Isaac Bruce will strike down upon thee with great vengeance

by David Fucillo on Sep 19, 2008 3:00 AM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

Disclaimer: If you haven't seen Pulp Fiction this might be a little confusing at first.

The other day JRPhillips posted a FanPost discussing Isaac Bruce's relatively terse interview with Matt Maiocco. It involved a lot of yes and no answers and nothing particularly in depth. Of course, he also made his point pretty clear on a few questions and I'm really not one to question an all-time great wide receiver. Consider this a follow-up to that FanPost.

After that interview, Isaac Bruce had an interesting interview with Lowell Cohn of the Press Democrat that inspired me. In the interview Bruce got rather in depth about his religious beliefs. He quoted Proverbs and discussed how he responds to players who will cuss at him trying to rile him up (as he says he does not swear). His response to those who try and bait him?

I empower you to prosper.

As I read over the interview as a whole, something clicked in my head and I realized I was reminded of Samuel L. Jackson's character Jules in Pulp Fiction (video includes some graphic language and violence):

"There's a passage I got memorized, seems appropriate for this situation: Ezekiel 25:16. 'The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyrrany of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.'"

Why am I quoting this? Well I'm officially sold on the "Isaac Bruce is a badass" bandwagon. As far as I'm concerned, Isaac Bruce is the less violent version of Jules from Pulp Fiction. There's a cool, calm, collected seriousness about the man. In his interview with Lowell Cohn, Bruce quotes scripture numerous times to make specific points. While I'm not a particularly religious individual, I see the points Bruce is looking to make. It helps to explain why he is careful in what he says to the press.

In considering all of this, Isaac Bruuuuuuuuce is defintely climbing my ladder of favorite players. Considering his time with the Rams he'll never be an all-time favorite, but given his attitude about football and life, consider me a fan. Something just seems bad-ass about the man...thus the comparison to Samuel L. Jackson.

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Comments

You just won the internets.

Seriously, I can definitely see the comparison between the two, would Mr. Bruce able to express himself more ably. And to think, we had all pushed him to the side when talking about the WR corps, assuming he would simply fade off the depth chart.

by Cruithear on Sep 19, 2008 5:59 AM PDT reply actions

One of the most memorable scenes of any movie of the 90's

Always a good read, no matter the context.

Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."

by chirop1 on Sep 19, 2008 6:37 AM PDT reply actions

what a bizarre comparison

and yet, it works.

Still defending Rich Aurilia, and the Niners' classic unis

by wjackalope on Sep 19, 2008 7:32 AM PDT reply actions

Jules IS Isaac Bruce!

I remember reading somewhere that Pulp Fiction is sort of the story of Isaac Bruce before Christianity. After that guy fired off his hand cannon at “Jules” and Battlefield Earth guy, he found religion. Thus, Isaac Bruce was born.

And by “I remember reading somewhere,” I obviously mean I never read this and it’s a complete fabrication pulled out of thin air.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Sep 19, 2008 10:05 AM PDT reply actions

Now that’s hardcore!

Formerly known as phutmasterflex

by PHUT! on Sep 19, 2008 10:17 AM PDT reply actions

I feel like drinking a Samuel L. Jackson right now

ITS BEER BITCH!!

when will the Kenny Thomas Reign of Terror end?!!??

by diehardkingsfan5 on Sep 19, 2008 10:27 AM PDT reply actions

i can imagine Samuel L.'s reaction to the comparison...

“WHY THE HELL IS THIS GUY BEING COMPARED TO ME?!?!?!? I WAS ON SNAKES ON A PLANE!!!!”

when will the Kenny Thomas Reign of Terror end?!!??

by diehardkingsfan5 on Sep 19, 2008 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions

NO I CAN"T STOP YELLING, CAUSE THATS HOW I TALK!!

I see the future, and it is Pablo

by CB30 on Sep 24, 2008 7:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes and No

Alright I’ll give you a YES to the “calm collected seriousness about the guy” (about both guys, here), but I think it makes a difference whether you make the comparison between the Jules from the Youtube clip you cited or with the Youtube clip from the end of the movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMRi-gFeK-M ). It seems that Bruce is more like the Jules from the diner (consider “Ringo” as a the stand-in for Matt Maiocco)—i.e. the Jules after the “transitional period” that he refers to. I’d have to say a pretty resounding NO to any comparison between Bruce and the pre-transitional-period Jules…

by grantmp on Sep 19, 2008 1:49 PM PDT reply actions

you're right

There is definitely a drastic difference between Jules before and after the transitional period. You get the religious scripture but not the blowing away of folks. Certainly distinguishable.

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by David Fucillo on Sep 19, 2008 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions

badass religiousity

I guess my point was that I’ll fully endorse the comparison if it’s possible to be badass in a religious way…which it seems to be in Isaac Bruce’s case.

by grantmp on Sep 19, 2008 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions