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Instead of Letting It Go, McNabb Releases Statement on Hopkins, Marcus Hayes Continues to Play the Race Card
By Ryan Gillon
Published:
Nice suntan!
Can't it just die already?
I was proud of Donovan McNabb for not immediately jumping the gun with a response to Philadelphia's own fist-throwing, big-mouthed, ignorant-ass jerkoff… Bernard Hopkins. McNabb has always been a classy guy who has carried himself as a professional, but his way of words in the public eye has rarely ever helped his case.
By not responding, McNabb showed that whether the comments were justified or not, he was above the criticism. He showed that he could let it just die and go away, which would make Hopkins look even worse. The player I loved growing up (and still love) finally figured it out… and I was proud.
Then, without fail, McNabb responded via his agent, Fletcher Smith.
Before I delve any further, read his statement:
"Ill-informed statements such as the perplexing one Mr. Hopkins muttered recently are dangerous and irresponsible. It perpetuates a maliciously inaccurate stereotype that insinuates those African-Americans who have access to a wider variety of resources are somehow culturally different than their brethren.
"Donovan successfully led the Philadelphia Eagles franchise for a decade. He is the ultimate professional. On the field, he embodied confidence, hard work, assertiveness and a mutual respect for his teammates and the organization. Off the field, Donovan has been an outspoken advocate in the fight against diabetes, which has disproportionally affected the black community. He has given his time to bring awareness to this disease, which unfortunately affects 4.9 million African-Americans. Additionally, he is also involved in many other social initiatives. Donovan has always prided himself on being a leader who possesses impenetrable integrity. He will continue to exemplify the same characteristics in his future endeavors and will remain committed to serving all communities.
"Donovan's parents are proud Americans who worked hard to give their sons the best childhood they could provide. He is unapologetically proud of sacrifices they made for him. Donovan and his brother were raised to be hard-working African-American men who were taught to believe in themselves.
"It is vital that we extinguish this brand of willful ignorance and instill in the minds of African-American youth regardless of the parental makeup of your household they can become anything they wish if they work hard and make the right decisions in life.
"I wish Mr. Hopkins luck in his upcoming fight."
Look, I agree with practically everything in this statement, but it wasn't necessary! And here's why:
- Everyone already knows that the comments made by Hopkins were irresponsible. Shit, they were irrational to boot. There was no need to reiterate that point.
- By talking about how Donovan "successfully led the Philadelphia Eagles franchise for a decade" again, it's going to set off the people in this city who will bitch about not winning the Super Bowl.
- It's great that McNabb does charity work that brings awareness to diabetes, especially one that affects five million African-Americans… but no one was saying that he wasn't. What's more, that factoid isn't particularly relevant based on Hopkins' verbal assault, in my opinion.
- There is no need to defend his upbringing. Children don't have much control over how they were raised and everyone knows that. The comment feeds the irrationality displayed by people like Hopkins. Again, silence is golden here.
- I must admit I like his final point regarding African-American youth. If the whole statement was more focused on Hopkins' poor behavior and its possible effect on children who look up to African-American athletes, this statement would have been more meaningful and effective.
- He should have concluded by saying that he wouldn't let B-Hop around his kids. Nutshot.
What would really make this worse is another rebuttal from Hopkins. There is no need to let this drag out any longer. Hopkins already looks like the bitter ex-girlfriend in this situation.
You should have just let it die, Donovan.
Marcus Hayes 102 Words of Wisdom
Marcus Hayes "covered" McNabb's response yesterday in this morning's Philadelphia Daily News. "Covered" is in quotes merely because only 102 of the words in the piece are his, and his stupid and pointless remarks were merely stated hoping that McNabb's words would do all the talking for him.
Here are the two purposes that McNabb's statement served, according to Hayes:
First, it gallantly and accurately defended McNabb's unimpeachable character and considerable athletic accomplishments.
Second, given its convoluted wording and elitist tone, it proved Hopkins' point: McNabb and his brand are fully assimilated into a culture of corporate white America.
The first one is fine, I guess. Although, living in this city, that statement almost sounds sarcastic, and who the hell knows at this point?
The second point pisses me off. Let's be clear about something here. Bernard Hopkins had no point in what he said this week. His comments were misinformed, ignorant, and just plain mean. For Marcus Hayes to reintroduce race – which he did here with Chase Utley – into a discussion which started with nothing but an unprovoked and spastic case of verbal diarrhea is ridiculous.
For Hayes to think that writing that second point and following it up with just McNabb's statement might be even worse. If you make a point like that, one that is so directed and strong, you should back it up. And he didn't. He posted the text of the statement and blindly hoped that people would agree with such a stupid fucking brief assessment.
McNabb shouldn't have responded. McNabb did defend his brand, but what athlete doesn't? Why the hell can't the race card be left in the deck with this guy? Do I have to bring up Rush Limbaugh?
Marcus Hayes was ignorant on this topic, just like B-Hop. Plain and simple.
Ignorance… it's everywhere.