When The Saints Go Marching In
February 7, 2010 1:28 PM Subscribe
A white kid adopted by a Japanese-American couple, he grew up hearing stories of his grandmother raising his dad in an internment camp while his grandfather fought in Italy, and didn't eat a baked potato until he was eight. He went to UC Berkeley. He's vocal in his support for marriage equality. Scott Fujita is a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints.
Go Saints.
posted by fourcheesemac at 1:39 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by fourcheesemac at 1:39 PM on February 7, 2010
Thanks for passing that along. That's awesome.
posted by availablelight at 1:39 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by availablelight at 1:39 PM on February 7, 2010
If you liked the The Blind Side, don't miss The Bonsai'd: in theaters March 2012.
posted by sallybrown at 1:41 PM on February 7, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by sallybrown at 1:41 PM on February 7, 2010 [4 favorites]
I had no idea about this guy! Who dat!
posted by brundlefly at 1:43 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by brundlefly at 1:43 PM on February 7, 2010
It's sad that that's a 'risky' stance for an NFL player to take, and I'm glad he took it. Seems like a great guy.
posted by graventy at 1:45 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by graventy at 1:45 PM on February 7, 2010
DREEEEEEAMY
posted by Madamina at 1:46 PM on February 7, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by Madamina at 1:46 PM on February 7, 2010 [3 favorites]
Speaking as one half of a bi-racial family, the man is a true mensch; standing up for human rights, not Focus on the Family bigotry.
posted by arcticseal at 1:46 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by arcticseal at 1:46 PM on February 7, 2010
Today we find out which is the better baseball team. GO SPORTS!
posted by mullingitover at 1:47 PM on February 7, 2010 [10 favorites]
posted by mullingitover at 1:47 PM on February 7, 2010 [10 favorites]
"Fujita received a degree at Cal-Berkeley in political science and later earned a master’s in education. When he is done playing football, he plans on maintaining his platform. He wants to become a public school teacher, and he will still be a man who gives his opinion when he is asked."
SO dreaammmy.
posted by whimsicalnymph at 1:51 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
SO dreaammmy.
posted by whimsicalnymph at 1:51 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
I don't buy it. This guy is almost cartoonishly cool.
posted by brundlefly at 1:54 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by brundlefly at 1:54 PM on February 7, 2010
When no one is looking, he feeds stray kittens.
INTO THE GARBURATOR.
I have no proof of this. Damn perfect people.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 1:58 PM on February 7, 2010 [4 favorites]
INTO THE GARBURATOR.
I have no proof of this. Damn perfect people.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 1:58 PM on February 7, 2010 [4 favorites]
Go Bears!
I mean, uh, geaux Saints!
Seriously, though, one of the funny things about his story is that apparently the more right-wing blogs are "saying that he was brainwashed by his UC Berkeley education."
Doesn't sound very brainwashed to me: “I know there’s a certain stigma that comes from being from Berkeley,’’ Fujita said. “And I’m proud of that stigma, to tell you the truth. I never claim to have all of the answers. I don’t know someone who does have all the answers. I just have opinions.’’
posted by gingerbeer at 2:05 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
I mean, uh, geaux Saints!
Seriously, though, one of the funny things about his story is that apparently the more right-wing blogs are "saying that he was brainwashed by his UC Berkeley education."
Doesn't sound very brainwashed to me: “I know there’s a certain stigma that comes from being from Berkeley,’’ Fujita said. “And I’m proud of that stigma, to tell you the truth. I never claim to have all of the answers. I don’t know someone who does have all the answers. I just have opinions.’’
posted by gingerbeer at 2:05 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
Whoa, whoa, whoa. I support all this "equality for everyone" stuff, but no baked potatoes before the age of eight?
Sacrilege.
posted by mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey at 2:07 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
Sacrilege.
posted by mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey at 2:07 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
I'd never heard of him before this morning (thanks for passing me that link, honey!), but the more I read about him, the more I realized that his stereotype-breaking support for marriage equality is the least interesting thing about him!
posted by rtha at 2:08 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by rtha at 2:08 PM on February 7, 2010
Fujita said that when he chose to leave the Cowboys as a free agent in 2006, people asked why he was abandoning what some call America’s Team.
“Well, they were the self-proclaimed America’s Team a couple decades ago,” he said. “They have really, really good, loyal fans. But the rest of the country hates them. Let’s be honest
Wow, he's right about everything!
posted by jonmc at 2:14 PM on February 7, 2010 [7 favorites]
“Well, they were the self-proclaimed America’s Team a couple decades ago,” he said. “They have really, really good, loyal fans. But the rest of the country hates them. Let’s be honest
Wow, he's right about everything!
posted by jonmc at 2:14 PM on February 7, 2010 [7 favorites]
Fujita’s show of support for gay rights began in the fall with Zirin, a Sirius radio show host, sports correspondent for The Nation magazine, and author of edgeofsports.com, a website dedicated to the intersection of sports and politics.
Wait, The Nation has a sports correspondent? Isn't that a little bit like Soldier of Fortune having an opera critic?
posted by strangely stunted trees at 2:24 PM on February 7, 2010 [4 favorites]
Wait, The Nation has a sports correspondent? Isn't that a little bit like Soldier of Fortune having an opera critic?
posted by strangely stunted trees at 2:24 PM on February 7, 2010 [4 favorites]
Isn't that a little bit like Soldier of Fortune having an opera critic?
They gave Ride Of The Valkyries four stars, I heard.
posted by jonmc at 2:29 PM on February 7, 2010 [13 favorites]
They gave Ride Of The Valkyries four stars, I heard.
posted by jonmc at 2:29 PM on February 7, 2010 [13 favorites]
"... INTO THE GARBURATOR."
(I can't believe this is a real word - nice going, Canada! Why don't Americans use this incredibly awesome word?)
posted by Auden at 2:43 PM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
(I can't believe this is a real word - nice going, Canada! Why don't Americans use this incredibly awesome word?)
posted by Auden at 2:43 PM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
I didn't see this in any of the other articles, so : from Zirin's interview.
DZ: Do you have any concerns that teammates, fans, people will say Scott Fujita may be married and have kids, but maybe on the down low he might really be gay? Do you have concern that teammates, bloggers, the press will talk that kind of smack about you either behind your back or to your face?
SF: No, I have no concern about that whatsoever. I know who I am. My wife knows who I am. I don't care one way or the other Dave. I imagine that when some of this gets out guys in the locker room might give me a hard time, and they always give me a hard time. They call me the Pinko Communist Fag from Berkeley. I'm used to it. I can take it all.
Fuck yeah, Scott. Geaux Saints.
posted by suckerpunch at 2:45 PM on February 7, 2010 [10 favorites]
DZ: Do you have any concerns that teammates, fans, people will say Scott Fujita may be married and have kids, but maybe on the down low he might really be gay? Do you have concern that teammates, bloggers, the press will talk that kind of smack about you either behind your back or to your face?
SF: No, I have no concern about that whatsoever. I know who I am. My wife knows who I am. I don't care one way or the other Dave. I imagine that when some of this gets out guys in the locker room might give me a hard time, and they always give me a hard time. They call me the Pinko Communist Fag from Berkeley. I'm used to it. I can take it all.
Fuck yeah, Scott. Geaux Saints.
posted by suckerpunch at 2:45 PM on February 7, 2010 [10 favorites]
Seriously, if not for the whole boring football part... ultimate dreamboat of the universe.
posted by so_gracefully at 2:45 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by so_gracefully at 2:45 PM on February 7, 2010
I'm just hoping the Saints do not get blown out. The last time my team was in the Super Bowl (2002? I'm drawing a blank here on the year because I am still trying to put it out of my mind) I said I don't really care if the Raiders lose just as long as it's not one of those crap blowout Super Bowls.
They got creamed by Tampa Bay. The Super Bowl is often a horrible game. With the dilated commercial breaking and the extended half time it can be unwatchable.
Still I have to root for New Orleans. If they get blown out this is going to be long long torture.
posted by bukvich at 2:47 PM on February 7, 2010
They got creamed by Tampa Bay. The Super Bowl is often a horrible game. With the dilated commercial breaking and the extended half time it can be unwatchable.
Still I have to root for New Orleans. If they get blown out this is going to be long long torture.
posted by bukvich at 2:47 PM on February 7, 2010
This post contains links to a lot of recent articles about Fujita.
posted by amro at 3:04 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by amro at 3:04 PM on February 7, 2010
This is just the best. Secure people who know right from wrong and are willing to say so -- God, they're so rare--but holy carp! They exist! Go Saints in that sporting event thingy you do!
posted by A Terrible Llama at 3:32 PM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 3:32 PM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
Geaux yeux meauxfeaux wheux beat mai Brett Favres! Geaux!
posted by toodleydoodley at 4:30 PM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by toodleydoodley at 4:30 PM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
I must say that I love the series of links on MeFi lately about cool football players - from Dhani Jones' bow ties to Ricky Williams' journeys with Mystic Steve... good stuff.
But really, isn't time for a profile on a total meathead player who thinks Glen Beck is onto something and that butt sex is gross? You're really beginning to mess with my jocks vs. nerds mentality here!
posted by palindromic at 4:31 PM on February 7, 2010
But really, isn't time for a profile on a total meathead player who thinks Glen Beck is onto something and that butt sex is gross? You're really beginning to mess with my jocks vs. nerds mentality here!
posted by palindromic at 4:31 PM on February 7, 2010
Love love love him. Sports are not the dumb dude thing that some people like to think they are. Go Saints!
posted by statolith at 4:34 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by statolith at 4:34 PM on February 7, 2010
For those of you Colts fans who feel guilty not supporting Fujita's team, remember that their starting tight end is Jeremy Shockey.
Still doesn't excuse you not supporting the Team Of Destiny That Shall Rebuild The Lower Ninth Ward With The Power Of Light Reflecting Off The Lombardi Trophy, but at least this will make you feel a bit better about it.
posted by dw at 4:36 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
Still doesn't excuse you not supporting the Team Of Destiny That Shall Rebuild The Lower Ninth Ward With The Power Of Light Reflecting Off The Lombardi Trophy, but at least this will make you feel a bit better about it.
posted by dw at 4:36 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
But really, isn't time for a profile on a total meathead player who thinks Glen Beck is onto something and that butt sex is gross? You're really beginning to mess with my jocks vs. nerds mentality here!
Will this do?
posted by Navelgazer at 4:39 PM on February 7, 2010
Will this do?
posted by Navelgazer at 4:39 PM on February 7, 2010
very cool. i love hearing about athletes who aren't total assholes. i love sports. i love progressive politics. and i'm a fan of dave zirin.
i'm also stoked about the saints being in the super bowl. they have been my favorite team since childhood. dad's side of the family, a big chunk of them are from louisianna, so my house rooted for the saints and LSU. the 'aints' no more...
posted by rainperimeter at 5:12 PM on February 7, 2010
i'm also stoked about the saints being in the super bowl. they have been my favorite team since childhood. dad's side of the family, a big chunk of them are from louisianna, so my house rooted for the saints and LSU. the 'aints' no more...
posted by rainperimeter at 5:12 PM on February 7, 2010
No, I have no concern about that whatsoever. I know who I am. My wife knows who I am. I don't care one way or the other Dave. I imagine that when some of this gets out guys in the locker room might give me a hard time, and they always give me a hard time. They call me the Pinko Communist Fag from Berkeley. I'm used to it. I can take it all.
Well, it's nice to know that the jock remains the same throughout its life cycle, from larval stage to self-inflicted-gunshot-wound-at-age-44-after-repeated-concussions stage. Why the hell is a guy like him even involved in the official sport of queer-kickers? He's from Berkeley after all, why didn't he start a ska band and open an anarcho-pacifist book cooperative instead?
posted by DecemberBoy at 5:31 PM on February 7, 2010
Well, it's nice to know that the jock remains the same throughout its life cycle, from larval stage to self-inflicted-gunshot-wound-at-age-44-after-repeated-concussions stage. Why the hell is a guy like him even involved in the official sport of queer-kickers? He's from Berkeley after all, why didn't he start a ska band and open an anarcho-pacifist book cooperative instead?
posted by DecemberBoy at 5:31 PM on February 7, 2010
Probably because football is unreasonably fun, and for professionals, lucrative.
posted by karmiolz at 5:37 PM on February 7, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by karmiolz at 5:37 PM on February 7, 2010 [4 favorites]
why didn't he start a ska band and open an anarcho-pacifist book cooperative instead?
Well, a fella's gotta have a retirement plan.
posted by EvaDestruction at 5:43 PM on February 7, 2010 [4 favorites]
Well, a fella's gotta have a retirement plan.
posted by EvaDestruction at 5:43 PM on February 7, 2010 [4 favorites]
why didn't he start a ska band
just because he's a jock it doesn't mean he has shitty taste in music.
posted by rainperimeter at 6:07 PM on February 7, 2010 [13 favorites]
just because he's a jock it doesn't mean he has shitty taste in music.
posted by rainperimeter at 6:07 PM on February 7, 2010 [13 favorites]
...and now he has a Super Bowl ring.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 6:47 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by BitterOldPunk at 6:47 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
New Orleans is about to have the most epic Mardi Gras in human history.
posted by dirigibleman at 6:56 PM on February 7, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by dirigibleman at 6:56 PM on February 7, 2010 [5 favorites]
who dat! who dat! who dat say dey gonna beat dem saints?
(not fucking Indianapolis, that's for sure)
posted by jonmc at 6:59 PM on February 7, 2010 [4 favorites]
(not fucking Indianapolis, that's for sure)
posted by jonmc at 6:59 PM on February 7, 2010 [4 favorites]
Awww. This guy is awesome.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:03 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:03 PM on February 7, 2010
So did the Yankees score the hat trick?
posted by oddman at 8:11 PM on February 7, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by oddman at 8:11 PM on February 7, 2010 [3 favorites]
It's no fun being a New England fan in New Orleans. Everyone is genuinely glad to see you there for the game, say nice things about your team and favorite players, and wish you the very best of luck. It's unnerving.
Usually, saying "I'm a Patriots fan, Belichick is a genius, Brady rules!" is a sure-fire way to get involved in a bar fight south of of Connecticut and west of Vermont. Not so in New Orleans. Classy, classy bunch of football fans... they deserve players like Brees and Fujita, and they deserve this win.
And to all my people at Sam & Kathy's Canal Street Guest House! Where ya at?
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:45 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
Usually, saying "I'm a Patriots fan, Belichick is a genius, Brady rules!" is a sure-fire way to get involved in a bar fight south of of Connecticut and west of Vermont. Not so in New Orleans. Classy, classy bunch of football fans... they deserve players like Brees and Fujita, and they deserve this win.
And to all my people at Sam & Kathy's Canal Street Guest House! Where ya at?
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:45 PM on February 7, 2010 [2 favorites]
congrats, yeux gais!
posted by toodleydoodley at 8:55 PM on February 7, 2010
posted by toodleydoodley at 8:55 PM on February 7, 2010
How old is this kid, 30?
He'll be governor of California in another 15 years, give or take.
posted by jabberjaw at 9:14 PM on February 7, 2010
He'll be governor of California in another 15 years, give or take.
posted by jabberjaw at 9:14 PM on February 7, 2010
whimsicalnymph: SO dreaammmy.
No kidding. Watching the "baked potatoes" video of Saint Fujita (can we call him that now?) stirred my loins in ways that I didn't realize they could be.
posted by Kattullus at 9:15 PM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
No kidding. Watching the "baked potatoes" video of Saint Fujita (can we call him that now?) stirred my loins in ways that I didn't realize they could be.
posted by Kattullus at 9:15 PM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
Wow he's got a huge neck.
posted by stormpooper at 6:20 AM on February 8, 2010
posted by stormpooper at 6:20 AM on February 8, 2010
I was watching the game and was thinking " there's a Japanese guy in the NFL? " so I was perplexed when it turned out to be a white guy. Probably Polish, or some other random European coincidental spelling. "
Holy Moley. The real story is so mind spinningly cool that again I am proud to be from the country of unlikely mutts.
posted by djrock3k at 7:44 AM on February 8, 2010
Holy Moley. The real story is so mind spinningly cool that again I am proud to be from the country of unlikely mutts.
posted by djrock3k at 7:44 AM on February 8, 2010
I'm not sure that I ate a baked potato before the age of eight; I may have just pushed it around my plate, then trashed it after everyone else left the table and mom's back was turned.
/otherwise completely unlike any NFL quarterback in any way
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:12 AM on February 8, 2010
/otherwise completely unlike any NFL quarterback in any way
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:12 AM on February 8, 2010
Auden, we also use 'insinkerator' (which I didn't know was a brand name until I looked it up). I still use both of them five years after I left home, just because they're so much more awesome than the non-CA terms. 'Garbage disposal' my ass.
posted by Kreiger at 8:42 AM on February 8, 2010
posted by Kreiger at 8:42 AM on February 8, 2010
Kreiger: "Auden, we also use 'insinkerator'..."
The towboat that my father pilots has a portable toilet with an incinerator built in. The crew call it the "turd-burner."
posted by brundlefly at 10:42 AM on February 8, 2010
The towboat that my father pilots has a portable toilet with an incinerator built in. The crew call it the "turd-burner."
posted by brundlefly at 10:42 AM on February 8, 2010
there's a Japanese guy in the NFL?
You might be surprised: Asian NFL Players
posted by BitterOldPunk at 12:27 PM on February 8, 2010
You might be surprised: Asian NFL Players
posted by BitterOldPunk at 12:27 PM on February 8, 2010
Final note - from The Advertiser.
Exhale is one option, but Saints linebacker Scott Fujita had another option.
"I think I'm going to be drunk for about 30 days," he said.
posted by suckerpunch at 8:35 PM on February 8, 2010
Exhale is one option, but Saints linebacker Scott Fujita had another option.
"I think I'm going to be drunk for about 30 days," he said.
posted by suckerpunch at 8:35 PM on February 8, 2010
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I CANNOT BE BOUGHT WITH PLATITUDES.
posted by graventy at 1:38 PM on February 7, 2010 [1 favorite]