Josh Howard Disrespect.

[CowboysPlaya81]

From the LA Times



DALLAS -- The battered reputation of Josh Howard took another hit this week when an online video surfaced showing the Dallas Mavericks forward disrespecting the national anthem.

In a video posted on YouTube, Howard is shown on a football field at a charity flag football game. As the national anthem plays in the background, Howard approaches a camera and says: "The Star Spangled Banner' is going on right now. I don't even celebrate that . . . I'm black."

Howard's agent, Jeff Schwartz, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment. Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks' president of basketball operations, directed questions to team owner Mark Cuban, who in an e-mail declined to comment.

The incident is the latest off-court problem for Howard, a fifth-year pro from **** Forest who averaged 19.9 points and seven rebounds last season. He was arrested in July when police said he was drag racing at 94 mph in a 55 zone. A court appearance was scheduled for next week.

Howard was criticized last season for saying in a radio interview during a first-round playoff series against New Orleans that he occasionally smokes *********. Later that same series, he angered Coach Avery Johnson by throwing himself a birthday bash after a Game 4 loss to the Hornets.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opo2rPF_Fg4


What are your thoughts?

 

[ChefChiTown]

I'm not sure how I feel about that. I mean, one on hand, he could've been completely joking and this shouldn't even be being talked about by the public. On the other hand, why WOULD you say that? :dunno:

If you don't have the maturity to respect the National Anthem, then you don't have the maturity to respect our nation as a whole. Yet, people like that still live here and live their life as our country provides them with a good life. If you honestly think that the National Anthem is bullshit and you want to disrespect it by saying derogatory things or just not singing it at all...get the fuck out of our country.

 

[LBP 76]

Freedom of speech

 

[Friday on my mind]

Freedom of speech

Yep and others who don't like what he said can voice their disapproval.But I wish people would lose this "love it or leave it" crap.Being an American is suppose to be about being able to voice your opinion,you can still love something but find fault in it.
What he said here reminds me of what Muhammad Ali said when he refused to be drafted and sent to vietnam which was seen by the majority as being disrepectfull and unpatriotic in the extreme. He said, "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong ... They never called me ******."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammed_Ali


Eventually most came to see his stand and position as principled and legitimate for him as a black man.

 

[CowboysPlaya81]

Well said ^