James Harrison's Response to the Men's Journal Article
by John Stephens on Jul 14, 2011 9:29 PM EDT
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PrintI feel that it is necessary to post this article after the huge amount of backlash that James Harrison has received in the last 48 hours or so. This is straight off of his facebook page and has not been modified by me at all. I think it says a lot and I hope fans around the league get a chance to read it.
I’ll start by offering my apologies for some of the words that I said during the four days in May that Men’s Journal was invited to my house to discuss what the NFL has recently been portraying as their attempts at ‘player safety’ rules and regulations, and to cover my everyday workout routine.
I did make comments about my teammates when I was talking about the emotional Super Bowl loss, but the handful of words that were used and heavily publicized yesterday were pulled out of a long conversation and the context was lost. Obviously, I would never say that it was all Ben’s or Rashard’s fault that we lost the Super Bowl. That would be ridiculous. Both Ben and Rashard are great players and great teammates. Clearly the entire team bears responsibility for the loss, me included. It was a team effort and a team loss. My teammates know me well, and hopefully understand the things I said were not meant to accuse them of the loss. We all have discussed several things that went wrong in the Super Bowl since that day. What I do apologize for and take full responsibility for is for speaking in such a candid manner to someone outside the team.
I also need to make clear that the comment about Roger Goodell was not intended to be derogatory against gay people in any way. It was careless use of a slang word and I apologize to all who were offended by the remark. I am not a homophobic bigot, and I would never advocate intolerance of gay people.
As far as the photo that was shown on air yesterday, collecting guns is a hobby of mine, and I advocate the responsible use of firearms. I believe in the right to bear arms. I like to go to the shooting range. I like to hunt. I like to fish. I could just as easily have posed with my fishing poles but it obviously wouldn’t be an interesting picture for the magazine. I am not promoting gun violence by posing for that photo. There are also other photos in the magazine story that were not shown on air yesterday – including me with my sons, with my mom and as a kid.
Unfortunately, the above items and other comments have detracted from the original purpose of the story – a position I have been advocating for some time now. If player safety is the NFL’s main concern, as they say it is, they are not going about it in an effective manner. There’s nothing about extending the season or issuing exorbitant fines on defensive players that makes any shift toward the prevention of injury to players.
I believe that the league may have been feeling increasing pressure about injuries and concussions last year, and that they panicked and put rules in place that weren’t fully thought out. I’m not advocating more flags and fines, I’m just saying that the current rules are not completely fair, and I don’t believe in the way that the league is handling their position as overseer of the NFL and the well-being of its players.
As far as the character and reputation hits I may suffer as a result of my comments in the article, I’ll take those hits and more if it brings increased attention to the re-examination and installation of rules and regulations that would create a REAL impact on player safety.
Thoughts?
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Good response by James, even if it more than likely came mostly from his publicists/agent. It covered all the bases and apologized to everyone involved(except Goodell of course). I guess we all never really realized how much work the coaching staff puts in to keep Harrison from going off like this. Here’s hoping the lockout ends soon, because these last few months without team supervision for the players have not been good to the Steelers.
It is probably groomed by his publicist and agent, but it is still his opinions.
Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
by John Stephens on Jul 14, 2011 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions
You can tell it is him too, because in the last few paragraphs he brings up his frustrations with the league policy on player safety again.
Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
by John Stephens on Jul 14, 2011 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Fair enough. I suppose it is nice to know it’s actually him speaking, because you’re right, it’s unlikely his publicist or agent would’ve added that info in there if they were just creating a statement for him out of thin air. But still, it’s pretty clear how much they have an impact on, if not what he says, then how he says it, because his Men’s Journal comments and this statement are separated 180 degrees in tone and intent.
I love James, he’s a great player and it’s great to hear his big opinions from time to time. But he really needs to start thinking before going off on everyone at once like he did here.
I tend to believe JH.
He makes some valid points in this rebuttal (as well as in his original rant).
Certainly a pic posed with or near firearms makes for a better spread in a men’s magazine than a pic of JH with his mom.
Certainly things were probably taken out of context regarding his recriminations of the team’s SB loss. If the magazine printed everything he said word for word it would be a 600 page, James Harrison-only special issue…
And if Goodell and the NFL were truly looking out for the benefit of the players, they would take some of JH’s suggestions seriously such as shortening (or eliminating) the preseason and/or shortening the season. It will never ever happen because the dollar is the driving force behind it all. And it forever will be.
Just once I'd like someone to call me "Sir," without adding, "You're making a scene."
yea, but if you reduce dollars
then you reduce player salaries, which is what this lockout is all about. so let’s see if we can shorten the season or pre-season and ask for a 10-15% player wage reduction in the new CBA. see how that works with the players?
if you reduce the season or pre-season by just 2 games, players have to accept an immediate 8.75% wage reduction. this is just ridiculous, who is going to go along with that?
maybe james harrison on his lonely island but he might even change his mind when they cut $1mm out of his yearly paycheck.
Proving my point exactly. The dollar drives every aspect...on BOTH sides...
Just once I'd like someone to call me "Sir," without adding, "You're making a scene."
then it's a stupid idea
because the only thing the fans will be for is reducing the pre-season games, owners and players are against this.
that's the problem
harrison makes statements that are great and intriguing but they only make sense in some alternate universe.
everyone hates goodell (or what he stands for), fans, players and even some owners b/c he represents “the man.” he’s the guy whose task it is to take away the punch bowl at 10 o’clock for a party ending at midnight.
you are supposed to hate goodell, no one is going to say boo about that. now when you talk about pissing on him, calling him a devil and faggot, then you are on your own solitary lonely island. now you are the bad guy, that’s just the reality.
He's allready percieved as the bad guy.
This interview did not really change that fact. Godell made sure of that last season.
I don't
understand how calling someone a devil is such a horrible thing. I also don’t think Harrison is calling for a shorter season, he is however insinuating that the leagues stance on safety is bogus because they are pushing for a longer season.
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Jul 15, 2011 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions
actually, i thought harrison should have been a little more creative in his name calling
he really should have said something about goodell being nothing more than a glorified ticket writing meter maid. ‘devil’ just shows lack of imagination.
brought to you by Carl Jr's.
by SteelersVT on Jul 15, 2011 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Good enough for me.
Just get to playing James. The last thing this team needs now are more distractions. Let’s put this and any trade/release talk behind us and move forward.
BTSC Obituaries
OldManSteeler, ominously died two days before Superbowl 123 where the Ravens are set to attempt their 7th superbowl win, facing the Detroit Lions on Sunday. He was 86. His last words are are said to have been "MALOR CAN SUCK IT!!!". Like friends and family, we can only guess what this could mean.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Jul 14, 2011 9:52 PM EDT reply actions
Thanks! That's a direct quote from Homer J. Simpson.
Just once I'd like someone to call me "Sir," without adding, "You're making a scene."
he will go further
and directly apologize to goodell, the rooneys are going to push him to do this. he is going to come out with something like he hates the “safety hipocrisy” but he has nothing against goodell personally. you know it’s coming, you just have to wait for it.
Meh...
I don’t know about it, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt (although some of his past rants should make me feel otherwise). See you Week 1 Deebo….
"I hate your sig…" -Mr MaLoR
There is a lesson in this
Learn who you can really trust in the journalistic world.
Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...
by StoneColdSteel on Jul 14, 2011 11:00 PM EDT reply actions
Trust?
The author didn’t betray Harrison at all. I mean it’s not like the remarks Harrison made were fabricated, they all came out of his mouth. There is only one lesson James Harrison needs to learn and that is how to use his filter even during his “casual” interviews.
"In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women."
Tony Montana- Scarface
Yes and No
From the sounds of things they were in his house for 4 days hanging out – If you just throw out sensational comments out of context – then that is a bit deceitful. You are painting a different picture than the reality of the situation. Happens all the time on “Reality TV”, things are edited for the most impact, but you don’t see what actually took place to provoke said event.
so while I agree that James needs a filter (or gag order) it sounds like his conversations were sensationalized for impact – which is all about sales and has nothing to do with truth or helping James’ agenda. Unfortunate – hope he learned his lesson.
"I personally don't subscribe to that hocus-pocus. What happened in the other games will have no bearing on the outcome of this game. Each individual performance stands on its own. We're not buying into that."
Mike Tomlin - When asked about beating the Ravens three times in one season in 2008-2009 season.
by MDSTEELERSFAN on Jul 15, 2011 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Man
if you come to my house for four days and get me talking about various subjects, you’ll likely hear some extremely controversial stuff come out of my mouth.
If you pull them out of context you’ll be enraged but keep them in context you can at least see the logic going behind the statement and where I’m coming from. You may not agree and that’s fine but you won’t have the vitriol that you would have if you just heard a one liner.
Which is why when the writer was on ESPN he didn’t wanna talk about teammate quote because he knew he pulled that out of context.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Jul 15, 2011 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions
My point exactly
I think the average Joe would not want 4 days worth of conversation picked through for content – that would suck for 99% of the population – Media is so twisted. Regardless, James says things that are sensational – he doesn’t need help making it MORE sensational. Glad it wasn’t me.
"I personally don't subscribe to that hocus-pocus. What happened in the other games will have no bearing on the outcome of this game. Each individual performance stands on its own. We're not buying into that."
Mike Tomlin - When asked about beating the Ravens three times in one season in 2008-2009 season.
by MDSTEELERSFAN on Jul 15, 2011 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions
This is a fine response to me
He said all the right things. If he would have taken back his comments about Goodell I would have had a hard time buying it, but he only touched the gay remark which is probably a smart move on his part.
From all I have read his teammates seem to have his back which I think is hte important part.
He is a smart and passionate man
a lot can be said over a 3 day period especially if you are fiery and have some things on your mind and are provided an open forum to elaborate. 2% of his comments should not have been said in my opinion, the rest I agree with 98%
I think the real problem was media and shitbird fans of scrub teams. Peter King the Sycophant et al vilified Harrison, sickening to watch really. His teammates are big boys who take major hits from other angry pro athletes so I think they can probably deal with a few words spoken by an outspoken man.
I pledge allegiance to the Terrible Towel and the only team in America, and to the franchise for which it stands, one nation under Rooney, indivisible, with the ability to crush you all.
"He was popping off down there the first time they were about to score. So you run your mouth, expect to get something. Everything's between the lines, so he got what he had coming. He was running his mouth and getting in the way of the train, and the train wasn't coming off the track."
-James Harrison on Kyle Orton
You might enjoy this
Interview with the guy who interviewed James. There was allready one posted in the comments in the earielr thread. This is a diffrent one and a bit longer. Starts at about the 9 minute mark.
Where are the rest of those fans from other teams that chimed in after the quotes went public?
Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Oh they're here
They’re just probably not posting. But I will say that was a solid “by the books” response. He definitely needs to tip his agent and public rep. after that.
"I hate your sig…" -Mr MaLoR
by StuckInUtah on Jul 15, 2011 8:40 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Every athlete goes through their PR on stuff like that, that doesn’t negate it. They are still his ideas and thoughts.
Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
by John Stephens on Jul 15, 2011 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions
No doubt they’re his ideas. But did he issue a response because he’s sorry for saying “faggot” and throwing his teammates under the bus? Or did he issue a response because of everyone’s reaction to what he said? I think the answer is fairly obvious. Taken out of context or not, he would not have said those things if he didn’t mean them.
"I hate your sig…" -Mr MaLoR
by StuckInUtah on Jul 15, 2011 9:03 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
So I guess
If I hung out in your house for 4 days and then picked and chose sentences that came out of your mouth for the most impact in a story I wouldn’t have anything to read right? Nothing negative or a PC comment you shouldn’t have made?
Yes, he said everything that was reported – just not in the same context they were reported.
Context is everything. I know lots of guys that use the term Fag around their friends all the time – but would never say it to a gay person in a derogatory way – using it like the word dick – you are such a dick (you are such a fag) – Is that somehow derogatory to penis’s or the contrary – does he really think his boy is gay? We have become so PC that EVERYTHING can be deemed offensive regardless of intent – which is really the only part that matters. Now that doesn’t mean that people can be insensitive with their comments, but that doesn’t mean they meant harm either.
So yeah, he said it and he is responsible for the words that left his lips, but lets be honest here, he is a professional football player with a nasty streak, not a politician running for office (note that they are any better, tapping under bathroom stall, sending nude pics to women all over the country, downloading kiddie porn, etc).
Anywho, just my $0.02
"I personally don't subscribe to that hocus-pocus. What happened in the other games will have no bearing on the outcome of this game. Each individual performance stands on its own. We're not buying into that."
Mike Tomlin - When asked about beating the Ravens three times in one season in 2008-2009 season.
by MDSTEELERSFAN on Jul 15, 2011 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Well said. He is just a football player, not a politician. And believe it or not I love how Harrison has made himself the poster child of calling out Goodell, despite Goodell trying to make him the face of “illegal hits”. Its just kinda odd how on some other posts there are Steelers fans calling Harrison out and saying this time he’s gone too far, but the second an apology is made he’s immediately put back on a pedestal. I’m not going to deny I’d do the same thing if a Ratbird player did something similar, but I guess that comes with the territory of being a NFL fan.
"I hate your sig…" -Mr MaLoR
by StuckInUtah on Jul 15, 2011 9:31 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I will say
I love that Suggs backed up Harrison during the season and flat out said that he was being targeted by Goodell.
"I personally don't subscribe to that hocus-pocus. What happened in the other games will have no bearing on the outcome of this game. Each individual performance stands on its own. We're not buying into that."
Mike Tomlin - When asked about beating the Ravens three times in one season in 2008-2009 season.
by MDSTEELERSFAN on Jul 15, 2011 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think he threw his teammates under the bus. I think his quotes were manipulated. He had a 4 day long conversation and I don’t believe his quotes on Ben or Mendy were directly transcribed.
And I really don’t care that he thinks Gooddell sucks, because apparently a lot of players agree with him. The slur was out of line, but let he who has not made an inappropriate comment in their life cast the first judgement. Until then, people should get off their high horse, because we use cars now a days and you just look silly on it.
Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
by John Stephens on Jul 15, 2011 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Players definitely are not very fond of goodell. Mason tweeted this
"Why Dont j.Harrison tell goodell how he really feel about him.."
"Unfortunately for goodell, perception is reality in our sport and a lot of ppl perception of him is not good. Is it fair? I don’t know"
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
I was most intrigued for the lockout to end to see an explosive free agency, but what will happen to Harrison is just as appealing now. I think he should be fined, but I really don’t see how you can suspend him.
Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
by John Stephens on Jul 16, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I think they need to carefully think what and how if anything they're going to do.
James obviously does not respond respond well to the stick. If they just punish him it might make things even worse. The good thing is that there’s probably nobody better to handle this than the Roonies and coach Tomlin.
Dude
He already called Ben before he issued the statement and before the reaction. So I’d say that the reaction didn’t drive it.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Jul 15, 2011 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
It's a nice response from his agent/publicist.
I don’t think this repairs the damage done. He can say he’s sorry now, but he is still going to have to deal with the the fallout of this whole mess.
" Just go and lay your hand on a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, and then I think you'll finally understand"
" In America" Charlie Daniels Band
I understand
his stance. The magazine released certain quotes without context to draw attention to the issue, it will probably sell like hot cakes due to the major reaction it garnerd. The only thing I had an issue with was the slur, which I think he dealt with well here.
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Jul 15, 2011 8:21 AM EDT reply actions
Of course
James has to come out and state the obvious, that anyone would have known if they would have taken their head out of the sand and saw the report for what it was – a simple attempt for getting headlines.
You can look at the comments and tell that they were plucked out of a long conversation and the writer intentionally did not include the context in order to allow our imaginations to run wild and assume we knew exactly what James meant. I thought it was obvious so the first time I saw it I laughed but on the slowest sports news day of the year the thinking caps were taken off in favor of the mob mentality.
No apology needed here James, you say a lot of crazy things but they always have a good amount of truth to them. And about the teammates quote, as long as Ben and Rashard are fine with them then I am too. Thick skin is something that is required for an NFL player I’d imagine. Heck you need thick skin to be a high school football player, some of the coaches are brutal.
I love the Steelers.
Guilty as charged
He still needs filter though.
"I personally don't subscribe to that hocus-pocus. What happened in the other games will have no bearing on the outcome of this game. Each individual performance stands on its own. We're not buying into that."
Mike Tomlin - When asked about beating the Ravens three times in one season in 2008-2009 season.
by MDSTEELERSFAN on Jul 15, 2011 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
+1
I think Warren Sapp and Jamie Dukes said it best. Deebo is like that crazy uncle thats will always say something crazy. His teammates understand this about him and accept him for he is.
Stay thirsty my friends.
by SteelerMessican on Jul 15, 2011 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Wait, Harrison is Deebo?
I never caught which player you guys were referring to when you called him Deebo. Now I know, and:
13.
by Wiedmann on Jul 19, 2011 6:57 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
my two cents
Most likely already covered, but – What was deemed an anti gay slur was probably not an anti gay slur at all. It was simply a catch all insult, I think. I’m sure James isn’t intellectually all there to discern the difference between anti gay and not with a word that is used all over the place away from the mainstream media’s eyes. Only after the fact, and with advice of a publicist did he retract his statement. This wouldn’t of even garnered a second look in the culture of the “hood” – which is where Mr Harrison is from. Not everybody is a politician, but we expect political correctness even from aggressive, angry, and thick necked football players. It’s like thinking Fulbright scholars with an ivy league education and upbringing should be able to rap about the hood. Not happening.
Secondly, we will never get rid of sexist or racist comments when sexism and racism run rampant in our culture and society (it does). It is simply a reflection of our society, and when racism and sexism cease to exist, then we can worry about the “words.” People actually believe homosexuality is a choice. You can’t argue with those that wave the bible in front of you as support for their argument that homosexuality is amoral – so insults that stem from this are inevitable, and we should accept them with caution. If one educated enough then we can expect better behavior. Otherwise, expectations are set too high, and disappointment or outrage will follow. I could be wrong, but think we should be more tolerant of ignorance.
As far as his comments about goodell and urine, big deal. Inflammatory, yes, but consistent with Harrison’s flippant attitude. I also don’t think he should have thrown his teammates under the bus in public, but as long as his teammates are ok with it, again – big deal. Move on.
I also need to make clear that the comment about Roger Goodell was not intended to be derogatory against gay people in any way. It was careless use of a slang word and I apologize to all who were offended by the remark.
Excuse my language, but bull fucking shit. Any time someone uses that word it is intended to be used in a derogatory way. What is it supposed to mean when you say it “Goodell is a dumb dumb head”? No, it means Goodell likes to take it up the you know what.
Flacco's first 3 years vs. Brady's, Manning's and Brees' first 3 years
Flacco threw for just 21 fewer passing yards than Brady and tossed four fewer interceptions. Flacco threw for 1,655 more yards than Brees, two more touchdowns and four fewer picks. Manning, who averaged 88 more passes per season, threw for way more yards and touchdowns than Flacco, but also tossed 24 more interceptions.
I don't know about that.
I think there’s a Louis C.K. stand up you need to see. Not gonna post it here because some might find it inappropriate. He’s a shock comic but does make a point.
Details?
Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
by John Stephens on Jul 18, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
That ____ made the sh*t out of my coffee.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Jul 18, 2011 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
there is also Louis
his tv show. He touches on the same topic there in one of the early episodes. You can stream it on netflix
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Jul 18, 2011 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
really?
Really? Then I suppose my 12 year old sister is a homophobe because she has carelessly been calling things gay recently. Yes, it is wrong, but a lot of ppl use slang words and don’t stop and think what they actually mean. Same with “suck”. The origin of suck isn’t clear, but many if not most believe it originated from and means to suck a male organ, yet 99 % of kids today are using the word and I don’t think many of those kids actually mean that literally. This isn’t something Harrison tweeted, it’s something that he was emotionally speaking about to a reporter.
by Mathew Cowdery on Jul 17, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
a kid saying "gay" and a grown man saying it are totally different
12 year old kids do not really understand hate speech, men should know better. if you hate goodell say you hate the man (which james did) and leave it at that. when you call goodell a faggot you are either insinuating that he sucks d*ck or you hate the guy and you are very upset at him. calling people derogatory names is not only childish but your message gets heavily watered down because many people now assume you lack education and the ability to clearly communicate your message.
and as a grown man you do not need to call someone within your profession, crook, puppet, devil or faggot to get your point across. this is where you get into trouble and cross the line.
…but your message gets heavily watered down because many people now assume you lack education and the ability to clearly communicate your message.
Since when do we expect football players to be well educated? We all know that athletes enroll in ‘Rocks for Jocks’ simply to satisfy credit requirements, but now they are supposed to be scholars? Should polysci majors and Phd’s be able to hang with dudes in the hood? it’s a double standard, and culturally we are defining our society based on black and white. Are you with us or against us. Zero’s and One’s. No gray’s are acceptable.
that is true
but all you need is basic common sense to know that using the word faggot on record is not a smart thing to do. call a spade a spade, if you can’t get your point across without all the flowery adjectives you probably are going too far.
Well he wasnt trying to offend gay people, just Goodell. Too bad the majority take the word “faggot” offensively no matter what the context. Just like most women take the word “cunt” offensively no matter the context
So where he says he didnt intend it to be “derogatory against gay people” I believe him. He wasnt trying to offend gay people in general, just Goodell.
A long way from Pittsburgh PA, in fact, 8653.2 miles to be precise. My blood still bleeds black and gold like the rest of Steeler Nation, proud fan since 2002.
BTSC's token Kiwi fan. That means I'm a New Zealander. Yes, that small country next to Australia....no we are not part of Australia
by Michael Hewitt on Jul 18, 2011 5:26 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Disagree
You are going off the deep end. People are way too sensitive, man it is getting time to take back our swear words! It’s pretty gay how upset you are getting or the comment, have a hissy why don’t you.
Just because people are insensitive it doesn’t mean there was malice directed at a group. Simple fact of the matter is that words have power, but a lot of them are tossed around carelessly, because they are used so frequently in conversation that the impact is lost on anyone who is not in the affected group.
I guess that none of your friends has ever told you to stop being such a Jew because you thought something was too expensive – did you go off on him for being an Anti-Semite? I am sure @ the University of MD, no one has ever been in a conversation regarding some one Indian and someone asked “Dot or Feather?” Did you call BS there too? Now lets get down to the real deal – White Slurs. Cracker? Trailer Trash? Redneck? Hill Billy? Coon -Ass? Do you know ANYONE who would be up in arms about one of these being used? Didn’t think so.
When something is pervasive in the lexicon it diminishes it’s power, especially when it is a derogatory term frequently used by the groups in question. However – let he who is without sin cast the first stone – think about all the things that have crossed your lips before you call BS.
He HATES Goodell and called him a faggot – right or wrong, that is part of his vocabulary and was directed at one man – not an entire group, or an entire race, one man is who he meant it for. Is it pretty? No, it isn’t. Should all american gays be upset that James is trying to put Goodell in their group? Probably, but he meant no harm to homosexuals when he said what he said – he was trying to belittle one man – now he is paying the price.
"I personally don't subscribe to that hocus-pocus. What happened in the other games will have no bearing on the outcome of this game. Each individual performance stands on its own. We're not buying into that."
Mike Tomlin - When asked about beating the Ravens three times in one season in 2008-2009 season.
by MDSTEELERSFAN on Jul 18, 2011 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Learn to read
It was not intended to be used in a derogatory way against gay people. It was meant to be derogatory to goodell.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Jul 19, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Journalism
Not to single out Men’s Journal, because the recent issue also had an excellent piece on overmedication through the lens of one man’s sad struggles.
But I think magazines, newspapers, even television should have greater transparency when they conduct interviews and put the entire transcript online. Being taken out of context is very easy in the age of soundbites, twitter and email. But the digital age also offers a relatively easy and inexpensive way for the entirety of conversation, research and backdrop to be posted online.
you need a history lesson
durin the dark ages when witches were being burned so were homosexuals. However only witches rated stakes, queers were thought of as no more than the “faggots” or kinkling that were used to stoke the fires and were only thrown into the fires. This is how the two became linked, and why it is such a disturbing term for some.
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Jul 19, 2011 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
The word
hasn’t been used like that in decades, therefor the most common use of the word is what becomes the definition of the word. I know you think your funny, but you are just being an offensive ignoramus. Don’t hide a bullshit definition, if you want to use the word use it, but while your at it why don’t you use any racial slur you want as it is just as offensive.
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Jul 20, 2011 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Whatever
I’m not playing your purile word games. You can claim to be using the word any way you want, but everyone knows the truth
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Jul 21, 2011 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
True
but words are the way people verbalize that hate
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Jul 21, 2011 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
but that doesn't mean that verbalization always is borne in hate.
Words are just words. It’s all about context.
13.
don't disagree
with this at all.
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Jul 25, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Stop James
Stop the bull James. No one took your comments out of context-you said what you said period. If you do not want to be ‘misunderstood’ then think before you open you big yap.
Just shut up and play football-that is what you are paid to do.
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