It's Harmless Racism then, is what your saying? Because you automatically must identify with, and have more in common with a person who shares your melanin count.

It's a very common line of thought. I understand it's not hateful or meant to divide and separate.

It's racist just the same. The undertone is "I have more in common with a white athlete than a black athlete, therefore, I identify with the white athlete".

So, regardless if you are a suburban white kid who grew up middle class in a nuclear family, or if you are a small town rural white kid whose parents were drug addicts, bounced around foster homes, and lived a life of petty crime growing up, or a big-city white kid who was raised by his gay father and struggled with learning disabilities, or anything in-between, the bottom line is that you identify with one safety over the next because he's white? Because you couldn't possibly have more in common with a black safety, or an Asian safety?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I think I need to illustrate exactly how your train of thought on this subject- again, one I know is EXTREMELY common, and often not thought of as negative- is seriously flawed.

It's just like people drawing comparisons between Nelson and Wes Welker or Don Bebe for that matter. Seriously? Nothing alike. Except they're white. Jordy Nelson probably has more in common with Justin Harrell or CJ Wilson than he does Wes Welker. It's sad people can't get past color of skin.

*To be fair, you have pointed out your guys were all Northern WI guys, at least that's a tangible connection. I know there aren't exactly bunches and gobs of black athletes coming out of northern WI. That said, you still mention the color of their skin. As for this kids' heroes- Vrabel, Matthews, and Reed? Akron, OH, Tuscan, AZ and Northridge, CA. . Hard to say he's drawn to them because of similar surroundings growing up.