Introduction to the Situation

Most feelings go deeper than the surface. They’re rooted in something underneath the circumstances that made the incidents stories in the first place. Most of the feelings aren’t facts. To a degree, they’re inborn in a history, and to many — not a majority — more important than what could be a larger degree of truth.

The Case of Notre Dame

Take Notre Dame. Please. Take their omission from the College Football Playoff. Take Marcus Freeman “just happening” to be the coach. A year ago, there was a celebration of the advancement of Black coaches in NCAA football because two Black coaches, for the first time, had led their programs to games in the CFP. This season, things done changed. And the face in the scope of that change: of course, a coach who happened to be. . . Black.

The Role of Marcus Freeman

Believe: Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua isn’t at the forefront of this ND saga — Freeman is. More important, Freeman’s face is. The Fighting Irish’s trip to the national championship game last year netted the school a cool $20 million, mostly because they aren’t in a conference where they have to share their bag with anyone. The money, all theirs.

Reactions to the Exclusion

NCAA athletic directors across the board are tired of ND. Other schools and probably about half of the country hate ND. It seems as if the College Football Playoff committee aren’t the biggest fans, either. So there’s room to believe that the Irish not getting in the CFP this year has nothing to do with Freeman and the position he holds at one of the most prestigious, precious and powerful football schools in the country.

The Feeling of Disconnection

But is it the Notre Dame of it all or the Marcus Freeman of some of it? It sure feels more one than the other. Not saying that Freeman being Black is the reason ND found itself “disrespected” the way that it was, but the feeling that there might be some connection — be it strategic or happenstance — between the color of his skin and the treatment given to the university is the feeling that sat within, even as we see evidence to refute that feeling, even as no one seemed to scream it out loud in the media. It remained quietly impossible to disregard.

Historical Context

“It’s not because they’re Black,” the world says to us in these incidents. They just “happen to be black.” And our feelings in response: Why, though, do these things happen to always happen to us since we just happen to be Black when these things just happen to happen? “This is the first time I think Notre Dame’s really been punished for not being in a conference,” sports analyst Josh Pate said on “Josh Pate’s College Football Show.” Um. . . the “first time” piece. ND has been independent of a conference for almost 100 years. Interesting how that “first time” keeps happening when someone “Black” is at the center. Kinda cements feelings of, “Damn, here we go again.”

The Human-Nature Reaction

Because the human-nature reaction varies for the humans who feel directly identified and associated with the impact of the story — especially as outside voices continually tell you your feelings are fake. We are not supposed to feel a certain way when the Bears tell us that “Black” had nothing to do with Lovie Smith being asked to vacate Halas Hall. Same when Notre Dame told us that “Black” had nothing to do with Ty Willingham’s exit in South Bend. Same when Willie Taggart’s “Black” had zero to do with him lasting less than two seasons at Florida State.

The Role of Race

Race isn’t about color as much as it is about connection — the way people feel about certain people and the people connected to those people due to the color of their skin and, more than often, their racial heritage and shared history. There’s sympathy, empathy, reverence and emotional understanding all tied up into the feelings when the color of us rises to the top of how we feel.

The Complexity of Feelings and Facts

Even when feelings aren’t facts. Especially when facts are both subjective and selective. There have been many rational and irrational theories floating around — every damn thing from the CFP committee restructuring the format next season to avoid an antitrust lawsuit to Freeman leaving ND because of this and taking his talents to the NFL. All probably untrue, faceless. Raceless. But unstopping the feelings from being circumstantial.

Conclusion

How many different ways can the word “coincidence” be applied? How about the word “complicit”? The silent life of a truth. At least, that’s the way it feels. And these feelings may be looked at as wrong, but never nonsensical.

FAQs

Q: Is Marcus Freeman’s race connected to Notre Dame’s exclusion from the College Football Playoff?
A: While there’s no direct evidence to prove a connection, the feeling that there might be some connection between Freeman’s skin color and the treatment given to the university persists.
Q: How does the historical context of Black coaches in the NCAA factor into this situation?
A: The historical context of Black coaches in the NCAA, including recent advancements and past exclusions, contributes to the feelings of disconnection and skepticism regarding the reasons behind Notre Dame’s exclusion.
Q: What role does race play in the human-nature reaction to this situation?
A: Race plays a significant role in the human-nature reaction, as it connects people to certain individuals and shared histories, evoking feelings of sympathy, empathy, reverence, and emotional understanding.