never make fun. But I can’t shake the notion that a person’s body is a temple, and you don’t cover temples in graffiti. For dinosaurs like me, NFL quarterbacks were our little Dutch boys. The original hero stuck his finger in the dyke to save Holland. Pro QBs were the last line of defense against the raging sea of ink. When our kids said they wanted a tattoo, we could always point to the Manning brothers. My guess is Archie would have made Peyton throw an extra 1,000 passes before dinner if he’d come home with a tattoo. The old man knew QBs are different. Did Sammy Baugh, Johnny Unitas, Doug Williams or Joe Montana have arms covered in ink? Do Tom Brady, Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers? The world will end when Tim Tebow shows up a tattoo parlor. It’s not just a white thing, I hope. When the Panthers interviewed Cam Newton, owner Jerry Richardson popped the question. Do you have any tattoos?” he asked. “No, sir,” Newton said. “I don’t have any.” “We want to keep it that way,” Richardson said. He was OK with body art on other players, including the human canvas that is Jeremy Shockey. But Newton would be the face, arms and legs of the franchise. The boss didn’t want them covered in ink lines. “Let’s keep it that way,” he told Newton. I realize not all NFL quarterbacks are pristine. Ben Roethlisberger has a “COURAGE” tattoo on the right side of his upper body. Smith has one honoring his Serbian heritage. They can’t be seen when the players put on their uniforms. Then there are Michael Vick and Terrelle Pryor. Neither exactly fit the CEO image, unless your CEO has done a stretch in Leavenworth or has gotten Ohio State on probation over free tattoos. That’s what makes Kaepernick a threat to the stereotype. By all accounts, he’s polite, hard working, humble and has never been to prison. He sounds more like a Tebow who can throw. Not to get too far ahead of ourselves here, but it’s not hard to envision him leading the 49ers into the playoffs. If not this season, in the years to come. His ink-covered arms will one day raise the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Imagine the impact that could have. For one thing, Jerry Richardson would clutch his chest in horror. At the next Pro Bowl, you might spot Peyton by the pool with a Papa John’s logo on his ankle. Sigh again. I still think tattoo removal is going to be huge industry in the coming years. But for now, I might as well accept that Holland is probably doomed. If you can’t draw the tattoo line at NFL quarterback, you can’t draw them anywhere.
Posts: 66,914

12-01-2012, 01:33 AM	#46
WhiteWhale Bring it on Ahab! Join Date: May 2011 Location: Doo-Dah Casino cash: $10015152	Yeah... no way an athlete can be a star if he's got tattoos. Lebron who? Quarterbacks are not CEO's, they're athletes.
Posts: 14,861

12-01-2012, 01:58 AM	#47
KcMizzou Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Parkville MO Casino cash: $10005170	Oddly enough, while watching Kaepernick kick ass, I didn't even notice his tattoos. And I'm an old white dude! Seriously, nobody gives a shit.
Posts: 54,695

12-01-2012, 06:40 AM	#49
okoye35chiefs Starter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Death Valley Casino cash: $10004900	people still buy michael vick jerseys...so...
Posts: 674

12-01-2012, 11:27 AM	#52
Hoover Rufus Dawes Jr. Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $1768179	I actually thinks it will make him a bigger star
Posts: 17,336

12-01-2012, 11:30 AM	#53
mcaj22 MVP Join Date: Feb 2010 Casino cash: $10014454	kids look up to this guy. this is the NBA's most marketable small market player. He has an entire city/fanbase by the balls and if he told them to go jump off a bridge to better the team they would probably listen.
Posts: 11,886

12-01-2012, 11:44 AM	#54
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $4098880	Geno wore his hat backwards that one time, so I've taken him off my big board. __________________ **Official TFWdemB Trivia Commisioner**
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12-01-2012, 11:59 AM	#56
Radar Chief Wearing ballistic dog goggles. Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: In the box. Casino cash: $5301503	Pompadour skull tattoo on his arm but Jimbo never did no body no harm. /the Rev __________________ Like "Cool Hand" Luke I'm busting rocks. __/\|_/[___] \|/ \\_\| ---OllllO _( ))~-( ))-0--))
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12-01-2012, 12:03 PM	#57
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	Not in today's world.
Posts: 58,682

12-01-2012, 01:07 PM	#59
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	Just lock him up now. He's clearly a thug. __________________
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