Star-Spangled Banner' Blunders
A camera at a celebrity flag-football game became Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard's worst nightmare. Howard turned to the camera and said, "'The Star-Spangled Banner' is going on right now and I don't even celebrate that s--t. I'm black, goddamnit." Click through the gallery to see other anthem blunders.
YouTube
Pop singing "sensation" Kat DeLuna bombed before a national audience on Monday Night football this week. Her horrendous rendition of the national anthem made Americans laugh and cringe simultaneously.
See for Yourself
ESPN / YouTube=
Singer Caroline Marcil forgot the words twice at a 2005 Canada-U.S. hockey game. With fans booing, she left the ice to get the lyrics, only to fall on her butt. See for Yourself
Leopold Rousseau, Le Journal de Quebec / AP
Toni Smith would conduct her own silent protest before each Manhattanville basketball game in 2003. Smith would turn her back on the American flag during the playing of the national anthem in protest of the impending war in Iraq.
Stuart Ramson, AP
Mo Cheeks came to the aid of young Natalie Gilbert who panicked while singing the national anthem before a 2003 Western Conference Quarterfinals playoff game. Cheeks, who was the Portland Trail Blazers head coach at the time, actions inspired an arena-wide sing-a-long. See for Yourself
Jon Ferrey, Getty Images
Macy Gray kicked off her version at the 2001 Pro Football Hall of Fame game by singing, "Oh say, can you see, by the twilight's gleaming."
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
At the 2001 Indianapolis 500, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler famously switched the words to say " ... and the home of the Indianapolis 500."
Tom Strattman, AP
Before Janet Jackson, there was Lucy Lawless. The 'Xena' star busted out of her bustier while singing the high note at a hockey game in 1997.
Universal International Television / Getty Images
Michael Bolton didn't endear himself to fans at Fenway Park before Game 4 of American League Championship Series. The American singer-songwriter forgot the words to the national anthem resulting in a hail of boos. See for Yourself
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
Denver Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf Abdul-Rauf refused to stand for "The Star-Spangled Banner" before games, stating that the flag was a "symbol of oppression" and that the United States had a long "history of tyranny".
Michael S. Green, AP
This video was taken prior to a charity celebrity flag-football game put on by Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony. There's a lot of random chatter going on, but the bit that's going to get people talking starts right at the 1:42 mark when Josh Howard
The Star-Spangled Banner's going on right now and I don't even celebrate that s--t. I'm black, goddamnit.Wait ... what? It's not worth trying to parse any meaning from his comments because it's obvious he threw them out there without thinking. Lately, that's been a recurring trend.
I don't think Howard is a bad guy and I doubt he hates America (it feels silly to even say that, but I know some viewers will jump to that conclusion), but it's getting harder and harder to explain away his PR gaffes. First the marijuana thing in the playoffs, then the birthday party, then the drag racing ... For the first four years of his career Howard was a relatively anonymous role player. Have the last five months simply been a ploy to increase his name recognition? Because it's working. (Update: Mark Cuban responds)
(via You Been Blinded and Deadspin)
Outspoken Owner
If you thought Mark Cuban saves his wrath for NBA officials, you're wrong. The fiery owner posted some of the racist e-mails he got regarding the Josh Howard incident on his blog, being sure to add in the sender's e-mail address. See some more of Cuban's colorful tenure in sports.
Roy Dabner, AP
Cuban, who became a billionaire by selling his company to Yahoo! in 1999, purchased the Dallas Mavericks in 2000 for $285 million from H. Ross Perot Jr. The Mavericks were a floundering NBA franchise, having a small following and struggling on the court.
Paul Buck, AFP / Getty Images
Cuban became a very hands-on owner, spending his time on the court rather than up in the owner's box, and not afraid to celebrate or scream at officials or players.
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
Cuban has had his share of spats with NBA commissioner David Stern, as the league has fined the owner more than $1.6 million for various comments and actions.
Bill Janscha, AP
After saying "I wouldn't hire him to manage a Dairy Queen" about the NBA's head of officiating in 2002, the company challenged Cuban to work in one of its stores for a day. Cuban accepted, and served frozen treats at a Texas location.
LM Otero, AP
Even Cuban's ex-players aren't spared wrath, as after the former Maverick returned to Dallas in the 2005-06 season, the owner encouraged fans to shower him with boos.
Douglas C. Pizac, AP
Even one of his own players thought Cuban should take a lesser role one the sideline. Saying it was a "bit much" for him to be next to the bench, Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki said "he's got to learn how to control himself as well as the players do."
J. Pat Carter, AP
Cuban's biggest fine came after the 2006 NBA Finals, as he was fined a quarter-million dollars for various transgressions during Game 5 as the Mavericks fell behind in a series they led 2-0 and eventually lost to Miami.
Stephen Dunn, Getty Images
In 2007, Cuban competed with Kym Johnson on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," and lasted five episodes before he was voted off the program.
Carol Kaelson, ABC
Cuban's latest sports venture could include one of baseball's storied franchises, as he's in the running to buy the Chicago Cubs from Tribune Company.
Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Comments (Page 1 of 18)
Wait, what *are* they doing out there, man.
Wow after watching Josh Howard's rant and using the N-Word we are worried about a Joke from the MNF Crew. Just another sign of double standard in this country...
Nothing like shooting your self in the foot rightously.......your a very stupid manchild Josh Howard!!!!!
I don't know. I think he's trying to make a political statement on how Obama was criticized for not recognizing the national anthem hence the, "I 'm black I'm not supposed to celebrate the national anthem, right" or something to that effect.
What a tool, seriously could you get more ignorant?
I stand up to avoid getting stuff thrown at me when I'm at Nuggets games... that's about it. I can respect people that don't get down with the National Anthem... nothing to get too fired up about in my view. Flame away, flamers.
I stood up for six years so you could have the privledge to buy into the slave crap that those who want to control you are shoving down your throat. I can't even afford to go to a game. The country that allowed your success, is to blame. Suggest you get a window cut in your stomach so you can see where you are going.
Well I tell you what you piece of crap, either love america or leave it. I'll spring for the ticket. Problem is you cant come back. coward
you are perfect example of an idiot. if you cant be a patriot go to Russia, they need idiots like you
Please Josh Howard tell us how the USA has been so bad to you. Was it the welfare and food stamps that the govt. and U.S. tax payers provided you after your father left you as a child that allowed you to grow into a 6'5 210lb man? Was it the free healthcare via medicaid that allowed you to get multiple operations on your legs as a child to help you walk straight? Maybe its all the free schooling you received throughout your life which allowed you to play on the schools basketball teams? Hmm..Maybe your angry because you get paid millions of dollars a year to play a kids game and our society still allows you to act like a lowlife, ghetto, street thug? Maybe the fact that you scored a 500 on your SAT's and still was allowed to attend a university?
Well said!
That is probably the best commentary you can say about him!!!! WOW, great role model huh? My 9 year old loves him, maybe I'll let him see a piece of this crap!! Piece of CRAP!! NBA PUNKS
typical white conservative answer regardless of all the government aid you said, u dont know what its like to be black in america and never!! will keep your elitist answers to your self
AMEN!!
I feel rob was right on the mark. If Mister?, if you can call him that, (you only call men Mister) Howard feels that strongly about the country that allowed him to succeed in life playing a childes game instead of working like a man and getting a real job, but then again he had no father figure, then maybe he should look for another place that will GIVE him the same chances he got growing up. My taxes along with many others went into taking care of him and his family, and to show that much disrespect is just unacceptable. I just wonder how Mark Cuban will address this issue. For all sports fans this guy, Howard, is a looser.
Well said...
Couldn't be said any better. Excellent response.
Would you say the samething to your trailer park friends or relatives. Or would you say that to all of the (jews, italians, latinos and irish settlers who came through Ellis Island) foreigners in America that got their riches from living in the PROJECTS (The reason why the gov created projects and the ones who still benefit from it today)
Yes, Howard is making milions now. So did his college and the team and NBA. It's called business. You get payed what you are worth, while others that support you or others that use your talent (college) give you a free education while they use you to market their product (school b-ball program, baseball program, softball program, football program, etc.) And those that have nothing of interest to the school. Have to pay.
So are you mad with a person who understands their self worth to a society that would not love or like him if he had nothing for it. And they would only see him as another blk man as you did in you comments.
The message is that your history is someone elses pain. A nation that took from slaves and gave nothing back. Remember masters got credit for their slaves intelegence and work (inventions, creations, art, hard work, etc).
Just like 9/11 is America's pain, But some are celebrating.
I was Josh Howard fan before because he was supposedly a God-fearing man. But he's just an ungrateful, immature, ignorant (can tell he came he came straight out of HS) baby.
I couldn't have said it better!!!!! We need more like you