Jimmy
”
The Greek
”
Snyder was fired because of similar remarks. Al Campanis was run
out of baseball for them.
Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder was fired because of similar remarks. Al Campanis was run out of baseball for them.
And Michael Irvin? Nothing thus far.
What Irvin said was that Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo’s athletic ability must be due to African-American heritage.
An innocuous statement? It would be if Jimmy “The Greek” had been cut slack by Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Speaking of which, I am still waiting to hear from either of them.
A double standard? You bet. But then, I have always wondered how Irvin even keeps his job at ESPN.
Forget what you think about him as a commentator. Remember the drug bust a year ago. The marijuana pipe belonged to a longtime friend, Irvin said, but it was found in his car. And it wasn’t the first time drug paraphernalia was found on Irvin.
At that point, one had to figure that Irvin walks on water at ESPN. Harold Reynolds and Jason Whitlock get handed their walking papers at ESPN, and Irvin stays. Go figure!
Most of us have reached the stage where we don’t blink an eye when there are commentators of any color or gender. After all, Joe Morgan, Tom Jackson, Robin Roberts and Pam Oliver are all at the top of their professions.
But nobody, or everybody, should be given carte blanche. It has to work both ways or it doesn’t work at all.
I root for Tiger Woods because of his work ethic and his strong mind, not his color. I am a huge LaDainian Tomlinson fan because every time he visits the end zone, which is quite often on Sundays, he acts as if he has been there before rather than showing up defenses. I like the role models that LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have become.
It’s not because they are all African-Americans. It is because they are outstanding athletes who happen to be wonderful individuals as well.
I have never been a Michael Irvin fan, not when he played football or since he ended up in the booth. The man just doesn’t get it. He never has. That doesn’t make me a racist any more than Irvin is.
And I don’t believe Irvin is a racist. I truly believe his remark was made in jest and that he meant no harm. Just as I believe Jimmy “The Greek” and Al Campanis weren’t racists either. But they weren’t given a free pass and Irvin shouldn’t get one either.
Otherwise, there truly is a double standard in sports.
