Posts Tagged ‘Colin Cowherd’

Antonio Cromartie

If The Mo’Kelly Report has been anything over the years, it has been both consistent and fair.  For every story Mo’Kelly has written in derision of a John Mayer, Michael Richards or even Dog the Bounty Hunter, you will also find one equally critical of Gilbert Arenas/Plaxico Burress, the Duke Lacrosse accuser and Nas the rapper.

No one has ever received a pass on the issues of race here, irrespective of their race.  When heaping praise and critique, there is no double-standard now and there won’t be in the future in this column.

Right is right and wrong is wrong.

Unfortunately, the reality is that we do not live in a post-racial society, despite the fact that Barack Obama lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.  We do live in a post-legislated racism (i.e. post Jim Crow) society, but the issues of race persist.

Black farmers were recently awarded 1.25 billion (with a “b”) in a civil discrimination suit.  That is not a figment of my imagination.  The FBI is presently investigating the police beating of Pittsburgh teenage violinist Jordan Miles in January of this year.  If that weren’t enough, the organization 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement called on NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to investigate racial profiling after “stop and frisk” statistics went through the roof…reflecting the disproportionate detainment of Blacks and Latinos.

Post-racial society?  Hardly.

But speaking of racial profiling, it’s the perfect entry point into the discussion of the newest member of the New York Jets, Antonio Cromartie…the troublesome Antonio Cromartie.  Cromartie came to the Jets by way of a trade with the San Diego Chargers.  Yes, that would be the same San Diego, home to the “Compton Cookout” controversy on the campus of UCSD.  Yes, that would be the same “Compton Cookout” where “educated” college students took to ridiculing the worst of Black stereotypes in “celebration” of Black History Month.

I know what some are you thing…”where is he going with this?”

Here’s where…

Antonio Cromartie signed a 5-year $12 million contract with the San Diego Chargers in 2006, 7.35 million of which was guaranteed.

Four years later, the New York Jets had to ADVANCE Cromartie $500,000 to enable him to address his “paternity issues.”

Yes, “paternity issues.”

Cromartie at age 25 has 7 children, by 6 different women across 5 states and is behind on child support by at least $25,000.  All of the children are age 6 or younger.   According to court records Cromartie has failed to appear in court on two different occasions regarding moving violations and his driver license status is in doubt.  Specifically, he tried to get a California license in 2006 (to replace his Florida one) but could not pass the written portion then and has not since.

But wait, there’s more…

Cromartie has been named in “at least” five paternity suits in the past three years alone, meaning the official tally of how many kids are his is legally still in doubt and may rise considerably.

Yes, “at least” five.  Could be six, could be eight, who knows?  But “at least” five.

Antonio Cromartie is 25, broke and the embodiment of many of the worst that Black stereotypes have to offer.

The question today is whether we as African-Americans should be more upset at the racist stereotypes being “celebrated” at a college frat party or at the behavior of those like Antonio Cromartie which feed into them?  This is not an either-or postulation, there’s room to be mightily offended by both.

Let’s remember, social capital is a finite resource and how we spend it on the issues of race invariably matters.  There’s room to attack both of these issues simultaneously, but I take particular exception to individuals like Antonio Cromartie.

Some 12 million Cromartie dollars later, we have at least 7 more children of color with neither an emotionally available father nor the financial support system in which to raise them.  That is shameful.

The “Compton Cookout” was hideously offensive to be sure…but this pains Mo’Kelly far worse.

Lil Wayne

Far, far worse.

Wide receiver and father Plaxico Burress…jail.  Star guard and unwed father (2 children) Gilbert Arenas…on his way to jail.  Rapper Lil Wayne, unwed father of 4 children (two born simultaneously to different women)…just finished tucking himself in…you got it, prison.  Black male pathology is in full swing.  It’s not funny and it’s not a figment of one’s imagination.  It’s true and we should recognize it for what it is.

It is unacceptable, that’s what it is.  There will be no “partridge in a pear tree jokes” today.

As sorry of an individual Antonio Cromartie must be to father 7 children with 6 women across 5 states, how sorry is our community to neither put a stop to individuals such as him or condemn the behavior with the same veracity we condemned the “Compton Cookout?”

Mo’Kelly doesn’t want to see African-Americans mocked on college campuses or having nooses dangled in derision.  At the same time, Mo’Kelly especially doesn’t want to see the likes of Antonio Cromartie breathe life into the worst of those same Black male stereotypes.

I don’t want to hear any excuses and I definitely don’t want any “explanations” as to why Cromartie gets a pass (no football pun intended) and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity doesn’t.

Neither should.

To have seven children (proven thus far) with 6 women across 5 states by age 25 isn’t funny, isn’t acceptable or explainable in any way.  For all the protests and outrage (rightfully) directed at UC San Diego and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, some should have been directed at Cromartie too.  I mean, it’s the same damn city.

The troublesome Antonio Cromartie…

Both have measurable and deleterious effects and must be addressed if we as a society are ever to overcome the issue of race.  We in the African-American community must approach the Antonio Cromarties of the world with the same righteous indignation we do a “Compton Cookout.”  Otherwise, in the not-so-distant future we will have bankrupted our social capital account and impugned our moral authority once and for all.

RELATED: It’s Time to Be Honest about Duke

ESPN was Smart to Fire Paul Shirley

John Mayer’s ‘N*****’ Pass Revoked

Gun-Toting Athletes Affect All Black Males

Nas is a Comedian, Not an Intellectual

[Stay tuned...the new mrmokelly.com website is coming to you in 2010.  Set your browsers now.]

http://twitter.com/mrmokelly

Subscribe to The Mo’Kelly Report HERE

Antonio Cromartie

If The Mo’Kelly Report has been anything over the years, it has been both consistent and fair.  For every story Mo’Kelly has written in derision of a John Mayer, Michael Richards or even Dog the Bounty Hunter, you will also find one equally critical of Gilbert Arenas/Plaxico Burress, the Duke Lacrosse accuser and Nas the rapper.

No one has ever received a pass on the issues of race here, irrespective of their race.  When heaping praise and critique, there is no double-standard now and there won’t be in the future in this column.

Right is right and wrong is wrong.

Unfortunately, the reality is that we do not live in a post-racial society, despite the fact that Barack Obama lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.  We do live in a post-legislated racism (i.e. post Jim Crow) society, but the issues of race persist.

Black farmers were recently awarded 1.25 billion (with a “b”) in a civil discrimination suit.  That is not a figment of my imagination.  The FBI is presently investigating the police beating of Pittsburgh teenage violinist Jordan Miles in January of this year.  If that weren’t enough, the organization 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement called on NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to investigate racial profiling after “stop and frisk” statistics went through the roof…reflecting the disproportionate detainment of Blacks and Latinos.

Post-racial society?  Hardly.

But speaking of racial profiling, it’s the perfect entry point into the discussion of the newest member of the New York Jets, Antonio Cromartie…the troublesome Antonio Cromartie.  Cromartie came to the Jets by way of a trade with the San Diego Chargers.  Yes, that would be the same San Diego, home to the “Compton Cookout” controversy on the campus of UCSD.  Yes, that would be the same “Compton Cookout” where “educated” college students took to ridiculing the worst of Black stereotypes in “celebration” of Black History Month.

I know what some are you thing…”where is he going with this?”

Here’s where…

Antonio Cromartie signed a 5-year $12 million contract with the San Diego Chargers in 2006, 7.35 million of which was guaranteed.

Four years later, the New York Jets had to ADVANCE Cromartie $500,000 to enable him to address his “paternity issues.”

Yes, “paternity issues.”

Cromartie at age 25 has 7 children, by 6 different women across 5 states and is behind on child support by at least $25,000.  All of the children are age 6 or younger.   According to court records Cromartie has failed to appear in court on two different occasions regarding moving violations and his driver license status is in doubt.  Specifically, he tried to get a California license in 2006 (to replace his Florida one) but could not pass the written portion then and has not since.

But wait, there’s more…

Cromartie has been named in “at least” five paternity suits in the past three years alone, meaning the official tally of how many kids are his is legally still in doubt and may rise considerably.

Yes, “at least” five.  Could be six, could be eight, who knows?  But “at least” five.

Antonio Cromartie is 25, broke and the embodiment of many of the worst that Black stereotypes have to offer.

The question today is whether we as African-Americans should be more upset at the racist stereotypes being “celebrated” at a college frat party or at the behavior of those like Antonio Cromartie which feed into them?  This is not an either-or postulation, there’s room to be mightily offended by both.

Let’s remember, social capital is a finite resource and how we spend it on the issues of race invariably matters.  There’s room to attack both of these issues simultaneously, but I take particular exception to individuals like Antonio Cromartie.

Some 12 million Cromartie dollars later, we have at least 7 more children of color with neither an emotionally available father nor the financial support system in which to raise them.  That is shameful.

The “Compton Cookout” was hideously offensive to be sure…but this pains Mo’Kelly far worse.

Lil Wayne

Far, far worse.

Wide receiver and father Plaxico Burress…jail.  Star guard and unwed father (2 children) Gilbert Arenas…on his way to jail.  Rapper Lil Wayne, unwed father of 4 children (two born simultaneously to different women)…just finished tucking himself in…you got it, prison.  Black male pathology is in full swing.  It’s not funny and it’s not a figment of one’s imagination.  It’s true and we should recognize it for what it is.

It is unacceptable, that’s what it is.  There will be no “partridge in a pear tree jokes” today.

As sorry of an individual Antonio Cromartie must be to father 7 children with 6 women across 5 states, how sorry is our community to neither put a stop to individuals such as him or condemn the behavior with the same veracity we condemned the “Compton Cookout?”

Mo’Kelly doesn’t want to see African-Americans mocked on college campuses or having nooses dangled in derision.  At the same time, Mo’Kelly especially doesn’t want to see the likes of Antonio Cromartie breathe life into the worst of those same Black male stereotypes.

I don’t want to hear any excuses and I definitely don’t want any “explanations” as to why Cromartie gets a pass (no football pun intended) and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity doesn’t.

Neither should.

To have seven children (proven thus far) with 6 women across 5 states by age 25 isn’t funny, isn’t acceptable or explainable in any way.  For all the protests and outrage (rightfully) directed at UC San Diego and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, some should have been directed at Cromartie too.  I mean, it’s the same damn city.

The troublesome Antonio Cromartie…

Both have measurable and deleterious effects and must be addressed if we as a society are ever to overcome the issue of race.  We in the African-American community must approach the Antonio Cromarties of the world with the same righteous indignation we do a “Compton Cookout.”  Otherwise, in the not-so-distant future we will have bankrupted our social capital account and impugned our moral authority once and for all.

RELATED: It’s Time to Be Honest about Duke

ESPN was Smart to Fire Paul Shirley

John Mayer’s ‘N*****’ Pass Revoked

Gun-Toting Athletes Affect All Black Males

Nas is a Comedian, Not an Intellectual

[Stay tuned...the new mrmokelly.com website is coming to you in 2010.  Set your browsers now.]

http://twitter.com/mrmokelly

Subscribe to The Mo’Kelly Report HERE

Tiger Woods is in uncharted waters, which should go without saying. Woods heretofore has been above reproach, regardless of the measuring stick you place alongside his life and career.

Woods’ mastery on the golf course has only been matched by his mastery of his public image. He is a man of few words and even those are carefully chosen. Woods has been incredibly disciplined (and successful) in staying out of the tabloids generally and trouble specifically. He has been the “perfect” endorsement machine, unrivaled on the links and unblemished in a scandal-sense off of them.

Until now…

Woods is presently enduring a negative publicity firestorm surrounding his one-car accident outside his home early Friday morning. The “official” story changes almost daily. One moment his story had wife Elin “extricating” him from the wrecked Cadillac Escalade thanks to a 7 iron, and in the next version she did no such thing. One moment Woods planned to talk to the police to clear the air and the next he reneges. In lieu of clearing the air altogether, he released a public statement to (among other things) “admit fault” about “something.”

“I’m human and I’m not perfect.”

• Tiger Woods

Really Tiger? Who knew? Thank goodness for crisis publicists and lawyers, otherwise both descriptors would’ve remained a mystery.

To which, some members of the press such as Rick Reilly of ESPN have

Rick Reilly

demanded “answers” as to what did or did not take place. Reilly argues that silence is neither golden nor exemplary behavior from one who influences so many.

Agreed.

Instead of shedding light on the situation and quelling the controversy, he created more questions and shadows surrounding it. If Tiger is truly “human” and imperfect, then he should act accordingly and not offer carefully crafted, ambiguous statements written by a lawyer.

Chris Brown

Woods’ statement reeked of something very Chris Brown-esque, accepting responsibility in non-specific terms for an undisclosed indiscretion, while also being very specific in the pleas for privacy and understanding.

Understanding?

If Woods wants “understanding” then he must be clear with the public. What the world’s greatest golfer does in his own house behind closed doors is his business. The moment it spills over into the street, requiring officers and an ambulance, all bets are off.

Woods posted a 5-paragragh response (see below) regarding the incident and managed to say absolutely nothing. To the half-way intelligent individual, it was almost insulting.

Almost.

Woods would have done better to say nothing, since coming clean seemingly was not his intention. Straddling the fence only prolongs the PR agony. When superstars seem more concerned with protecting endorsements, under the guise of “privacy” the subsequent backlash is inevitable and unmistakable.

Woods must be completely forthright with the public. Using the thin veil of “privacy” is exactly that; thin, flimsy and rather transparent when held up to the light. It’s weak and a cop-out. Nobody said the public needed the gory details, but surely we deserve some semblance of the truth.

Here is the statement in its entirety as posted on tigerwoods.com

As you all know, I had a single-car accident earlier this week, and sustained some injuries. I have some cuts, bruising and right now I’m pretty sore.

This situation is my fault, and it’s obviously embarrassing to my family and me. I’m human and I’m not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn’t happen again.

This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way. Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible.

The only person responsible for the accident is me. My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false.

This incident has been stressful and very difficult for Elin, our family and me. I appreciate all the concern and well wishes that we have received. But, I would also ask for some understanding that my family and I deserve some privacy no matter how intrusive some people can be.

Yes Tiger, we can readily assume the situation is embarrassing and you wish to keep away from public scrutiny. At the same time, this statement reaffirms “something” beyond just an “accident” occurred. If it were ONLY a wife helping to get her husband out of the car, ambiguity would not have dominated your subsequent statement.

Although Woods is bothered by the “many false, unfounded and malicious rumors” he makes no effort to dispel them. Until he makes the truth plain, it is well within our rights to publicly speculate about an “incident” involving a man, woman, golf club, wrecked car and a 4+ minute 9-1-1 call. If he wanted to keep “it” private, he should’ve kept “it” indoors and without police and paramedic intervention. The inability to do so is more than worthy of public discussion.

This situation is my fault, and it’s obviously embarrassing to my family and me. I’m human and I’m not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn’t happen again.

Make sure WHAT doesn’t happen again Tiger? WHAT is “obviously embarrassing?”

If Tiger has been wrongly accused of infidelity by the National Enquirer a definitive denial would have been in short order, if not a lawsuit. To date, Tiger has offered neither.

“This situation is my fault.”

WHAT situation?

Tiger Woods is a fantastic golfer, subject to all the frailties of the imperfect human condition. That much we know and have always known. But until he can offer a reasonable explanation for this incident as opposed to testing the limits of our stupidity; the media will rightfully apply pressure until the truth emerges.

Good Met Evil One Day...

Nationally syndicated conservative talk show host and lightning rod Rush Limbaugh has made known his plans to purchase the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League.

Although NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has indicated that Limbaugh’s application for franchise ownership is in its primary phase of consideration and in conjunction with Dave Checketts (owner of NHL’s St. Louis Blues); the response around the league and in the media has been considerable.

Considerably negative that is…

The first shoe to drop came in the form of an email from NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith last Saturday:

“I’ve spoken to the Commissioner [Roger Goodell] and I understand that this ownership consideration is in the early stages, but sport in America is at its best when it unifies, gives all of us reason to cheer, and when it transcends. Our sport does exactly that when it overcomes division and rejects discrimination and hatred.”

Then, Rev. Al Sharpton on Monday entered the fray contacting Goodell, alleging that Limbaugh has been both divisive and “anti-NFL” over the years.

As you could imagine, any story with Limbaugh and Sharpton bookending it immediately moves the discussion towards race.  One side predictably calls Limbaugh a racist…which he is. And the other side calls Sharpton a “race-baiter”…which he is.

But both sides are missing the point.  This really shouldn’t be about Limbaugh or Sharpton when the NFL makes its decision.

Well, yes and no.

Race is part of the discussion but Mo’Kelly would submit it is not and should not be the focal point.  The reasons why Rush Limbaugh has no business as an owner in the National Football league inevitably ties back to it being a bad business idea…with SOME of it tied to race.

There are two histories to consider here; Limbaugh’s and the NFL’s.  Let’s first look at the NFL.

The National Football League is by far the most popular spectator sporting league in America, if not the world.  The ratings for even NFL PRE-season games easily dwarf the ratings for the World Series and the NBA Finals.

Game 5 of the 2008 World Series garnered a 9.6 rating, the highest of the series.

Game 1 of the 2009 regular NFL season on Fox earned a 16.5

Game 1 of the 2009 NBA Finals, Lakers V. Orlando earned a 5.7

The NFL has no sports entertainment peer and much of it has to do with its marketing and stringent controls.  From the fines levied at players for supposed excessive endzone celebrations or to not meeting the league’s standards for uniforms and regulations, the NFL has been in supreme control of how its product is marketed and perceived.

And damn well they should…

Roger Goodell

That’s just on the field.  Off the field, Roger Goodell has been diligent in his efforts to curtail “incidents” with the implementation of a league-wide player conduct policy.  Regardless whether one agrees with Goodell’s policies and rulings thus far, the historical precedent had been set.

The NFL is not interested in controversy.

In fact, many players have branded it as the “No Fun League” due to the amount of rules and regulations required of them.  The NFL is clear it wants considerable say in the behavior of those who represent the league on any level.

As for Rush Limbaugh, his history is equally relevant in this discussion.  From his remarks generally about African-Americans over the years to Donovan McNabb specifically, it’s fair to say that Limbaugh has consistently inspired controversy from both the television and radio studio.

“Sorry to say this, I don’t think he’s been that good from the get-go.  I think what we’ve had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a Black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn’t deserve. The defense carried this team.”

Rush Limbaugh on Donovan McNabb – 10.2003

Yet, the controversial nature of Limbaugh doesn’t begin or end with just issues of race.  There’s a long line of non-African-Americans also waiting to express their dislike of Rush Limaugh and what he espouses.

Rush Limbaugh as an NFL franchise owner (majority stake or otherwise) means he is de facto a representative of the league.  Each and every time Limbaugh should open up his mic on his radio show and tells an African-American caller to “take the bone out of his nose” or refers to the President of the United States as “The Magic Negro” or even chides Colin Powell, former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff as a “race loyalist” for supporting said “Magic Negro”…he would be representing the NFL.

I’m not sure the NFL is ready to stomach the hatemail the next time Limbaugh compares the Democrats to Nazis, but like it or not…as an owner he would represent the NFL.

And speaking of anti-Semitism, former Cincinnati Reds owner

Marge Schott

Marge Schott could not possibly purchase a baseball team in today’s world.  It would simply be bad business for the team and for Major League Baseball.

“Everything you read, when he came in [to power] he was good…They built tremendous highways and got all the factories going…Everybody knows he was good at the beginning but he just went too far.”

Marge Schott – 1996

It’s likely why Mark Cuban’s ownership bid was turned down I mean, ignored by the Chicago Cubs.  No, Cuban isn’t a racist but sports franchises are now hyper-sensitive to public personas and the public perception they yield.

And damn well they should (although I think the Cubs whiffed on Cuban.)

The rub in this instance is that although Limbaugh would be a representative of the NFL, the league would not have any editorial control over Limbaugh’s daily radio program.  Each and every single day, Rush Limbaugh manages to deeply offend someone and that anger would then be tied to the St. Louis Rams and to the NFL.  The routine and inevitable hatemail and calls for boycott of advertisers supporting Rush Limbaugh would also then become the NFL’s problem.

Every subsequent story regarding the “questionable” remarks of one Rush Limbaugh would inevitably include the words “owner of the NFL’s St. Louis Rams” in the opening paragraph.  The NFL doesn’t want that and given its stature surely doesn’t need that.  In the game of dominoes we always say, “not all money is good money.”

Same applies here.

Controversy makes for good if not great radio.  Conversely, it’s a horrible business model for the NFL in 2009.

Where race intersects the discussion of bad business is in the racial makeup of the majority African-American NFL.  We saw how this played out on ESPN with Limbaugh as a “football commentator.”  ESPN cut bait quckly, as Limbaugh’s baggage immediately became ESPN’s baggage. Note this important Limbaugh historical footnote.  The NFL doesn’t need to extrapolate out what Limbaugh “might” mean for the NFL in terms of press.  It already has a verifiable, historical example in which to reference.  And if there’s anyone who’s good friends with the NFL, it’s ESPN.

Friends don’t let friends drive drunk or make the same mistakes they once made.

The NFL doesn’t need gimmicks like glow in the dark footballs or steel cage matches in which to inspire ratings supremacy.  It is already king of the hill.  All it needs to do is keep using common sense and good business sense.

Allowing Rush Limbaugh to become an owner would be indicative of neither.

The NFL is a private business entity and can hire whomever it sees fit to represent or endorse its product.  Good business sense says that Rush Limbaugh as an owner is no better a decision than Rev. Al Sharpton.  The reasons are the same and race is only a piece of a much larger discussion.

There is only risk with no reward for having the NFL associating itself with Rush Limbaugh and all the baggage he brings.  To reduce this into a discussion of Sharpton or race misses the point and further marginalizes the real issues of race.

RELATED: Mo’Kelly’s NY Times editorial on Limbaugh, Leadership and Obama

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