How Do U Spell Bias? M-I-A-M-I

Most unbiased sports fans admit that the Miami Hurricanes are hated all over the Country. Some even acknowledge that there seems to be a separate set of “Miami rules”, especially when it comes to the media. If you look at the “College FB” link at ESPN.com on any given day, you will see 3-5 stories about a player being arrested. However when I watch Sportscenter or PTI later that day…NOTHING!

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But when a Miami player has an incident we all know what happens. When it comes to Miami, people truly love to hate us. I’ve grown accustomed to it, and it rarely bothers me any more, however recently on a family vacation I got a taste of how people in other places really think of us.

Me and the family took a trip to see the in-laws in Tennessee this past Fourth of July weekend. I got to admit, the place is beautiful and the people are nice. Everywhere you go you can buy something to do with the Vols. EVERYWHERE! As usual, I had been wearing my Cane clothing all weekend long without an incident. Then, all of a sudden I was reminded how people outside of Miami view our Canes.

When I was at the airport for my return flight home, the metal detector went off when I walked through. This was because my daughter had not finished walking through ahead of me. When I backed up and emptied my pockets, the security guard said “Maybe it’s the Miami jersey”. Now, I’m a big fan of good-natured trash talking so I got a smile out of this. But what happened next is really what got me thinking.

As I was getting ready to go back through the scanner thing, the same security guard said, “This time assume the normal Miami position”, and with that he raised his hands over his head as if he was getting searched or arrested. I actually thought it was funny and had another laugh about it, as did the other staff members there, but in reality this is how our Cane’s are looked upon.

I think it’s sad that these kids who work hard to get their education and get away from their run-down neighborhoods are judged before they ever step foot on the field. No one talks about the struggles of a Frank Gore (who I admire), or the academic achievements of someone like Jonathan Vilma. No one talks about the high academic standards set at Miami and all the talent we lose every year due to it. The more I thought about all of this the more I realized it wasn’t that old security guards fault, the media made him think that way.

People truly hate Miami, and they love to hate us. Not until we are once again on top of the college football world will the media again love us.  And even then they will do it through gritting teeth.

Comments

[Montreal-Cane]

First

[Montreal-Cane]

The latest update on how 7-on-7's have been going this summer at Miami. The workouts are closed to the coaches and to the media, but we have been hearing who has been doing well lately...

http://www.insidetheu.com/

[Seoul Cane]

I was soooo close for once:(

[Matthew]

Unfortunately, I believe there is nothing that can be done to counter the clear and present bias against the University of Miami. The incident I point to most is how Bryan Pata's murder was covered. I wrote about the disgusting media coverage here:

http://media.www.thehurricaneonline.com/media/storage/paper479/news/2006/11/14/Sports/Commentary.Not.Even.Death.Stops.The.National.Media.Machine-2457262.shtml

It's irrational, it's unfair and it's something we have to live with. We just have to do everything we can to run a great program, collect our championships and deal with whatever is thrown at us. Such is the burden, and the privilege, of being a true Miami Hurricane.

[Matthew]

Carrying over from the last post's comments...

Dan has a new position breakdown up on Stein on the Sidelines...check it out at his blog; this time it's the Cornerbacks:

http://blogs.themiamihurricane.com/index.php?blog=24

[SOUP]

Mat...GREAT to see U 'round The Space on a regular basis! How do we do more to work together and drive traffic to YOUR site?

[SOUP]

Matt...it's 86Cane, I also post as SOUP.

Let's talk about how we partner to make info accessible to Canes fans?

[SOUP]

This blog was written by "MIKE" who wrote the OB blog recently. I have to go back and give him his credits.

[AlpharettaCane]

Thanks Canez1!

[canechic]

Hi guys Top ten

[SOUP]

Monty...How about that: FIRST?

Nice work there!

[Matthew]

SOUP,

Y'all have been more than kind with our little slice of the web over at the Hurricane. I'm just happy to contribute over here, and to be surrounded by commenters who bleed Orange and Green. People keep clicking our links and checking us out, that's all I need.

However, what you mentioned in that e-mail the other day is definitely intriguing. I replied...don't know if you had a chance to see it.

[SOUP]

Canechic...we are good to go for Gainesville!

[SOUP]

OcalaCane, AngryCane, Canechic and 86Cane will be doing Gainesville.

UMAA pre-game party with LT#36, Shalala, the band, cheerleaders, food, drinks, etc. and then on to the game.

We are supposed to be sitting next to...get this:

CARLOS!

[SOUP]

Matty...U gotta post links here to Dan Stein's blogs and your new blogs also when you post them at your site.

People are LAZY! No link, no go?

[KLCaneFan]

I bought my tix for the game in Canesville. Now all I have to do is convince the hubby to go... he's not feeling this one. Sigh.

[SOUP]

Matty...U gotta post links here to Dan Stein's blogs and your new blogs also when you post them at your site.

People are LAZY! No link, no go?

[MasSiVcAnE]

Let the media hate us. That just makes us better.

[canechic]

Great article 86! I love angry's picture!

Anyway I love being hated, nothing better then to walk in a room full of gator/nole/knight fans in orlando with "U" proudly worn across my chest!!!!!! I makes them just a teensy, weensy bit sour. And the best part is I know a H@ll of alot more about football than any of those weasels know. Angry lets me loose, while he stands back and laughs.

[SOUP]

KL...U can go with us if U want?

Leave the hubby home if he ain't got his mojo working for the game.

WE got this!

[canechic]

Angry and I are soooooo looking forward to going to the game!

86 U the man!!

[canechic]

Yes KL it is a must that we meet!!

[SOUP]

Canechic...U tell them:

What did I say while standing next to you, Mrs. 86 and your son Nick at FSU, with the game on the line and Kirby in at QB?

Go ahead tell them...

[Montreal-Cane]

86 nice work with the summer blog!!! Who said there was a dead period...

Peace!

[Matthew]

The link to Dan's blog is toward's the top of the comments...he just posted the cornerback's breakdown.

[Matthew]

Oh, I posted the link to just the blog, not the post itself...you'd see it anyway, but might as well make it easy for people:

http://blogs.themiamihurricane.com/index.php/2008/07/10/position-breakdowns-cornerbacks?blog=24

[SOUP]

Matty...gotta keep it simple or it will NOT get done. LINKS away!

Next...LIVE chats. When, where, who?

[SOUP]

Tell Dan the key is to respond PERSONALLY to the bloggers requests for INFO.

We have the fans...We need the content.

Bring it!

[TLuv]

What up space?

Nice blog Mike. I hope everyone is having a great summer.

[Matthew]

I'm going to send you Dan's e-mail address. He's got a lot of stuff on his plate right now, so I don't know his time issues, but I'm sure he'd love to participate in a chat. I'm not nearly as in-tune to the team as he is, but I'd love to get in on it too.

[canechic]

Yes 86 you said you had this and you did. Now it will be sooooo sweet to walk out of the swamp singing "It's great to be a MIAMI Hurricane" WOW THAT WILL BE GREAT!!!!!

[SOUP]

Now it will be sooooo sweet to walk out of the swamp singing "It's great to be a MIAMI Hurricane" WOW THAT WILL BE GREAT!!!!!

Posted by: canechic | July 10, 2008 at 09:49 PM

I can't say it now before walking in to the SWAMP, but when the time is right, if I feel it and I do say it, U just watch it happen...AGAIN!

[KLCaneFan]

LOL @ u guys... I hope you don't jinx us!

I definitely plan to go to Canesville with or without Mr. KL. It would be a blast to meet all of you guys here on the blob.

[Matthew]

I've already got my ticket reserved and can't wait to get up there. I always bring a victory cigar with me, so hopefully I'll be lighting up for a big W!

[J]

Nothing quite like my 5-year old daughter yelling "It's great to be a Miami Hurricane" from the time we left our seats at Doak until we got to our car.

[SOUP]

J...Post here, post often!

For those coming from the south, we can meet in Ocala and caravan up to Gville together.

[SOUP]

OcalaCane...U out there?

[Calvin]

To back-up i thing iit was gnt's point. Nobody really has film on us, defensively, the same holds true for our wide receivers except sam shields. Who's going to look at highschool film to prepare for any of our wide-outs. It's just 7 on 7's but laron byrd was one a couple of us said to watch out for this year, as far as being physically ready he's already their. Same with aj, our receiving corps will start to come at you in waves from here on out.

As jimmy johnson and a few have said, if you gone beat us, you better do it this year, but if some team happns to just get lucky enough to win, they need to know, they've been circled for a leter beatdown.

By the way, phuck the media and alot of other people who hate UM, they are going to hate us irregardless of the facts, so we might as well win and make em hate some more 4 sho.

[Das U]

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/changing_channels/2008/07/espn-schedules.html

Not very much digging involved in finding this one, but everyone should be aware to set their tivos. Considering the source, could end up completely panning the program, but definitely worth a look.

[dj moonbat]

"No one talks about the struggles of a Frank Gore (who I admire), or the academic achievements of someone like Jonathan Vilma."

Both of whom, by the way, are Gables grads. Go Cavs!

[Loco needs to sell 10K :-) www.cutco.com [email protected]]

Loco, liking tight ends doesn't make me a bad person....;-D

Posted by: CanesgirlNC | July 10, 2008 at 04:08 PM

Well it could... depending on who you were and who is doing the judging... ;-)

[Loco needs to sell 10K :-) www.cutco.com [email protected]]

good article btw, and so true

[Loco needs to sell 10K :-) www.cutco.com [email protected]]

"...being produced by Alfred Spelman and Billy Corbin, whose last documentary was Cocaine Cowboys"

My first thought was that they were back-tracking from Irvin's pro days...

[Loco needs to sell 10K :-) www.cutco.com [email protected]]

Loco, liking tight ends doesn't make me a bad person....;-D

Posted by: CanesgirlNC | July 10, 2008 at 04:08 PM

Well it could... depending on who you were and who is doing the judging... ;-)

Posted by: Loco needs to sell 10K :-) www.cutco.com [email protected] | July 10,

As my jv football coach liked to joke.. "I was a tight end, then I went to prison and when I came out I was a wide receiver"...

[Carlos]

UMAA pre-game party with LT#36, Shalala, the band, cheerleaders, food, drinks, etc. and then on to the game.

We are supposed to be sitting next to...get this:

CARLOS!

Posted by: 86Cane | July 10, 2008 at 09:23 PM

I got a call today from Leslie. You are the man. 1st round is on me :)

[E K]

there isn't anyone on the schedule that we can't beat this year. the defense will be better to get us to an 8-4 record. we always have a top 10 defense... last year was the only exception. we still have talent, but they have to know the purpose of each defensive play call in order to trust the defense and not over play. we are in good hands with young.

shannon and nix learned a lot from their first years, and that will translate in a better offense. we have the talent to make special teams special again. the running backs will take a lot of pressure from the qb.

i reeally don't see anyone on our schedule that we can't beat, but I won't mention the word or state the record. i will treat it as a no no, but I will say

I am once again part of that 12% crew. I doubted them for a month, but this team has got a chip on their shoulder. There will be paybacks and statements to make to the rest of the world.

If Oklahoma did what they did with a redshirt freshman QB, then why can't we top that?

I get torn between an 8-4 season or worse... & a 12% season (it's my football version of a no no), because everyone is counting them out.

I'll take the 12% and see U when we play 1/8/2009. The x-factor is the passion of the underclassmen and the pride of the veterans who refuse to give up their position without finding somewhere to contribute to a 12% season... or should I say 14% season.

[ChicagoCane]

Morning space. Although I am not a member of inside the u, I read Stock's blog. It is an interesting piece on Miami's running back recruiting situation. Apparently, sources at UM have confirmed that they will only take two running backs in this class. Does this leave Miller out in the cold?

[Cane Since 1982]

Check out this ESPN blog. Alot of the comments on there are good and are from fans of other ACC shcools but the majority of the talk is MIAMI UF and MIAMI FSU. Nice to see outsiders perspective on the state of Miami.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/acc/0-1-25/ACC-Coastal-Division-rankings.html?post=true&prosaction=newpost&status=ok&prosaction=newpost&status=ok

[norm]

I got this from the MH. I know it's a few days old, but talks about KW playing for the 49ers.

http://www.miamiherald.com/static/media/whatthe5/index.html?date=7/9/2008

[321CANES]

Great posts , But it is up to our CANE fans to tell others about our graduation rate, our honors, the top seven doctors in the world from duke who are now teaching in the Univ. of Miami, the$$$ million dollar donation that gave to our rival Va tech, when that tragedy took place. Um school of Medicine receiving an 100 million dollar donation by Leonard miller, the highest donation in this generation. Our president Shala receiving her medal of freedom from the president, etc... to people disrespecting our family. DO NOT LET THEM BAD MOUTH OUR UNIV, maybe you have thicker skin than me but i would counter attack with these stuff probably would have Kimbo Slice him. Maybe you did react great because they probably thought you were going to act not accordingly because your a UM fan. Besides im sure you would react different if you wasn't with the fam bam. We must protect our CANE family . GET UP ! STAND UP ! like Bob Marley say, We know there going to come at us. As canes fans we do have a role to play in this also. SLAVERY HOLOCAUST,GREAT DEPRESSION,POVERTY, DISCRIMINATION, RACISM, SEXISM,TERRORISM ETC.. all happened because they were some people who didn't speak up or stand against it. WE MUST PROTECT THIS HOUSE !!! Click Clat