It's ok to head-butt jerks?

Zinedine Zidane's marketibility as a corporate spokesperson apparently has not taken a dive (pun intended) according to this USA Today article. In fact, his sponsors say it may have increased his value. It's somewhat fascinating how our culture can instantly build up or tear down celebrities and athletes. For example, Ray Lewis, the superstar linebacker of the Baltimore Ravens, was acquitted of a murder at a Super Bowl Party in 2000. In 2001, he was Super Bowl MVP and all was quickly forgotten and forgiven.

"It's not going to harm him. The sponsors are not withdrawing," said Jacques Seguela, chief communications officer at French advertising and communications group Havas. "This childish gesture gives a more human image of the hero. It brings the icon closer to the people."

What would happen if Michael Jordan reacted this way to the taunting he received in the NBA Finals? Do you think a superstar American athlete would react the same way that Zidane did to the taunting about his mother and sister?

I'm glad the mainstream American media actually cares about football now with Sports Illustrated voicing their opinion.

And Mack Simpson has a very informative post and comments about this too with Zidane's mom jumping in.

Malika Zidane, Zinedine’s mom, praised her boy for headbutting Materazzi, saying he was “defending the family honour."
“I am utterly disgusted by what I have heard. I praise my son for defending his family’s honour. No one should be subjected to such foul insults either on or off the football pitch. I have nothing but contempt for Materazzi. If what he said is true, I want his balls on a platter.”