Friday, August 31, 2007

The Measure of a Man

The Denver Broncos have a new tight end. They got him from the Tennessee Titans. This guy has 9 children from 9 different women in 4 different states.

I know. Sit down, take a moment.

So we were discussing this at the dinner table last night and the logistics of it. We figure as a pro-football player, at least he can support them. But as Dave says, financial support is one thing but how can he be any kind of a father to any of these kids that are so spread out? I thought up this elaborate scheme (as I am wont to do) - what if he had a big mansion with 9 houses around the perimeter. Each house has a baby mama and the kids can stay in those houses or the big house. Even then, it'd be chaos and tension. The women would be unhappy, away from their friends and family, not to mention being surrounded by daily reminders of their rather suspect choice of men. And the guy'd probably rarely be there with the duties of his job (and avoiding all the drama).

So what do you think makes a man a man? I know I am spoiled with the amazing man I managed to capture. He's an amazing dad, he's romantic and loving and beautiful. When the boys were babies, I never had to ask him to change a diaper or get their jammies on. He always just did it!

Awaiting your opinions, Ruth!

8 comments:

Yarnhog said...

What a great role model. One of many reasons my family doesn't follow professional sports. Bleah.

What makes a man a man? Courage, kindness, responsibility, and love. I've got one of those, too. I think I'll go give him a big hug and tell him how wonderful he is.

Anonymous said...

The problem with your mansion and 9 houses scheme is obvious: what happens when he takes up with woman #10? and #11? etc., etc., ad nauseum.

A real man, imnsho, takes responsibility for his actions. Plus he is generous, loving, compassionate, emotionally strong, humble but confident, affectionate, and ready to laugh. Actually, that would be a saint, but anybody, male or female, who possesses most of those qualities is a good person.

Anonymous said...

I think you just said it, Ruth; a man is someone who doesn't have to be asked to do things for his children like changing a diaper. I'm lucky that my husband has the same ideas and when my daughter was a baby it really pissed him off when people said how good he was to "babysit" her when I worked. It's not babysitting when it's your child.

knitnzu said...

#1=responsible, but also kind and thoughtful, respectful. Loving and humorous are big plusses!

sophanne said...

I'd like to add the ability of self-reflection and the ability to accept his own imperfections (and mine) with humility and humor.

Olga said...

I like the way Rosanne put it," A real man looks a 30 year morgage in the eye and isn't afraid."

Unknown said...

And we wonder why the youth culture in America is going down the tubes.

Diane said...

Big difference between fathering a child and being a father to a child. Even if he does take financial responsibility for his children it doesn't forgive the fact that there's no way he's involved as an active parent in all those children's lives.