The reason why Tony Sparano wears sunglasses

[Chrispy]

Apparently, there are a few NFL analysts with not enough to do during their time on the air, and that includes doing their homework. According to Greg Cote of the Miami Herald, Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf, Rich Eisen, Steve Mariucci and Deion Sanders are among those who have made sport of Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano's predilection for wearing sunglasses under any circumstances -- including at night or when his team is playing in a dome. In contrast to whatever those people may be thinking, Sparano is not trying to be nouveau chic, he is not trying to be Hollywood or South Beach, and he is not trying to live out some cheesy Corey Hart lyrics.

Oof. Anyway, per Cote's blog, the real reason for Sparano's eyewear preference is far more serious:

Sparano, while working in a Connecticut restaurant as a teen, lost his sight for nearly a month after hot grease from a deep-fryer accidentally splashed in his eyes. To this day, his eyes water excessively and are extremely sensitive to light. That is why he often wears sunglasses when others might not. It is why lights are rarely on in his office. The look happens to fit rather nicely with South Beach chic, come to think of it. And makes for easy jokes. But the look also reminds that Sparano seeing at all might be what some would even consider a miracle.

Precisely. It would also behoove most of the fine gentlemen on the list above to remind themselves that they'd be hard-pressed to find any members of the fairer sex to testify that they're standing on the precipice of the Brad Pitt Hunkalicious category. In fact, many of those guys are a tad goofy-looking (as is the esteemed author of this very post, if you really want to know).

Melody Gardot, one of my favorite singers, has suffered from extreme sensitivity to light since she was involved in an auto accident when she was 19 years old. She doesn't wear her shades to be jazz cool; she doesn't have a choice if she wants to live and work in the world. It's the same with Sparano, and those who don't want to study up on the people they cover before they start acting like juvenile delinquents by making fun of things people can't control -- and certainly would rather not have to deal with -- should probably just keep their mouths shut. Sparano is a good guy and a fine coach, and he shouldn't have to put up with this garbage.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/sh...is-not-trying-to-be-Corey-Hart?urn=nfl-272506

 

[Senser81]

WTF??!!!

Who was making fun of Sparano? What garbage is Sparano having to put up with?


One of the most poorly-written articles I have ever read. I guess this happens when any moron can have blog.

 

[Esjay]

Pretty sure I actually heard the guys doing the game say something about it Sunday night. I didn't watch the entire game either.

 

[Maynard]

i wondered why he was wearing sunglasses sunday night. now i know and can sleep easier

 

[Blade]

I figured it was a sensitivity issue.....when I saw him wearing the glasses at night. I myself am very sensitive, I don't even bother driving or walking/sunglasses and tinting my car windows was the best thing that could happen to me.

 

[ram29jackson]

they did say the facts as why during his recent televised game.

 

[Kuzzy Powers]

Yeah they specified this on the air on SNF, noone was really teasing him or questioning it.

 

[ralaw]

Meh, big deal, so the guy got some jokes about wearing sunglasses when he has sensitive eyes..........people have been joked for far worse. I'm confused as to why people feel the need to give the "don't you feel bad now" response as a way to make guys like Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf, Rich Eisen, Steve Mariucci and Deion Sanders, etc feel bad. However, knowing how PC our society is I'm sure they'll have to give an apology to make everyone feel better.

 

[NAHSTE]

I am gonna write a similar article defending John Olerud's use of a batting helmet in the field.

 

[j.hen]

 

[theMINI]

they made fun of him when he was wearing sunglasses when he played the vikings in a dome.

 

[Miami Flash15]

Pretty sure I actually heard the guys doing the game say something about it Sunday night. I didn't watch the entire game either.

Yeah, they said the entire story during SNF. Sad stuff

 

[Hasselbeck]

Still say he looks like Bernie..

 

[dope]

Jim McMahon approves of this thread

 

[f16harm]

^^ who also had an eye injury in early life. Fork stuck in it.

 

[Maynard]

dont you feel bad now dope?

 

[dope]

dont you feel bad now dope?

um no, that was the exact reason i posted the pic

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Christopher, Silvio, Big Pussy, & Paulie Walnuts suggest you think twice before you make fun of Tony Sparano's eyes.

 

[Senser81]

Did anyone see the postgame press conference last night? What was up with Sparano?? Did anyone else find it odd that he kept his sunglasses on?

 

[Rush]

Jim McMahon approves of this thread

Any Jim McMahon reference is a good one.