Chiefs He’s not ‘Kansas City Nice’ — Marcus Peters’ rocky relationship with Chiefs fans - Page 5

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-08-2017, 09:14 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...188867624.html

He’s not ‘Kansas City Nice’ — Marcus Peters’ rocky relationship with Chiefs fans

Marcus Peters’ shoulders rose as he was told the boss wanted to talk with him. This was in October, leading up to a game against the Steelers, which doubled as the Chiefs’ annual military appreciation day. The purpose of the meeting was understanding. Clark Hunt, the Chiefs’ chairman, has been clear that he wants all his players to stand for the national anthem. He is also reserved, described by one league source as one of the NFL’s least intimidating owners, and according to a second source went out of his way through words and body language to make it clear to Peters that this meeting was to be man-to-man, not boss-to-employee. Hunt wanted to understand Peters’ perspective, and Peters wanted to offer his own in return. Accounts from several people familiar with the meeting align with the same story — an honest exchange with respectful disagreement. That Sunday, for the first time since 2015, Peters did not sit or kneel or ride a bike or raise a fist or otherwise visibly protest racial inequality during the national anthem. He stayed in the locker room instead, with a staff member who let him know when the song finished. Peters will not be pressured into anything. This is a decision he made on his own. “I think the meeting meant a lot to him,” according to one of the sources. “I think after that, he thought, ‘I’ve made my point, and I’m not going to back down, but I can stay back and listen to my music.’”

That wasn’t all to come from the meeting. Peters has focused his charitable giving in Oakland, where he grew up literally across the street from his high school football field. He does camps, holds a carnival, spends time, offers advice, even paid for some kids to travel to Africa. Hunt complimented Peters on that, but also encouraged him to do some similar work in Kansas City. Shortly after, Peters told the Chiefs he wanted to find a poor neighborhood and give out turkeys for Thanksgiving. The organization suggested where to buy the turkeys, but the rest of it was Peters’ idea and action. Soon, he’ll do something similar with a coat drive. Many inside the franchise see these as significant steps, hopeful that along with time it will help mend a clearly broken relationship between Peters and many Chiefs fans. But starting with Peters throwing an official’s flag into the stands against the Jets and walking off the field before another loss was completed, this past week further exposed a deeper truth about a man and city so fundamentally different and diametrically opposed.

The most divisive issue around the Chiefs is reignited — Peters smiling and high-fiving a Jets player as he walked off the field, later coming back out with no socks, and an unprecedented suspension from Reid. Everyone has taken a side, from those bothered by the protest to those who have long thought he’s unfairly treated. Peters in Kansas City is something of a powder keg. He has never been in a place quite like this, and Kansas City has never had athlete quite like him. This is an arranged marriage, one built because a general manager and top lieutenant who are no longer here thought his talent was worth the 18th pick of the 2015 draft. The relationship, by virtually any measure, has never been rockier than at this very moment.

Two theories about Marcus Peters were presented to Kansas City’s mayor. This was on the 29th floor of city hall, in Sly James’ office. He was multi-tasking with thank-you cards and a note of encouragement to Royals manager Ned Yost, who had recently taken a nasty fall. James, who is African-American, put his pen down to listen. The first theory is that the self-segregation of so much of Kansas City makes this a particularly important and particularly difficult place to have any productive conversation about race. The seven-figure mansions around Loose Park are just a mile from Troost, but the neighborhoods they represent are effectively opposite in race and wealth. Without that interaction, it becomes easy and natural for stereotypes to engrain on each side. Peters is an ungrateful and disrespectful millionaire, or those who don’t like him are bigots who mangle his intended message. In many ways, opinion on this depends on geography. The second theory is that Peters’ background and his new city were always going to clash, two cultures that cannot live in harmony. Oakland is where the Black Panthers started, a place where expression and individualism are not just celebrated but in many ways required.

Kansas City is more laid-back, conservative, a place where many African Americans say the expectation is to fit in — “aspire to be the safe black guy,” in the words of one Chiefs fan who moved from Kansas City to Oakland. “I grew up in Johnson County and there are things inside of me that I wouldn’t display because I know what the reaction would be,” said Prentiss Earl, a black man from Kansas City and entrepreneur involved in many local organizations. “Here, you don’t get 100 percent of what someone is because they know the environment would reject it. You don’t have that in Oakland.” James nodded his head listening to both theories. He’s heard this before, talked about this before, and wants to spread it to a larger audience. “There’s way too little relationship building,” James said. “Too little familiarity. I go to way too meetings where they’re all white, and I’ll purposely say to them, ‘Who’s not in this meeting and tell me why and what we’re going to do about it?’

“We’ll never reach that greatness until we start understanding the true meaning of integration. Not ‘tolerance integration,’ and not ‘I work with a black guy’ integration. But real integration. It’s been a problem in this city for a long time. It remains a problem today. “Look, Marcus is from Oakland. That’s a totally different cultural environment than Kansas City, especially for black folks. Kansas City is much more laid back. Been described as ‘Kansas City Nice.’ He’s not ‘Kansas City Nice.’ “I don’t mean that as he’s not nice. He simply has a different approach. I don’t have a problem with that approach. We wouldn’t be having this conversation if it wasn’t for his approach. A lot of people wouldn’t be having this conversation without him, and it makes them uncomfortable, but that’s OK.” This is a terrific opportunity, for all of us, no matter which side of Troost we live on. Even barbecue preferences are often divided at least in part by race. Nothing brings Kansas City together like the Chiefs, and here is a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback pushing a conversation that cannot be ignored from Olathe to Odessa, Baldwin to Blue Springs, from Independence and Prospect to 63rd and Ward Parkway.

So far, we’re mostly blowing that opportunity.

This was always going to be a delicate mix. Peters comes from a culture of strong self-expression, and Kansas City is generally more conservative. Peters hasn’t said much about why he protests, but last year he said it was in part to show he loves being black, which goes against the cultural norms many African-Americans in Kansas City say they experience. According to the Chiefs’ presentation to host the NFL draft, there are 23 military bases within 300 miles of Arrowhead Stadium and 217,000 active, reserve or retired soldiers within 140 miles. Maybe it’s ironic that this is the same place that yells “Chiefs” at the end of the anthem, but anything that can be perceived as anti-military is sensitive here. All of that is context, which no matter what else existed would make Peters’ message harder to land here than, say, Seattle or Atlanta. “It’s trickier here,” is how one team source put it.

In Seattle, defensive lineman Michael Bennett (who shares an agent with Peters and Marshawn Lynch, among others, and has kneeled during the anthem) is a spokesman for issues relating to race. Peters hasn’t talked as much about it, and the team has not encouraged him to. At least part of that is a lack of belief that it would help — Peters isn’t going to soften or clean his words, and many who disagree with him aren’t going to hear the message otherwise. At least one major sponsor has expressed frustration about the protest’s effect on business, but none have pulled out of contracts or diminished their commitments. The team hears from angry fans, but few or none have cancelled season tickets. But even if the controversy is not directly impacting the Chiefs’ business, the club still considers it a problem and remains mostly vexed about what to do with it.

Kansas City is a conservative market, with a strong military presence, and a general expectation that athletes stay in line. Peters might be the most expressive and unapologetic athlete in Kansas City history. He has expressed support of the military and belief in America’s future but is not interested in repeating the point or following any cultural norms. One team source described the situation as “complicated,” and noted that Peters is a leader in the locker room. No easy answers exist with a player unmoved to make his case publicly and a fan base that is at least largely unmoved to listen anyway. The flag throw and the walk-off and the suspension have created another round of anger, on all sides, the positions by now planted. The number willing to listen to the other side continues to drop. The opportunity for something productive to come of this continues to slip away.

Vernon Howard is a pastor and one of Kansas City’s most active civil rights leaders. He is the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which traces its history back to the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. Howard was so moved by Peters’ protests that he wanted to give him the group’s president’s award at next month’s national conference. “His is a very peaceful and professional protest and is courageous and in line with how athletes have used their platform to speak to these very issues within these communities they have come from from and emerged out of,” Howard said. “I commend him for acknowledging that it has been protest and activism that has allowed him the opportunity to live such a blessed live in American. He hasn’t forgotten. That’s commendable.” There is “some community energy bubbling” from Peters’ protests, in the words of Sam Mann, another local pastor and civil rights activist. Howard is organizing what he calls “sacred conversations,” in which representatives from his and other black churches invite themselves to white churches in the suburbs in an attempt to understand each other. He said he is hopeful, and that Peters’ platform is helping move the conversation forward.

Others aren’t as optimistic. Larry Clopton is a longtime youth football coach in the urban core, and said he’s left Chiefs groups on Facebook because of how often the conversations turned to Peters without what he thought was open-mindedness. “People need to understand exactly what he’s doing this for, and I don’t think they’re taking the time,” Clopton said. “So it made me too frustrated. Facebook is supposed to be entertainment.” Earl said he sees it similarly. “If people want to understand, then yes, productive conversations can come from this,” he said. “But it doesn’t seem like anyone is interested in understanding where he’s coming from. I’m going, even though I’m an optimistic kind of person, I don’t see how that scenario plays out. Simply because people aren’t interested.”

Back on the 29th floor at city hall, the mayor continued with his point about pushing this conversation to places and people that aren’t necessarily comfortable with it. Optimism is part of James’ job description, but he remembers how often he and other veterans were treated badly upon returning from Vietnam. If that has changed so drastically to such wide support for soldiers, why can’t something similar happen with race? Productive conversations often start with arguments, he said, so maybe the productive part is still on the way. But it’s going to require people to stop assigning their own perceptions to Peters’ stated purpose, and to at least be willing to listen.

“We have to find a way to address this that as soon as it comes up people don’t shut down or start a fight,” James said. “I don’t (know how to do that), but there are people who do. I want to find them and bring them in and start that. This is a subject that has to be

Chief Northman · 12-09-2017, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILChief

As with most things in life, there is blame on both sides?

Peters is an immature hothead. Not a good teammate in times of adversity. Doesn't always give max effort, especially when the team is losing.

The Midwest is full of older, white, conservative people who don't like it when things change. I don't mean that as an insult. Just the way it is. That's why Trump did so well in the region. He captured the "your way of life is under attack, bring back the good old days" narrative and people in the region like that.

Peters isn't like the fanbase. And neither side shows any desire to understand the other. This is just a microcosm of our society as a whole. Demonize those you disagree with. Not blaming either side, as both are guilty

I respectfully disagree.

I think what infuriates most about Peters is his obvious displays of poor effort, unwillingness to tackle, and his selfish acts (sceaming at coaches/teammates, taking stupid penalties). I think more people permit his protests and ghetto persona if he just did his job as a football player - play hard, be a team player. Every human can value that. When it is all about Marcus, there is a problem.

**Bearcat** · 12-09-2017, 09:51 AM

Hey Whitlock, Sam here... I need a click bait type of headline and an angle on Marcus Peters, whatcha' got?

Chief Northman · 12-09-2017, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Hey Whitlock, Sam here... I need a click bait type of headline and an angle on Marcus Peters, whatcha' got?

Heh.

Best22 · 12-09-2017, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Again, rewind to week 1 when peters was by all accounts a pro bowler giving full effort. There were more than a substantial amount of people calling for him to be traded. And then the weeks that followed when he was still giving effort, an even bigger chunk of people criticizing every little mistake looking for excuses to hate the guy. So that's total bullshit that nobody cares about the protests. This has been a little game where both he fans and Peters are at fault. The fans overreacted, Peters reacted to the overreaction, which led to a bigger fan reaction, and so on and so forth. Fans enabling peters, and Peters responding by poking back.

Both are guilty in this. I just hope we don't lose a player at a position we badly needed because of it. And I hope we don't lose opportunities for free agents who see how peters was treated. Seattle has much bigger loudmouths than Kansas city. You barely hear a peep from their fans giving their players a hard time.

When did I say nobody cared about the protests? Of course some people cared.

It's wrong to pretend that everyone that is critical of Peters is simply venting frustration from anthem stuff. They're not. Kelce got a lot of stuff thrown his way after his Jaguars referee meltdown

When you get dumb penalties, don't give 100%, and walk off on your team, there will be criticism.

While I disagree with Peters protest, if he was a true shutdown corner that played 100%, talked all types of trash, I'd love him. And so would most KC fans. Sadly, Peters ain't that guy

**doomy3** · 12-09-2017, 10:22 AM

See, this doesn’t work when one of the city’s favorite players is Tyreek Hill. I’m sure Aquib Talib’s issues are because he wasn’t Midwest nice either.

Jimkcchief88 · 12-09-2017, 10:36 AM

What a mess this has turned into. Look only to your neighbor to the East. Stanton said no to $250 million from the Cardinals. Minorirty players are now chosing not to deal with the perceived midwestern attitudes. What a shame. This “shut up and play” and not have an opinion ain’t working. The ironic part is that the Chiefs and the AFL helped integrate the NFL. You guys need to watch “Full Color Football: History of the AFL.” The AFL had to raid small, historically black colleges to fill their rosters. Brush up on the history of the Chiefs people. We are supposed to be throwing our support behind MP. 98% of this board just doesn’t get it. Disappointing. The players of the AFL boycotted their all-star game over segregated accommodations. That was in the 60’s. So much for progress on Chief

stevieray · 12-09-2017, 10:46 AM

I'm so sick of this shit.

As long as people see each other as adjectives, nothing will ever change.

Peters has no excuse.

None.

Best22 · 12-09-2017, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimkcchief88

What a mess this has turned into. Look only to your neighbor to the East. Stanton said no to $250 million from the Cardinals. Minorirty players are now chosing not to deal with the perceived midwestern attitudes. What a shame. This “shut up and play” and not have an opinion ain’t working. The ironic part is that the Chiefs and the AFL helped integrate the NFL. You guys need to watch “Full Color Football: History of the AFL.” The AFL had to raid small, historically black colleges to fill their rosters. Brush up on the history of the Chiefs people. We are supposed to be throwing our support behind MP. 98% of this board just doesn’t get it. Disappointing. The players of the AFL boycotted their all-star game over segregated accommodations. That was in the 60’s. So much for progress on Chief

It's not because he's black. That's the mistake people are making. It's about on-field performance. If it was about race, everybody would be after Tyreek, but they aren't, they love him. I see a ton of people wearing #10 Jersey

Stanton picked NYY over the Cards because it's a far nicer city, and a much better team.

Black Bob · 12-09-2017, 10:49 AM

I love guys with a mean streak but that's not Peters. He's a little bitch who cries "that's not fair" and acts like a baby when he gets beat. **** him. I would even trade him to the Raiders. His attitude sucks. He is probably the most overrated player in the league too. He gets beat regularly and definately doesn't deserve a pro bowl nod this year.

Otter · 12-09-2017, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Best22

It's not because he's black. That's he mistake people are making. It's about on-field performance. If it was about race, everybody would be after Tyreek, but they aren't, they love him. I see a ton of people wearing #10 Jersey

Stanton picked NYY over the Cards because it's a far nicer city, and a much better team.

I love these "tough" guys that come out and draw negative attention to themselves every chance they get then when people get annoyed with them it's because "it's because he's black!!! you racist".

No, it's because he's an annoying, self-centered, cancer that's negatively affecting the people around him.

Real men stand up and take responsibility for their actions. Cowards and pussies hide behind excuses and boogie men for their actions. Like Peters.

It's not about race as much as much as you peter apologists want to shove that defense down "old, white, mid-westerns" (who's stereotyping again?) throats. But keep beating that dead horse because with every false accusation you take a little more credibility of the term to when it can be rightfully applied.

stevieray · 12-09-2017, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otter

It's not about race as much as much as you peter apologists want to shove that defense down "old, white, mid-westerns" (who's stereotyping again?) throats.

....knew that "White" was going to be in this article

Simply Red · 12-09-2017, 11:33 AM

Get the **** out of town Peters - 'ya feel me?'

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-09-2017, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARROW2

NONE of the protests are about the veterans or the flag. It's others, including the divider in chief who changed the narrative

He sure did, didn't he? Damn good thing we have term limits, and that narcissistic, pitiful excuse for a globalist parading as a President had no choice but to leave the White House.

HUZZAH!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Red

Get the **** out of town Peters - 'ya feel me?'

Kinda' surprised at you on this one, Red. Not mad at ya' though, boo. You'll always be one of my favorite people on the planet Earth.

ChiefsCountry · 12-09-2017, 11:48 AM

If you are an asshole, you better produce. People can put up with a producing asshole. People won't put up a non-producing asshole.

WhiteWhale · 12-09-2017, 11:57 AM

I'm more concerned with Peters sub-par play, lack of effort, and his habit of walking off of the field during games because his feewings are hurt.

This was supposed to be the season he established himself as the best CB in the game, and instead he's gone backwards.

12-08-2017, 09:14 PM
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	He’s not ‘Kansas City Nice’ — Marcus Peters’ rocky relationship with Chiefs fans http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...188867624.html He’s not ‘Kansas City Nice’ — Marcus Peters’ rocky relationship with Chiefs fans Marcus Peters’ shoulders rose as he was told the boss wanted to talk with him. This was in October, leading up to a game against the Steelers, which doubled as the Chiefs’ annual military appreciation day. The purpose of the meeting was understanding. Clark Hunt, the Chiefs’ chairman, has been clear that he wants all his players to stand for the national anthem. He is also reserved, described by one league source as one of the NFL’s least intimidating owners, and according to a second source went out of his way through words and body language to make it clear to Peters that this meeting was to be man-to-man, not boss-to-employee. Hunt wanted to understand Peters’ perspective, and Peters wanted to offer his own in return. Accounts from several people familiar with the meeting align with the same story — an honest exchange with respectful disagreement. That Sunday, for the first time since 2015, Peters did not sit or kneel or ride a bike or raise a fist or otherwise visibly protest racial inequality during the national anthem. He stayed in the locker room instead, with a staff member who let him know when the song finished. Peters will not be pressured into anything. This is a decision he made on his own. “I think the meeting meant a lot to him,” according to one of the sources. “I think after that, he thought, ‘I’ve made my point, and I’m not going to back down, but I can stay back and listen to my music.’” That wasn’t all to come from the meeting. Peters has focused his charitable giving in Oakland, where he grew up literally across the street from his high school football field. He does camps, holds a carnival, spends time, offers advice, even paid for some kids to travel to Africa. Hunt complimented Peters on that, but also encouraged him to do some similar work in Kansas City. Shortly after, Peters told the Chiefs he wanted to find a poor neighborhood and give out turkeys for Thanksgiving. The organization suggested where to buy the turkeys, but the rest of it was Peters’ idea and action. Soon, he’ll do something similar with a coat drive. Many inside the franchise see these as significant steps, hopeful that along with time it will help mend a clearly broken relationship between Peters and many Chiefs fans. But starting with Peters throwing an official’s flag into the stands against the Jets and walking off the field before another loss was completed, this past week further exposed a deeper truth about a man and city so fundamentally different and diametrically opposed. The most divisive issue around the Chiefs is reignited — Peters smiling and high-fiving a Jets player as he walked off the field, later coming back out with no socks, and an unprecedented suspension from Reid. Everyone has taken a side, from those bothered by the protest to those who have long thought he’s unfairly treated. Peters in Kansas City is something of a powder keg. He has never been in a place quite like this, and Kansas City has never had athlete quite like him. This is an arranged marriage, one built because a general manager and top lieutenant who are no longer here thought his talent was worth the 18th pick of the 2015 draft. The relationship, by virtually any measure, has never been rockier than at this very moment. Two theories about Marcus Peters were presented to Kansas City’s mayor. This was on the 29th floor of city hall, in Sly James’ office. He was multi-tasking with thank-you cards and a note of encouragement to Royals manager Ned Yost, who had recently taken a nasty fall. James, who is African-American, put his pen down to listen. The first theory is that the self-segregation of so much of Kansas City makes this a particularly important and particularly difficult place to have any productive conversation about race. The seven-figure mansions around Loose Park are just a mile from Troost, but the neighborhoods they represent are effectively opposite in race and wealth. Without that interaction, it becomes easy and natural for stereotypes to engrain on each side. Peters is an ungrateful and disrespectful millionaire, or those who don’t like him are bigots who mangle his intended message. In many ways, opinion on this depends on geography. The second theory is that Peters’ background and his new city were always going to clash, two cultures that cannot live in harmony. Oakland is where the Black Panthers started, a place where expression and individualism are not just celebrated but in many ways required. Kansas City is more laid-back, conservative, a place where many African Americans say the expectation is to fit in — “aspire to be the safe black guy,” in the words of one Chiefs fan who moved from Kansas City to Oakland. “I grew up in Johnson County and there are things inside of me that I wouldn’t display because I know what the reaction would be,” said Prentiss Earl, a black man from Kansas City and entrepreneur involved in many local organizations. “Here, you don’t get 100 percent of what someone is because they know the environment would reject it. You don’t have that in Oakland.” James nodded his head listening to both theories. He’s heard this before, talked about this before, and wants to spread it to a larger audience. “There’s way too little relationship building,” James said. “Too little familiarity. I go to way too meetings where they’re all white, and I’ll purposely say to them, ‘Who’s not in this meeting and tell me why and what we’re going to do about it?’ “We’ll never reach that greatness until we start understanding the true meaning of integration. Not ‘tolerance integration,’ and not ‘I work with a black guy’ integration. But real integration. It’s been a problem in this city for a long time. It remains a problem today. “Look, Marcus is from Oakland. That’s a totally different cultural environment than Kansas City, especially for black folks. Kansas City is much more laid back. Been described as ‘Kansas City Nice.’ He’s not ‘Kansas City Nice.’ “I don’t mean that as he’s not nice. He simply has a different approach. I don’t have a problem with that approach. We wouldn’t be having this conversation if it wasn’t for his approach. A lot of people wouldn’t be having this conversation without him, and it makes them uncomfortable, but that’s OK.” This is a terrific opportunity, for all of us, no matter which side of Troost we live on. Even barbecue preferences are often divided at least in part by race. Nothing brings Kansas City together like the Chiefs, and here is a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback pushing a conversation that cannot be ignored from Olathe to Odessa, Baldwin to Blue Springs, from Independence and Prospect to 63rd and Ward Parkway. So far, we’re mostly blowing that opportunity. This was always going to be a delicate mix. Peters comes from a culture of strong self-expression, and Kansas City is generally more conservative. Peters hasn’t said much about why he protests, but last year he said it was in part to show he loves being black, which goes against the cultural norms many African-Americans in Kansas City say they experience. According to the Chiefs’ presentation to host the NFL draft, there are 23 military bases within 300 miles of Arrowhead Stadium and 217,000 active, reserve or retired soldiers within 140 miles. Maybe it’s ironic that this is the same place that yells “Chiefs” at the end of the anthem, but anything that can be perceived as anti-military is sensitive here. All of that is context, which no matter what else existed would make Peters’ message harder to land here than, say, Seattle or Atlanta. “It’s trickier here,” is how one team source put it. In Seattle, defensive lineman Michael Bennett (who shares an agent with Peters and Marshawn Lynch, among others, and has kneeled during the anthem) is a spokesman for issues relating to race. Peters hasn’t talked as much about it, and the team has not encouraged him to. At least part of that is a lack of belief that it would help — Peters isn’t going to soften or clean his words, and many who disagree with him aren’t going to hear the message otherwise. At least one major sponsor has expressed frustration about the protest’s effect on business, but none have pulled out of contracts or diminished their commitments. The team hears from angry fans, but few or none have cancelled season tickets. But even if the controversy is not directly impacting the Chiefs’ business, the club still considers it a problem and remains mostly vexed about what to do with it. Kansas City is a conservative market, with a strong military presence, and a general expectation that athletes stay in line. Peters might be the most expressive and unapologetic athlete in Kansas City history. He has expressed support of the military and belief in America’s future but is not interested in repeating the point or following any cultural norms. One team source described the situation as “complicated,” and noted that Peters is a leader in the locker room. No easy answers exist with a player unmoved to make his case publicly and a fan base that is at least largely unmoved to listen anyway. The flag throw and the walk-off and the suspension have created another round of anger, on all sides, the positions by now planted. The number willing to listen to the other side continues to drop. The opportunity for something productive to come of this continues to slip away. Vernon Howard is a pastor and one of Kansas City’s most active civil rights leaders. He is the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which traces its history back to the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. Howard was so moved by Peters’ protests that he wanted to give him the group’s president’s award at next month’s national conference. “His is a very peaceful and professional protest and is courageous and in line with how athletes have used their platform to speak to these very issues within these communities they have come from from and emerged out of,” Howard said. “I commend him for acknowledging that it has been protest and activism that has allowed him the opportunity to live such a blessed live in American. He hasn’t forgotten. That’s commendable.” There is “some community energy bubbling” from Peters’ protests, in the words of Sam Mann, another local pastor and civil rights activist. Howard is organizing what he calls “sacred conversations,” in which representatives from his and other black churches invite themselves to white churches in the suburbs in an attempt to understand each other. He said he is hopeful, and that Peters’ platform is helping move the conversation forward. Others aren’t as optimistic. Larry Clopton is a longtime youth football coach in the urban core, and said he’s left Chiefs groups on Facebook because of how often the conversations turned to Peters without what he thought was open-mindedness. “People need to understand exactly what he’s doing this for, and I don’t think they’re taking the time,” Clopton said. “So it made me too frustrated. Facebook is supposed to be entertainment.” Earl said he sees it similarly. “If people want to understand, then yes, productive conversations can come from this,” he said. “But it doesn’t seem like anyone is interested in understanding where he’s coming from. I’m going, even though I’m an optimistic kind of person, I don’t see how that scenario plays out. Simply because people aren’t interested.” Back on the 29th floor at city hall, the mayor continued with his point about pushing this conversation to places and people that aren’t necessarily comfortable with it. Optimism is part of James’ job description, but he remembers how often he and other veterans were treated badly upon returning from Vietnam. If that has changed so drastically to such wide support for soldiers, why can’t something similar happen with race? Productive conversations often start with arguments, he said, so maybe the productive part is still on the way. But it’s going to require people to stop assigning their own perceptions to Peters’ stated purpose, and to at least be willing to listen. “We have to find a way to address this that as soon as it comes up people don’t shut down or start a fight,” James said. “I don’t (know how to do that), but there are people who do. I want to find them and bring them in and start that. This is a subject that has to be
Posts: 88,960

12-09-2017, 09:51 AM	#62
Bearcat Would an idiot do that? Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Arizona Casino cash: $-885069	Hey Whitlock, Sam here... I need a click bait type of headline and an angle on Marcus Peters, whatcha' got?
Posts: 59,474

12-09-2017, 10:22 AM	#65
doomy3 Supporter Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $3313539	See, this doesn’t work when one of the city’s favorite players is Tyreek Hill. I’m sure Aquib Talib’s issues are because he wasn’t Midwest nice either.
Posts: 12,878

12-09-2017, 10:36 AM	#66
Jimkcchief88 Banned Join Date: Dec 2017 Casino cash: $10000400	What a mess this has turned into. Look only to your neighbor to the East. Stanton said no to $250 million from the Cardinals. Minorirty players are now chosing not to deal with the perceived midwestern attitudes. What a shame. This “shut up and play” and not have an opinion ain’t working. The ironic part is that the Chiefs and the AFL helped integrate the NFL. You guys need to watch “Full Color Football: History of the AFL.” The AFL had to raid small, historically black colleges to fill their rosters. Brush up on the history of the Chiefs people. We are supposed to be throwing our support behind MP. 98% of this board just doesn’t get it. Disappointing. The players of the AFL boycotted their all-star game over segregated accommodations. That was in the 60’s. So much for progress on Chief
Posts: 204	0 2

12-09-2017, 10:46 AM	#67
stevieray Most things I worry about… Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $-1134727	I'm so sick of this shit. As long as people see each other as adjectives, nothing will ever change. Peters has no excuse. None.
Posts: 74,006

12-09-2017, 10:49 AM	#69
Black Bob Veteran Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Mohawk Town Casino cash: $10004900	I love guys with a mean streak but that's not Peters. He's a little bitch who cries "that's not fair" and acts like a baby when he gets beat. **** him. I would even trade him to the Raiders. His attitude sucks. He is probably the most overrated player in the league too. He gets beat regularly and definately doesn't deserve a pro bowl nod this year.
Posts: 4,408

12-09-2017, 11:33 AM	#72
Simply Red You Sweetie! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2021206219 VARSITY	Get the **** out of town Peters - 'ya feel me?'
Posts: 71,691

12-09-2017, 11:48 AM	#74
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $-1401248	If you are an asshole, you better produce. People can put up with a producing asshole. People won't put up a non-producing asshole.
Posts: 52,008	1 0

12-09-2017, 11:57 AM	#75
WhiteWhale Bring it on Ahab! Join Date: May 2011 Location: Doo-Dah Casino cash: $10015152	I'm more concerned with Peters sub-par play, lack of effort, and his habit of walking off of the field during games because his feewings are hurt. This was supposed to be the season he established himself as the best CB in the game, and instead he's gone backwards.
Posts: 14,861