hall of fame

Certain things please me far more than they should. Like when I'm racing down rural Metamuville Road and glance at my Seattle traffic gauge and I see all the blockages my friends are dealing with—that pleases me enormously. Whenever Brian Griese breaks a metatarsal by simply walking down his driveway. Pure gold. When my former boss Ernest's wife leaves him and he starts to go blind. Money. When trolls write to tell me that I'm stupid, and they manage to misspell the insult. Thanks for that.

This list has a new member. When John Madden was being inducted into the football Hall of Fame, right before he was to be introduced, he and everyone else had to watch a clip of the Immaculate Reception. My grin was so huge, it was audible.

• • •

I was also struck by the contrast between two moments. When Raiders owner and all-around asshole Al Davis was introducing Madden, he boasted about how Madden and the Raiders were "color-blind." It didn't matter what color you were. "The Raid-ahs are about winning! And we wanted the best play-ahs!" Clap. Clap. Clap. Yay, you! Clear a spot on your mantle for an NAACP Image award.

Meanwhile, when former Giants linebacker Harry Carson gave his induction speech, he did something I've never seen before: he thanked an owner other than his own. Specifically, he thanked Steelers owner Dan Rooney for his efforts to make the league more diverse.

The contrast in substance and egoism was striking. (Just in case Al Davis googles his own name and finds this: egoism is when morality stems from self-interest.)