The Latest Example of How White Athletes Are Being Protected by ESPN
- Police: Chiefs’ Johnson spat drink in woman’s face
- Cowboys owner: Pacman enters alcohol treatment
- Browns say Winslow could face discipline | Watch
- Jazz guard Williams out 2 weeks with ankle sprain
- Jags’ Jones suspended 3 games for policy violation
The gloves are off. This is not about apologizing for Black athletes who run afoul of the law. This is about the truth. I have a more detailed race piece coming soon, so this is relatively short. Give me one reason why this type of nonsense doesn’t ultimately lead to death.
These are today’s headlines on ESPN. Notice anything?
Please tell me how these stories have anything to do with sports? Make me understand editors BLACK, White and sick wit conflicted. This is a joke right? I don’t care if you have to keep a job. So what. You don’t give a damn about other people, so why should we give a damn about your welfare?
All this yessir, yessir bullshit. Where’s your dignity? Where’s YOUR responsibility to your job? Attention must be directed at editors as well as writers for everyone is accountable. ESPN has 700 Billion writers and these are the top three headlines? The Matt Jones story is the most ridiculous. Dude was busted sniffing COCAINE in plain view and is just now getting a kiss on the wrist 3 game suspension for a “Policy violation”? It’s not about the story, it’s about the headline. You know damn well what the difference is.
What would have been the headline if he were Black? Turn it off if you already haven’t because sports are taking a Romanesque turn propagated by media organizations and irresponsible athletes. You can get the highlights here. Just let me know and I’ll put more emphasis on scores.
Damn where’s Chuck?
Lou Holtz gets off but Jemele was suspended? Sickening, but do you expect anything different? What’s up with the double standard? If you continue to put up with it, it will continue to happen. Again, if Black writers step up and write something substantive instead of the same lollipop filler just to get a pink socks and flip flops rep, then maybe the media tide will begin to change (because of writers speaking out on what is truth). It’s gonna get worse if you don’t. Ya better than that, but maybe not.
To the small percentage of Black athletes who are getting in trouble: You are doing Black youth no service by continuing to do the irresponsible. In the NFL, you are one of only 50 in an entire city, 1700 currently playing in the league and roughly 10, 000 all time.
Represent!
You probably don’t know what October 16 means to all of us.
No more apologies. There are no buts.
If you keep messing up without accountability and putting your team, your family and more importantly yourselves on blast then you should expect outlets like ESPN–who is complicit in exacerbating the negative imagery of Black men while White athletes, coaches and administrators skate–will make sure your ghetto mugshot is plastered all over the damn place.
ESPN editors, where were the Matt Jones, Teddy DuPay or Joba Chamberlain perp walks?
It’s a simple and fair question.
I can hear you now: “But, bu…but…uh..uh..”
Shut up!
Your credibility is shot for there is always some sorry excuse.
Where are their mugshots? Where’s the visceral organization, media and fan scrutiny?
Where are the town hall meetings, the studies on White athletes, the protocol revisions, the salary caps, the White jokes, the protests or the complaint files?
White men aren’t getting into trouble? OK whatever you say. There’s a White athlete buying percocet off the street right now.
Brothas the mainstream feel better about themselves if you are in jail instead of hoisting your sport’s trophy after another year of hard work and advancing the thoughts, bodies and spiritual minds of Black youth. Their only interaction with you is through the television screen. You aren’t a person, you are an avatar.
There needs to be more 70’s style policing in the locker rooms across professional sports. 5% of knuckleheads are becoming the group definition. Talk to your boys about the dumb stuff they do. Hell, take them out back and give it to them if they continue to step out of line.
They are stealing your legacy, money and respect.
You can chill in the clubs but please make sure parameters are in place with a priority dead set on getting home safely without your family name being dragged in the mud by racists who would like nothing more than seeing you unemployed, in jail or worse. You have the talent the insecure envies but have become the dude with the dunce cap sitting in the corner?
Whatever, come on brothas you gotta be sick of how you are being portrayed.
An overwhelming percentage of you are doing the right thing.
Roger sure is chillin’ without a player head huh? Dude is like a step pop with a belt.
We defend you as a whole here because of the ridiculous media scrutiny blasted your way as yet another Gus Frerotte pass is intercepted or Joba Chamberlain slams another beer with one hand on the steering wheel driving with his eyes lookin’ different like Debo’s.
We will not defend those who are making us all look bad.
Bad guy Black, all Blacks smoke or sell crack. Bad guy White and he’s a rebel to be revered. That’s what they think about you.
Help us out mang.
White folk who are all about the truth, thank you but you must call your own out without fear or prejudice or sports will become the piss at the bottom of the abyss.
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October 21st, 2008 at 1:54 pm
The Matt Jones suspension, please note, was not for a violation of the “code of conduct.” Jones was suspended for violating the substance-abuse policy. Also, please note that Jones has been the Jaguars leading receiver in 4 of 6 games and that the 3 games he’ll miss are against Cleveland, Cincinnati and Detroit.
This suspension could have been handed down at any time. It could have been handed down at the beginning of the season. The Jags opened with the Titans, Bills and Colts.
In other news, the NFL.com site is not even reporting this suspension.
If anything is to be done about this, it would have to go through the Players Association. It seems to me that this group would have a vested interest in the coverage its members receive. Clearly, as you said on numerous occasions, this isn’t about defending behavior. Only an imbecile could perceive it as such. The issue is simply one of vilification and the research-based FACT that vilification leads to real world events where people do get fucked up.
Consider it a public service. Perhaps a body of the willing could put together a little report? Of course, the NFLPA should pay for it. Maybe the membership needs to be hit upside the head (with a pie chart).
October 21st, 2008 at 1:56 pm
It’s the only 3 game stretch in which the Jaguars DO NOT play a division opponent.
And, no, I don’t believe in accidents - of any sort.
October 21st, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Final thought on this (for the a.m.):
This ongoing and visceral attack by the media is being propogated by the owners. At the bottom of this is an attempt (operating on the basis of collusion - everyone is in) to drive down prices for players on the open market. This modern emphasis on behavior was supposed to have an impact beyond the field and extend to all persons related to franchises — including coaches, GM’s, etc.
The fact of the matter is that Phil Savage is RESPONSIBLE for the operations of the Cleveland Browns franchise. As such, he is RESPONSIBLE for the multiple staph infections at the complex. He is further RESPONSIBLE for endangering the lives and livelihood of the 53-man roster, the practice squad and every who comes in contact with these persons. He is further RESPONSIBLE for attempting to cover up this story by asserting that Kellen Winslow, Jr. (son of the former NFL HOF’er and attorney) had “an undisclosed illness” which the player did not wish to reveal — as if it might have been an STD or something bizarre.
This entire episode has been covered up by the NFL — in fact, their lead on this is the story that Romeo Crennel has thrown Winslow under the bus — as a distraction — even AFTER Winslow professed his respect and loyalty TO THE COACH. Crennel clearly understands who OWNS his ass. Winslow, Jr. clearly understands that he only has to report to God and Daddy Winslow — and not necessarily in that order.
Now, since Roger Goodell and NFL.com are OWNED by the owners of the NFL’s franchises, are NOT independent, they can be expected to cover this story up and place the emphasis on Winslow. So, too, with ESPN. They have a multi-billion dollar contract with a private association to broadcast games. They’re going to do whatever is in the financial interest of the Association (which DOES NOT include the PLAYERS).
The players association (see, they have their OWN association) would have to go to ESPN or the Associated Press and begin to have editorial meetings and the like…the same way that the NFL did when they wanted that show pulled on ESPN. The show has been pulled. Not a peep from the network since.
Journalists are employees - not independent writers steeped in a commitment to objectivity. That’s simply not who they are. They’re doing their job. They co-sign the ignoble proclivities of the owners and they keep it moving. They denigrate Black athletes and keep it moving. As I’ve said, the best cure for this is the MUTE button. Short of exercising that bit of freedom, the NFLPA should be enjoined to fight this battle on behalf of its membership.
Finally, I believe it bears restating - the purpose of all of this is to drive down prices. These articles make it easier to run players out of town - especially in the year before a contract year. It makes it easier for franchises to sit players to drive down their value. What did John Kitna say about the Lions benching him? They didn’t want him to play even though he was about 90%. Do the Patriots want to pay Laurence Maroney if he can get back on the field and have a showcase 6 or 7 games? Probably not. To the IR list. He was last quoted as saying he had another issue (not the shoulder) which the coaches and team were aware of. I’m sure it’s not a staph infection. That would be on Phil Savage.
Follow the money…ignant ass white supremacists can always be led by their noses to track the scent of negro pathology…it’s a win-win for everyone except those players. It’s like you said - they’re losing money (depressed free agents value because of “character issues”); legacy (the ability to stick and star with one franchise); respect (da luv o’ da yutes; itz awl ’bout da yutes). As KRS once said, “Respect will outlast cash.” In this case, these guys are losing out on all 3.
Great work Mizzo - especially for a rush job.
October 21st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
My cousin and I were tallking about this yesterday how here the Eagles put out “feelers” on different players.
For example, all winter and up to training camp the talk on sports talk radio was about DMac, his health and possibly being cut. Fast forward to training camp and the pre-season, DMac performs well Kolb doesn’t management calls the dogs off of DMac and focus on Shawn Andrews and his depression, hinting at a trade and the threat of fines as a ploy to get him back in camp.
Now if you notice the whipping boy is L.J. Smith he’s in a contract season playing poorly and the “feelers” have been on him since the 3rd or 4th game. Then there’s the proposed deals that fell through for Winslow and Gonzalez. Granted he’s not having a great season but they’re going to ride him all the way out of town.
This is a tool that’s been used in Philly for years I can name guys that have come and gone and come back that have had “feelers” put on them to scare other teams off.
It’s a mindfuck some players never get over.
October 21st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
This is part of the larger collusion of the owners. The NFLPA should really get down on this issue and begin to flex its muscle. The current CBA obligations to the press hurt players tremendously. I’d bet that a little regression analysis on players in the year before and year of contract negotiations is skewed in a distinctly negative fashion.
Some coaches are down with this program. Some are not. Either way, this is why some franchises never, ever get over the hurdle. The owners could care less about winning the Super Bowl. It means higher salaries for everyone. Extensions for coaches…more obligations to the city, etc…and it’s arguable a hassle from a management perspective. I wonder if there is a correlation between young/renegade owners trying to make a big splash (DeBartolo in San Francisco; Jones in Dallas; Davis in Oakland; Glazer in Tampa; Kraft in New England; Bowlen in Denver) who don’t actually PLAY by the RULES until after they’ve won the rings.
It seems like new owners (except that Dumb Ass in Washington) are really committed in the short run to making a name for themselves — and those teams win. On the flip side, you have older franchises that are competitive (Giants, Steelers, Bills, Bears, Packers, Colts, Redskins with Jack Kent Cooke) for years…
There are a bunch of franchises, though that seem to be mediocre at best — due to this unwillingness to establish a culture (Lions, Jets, Falcons, Cardinals, Browns, Bengals, etc.)
I think the new ownerships cats have most of the hardware. The other anomaly could be when sons or daughters rise in a franchise to take over for parents. That’s not helping the Bengals or Lions, but it seems to work for the Chargers, Steelers, and some others.
October 21st, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Athletes need to stand up to the media and hold them accountable for what they say and print.
October 21st, 2008 at 5:44 pm
You guys have to remember that the black althletes of today are not the althletes of the 60’s-70’s. The were educated for the most part knew what the issues were and demanded that they would get respect. That is why Skip Bayless hates John Thompson because like Bill Russell (whom he played with in Boston) Russell (my all-time favorite althlete) said “I play Basketball but I also have other thoughts and you will not treat me like a typical “black althlete”. They called people like Jim Brown , Bill Russell Frank Robinson and others who spoke up “malcontents’ but 40 years later kids and adults many who never these men play live or on t.v. are wearing their Jersey numbers because they demanded to be treated like human beings.
Today’s Black althlete are being pulled in so many directions for money and profit so they take the eaiset road and not make waves like the patron saint O.J. Simpson and their disciples M.J., Tiger Woo and players. So when they say something controversial or do something illegal the majority of Black althletes who been taught by agents not to make waves or you will lose endorsements (i.e. David Falk) or are unable to use critical thinking because the media will report what they choose.Black althletes have to demand respect for themselves and African- Americans and if they can’t it will continue.
October 21st, 2008 at 5:51 pm
You could be right, but I don’t know too many athletes who idolized OJ. I guess there was a time when he was paid, making movies starring as a buffoon with a Swedish name, and had the blonde trophy wife, but that’s such an extreme example of insanity as to be clinical. In the Naked Gun, OJ effectively played the role of a dumb blond in black face. He was Owen Wilson before Owen Wilson.
Perhaps you’re right. Maybe he was perceived in a more respectable light. Certainly others have followed in his footsteps.
Bizarre. Absolutely bizarre. I’d like to interview that guy and see what’s going on in there…it’s probably just a jumble of unfulfilled desires and deeply seated insecurities. Maybe he can curl up with a nice blond wig in his cell.
October 21st, 2008 at 6:17 pm
But the main reason I cited O.J. Temple because he was the first Black Althlete in any sport outside of Boxing to make a million a year off the field and he made is bones criticizing Tommie Smith and John Carlos for their stance in the “68 games”. To go along with the good looks, Heisman trophy, USC predigree and with RB being the glamour postion of Football in the 70’s, Simpson was the first Black Althlete who was proud of being “colorless” and non- confrontational. White America rewarded him well for making them comfortable until he got in a “bit of jam” and hired Johnny Cochran and pissing off Jewish Hollywood his primary backers.
I remember sitting in the barber shop as a kid and hearing the “old heads” call Simpson a sell-out and he would never be as great as Jim Brown and years later after seeing Jordan and Woo pull the “colorless” crap and the modern black players who try to shock by being absurd or thuggish, like Rodman to T.O. FRANKLY these are not men but little boys who probaly needed a good man in their lives to show them how to be professional and act like a real man instead of the minstrel show the Black Althlete has become.
The White media has found perfect black pansies to fuck with because the majority of intelligent black althletes stay silent, you can’t get respect from someone unless you are willing to challenge and demand they respect you as a human being not a commodity to be used, and finally Winslow came out and told the truth there are health issues with Cleveland’s facility and instead of playing the “good black buck”. White People and their media organs for the most aren’t going to change so African- Americans are going to have to change their attitudes in how they deal with the media.
October 21st, 2008 at 7:06 pm
>>>>” People and their media organs for the most aren’t going to change so African- Americans are going to have to change their attitudes in how they deal with the media…..”>>>>>>
>>>>>” Athletes need to stand up to the media and hold them accountable for what they say and print….”>>>>>
Spike Lee had a seminar at Morehouse about Sports Media awhile back… The black sports community got enough investment capital to organize, develop and distribute their own version of media with the help of African-American sports journalists, it can be a reality.
If Spike, LeBron, Denzel and Dwayne Wade can pool their resources along with other black journalists, WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN…
If not, ESPN and other mainstream media will continue to dictate how we are portrayed.
October 21st, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I agree 1000%
October 21st, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Too bad we can’t look to BET for help.
October 21st, 2008 at 8:34 pm
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October 21st, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Temple3
“The players association (see, they have their OWN association) would have to go to ESPN or the Associated Press and begin to have editorial meetings and the like…the same way that the NFL did when they wanted that show pulled on ESPN. The show has been pulled. Not a peep from the network since.”
The show was “Playmakers”. Could it hold a candle to “Friday Night Lights”? Hell no. But it was a good and realistic show, too realistic for Paul Tagliabue and his cronies, which is why they ESPN to remove the show. What ESPN should’ve said was, “Looka here. Our show doesn’t make the league look bad. Your PLAYERS make the league look bad. Did “Playmakers” have anything to do with Ray Lewis being charged with obstruction of justice in a double-homicide? No. Was ESPN responsible for Leonard Little getting his drunk behind in an SUV and killing someone (he’s still playing, by the way)? No. Was the network responsible for Rae Carruth killing his pregnant girlfriend? Hell TO the no!!! The tail don’t wag the dog here. We’ll air whatever we please. And no, we’re not worried about losing television rights as long as we come up with the most money. Now go SAT DOWN!!” Instead, the league caved, and lost whatever shred of credibility and integrity in the process.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Temple3,
“If anything is to be done about this, it would have to go through the Players Association. It seems to me that this group would have a vested interest in the coverage its members receive.”
The Players Association won’t do anything. For one, the league has too much power. For two, gambling fuels the league. Why do you think ratings are still high even though there are too many crappy teams in the league? That’s why they’d never sweat it if the players went on strike. They’d just hire replacement players like they did in ‘87 and keep it moving.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Temple3/Mizzo:
Y’all betta PREACH!!
October 21st, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Eric,
“They called people like Jim Brown , Bill Russell Frank Robinson and others who spoke up “malcontents’ but 40 years later kids and adults many who never these men play live or on t.v. are wearing their Jersey numbers because they demanded to be treated like human beings.”
One thing I can appreciate about the 60’s: as screwed up as our country was, people spoke up. We asked questions. We made our leaders accountable. We didn’t let people spit on us and call it rain. There’s too much apathy in this country period, never mind black athletes (who I don’t think should be spokesmen for black people unless you include black actors and singers in the mix). Too much money to lose and too many headaches. I really believe Michael Jordan wanted to take the Charles Barkley route and said he wasn’t a role model, but he wouldn’t have been “politically correct” (God, I hate that term).
October 21st, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I really detest most of the mainstream sports media…I really do.
October 21st, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Hi. JOBA Chamberlain is a Native American, a minority with the highest unemployment, lowest high school completion rate. You think he’s white? Damn, you think in black and white.
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:14 am
Matthew, Jordan did it by his actions and today’s Black althlete and entertainers with few expection should not speak for African- Americans because they are apatheic and could not form a constructive viewpoint if you asked them about politcal, social, and international issues unless it about how big Brazilian Girls booties are to Native -Born Black American women or the the new Jay- Z -Coldplay collabroations.
Americans since Reagan has deluded the citizenery into an apathy, disillusionment and cyncism.
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:24 am
As a Yankee fan, it’s unacceptable for me to have spelled his name wrong. It’s fixed.
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:45 pm
ESPN=Every Suspect’s Probably Negro
October 22nd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
No lie - Jemele should be pissed off to the highest of pisstivity for getting thrown under the bus while Lou Holtz walks. I’d be raising hell in my boss’s office right now. Forget the dumb junk!!
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Ain’t this something??
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3656135
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Matt I’m working on a source regarding Winslow. This story is about to get real crazy. I’ll let you all know when it’s confirmed.
February 15th, 2009 at 12:20 am
what do you think about the north carolina vs Utah game, where the UNC player accused the Utah player of calling him the n word, the accusation was televised on sports center for a week, he then recanted his statement saying he was mad he lost, sports center ran that story once
May 3rd, 2009 at 3:09 am
you are a bitter ni****. Keep whining and see where it gets you. You couldn’t hold Matt Jones’ jock, and the amount of drugs he’s done compared to what you’ve done is like a grain of sand on a beach. You are the typical ni****, whining about being kept down by the “man” while you break the law and claim it’s because your great great great great great great great “Ahhntie” was a cook on a plantation.
May 3rd, 2009 at 6:23 pm
What’s good, Bob? I see you broke thru the “idiot” firewall.
May 3rd, 2009 at 10:36 pm
BOB,
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
DUMB ASS! Doing drugs isn’t the point. Stupid!
May 3rd, 2009 at 11:25 pm
lol Dude called me a nigger but didn’t spell it out? wtf! Isn’t that the point? I had to post his comment. It was too funny.
December 12th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
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