Flanagan: LJ rips Vermeil in HBO interview

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

He did no such thing.

Like I said earlier in case you missed it:

LJ isn't talking about being black and growing up in the hood he is talking about the life of a young black athlete in the NFL with all of the hanger-ons, groupies, and the thugs that try to drag you down. He is saying because of his father and Herm that he has been able now to avoid those situations that could get him in trouble.

We disagree then; because I consider his comments in this article to be divisive, and an indirect use of the race card. And it's just unnecessary.

I'm not saying (in case you missed it) he's from trying to be from the ghetto; I'm saying he's invoking the race card, and embracing the whole thug-gangster-hip/hop persona to a degree that contributes to racist divisiveness.

Originally Posted by Chiefnj

The ratio has nothing to do with it. Why are the problems listed (groupies, hangers-on) limited to young black athletes? I'll answer it for you - it has nothing to do with color. It has everything to do with money and the power that comes from it.

And THAT'S the part that dirk and PittGorilla and others are missing...this SHOULDN'T be about race, despite Carter's question. LJ chose to make it a racial issue--with several references.