Flanagan: LJ rips Vermeil in HBO interview

[tk13]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/16118327.htm

JEFFREY FLANAGAN TOP OF THE MORNIN’
Kansas City Star

Johnson tuned out when Vermeil talked

Larry Johnson, appearing in a feature with Cris Carter on HBO’s “Inside the NFL” this week, makes it clear again that he really wasn’t all that interested in playing for Dick Vermeil.

“I wouldn’t pay attention,” Johnson said of playing under Vermeil. “My eyes, I would be up in the sky. You know, I would be sleeping in my locker. I wouldn’t carry my playbook because I was just trying to get away from this building, you know, when Dick was here.”

(It should be interesting when Vermeil calls the Chiefs-Oakland game for NFL Network Dec. 23.)

Carter’s interview with Johnson, which appears at 9 tonight, also focuses on LJ’s relationship with Herm Edwards.

Carter asked LJ, “Do you think Herm Edwards, being an African-American and you being raised, of course, by an African-American, that you see a lot of similarities in Herm that you saw in your dad that made you open up to him?”

LJ’s response: “I think so. I could relate to Herman. I couldn’t do that with the other coaches I had because they had not done it. You know, they haven’t put those pads or they haven’t been in the situation as a young black athlete and know what we had to go through.

“You know, when we go out, you know, we like to go out. You know, we like to hang out. We like to have fun. But then you got to worry about the guy around the corner with the gun. You got to worry about this girl on the block. You got to worry about, you know, your parents. You got to worry about your homeboys taking advantage of you.

“There’s so much things you got to worry about being a young black athlete. And to be able to have a father like mine and have a coach like Herm, I was able to escape a lot of those realities and find myself in a new ray of light.”

Edwards also contributes to the show.

“First time I saw (Johnson), I said: ‘Are you ready? Are you ready to touch the ball 30 times a game?’ ” Edwards said. “And he kind of looked up at me, and he probably thought, ‘I haven’t even met coach yet, and he’s — what, is he messin’ with me?’ ”

[johnnykev]

Originally Posted by stevieray

and it wasn't that long ago a white trucker was pulled from his truck and hit in the head with a brick.

stop pretending that the hate that this country can't seem to let go of doesn't rest on both sides of the fence.

I don't think that he's pretending that there isn't hate. But "pretending" that it's alright to insult those different from you just on the basis of a few circumstances is problematic. It would be like me saying that because one white guy raped and murdered a little girl that all white guys are rapists and murders of little children. Just keep perpetuating the hate you've got brewin' and nothing will ever change.

[ChiefaRoo]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsfan88

If LJ has a problem listening to old white guys, does this mean he tuned out Joe Pa as well?

Right, why did he decide to go to PState to begin with. I don't think this is a White or Black thing. I think LJ is a stupid kid and Grandpa Dick was a tight assed old man. Simple as that.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by johnnykev

Please, enlighten me as to how we are the same. Racism is in your words right there. That is a white, middle-class thought process. What is wrong with acknowledging that people are different? Your experiences are not mine and mine are not yours. So stop trying to say that we are the same. We are anything but that.

We're all alike on the inside.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by johnnykev

What the hell does that have to do with black vs. white racism? Genocide and the repurcussions of Nazi Germany are a totally different subject. We're talking black and white (if you can even differentiate "race" as only these two colors or pigments of skin). So I guess, no, I do not understand what point you're trying to make. Jews do not have the same experience as a black man today. This is not to say that the atrocities seen done to the Jewish people is of lesser importance or significance. Lord, think before you speak.

Oh my gosh man, are you going to actually say that race amd racism played no part in what Nazi Germany did to the Jews??????? I'll certainly "think" before I speak, but you shouldn't even be allowed to speak period because of how you think.

Try to follow the bouncing ball. . .

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by johnnykev

....Just keep perpetuating the hate you've got brewin' and nothing will ever change.

Tell that to LJ and some of those rapper friends of his, too...will you? Sadly, it's not a one-way street, man.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

Let's see:

1. You reject the idea and importance of common human experience being more significant than things like money and fame. Check.

2. You equate being responsible, tactful, and mature with what "JimNasium I would expect." Okay, you got that one right; but according to you, I guess I shouldn't expect that of him.

3. You seem a bit star-struck, to me. Personally, many (especially spoiled and ungrateful athletes including many in Hollywood) of these people don't impress, at all. They seem to have most of the same experiences and struggles that all of us have--except maybe they are magnify, and publicized much more so by their celebrity. I've been a season-ticket holder for six years.....been to TC in River Falls four of the last five years. You know how many "autographs" I personally have? Not one. Because they don't mean nothing to me.

FTR, I didn't grow up in a sheltered environment; LJ's environment was/is much more sheltered than that I knew for the first 20 years or so of my life. I mentioned it earlier, I DID grow up in the ghetto...the shit I witnessed growing up, still gives me nightmares on occasion.

4. I'm not insisting on my values: it's just the "right thing" to do....to simply do the adult and responsible thing, IMHO. If he chooses to be a thug/a banger/a ganster....fine. Look at what's happening to the NBA. It's too bad, as far as I'm concerned--not only for him/them, but for those who consider him/them to be role models, regardless of whether they "should" or not.

5. I just think, by age 27 he should be growing up. He got a late start on his celebrity, so there is still time. I just want LJ to grow up. Dick was/is right: he still needs to take off the damn diaper. That's all I'm saying.

Hell, he's acting in "real life" the way we do on a silly-assed discussion board. At least I know, in "real life" I'm not Mr. Kotter. I hope LJ doesn't have to look at that LJ (he showed in that interview) in the face in the mirror every morning for the next 50-60 years. That would be pretty depressing. Hopefully, he'll figure it out.

JMHO

Great, so now you're going to turn it around on me? Whatever, Man.

1. If your so called *common human experience* is truly the same as LJ's and you can't understand his point of view, then something is wrong with you because most of the high-profile black atheletes today would probably feel the same way as LJ. Therefore, your experience is not the same as his, period.

2. Expecting ANYONE to be tactful, mature and responsible is a reach, IMO, regardless of wealth and status. I know wealthy people and I know not-so wealthy people and maturity and tact are lacking among both. I'm actually pleasantly surprised when either of those qualities appear from anyone, let alone a high paid athlete.

3. So now, you've lived in Hollywood and hang out with "stars" here and you've hung out with star athletes as well? Not just "Hi, nice to meet you" but actually eating, drinking and hanging with them? Interesting. Well, my experience has been that most "stars" are very down-to-earth and gracious. I live in a neighborhood were many "famous" people reside and let me tell ya, they're pretty much the same as you and me. I've yet to meet a *star* with an ego, but then again I've never met Tom Cruise (though a neighbor friend did an audition a few years back and says he's every bit the jackass we've seen recently).

I've known many athletic *stars* and most have been complete a*holes. Superiority complexes, "big man on campus" syndrome, etc. I fail to see a "common human experience" from someone such as my neighbor Doris Roberts and LJ. Nowhere near the same.

4. The idea of "the right thing to do" and your values are one and the same. If you go against your values, aren't you doing the "wrong thing"? I don't see how those two are exclusive. They're the same.

5. "You just think...". Well, that's your opinion and of course you're entitled to it. But I don't think that maturity or growing up having any bearing on whether or not LJ feels more comfortable with an African-American, ex-NFL coach or a 70 year-old white coach. Maturity shouldn't be a factor as whether he's comfortable or not.

6. I'm pretty sure that LJ's happy. He's jet-setting, leading the NFL in rushing and is setting himself up for a monsterous NFL contract. If he's not happy, it would have to be something much deeper than offending a random white person regarding his comfort level of playing for Herm or DV.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

To be fair, you really should start listing all the horrible crimes against white people, committed by black people....too.

Just to be fair.

What? Black people actually commit crimes against white people? No - where?

If so, I'm sure they have a very good reason for it.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by johnnykev

Just keep perpetuating the hate you've got brewin' and nothing will ever change.

The hate I've got brewin'?

[JonesCrusher]

Originally Posted by johnnykev

Please, enlighten me as to how we are the same. Racism is in your words right there. That is a white, middle-class thought process. What is wrong with acknowledging that people are different? Your experiences are not mine and mine are not yours. So stop trying to say that we are the same. We are anything but that.

People like you are dependants of racism, you use it as an excuse for everything, you would be lost without it, you might have to start being responsible for your own actions without your poor little old picked on me crutch.

Grow the F**k up!

[FAX]

Lets all just crack a pop in our ass and get along little dogies.

FAX

[Brock]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

3. So now, you've lived in Hollywood and hang out with "stars" here and you've hung out with star athletes as well? Not just "Hi, nice to meet you" but actually eating, drinking and hanging with them? Interesting. Well, my experience has been that most "stars" are very down-to-earth and gracious. I live in a neighborhood were many "famous" people reside and let me tell ya, they're pretty much the same as you and me. I've yet to meet a *star* with an ego, but then again I've never met Tom Cruise (though a neighbor friend did an audition a few years back and says he's every bit the jackass we've seen recently).

Oh Jeezus. Here we go again.

[MVChiefFan]

Originally Posted by stevieray

and it wasn't that long ago a white trucker was pulled from his truck and hit in the head with a brick.

stop pretending that the hate that this country can't seem to let go of doesn't rest on both sides of the fence.

And, what did that stem from? A black person getting beat senseless by white police officers. We could just keep flip flopping hate crimes. I'm not saying that there isn't wrong on both sides but c'mon, blacks have been second class forever now. Sure, it may be getting better but it's still going to take time. All I'm saying is don't rip on people when you haven't walked in their shoes. For all we know, LJ may have had a horrible life. That's what frustrates me the most is that everyone has a damn opinion about what everyone else does or thinks, just let it go. We all need understanding instead of just "get over it".

[johnnykev]

Originally Posted by TEX

Oh my gosh man, are you going to actually say that race amd racism played no part in what Nazi Germany did to the Jews??????? I'll certainly "think" before I speak, but you shouldn't even be allowed to speak period because of how you think.

Try to follow the bouncing ball. . .

Where in there did I say that racism had nothing to do with Nazi Germany? I mentioned black vs. white - here in America. So, no, I never said that "racism played no part in what Nazi Germany did to the Jews". I think I made the point of different situations that cannot and should not be compared due to the severity of their differences. It's like comparing apples and oranges.

[Crashride]

LTis better than LJ because he can handle interviews better

[johnnykev]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

Tell that to LJ and some of those rapper friends of his, too...will you? Sadly, it's not a one-way street, man.

Yeah, but it all begins with one person. I won't tell LJ and "some of those rapper friends of his". I'll worry about the possibilities of hatred existing in me. That's where change occurs. Perhaps you ought to consider that too instead of putting the responsibility to change on someone other than yourself.