Truth in Advertising II: 49ers Colin Kaepernick & Seahawks' Derrick Coleman

It's sad that it took a commercial for Duracell batteries for me to learn the story of Derrick Coleman the only legally deaf offensive player in the NFL, but I have a sense he wouldn't want it any other way. The San Ramon Valley Times reports "he's proud of the ad's soaring popularity." The fullback and core special teamer says "It's creating an awareness not just for the hearing-impaired and deaf community but for everyday.  Everybody has a problem, but we can still do what we want to."

Bob Condotta of the The Seattle Times writes, 

At the age of three Coleman's hearing mysteriously began to disappear. 

“It just kind of went away,’’ Coleman said. “We don’t really know why.” 

But hearing aids and an uncanny ability to read lips — he’s trained himself to look there first — have allowed Coleman to adapt to the point that many who know him forget he’s deaf, and many who meet him don’t realize it unless they are told. 

It's amazing to me that "his official UCLA bio made no mention of his hearing issues other than the simple notation near the bottom that he 'can read lips'.’’ Barring that reality it's fitting that the focus of the commercial isn't on what he cannot do but rather, what he overcame.

One of his coaches said "Sometimes I forget about his hearing loss."

Like Colin Kaepernick, Coleman has continually had to prove himself, but he's done so quietly and consistently by performing and defying expectations. “I don’t ever use it as an excuse,’’ he said. He played both basketball and football in high school. According to Condotta, "Coleman makes sure to ask quarterbacks or teammates a second time to make sure he understands the play if it’s unclear. And he simply has to keep his eye on the center snap to know when the play begins."

He's also like Kaep in that he does as the Beats Dre X ad suggests "Hear What you Want."

Coleman even says he thinks it gives him an edge when stadiums get especially raucous and players have to rely on hand signals and other non-verbal methods of communication. 

When it gets loud I feel like I have the advantage,” he said. “I can tune that out.”

When he first began playing, sometimes the hearing aids would pop out. So he now wears two skill caps to assure they stay put. He also says he makes sure to replace the batteries in his hearing aids shortly before kickoff so they don’t run out during the game. 

"I always say that God blessed me this morning and I can do what I do."

Enter in the case for Duracell and their creative conclusion. When Coleman takes the field today in Seattle he will hear all of the fans—and he'll want to. This is yet another truth from advertising. 

In the article "What Advertising Does to Us," Susan Josephson writes. Advertising is structured to cause us to imitate and want what we see. It stimulates desire and asks us to act. This makes advertising potentially more dangerous than any other art form. If there is any art that is capable of killing America's soul, it is advertising. While I agree with her overall claim, I would invite her to consider these two advertisements. Pretty cool that they are matching up in today's NFC Championship game. I'm sure the sponsors are overjoyed....

Photo Credits
Great quote
Sign Language

The Headphones of Colin Kaepernick: An Invitation to Prayer

My dear friend left me a voice mail excited to share the success of both of our local NFL football teams. For her it's the Denver Broncos and for me, the San Francisco Forty-Niners. She also wanted to know what I think of of the Niners' quarterback, Colin Kaepernick. I know exactly why she was asking this question. If I didn't live in the Bay Area and if I weren't a 49er fan, I'm not sure what my impression would be. To the outside world he is a young and talented quarterback who—can be smug? often appears disinterested? is a bit of a punk? is he misunderstood? I have yet to answer her question.

From Kaepernicking to Superman to the ESPN Body Issue, Colin Kaepernick is....

I decided it was worth breaking open with the student athletes who are part of a faith formation group at the school where I teach. As our local hero, the Kap-bias leans positive. They love that he is a great performer. They marvel at his sheer athleticism. The majority of these students mentioned the tattoos and headphones he wears. The principal did not know that his ink (his word, not mine) features passages from the Bible. A missed opportunity for this group on my part—I should have looked at his body art to help us pray! Next time... 

Instead, I used the headphones for imagery to guide our prayer.

These days headphones are everywhere. Anyone can dictate what they hear thanks to iPods, iPhones and more. The headphones that #7 now advertises are more than comfortable; they import the highest quality of sound and block out—fairly effectively—the world. Like it or not, they are a barrier; they keep the insider in and the outsider out.

Thinking a little more about these headphones, I thought of a question I was recently asked at the Archdiocese of San Francisco's Faith Formation series: Do you ever feel like God is wearing headphones? You ask for His grace, you come with special intentions and it's hard to believe God is listening. If you do, and I have, this might be the appropriate image.

I know I have felt that way time and again. God is distracted. God is listening to other, more worthy needs. My song is not in God's rotation. I know this is far from the truth, but it helps to put an image to my sentiments.

Perhaps you believe God gives you another reaction and response—the smug, "try me" look. You might feel that God would say to you "You want this? Really?" If you do, this might be the appropriate image.

One message from Pope Francis's first Angelus points to a much different reality. He said, "The Lord never tires of forgiving. We are the ones who tire of asking forgiveness." I suppose the opposite of generosity is smugness. Help me never to be complacent with my shortcoming and failings oh Lord! 

This photograph was taken in the press conference following the play-off win over Carolina. Kap had a great game and took the podium with ease. He maintains strong eye contact and invites all questions. Is your image of God like this? Do you come to Him with questions? Do you feel as though God is an engaged listener? Is God eager to answer?

This final photograph captures CK in a moment of delight. In Tattoos on the Heart, Jesuit priest Greg Boyle says "God created us because He thought we'd enjoy it." I love nothing more that to see someone I love enjoying a moment—that brings me joy. I have a sneaky suspicion that God isn't much different.

Sit with these images and determine which one speaks to your perception of how you see God. And when you're done, turn the tables. How does God see you? Are you wearing headphones? Are you smug? Are you inquisitive and curious? Are you smiling in delight? I hope so...Go Niners.

Photo Credits
Headphones Commercial
CK Delight
CK Inquisitive
Superman