Chiefs Whitlock - Athletes and guns a bad mix

Hammock Parties · 05-03-2008, 10:53 PM

Great column, jwhit...and you didn't even mention Larry Johnson.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...ry/604262.html

When you’re a high-profile-millionaire anything, gun-toting does not enhance your safety. It jeopardizes it.Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison learned that lesson last week. I hope members of the Kansas City Chiefs are paying attention.

Harrison has spent the past decade crafting a relatively impeccable reputation as a Hall of Fame receiver and private, community-minded role model. A decade of work just might be rendered pointless because the 35-year-old Harrison felt the need to carry a weapon.

Many professional athletes have made the same decision. According to a Boston Globe report in November of 2006, NFL and NBA players are most likely to legally carry concealed weapons, and “handgun ownership is much less prevalent in Major League Baseball and rare in the National Hockey League.”

Do I need to spell out for you which particular type of professional athlete feels most compelled to arm? Here’s a hint: It’s the same group that looks most like me and is most likely to die by gun violence.

It’s a vicious little cycle. Black athletes carry guns to protect themselves, but they fail to realize or choose to ignore that their decision to carry escalates the potential for trouble.

I’m not going to convict Marvin Harrison of any wrongdoing in the shooting incident that transpired Tuesday night outside the car detail shop he owns in Philadelphia. The police have not charged Harrison with a crime. They have only questioned him. His agent, NFL power-broker Tom Condon, somehow managed to get ESPN.com and The Indianapolis Star to focus Web headlines on the fact that Condon’s investigation exonerates Harrison of any role in the shooting.

But what we do know, according to Philadelphia newspapers and radio stations, is that Harrison and the shooting victim (shot in the hand) were involved in some sort of verbal and perhaps physical confrontation inside Playmakers bar, which Harrison also owns. The victim walked out with Harrison following. Multiple shots were fired. A 2-year-old child was hit by a piece of flying glass. And a gun owned by and registered to Harrison was used in the shooting.

Pardon me while I play detective Lennie Briscoe for a moment: My working theory of the case is that Harrison would’ve never followed the victim out of the bar if Harrison did not own a gun. Matter of fact, I doubt that Harrison would’ve engaged in a serious verbal or physical battle had he not owned a gun.

Handguns are like alcohol. They give men “courage” they don’t normally have.

You see, when you carry a gun, you tend to go places you have no business going. You pick fights you have no business picking.

Marvin Harrison is a millionaire athlete headed for the Hall of Fame. It’s my suspicion that the man inside the bar was neither a millionaire nor athlete nor future Hall of Famer. The man Harrison bickered with had a lot less to lose than Harrison. That is generally the first and best sign that you’ve picked the wrong fight.

If there are any professional athletes still reading this, the same equation applies to picking a wife/husband or serious girlfriend/boyfriend. If all she brings to the table is a big butt, a smile and a modeling portfolio from onemodelplace.com, you’d be wise to never say “I do.”

I digress. No one wants to hear marriage advice from the King of Dysfunction, a prime candidate for an episode of “Springer.”

My point is about athletes and guns. The rules are simple. If you think you are going some place at a time when you think you need a gun, just don’t go. It’s really that easy. I’ve been most places in Kansas City and Indianapolis. I’ve been to all the alleged bad areas. My dad has owned a bar in the ‘hood my entire life. I visit often. I go at the right time. I don’t go looking for trouble. And when trouble comes looking for me, I bounce.

I’m sure Marvin Harrison has a lot of friends and family members counting on him. They would be devastated emotionally and quite possibly financially if Marvin landed in jail.

All these millionaire athletes owe it to their families to unarm themselves in public settings. This is America. We all have the right to bear arms. But it’s unwise to carry them when you already have a gigantic target on your back.

I don’t say this to be flip. It’s a sad reality: Gas and food prices are skyrocketing. So is jealousy. The mixture is highly combustible. A pro athlete carrying a gun is begging for trouble to ignite.

**KcMizzou** · 05-03-2008, 10:56 PM

That's just good, honest advice, right there.

Deberg_1990 · 05-03-2008, 10:59 PM

Yes Jason, because no White Athlete would ever carry a gun.

JWhit is starting to overdo this race BS

**KcMizzou** · 05-03-2008, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Yes Jason, because no White Athlete would ever carry a gun.

JWhit is starting to overdo this race BS

I have to think they're generally less likely to... don't you?

I really think everything he said here is exactly right.

Basileus777 · 05-03-2008, 11:01 PM

I'm not a fan of Whitlock, but he nailed it here. Good article.

Deberg_1990 · 05-03-2008, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

I have to think they're generally less likely to... don't you?

I really think everything he said here is exactly right.

Perhaps, but he has no hard facts. Hes just making broad generalizations based on nightly news broadcasts....

kcxiv · 05-03-2008, 11:04 PM

Tell that to Shawn Taylor. Shit is going to happen. I find it funny Whitlock talks about him going to the "hood". He's really n ot famous. He's a writer, but he doesn't have the money or the jealousy toward him that athletes do. Sometimes, you just cant "bounce" as he says. Again, ask Shawn Taylor.

BigRock · 05-03-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Perhaps, but he has no hard facts. Hes just making generalizations based on nightly news broadcasts....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason F. Whitlock

According to a Boston Globe report in November of 2006, NFL and NBA players are most likely to legally carry concealed weapons, and “handgun ownership is much less prevalent in Major League Baseball and rare in the National Hockey League.”

Do I need to spell out for you which particular type of professional athlete feels most compelled to arm?

Maybe he does need to spell it out.

**KcMizzou** · 05-03-2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRock

Maybe he does need to spell it out.

Thank you.

Deberg_1990 · 05-03-2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRock

Maybe he does need to spell it out.

Id like to read that report..

Chiefmanwillcatch · 05-03-2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Yes Jason, because no White Athlete would ever carry a gun.

JWhit is starting to overdo this race BS

Whites in sports are 'not'* emulating gangmembers.

Reread and put yourself in his shoes.

*edit

ClevelandBronco · 05-03-2008, 11:10 PM

I'm sad when any young, talented man who has a chance to improve the world around him damages that chance by acting rashly and foolishly.

That kind of foolishness has included me as well, though my circle of impact could be charitably described as much smaller than Mr. Harrison's potential circle.

wutamess · 05-03-2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basileus777

I'm not a fan of Whitlock, but he nailed it here. Good article.

Shouldn't there be a template for this statement somewhere?
I swear every fuggin time I see a Whtilock article... it never fails to see that statement. Sorta like the Pit Bulls are a nice bigger Pomeranians rant.

~Too fuggin predictable.

**KcMizzou** · 05-03-2008, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wutamess

Shouldn't there be a template for this statement somewhere?
I swear every fuggin time I see a Whtilock article... it never fails to see that statement.

Heh, yeah. "I usually hate Whitlock, but..."

He pisses me of now and then, but he does his job well. I can't deny that I make it a point to read everything he writes. I guess that makes me a fan.

**DaneMcCloud** · 05-03-2008, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Perhaps, but he has no hard facts. Hes just making broad generalizations based on nightly news broadcasts....

Really? Is he?

NAME the white athlete who's been involved in a gunfight.

I can't figure you out. Either you're smart and ask questions for a reaction or you're a complete and fucking utter dumbass.

18,000 posts and I'm still clueless.

05-03-2008, 10:53 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4450478	Whitlock - Athletes and guns a bad mix Great column, jwhit...and you didn't even mention Larry Johnson. http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...ry/604262.html When you’re a high-profile-millionaire anything, gun-toting does not enhance your safety. It jeopardizes it.Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison learned that lesson last week. I hope members of the Kansas City Chiefs are paying attention. Harrison has spent the past decade crafting a relatively impeccable reputation as a Hall of Fame receiver and private, community-minded role model. A decade of work just might be rendered pointless because the 35-year-old Harrison felt the need to carry a weapon. Many professional athletes have made the same decision. According to a Boston Globe report in November of 2006, NFL and NBA players are most likely to legally carry concealed weapons, and “handgun ownership is much less prevalent in Major League Baseball and rare in the National Hockey League.” Do I need to spell out for you which particular type of professional athlete feels most compelled to arm? Here’s a hint: It’s the same group that looks most like me and is most likely to die by gun violence. It’s a vicious little cycle. Black athletes carry guns to protect themselves, but they fail to realize or choose to ignore that their decision to carry escalates the potential for trouble. I’m not going to convict Marvin Harrison of any wrongdoing in the shooting incident that transpired Tuesday night outside the car detail shop he owns in Philadelphia. The police have not charged Harrison with a crime. They have only questioned him. His agent, NFL power-broker Tom Condon, somehow managed to get ESPN.com and The Indianapolis Star to focus Web headlines on the fact that Condon’s investigation exonerates Harrison of any role in the shooting. But what we do know, according to Philadelphia newspapers and radio stations, is that Harrison and the shooting victim (shot in the hand) were involved in some sort of verbal and perhaps physical confrontation inside Playmakers bar, which Harrison also owns. The victim walked out with Harrison following. Multiple shots were fired. A 2-year-old child was hit by a piece of flying glass. And a gun owned by and registered to Harrison was used in the shooting. Pardon me while I play detective Lennie Briscoe for a moment: My working theory of the case is that Harrison would’ve never followed the victim out of the bar if Harrison did not own a gun. Matter of fact, I doubt that Harrison would’ve engaged in a serious verbal or physical battle had he not owned a gun. Handguns are like alcohol. They give men “courage” they don’t normally have. You see, when you carry a gun, you tend to go places you have no business going. You pick fights you have no business picking. Marvin Harrison is a millionaire athlete headed for the Hall of Fame. It’s my suspicion that the man inside the bar was neither a millionaire nor athlete nor future Hall of Famer. The man Harrison bickered with had a lot less to lose than Harrison. That is generally the first and best sign that you’ve picked the wrong fight. If there are any professional athletes still reading this, the same equation applies to picking a wife/husband or serious girlfriend/boyfriend. If all she brings to the table is a big butt, a smile and a modeling portfolio from onemodelplace.com, you’d be wise to never say “I do.” I digress. No one wants to hear marriage advice from the King of Dysfunction, a prime candidate for an episode of “Springer.” My point is about athletes and guns. The rules are simple. If you think you are going some place at a time when you think you need a gun, just don’t go. It’s really that easy. I’ve been most places in Kansas City and Indianapolis. I’ve been to all the alleged bad areas. My dad has owned a bar in the ‘hood my entire life. I visit often. I go at the right time. I don’t go looking for trouble. And when trouble comes looking for me, I bounce. I’m sure Marvin Harrison has a lot of friends and family members counting on him. They would be devastated emotionally and quite possibly financially if Marvin landed in jail. All these millionaire athletes owe it to their families to unarm themselves in public settings. This is America. We all have the right to bear arms. But it’s unwise to carry them when you already have a gigantic target on your back. I don’t say this to be flip. It’s a sad reality: Gas and food prices are skyrocketing. So is jealousy. The mixture is highly combustible. A pro athlete carrying a gun is begging for trouble to ignite.
Posts: 278,638

05-03-2008, 10:56 PM	#2
KcMizzou Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Parkville MO Casino cash: $10005170	That's just good, honest advice, right there.
Posts: 54,695

05-03-2008, 10:59 PM	#3
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3754454	Yes Jason, because no White Athlete would ever carry a gun. JWhit is starting to overdo this race BS __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 66,914

05-03-2008, 11:01 PM	#5
Basileus777 MVP Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Jersey Casino cash: $5245958	I'm not a fan of Whitlock, but he nailed it here. Good article.
Posts: 9,226

05-03-2008, 11:04 PM	#7
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8807996	Tell that to Shawn Taylor. Shit is going to happen. I find it funny Whitlock talks about him going to the "hood". He's really n ot famous. He's a writer, but he doesn't have the money or the jealousy toward him that athletes do. Sometimes, you just cant "bounce" as he says. Again, ask Shawn Taylor.
Posts: 29,110

05-03-2008, 11:10 PM	#12
ClevelandBronco I'm with the banned. Join Date: Sep 2006 Casino cash: $5658955	I'm sad when any young, talented man who has a chance to improve the world around him damages that chance by acting rashly and foolishly. That kind of foolishness has included me as well, though my circle of impact could be charitably described as much smaller than Mr. Harrison's potential circle.
Posts: 28,113