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
I know this first-hand because I've already written two posts about Howard this week (here and here), which means I've been tasked with trying to moderate the hundreds of comments left behind by readers. It's been the worst part of my day -- it's absolutely disgusting the things people will say when hiding behind a curtain of anonymity, things that would almost certainly get a person fired if they said them aloud in their workplace instead of typing them on a computer.
Of course, I wasn't the only person who's had to read all of these comments. Mark Cuban, Howard's employer as well as the most accessible owner in professional sports, received countless "suggestions" by email, but instead of doing what I did (ie, quietly deleting them while lamenting the fate of humanity), he took a more satisfying approach -- sharing them on his blog:
I wanted to thank all of you who took the time to email me with your comments on how best to deal with Josh. They were so good, I thought I would share a few of them with everyone. Including the email addresses of those who were bold enough to use real email addresses.I won't re-print any of the messages he posted (it'd defeat all the hard work I did trying to keep that stuff off the site, no?), but I absolutely applaud him for doing what he did. Howard's comments were offensive to many Americans, but when it comes to social ills plaguing this country, racism and intolerance trump lack of patriotism any day of the week. (Update: Cuban took the post down, explaining his decision here.)
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 16)
Whatever.This is my first blog on this topic,but what Howard said and did is pathetic.Granted,some of the comments I read on here were even worse than Howard himself,but lets not forget that Howard is the one fanning the flames of racism by hiding behind his own Black Ancestors and spitting in the face of his country, and all those who fought and died trying to overturn the injustices inflicted on Blacks in this country.This country has afforded him a life of privelege,and instead of trying to do something positive,all he can do is spew his unjust hatred,and racist attitude in return.Josh is a coward,and you can't sugarcoat or deflect that truth.
Howard made a flippant comment to friends at a flag football game -- this wasn't a display of hatred, nor an intentional public protest.
How did he fans the flames of racism? He stated his opinion and why. I know a lot of white people aren't racist but and it's a very big BUT the are a lot more racist white people than non-racist white people. To a large percentage of black people who have been discriminated against and brutalized simply for the color of their skin, called N++ger just for walking down the street the America you speak of just doesn't exist. It's more like Amerikkka. Black people will begin to heal from the wounds of slavery as soon as the majority of white Amerikka stops calling us N++gers, brutalizing us for being black, discriminating against us for being black, refering to us on comment sections as monkeys...blah, blah, blah. It's hard to "get over" something that is thrown in a negative way in your face everyday of your life by the very people telling you to get over it. Again not all white people feel or act this way and I admit that. But enough do.
Well said Mr. G
Mr.G You da man. Well said.
J. Howard was speaking for himself. Not all blacks think as he does. He was honest and out spoken.When you are honest and out spoken you are not a coward. In the past I have had ambivalent feelings about my country and its belief and justice and equality. As a nation we have much work to do towards making this country a level playing field for all. It as been 400 years and we are still stuck in neutral. Stop the blame game and let all of us examine ourselves. These expressions are just food for thought!
Yes, as an african AMERICAN I'd like to say that I find Josh's comment socially unacceptable. However, he spoke to the disconnect that many young people feel (not just young Blacks). NEVERTHELESS, MANY OF THE COMMENTS MADE DIDN'T SPEAK TO JOSH'S LACK OF PATRIOTISM BUT TO MANY PEOPLES' EXTRAORDINARY HATRED. I bet these people believe they are Christians and good citizens of this country. They should not be explained, they should be called out, held up for all to see as destroyers of our society not contributors.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Wow Mr. G. So right on. I have tried to tolderate the blacks over the years hoping someday the the bigotry would somehow stop someday. But I have been physically threatened i college and my son had a black lady spit in his face while he was working a fast food place. My tolerance is beginning to wear tthin
you are correct
Isn't this why America is GREAT, our,fathers,forefathers,etc. who gave their lives so we can speak freely with out being imprisoned are put to death for saying what we feel! Where but America can you make fun of a Presidents mother,wife ,daughter,son,father,and still be walking around with your tongue still in your mouth, as for as racist,aren't we all to some extent racist,look at Jesse Jackson,better yet look within yourself,There was only one person who we know to be free from sin,and the RACIST killed him,hung him on the cross, So let the man speak,whether it's for fun,or from his heart it is his RIGHT!! Thank God for America the land of the Free and the home of the Brave. Rober McCorvy
what do you expect .. they dont like whites , they dont like our country they just like blacks .? sounds like obama .. wake up america before they destory us ....
Afforded him a life of privilege? What planet do YOU live on Mr. G? Must be nice to be born white and live white. You know nothing about being a black man in America in 2008! Things have changed, but nothing has changed. A young black man is still more likely to be considered guilty until proven innocent--provided he's not killed by a trigger-happy white cop. I get sick and tired of somebody jumping on a black man who says something that probably wasn't for public consumption and then rant on about "all those who fought and died trying to overturn the injustices inflicted on Blacks in this country". I don't think WWI, WWII, The Spanish-American War, the War of 1812, The War of 1848 or the Wars Iraq I and II were about overturning "the injustices inflicted on Blacks in this country". A case as such could be made about The Great Civil War, but people like you would probably say it was fought over "states rights" and not about ending slavery. Your argument on this matter is misinformed and disingenuous. It has nothing to do with a young black man being excorciated for making a flippant remark. It has everything to do with the reactions by the mostly white bloggers and the abhorrent comments the vast majority of them are posting. The hypocrisy of your statements is best reflected in the VIRULENT, racist and hateful comments made by your kind on all these blogs. One young black man makes a stupid, PRIVATE statement and he's raked over the coals. I don't think the same thing would have happened (and, in fact, DOESN'T happen) if a white man made the same kind of comment. Witness the people who have expressed their faux "outrage" with insidious and violent remarks--remarks left anonymously in most cases. Certainly they are just excercising their right to free speech, which of course is a result all those good people who "fought and died for this country", ensuring that you and your kind can always display your ignorance and stupidity for all the world to see.
Josh Howard's comments were not meant to be published and judged by everyone in America. Especially those of you ignorant people who claim to be educated. Otherwise you would realize what the black community has had to go through in this country, and how your actions, after these events came to light, only reaffirmed to the black community, how filled with hate you really are. As a white person, I do not identify with the star spangled banner or the american flag per se. These symbols were developed by our founding fathers, who although history might make them out to be great upstanding citizens, owned slaves and spread sexually transmitted diseases like wildfire. The black community had absolutely no say in the decision making for these "patriotic symbols," because they were being enslaved...and you wonder why many aren't overly enthusiastic about celebrating them????
You might hold our founding fathers, and the people responsible for making these patriotic decisions in high esteems, but that's just not the type of person I admire! I admire people like Josh Howard who are able to stick up for what they believe in!!! Protesting the anthem is definitely not a popular choice, but he had the balls to stand by his principles. Isn't that what Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks did?
Your all's views of patriotism being more important than racism or other social issues is definitely reminiscent of another historical figure...HITLER!
And for Mr. Himmler....I mean Mr. G...."this country afforded him a life of privilege????" .......did America make his good at basketball?....i don't think so!!! Go read a history book, that wasn't written by the KKK or the SS!
Shut the hell up! You're probably a closet racist yourself you coward!
Jason Gibbs,
Ummm....how am I a coward?
Wow I normally disagree with Cuban on a lot of things, but I'm glad he did this. The comments speak for themselves. When blind patriotic worship of country becomes more important than (all) the people that actually live in the country, you get the mess that we're in today.
Right. And blind unpatriotic disdain of one's country by a multimillionaire athlete becomes more important than blah, blah, blah. Give me a break. The "kid" is an immature jerk. I attended a Bronze Star pinning ceremony this evening for a marine who every day on active duty puts it on the line for us. Spare me the bilge about "the mess we're in today". We all live in the most free country in the world. He's got a right to his free speech and I have a perfect right to say he's a jerk of the highest order.
Oh you attended a bronze star pinning ceremony? So you now have the moral authority to know everything that's right and wrong. Let me shut up, then.
Matt,
One thing you fail to mention.
In the comment form for Cuban's blog an e-mail address is required.
There is an explicit promise made on the form that the address "will not be published."
In Cuban's post he lists more than 15 e-mail addresses of people who commented.
Is he guilty of breach of contract?
Or is he just a liar?
James
http://rightface@blogspot.com