ESPN host Rob Parker suggests RGIII ‘pushes away’ from ‘his people’

[trickblue]

It hasn’t been a great 24 hours for Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III.

The rookie captain wasn’t able to finish Sunday’s playoff loss to the Seahawks after his knee buckled midway through the fourth quarter.

The Redskins were eliminated, 24-14 and questions of whether or not head coach Mike Shanahan should have pulled Griffin dominated sports pages and media Monday.

And then Rob Parker re-emerged.

Sunday morning, hours before the Redskins playoff game, the suspended ESPN host talked exclusively with WDIV-TV’s Devin Scillian on the station’s weekly community affairs program ‘Flashpoint.’

Parker said his ‘cornball brother’ comments were taken out of context and admits he was “shocked” it received national attention:

“It was never to condemn the young man,” Parker told Scillian. “RGIII is a great young man with a bright future. It was more about concerns not condemning.”

Parker continued:

“It was just a conversation that’s had in the black community when athletes, or famous entertainers or whatever, push away from their people. And that’s really what it’s about. You saw it with O.J. Simpson, and some other people, where they say, ‘Well I’m not black, I’m O.J.’ So it’s more about that, not about RGIII and what’s going on. It’s more about this thing that we’ve battled for years and why people have pushed away from their people. It’s more about that.”

Parker was sharply criticized by several sports blogs and media outlets for what many perceived as nothing more than cheap shots to a bright young star. Last month, after RGIII said he didn’t want to solely be defined by his race — Parker responded on ESPN 2′s First Take:

“But my question, which is just a straight honest question: Is he a brother, or is he a cornball brother?”

I called Parker’s comments “irresponsible.” Plenty of informal conversations ‘exist’ in barbershops, dinner tables and at the workplace. But if you’re just going to ‘put it out there,’ then you need to do it carefully and responsibly. And certainly not be shocked when your ‘I heard in the barbershop details’ attract criticism.

It’s ESPN. It’s a giant platform.

Parker was suspended six days later.

Many asked a simple question: “Why would Parker question RGIII’s blackness?’

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[ScipioCowboy]

Here's a novel idea: How about we let Robert be his own person? Why must he conform to someone else's racial and ethnic standards?

[Hopeuhavechange]

This is profound from the Oracle of Parker. Certainly Griffin should eschew anyone who doesn't look exactly look like him or conform to predetermined identity group norms as defined by such self-appointed influencers of said group, such as this genius Parker (who got slapped down by a no-doubt sympathetic employer in espn, likely for not being subtle enuff in his ostracization)

Can't have people living principled lives on their own terms...that's tantamount to self-determination and freedom for goodness sakes.

[muck4doo]

I bet "Parker" isn't even his real African name.

[vta]

Originally Posted by muck4doo

I bet "Parker" isn't even his real African name.

[ShiningStar]

Originally Posted by ScipioCowboy

Here's a novel idea: How about we let Robert be his own person? Why must he conform to someone else's racial and ethnic standards?

agenda, racial tendies we all have in one way or another, or dare we say something we say accidentaly or without thinking first, which on many shows you speak off the cuff or not with a telepromter, and lets all face it , we all arent PC all the time. Whether talking to a friend or that person you are comfortable with we small ways we might say things another person deems offensive, we all just have to learn to say "okay maybe they didnt mean it i take it because the world does not revolve around me" but thats going to be hard for tons of people.

im not saying i agree with what Parker is saying my statement was for the public, but being as ESPN is and the culture they breed over there, and even if you think about it, (might encourage for ratings) because they are about the ratings and doing whatever it takes for people to come in and listen to their drivel. Believe me they belive in their drivel and they believe in their own hype.

[Rack Bauer]

Originally Posted by ScipioCowboy

Here's a novel idea: How about we let Robert be his own person? Why must he conform to someone else's racial and ethnic standards?

[Hoofbite]

I heard someone out and about when this all broke ask, "who is this guy to call someone a 'cornball'? He's the biggest 'cornball' I've seen in long while".

Kind of made me chuckle at the time but now that he says it was a conversation he had with others I wonder if he has an alter ego who is a member of a local street gang. Trying to picture this guy purse snatching from old women, taking their keys and driving their SUVs while smoking cigarettes in them.......you know "hood rat stuff with friends".

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Gotta keep it real.

[Idgit]

Well, and now ESPN pushed away from Rob Parker? I wonder if he finds that concerning, too?

[kristie]

rob parker is still a jerk.