Interesting accusations from Ravens' players...

[WoodysGirl]

How is that relevant? If the ref were white would it be ok to call Rolle "Boy"? If Rolle were white would it be ok for a black ref to call him "Boy"?


It's wrong no matter what combination you use.

It's PC relevant. IIRC, back in the day "Boy" was used by white men to degrade black men. So that particular to point was to note that the term wasn't racially motivated nor was Rolle offended for racism purposes.

 

[Rack]

It's PC relevant. IIRC, back in the day "Boy" was used by white men to degrade black men. So that particular to point was to note that the term wasn't racially motivated nor was Rolle offended for racism purposes.

Sorry, but it's not relevant in today's world. We aren't "Back in the day".


I don't care what color the ref is or what color the player is, it's just plain wrong.


And even if the ref were white, does that automatically make it "racially motivated"?

I've called lots of people "Boy" over the years (almost every time occuring when things got heated while playing basketball), some of them black, some of the hispanic, and some of them white. Not one time was it "Racially motivated". Every single time it WAS "I want to beat you down" motivated. I was an equal opportunity hot-head back then.

I even called International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Orlando Canizales "Boy" once. I guarantee you I would of beat him down if I were to get ahold of him. More likely he would have hit me about 37 times before I even knew what happened though.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Sorry, but it's not relevant in today's world. We aren't "Back in the day".


I don't care what color the ref is or what color the player is, it's just plain wrong.

As long as racism exists, then it's relevant. And when you're reporting the news, that's one point that, if left out, could brew a huge firestorm.

No matter his color, the ref shouldn't have engaged in the back and forth, but I guarantee that had the ref been white, it would've made an ugly situation even uglier.

Not going to take this discussion any further, because of Zone rules and all. But that's just how I see it and why I think it was a good thing to include that particular point, no matter how odd, in the article.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

Morning After, Rolle Still Upset with RefsBALTIMORE -- The NFL is looking into an accusation made by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle that an official called him a "boy" during Monday's night's 27-24 loss to New England.

Rack makes some good points, but I think WG is ultimately right.

To be honest, if the above quote would have been the only paragraph in the article, I, along with alot of people (whether they would admit it or not) would have wonder if this was a "Race" thing too.

- Mike G.

 

[WoodysGirl]

League should punish official if claims are true

December 4, 2007 3:09 PM


The whine festival that broke out in the Ravens' locker room after their devastating 27-24 loss to the Patriots sounded mostly like sour grapes. Hearing players complain about "convenient" timeouts rings pretty hollow when we have visual evidence of Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan doing the honors.

But one complaint had a far more serious tone. Cornerback Samari Rolle claims that head linesman Phil McKinnely repeatedly called him the word "boy" during last night's game. As of this morning, the league is investigating Rolle's claim.

"I simply asked him, 'Man, have you played before? You know what's at stake here?' He called me a boy," Rolle said on ESPN 2's "First Take" this morning. "He was like, "Man, shut up, boy. Go back to playing.'"

"He knows he's a ref," Rolle continued. "You can't do anything to him. It's mind-blowing, though, that a ref would talk to a player like that."

As Baltimore columnist David Steele points out, the word McKinnely allegedly used is a racial slur when used in certain contexts. And the fact that McKinnely is black doesn't make the word any more appropriate.

Rolle said the official's language is what led to linebacker Bart Scott's outburst after the Patriots took a 27-24 lead.

In other sports, we're used to seeing officials arguing with coaches and players. But it rarely happens in the NFL, where officials are asked not to draw attention to themselves.

If it turns out McKinnely really did say those things to Rolle, he should be suspended for at least the remainder of the regular-season, and perhaps the playoffs. Anyone who hasn't had their heads buried in the sand knows how demeaning that word is.

"You should have heard some of the verbal blasting we were taking from the refs," receiver Derrick Mason said. "I mean, it was despicable."

Quite honestly, I can't recall a football player complaining about being verbally abused by an NFL official. The league will have to act swiftly in this situation because they don't want McKinnely taking the field again with this controversy swirling.

Major League Baseball suspended umpire Mike Winters for the rest of the season following a heated exchange he had with Padres outfielder Milton Bradley in September. Winters didn't use a racial slur, but did use highly offensive language.

If the NFL finds that Rolle's claims are true, I think it's safe to assume McKinnely will sit out the rest of the season.











Patriots-Ravens

Read comments or leave a comment

 

[Bleu Star]

These %@#$%@#^%@ had victory in their clutches last night and folded like a luxury beach chair... Just shut up and face the fact you choked what appeared to be a newsmaker away.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

WR Derrick Mason: They (the refs) trash talked to us the whole game. I've never seen anything like it.

Samari Rolle: He (Referee McKinally?) Called me "boy" the whole game. That's why we were so mad last night. You don't call a grown man "boy". It's disrespectful. He won't strap on a helmet and call me "boy". (McKinally is black just for the record)

Rolle better have proof. Otherwise, the ref's attorneys might see $$$$$$$ in the Rolle estate and want to sue.
If the ref, did it is a no-brainer, punish him severely. I think in the course of a game much worse is said about manhoods and mamas. So who knew Samari was so sensitive?
But he better have proof.

Oh, and not that it should matter, but it should, wasn't the referee in question black? I say that should mitigate the circumstances a bit, at least to jurors or a judge.

Good luck to both of them

 

[Rack]

As long as racism exists, then it's relevant. And when you're reporting the news, that's one point that, if left out, could brew a huge firestorm.

No matter his color, the ref shouldn't have engaged in the back and forth, but I guarantee that had the ref been white, it would've made an ugly situation even uglier.

Not going to take this discussion any further, because of Zone rules and all. But that's just how I see it and why I think it was a good thing to include that particular point, no matter how odd, in the article.

I agree that as long as there is racism, it could be relevant.

However, if it were a white ref that said it, it wouldn't automatically mean it was racially motivated. We're all human. If a black man calls a black man boy, then there could be a situation where a white man calls a black man "boy" w/o racism having anything to do with it.


It's just a sucky world we live in today.

 

[jobberone]

It is more credible to me hearing the ref is an ex-player and black. And you're right on WG. It would be an immense deal if the ref were white and the player actually thought he said it in the "old" sense. Rolle was probably being disrespectful or just acting in a manner an ex-player took offense to. Still it's a big deal for a ref to get into it with a player. Bad form and won't be tolerated on either side.

And while there is probably as much money or more in gambling than in the NFL each season, I highly doubt if there is systemic cheating going on. It would be problematical to keep quiet....impossible. And it would be a huge blow to the industry. Every owner is trying to protect their interest in a monstrous cash cow. Imagine how much money it would take to get Jerry to take a chance on getting caught cheating and losing a billion dollar investment or a considerable portion of it.

One ref cheating for a short term can't be dismissed though. I seriously doubt it's going on. Once a ref was sucked in once they'd be in for life. While not a big paying job it takes a lot to get to the pros. I don't see them blowing that either. Not for the most part. I don't doubt some believe it or even tell people its the truth. But I'd take that with a grain of salt.

The Pats can be had. That's the big news to me.

 

[DasTex]

I agree that as long as there is racism, it could be relevant.

However, if it were a white ref that said it, it wouldn't automatically mean it was racially motivated. We're all human. If a black man calls a black man boy, then there could be a situation where a white man calls a black man "boy" w/o racism having anything to do with it.


It's just a sucky world we live in today.

Well what does it mean if White Chocolate calls him a boy?

 

[Rack]

Well what does it mean if White Chocolate calls him a boy?

Depends on how he said it. I've called a black guy "Boy" before and the color of his skin didn't have anything to do with it.


At some point everyone (black people, white people, oriental people, etc...) are gonna just have to wake the freakin' hell up and admit/realize that our actions are what make us, not the color of our skin or the country of our origin.


In reality though, I think a lot of "Racism" isn't necessarily done with a true "Racist" heart.

If you're about to fight a guy, you're usually mad at him and you're gonna say things that you may not believe yourself, but you know that saying them is gonna piss off the other guy. I've been called lots of names, and most of the time it occured the other guy was just trying to anger me. "Boy" could mean anything. It could be done with a racist tone, but it could also be said with the exact same tone if it were a white guy calling another white guy "Boy". Who's to say which it is? And that goes back to my original point, it shouldn't be relevant (the color of skin). If it was wrong to say it in the first place, that should be all that matters. I know that's not the way the world is, but it IS the way the world should be.

 

[Iago33]

Rack,

Some people use the confederate flag out of pride for the South and it has nothing to do with racism. But a large number of people do use the confederate flag with a racist meaning, and both parties should be aware of its racial implications. It's the same thing with "boy."

 

[trickblue]

At some point everyone (black people, white people, oriental people, etc...) are gonna just have to wake the freakin' hell up and admit/realize that our actions are what make us, not the color of our skin or the country of our origin.

So how come you lumped Latinos' into etc? HMMMM?

 

[Rack]

So how come you lumped Latinos' into etc? HMMMM?

:bastid: