NFL Good Guys: Jivin' and Divin'

Another generation of NFL players is being selected this weekend.  Some of these young men are athletically talented, but they may not necessarily be ready for a possibly fast, new lifestyle launched by their selection by one of the 32 teams in the NFL.  

If the truth be told, some of these guys are fresh, not accustomed to the groupies and glamour that will twist, turn, and tempt them. 

In other words, what looks good, and feels good, may not be good for their career.

For example, Nat King Cole had a song I used to hear my father play on the old record player.  The song tells the story of "the buzzard who took a monkey for a ride in the air."

Now that this B/R scribe is more discerning and mature, I see the wisdom in the song.  

Let's just say the buzzard is the scavenger that feeds on the dead (someone who is blind to a situation), or the innocence of the new NFL draftee.  That buzzard could be a woman, a man, an investment adviser, or even a slick lawyer.

Now the monkey is the playful, easygoing player who really wants the best out of his career and experiences.  The song says, "the buzzard took the monkey for a ride on his back."

Well, if you have a little "street sense" you realize the buzzard is going to run a "game" on the monkey who can't see the outcome or the devastation of his choices.

The metaphor continues:  The buzzard whispers to the monkey, "Come on man, let's check out this place in the "hood," on "the strip," in Harlem, or some place they may be.

Now the meaning of "throw the monkey off his back" can mean to drop him in a situation and leave him there. 

The monkey has sense enough to try to hold on to get out of whatever situation he has been tempted by: "Straigthen up and fly right" is what the monkey tells the buzzard.

A buzzard is a buzzard and cannot change his makeup or character.

So, the last stanza tells the story:  Hypothetically, the young, fresh NFL player gets in a choking situation and wants to get out of it (whatever it is).  

The deceptions are entangled in the life of the "home boy."  An awakening occurs and he realizes, finally, he has been "on a ride."

The lesson to be learned:  Straighten up and fly right; be discerning, have wisdom. Keep your feet on the ground.  Be a part of the next generation of superstars in NFL football that desire to have an untainted career.

Get a little wisdom from an old song:  "Cool down papa, don't you blow your top."

Lyrics

A buzzard took monkey for a ride in the air
The monkey thought that everything was on the square
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
But the monkey grabbed his neck and said, "Now listen, Jack"

Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down, papa, don't you blow your top.
Ain't no use in divin' 
What's the use in jivin'
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down, papa, don't you blow your top.

The buzzard told the monkey "You're chokin' me
Release your hold and I'll set you free
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye and said
Your story's so touching but it sounds just like a lie