El hermoso Tigre

“Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes”.
- Maggie Kuhn.

A good friend of mine accused me of having a “man crush” on Oribe Peralta. You know what? Maybe, I do!!! I have a “crush” on anyone who has the courage and the backbone to stand up for what they believe in and not back down, no matter the consequence. I admire people with fortitude and unflinching character. They are the heroes people speak of. Heroes which this world in crises needs.

It would seem that people with moral fiber are sorely lacking in this world where technology has seemed to connect us all but in turn has put an intangible barrier within the sphere of human relations. I think heroes appear when the need arises. Accidental heroes, if you will.

When questioned on what drove them to perform heroic acts of bravery, WW2 vets, fire fighters, average Joes and Juliet’s and other everyday folk have coincided in saying they really had no choice.

Yet there is always a choice. I am convinced that it has everything to do with each individual’s moral fiber. Their upbringing is what forces them into action. But what I find most amazing, is that many perform heroically fully aware of the risk they are taking.

Colin Kaepernick, former 49ers QB, concerned with the increase in violence suffered by many in the African American community across the United States, decided to take a knee, right fist raised in protest, during the US national anthem. He knew that this would bring notice to the Black Lives Matter movement. It did and how! He was blacklisted by the NFL and rather than retract his position he defended his actions, and paid for it.

Three years later he is still unemployed and as we have witnessed the Black Lives Matter has remained unresolved. More importantly, other highly visual athletes and entertainers have now risen up to join the cause. “Pero eso es harina de otro costal”, as my Abuelita would say.

Let’s get back to my Oribe “man crush”. The aforementioned friend was appalled that Chivas would hire a player so outspokenly “Americanista”. “Mano”, he said “viste como festejo el gol? Nos lo restregó en la cara!!!” Did you see how he gloated when he scored against us?!! The only thing I remembered about that game is that my team didn’t do enough to win.

True, Oribe did much damage to our defense while he played with the crema’s, but you gotta love the guy. He is always attentive in his interviews, mostly level headed and open. You can’t hate him for doing what he is paid to do. Plus, there dozens of other “Odiame Mas” celebrations that make the hair on my neck stand to attention (the Paul Aguilar dance irks me beyond comprehension).

Peralta’s presence in Guadalajara is so much more than meets the eye. He is a leader. Most significantly, he leads through example. In an interview for one of the leading sports networks, Peralta spoke out on the topic of players in the league who weren’t receiving their full pay from their clubs as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. He suggested that those players look for legal counsel if necessary and demand full payment. He explained that, after all, the use of their off pitch public image is also something that they should receive payment for. That took “gonadas”. He took a knee and raised a fist.

Now, freedom of expression is something that is taken for granted these days, but the bravery to challenge the status quo, should not be. Ask Guillermo Sepulveda, 6 time league champion with Guadalajara, member of the ‘Campeonismo’. He was nicknamed “El Tigre” and is considered by many as the prototypical Chivas player, an embodiment of the Mexican Alpha Male: Strong, loyal, honest and unafraid.

In 1966, no longer playing with Club Deportivo Guadalajara, "El Tigre" was named captain of the Mexican National team selected to participate in the World Cup in England. He had participated in the two previous Cups and this was certainly going to be his last. He was immovable in his position and as team captain or so it was thought.

The story goes that Sepulveda, along with a small group of players, had been trying to organize an association that would help defend the interests and needs of futbolistas who played in the Mexican League. Fearing that this union would affect the interest of the owners of the teams, "El Tigre" was asked to desist from his actions, which he refused to do. In the following hours he was unceremoniously removed from the National Team and never played for Mexico again. He had lost the battle but kept his dignity.

As I mentioned before, I have this thing for people who speak out against injustice. I guess, I am a romantic. But what is considered right and just in one place, is considered right and just everywhere. Peralta and Sepulveda embody those values which we all have. Their stance dignifies their profession and enhances their humanity. What makes them great is that they are willing to take the blows for others, even though they know they might have to pay a high price for their actions.