Steve McNair used to play for the Tennessee Titans. After a particularly ugly off-season standoff, McNair was actually banned from the Titans workout facility, and eventually traded to the Ravens. Ray Lewis believes that had something to do with the Titans being racist: "I don't ever want to turn it into a black-white issue," Lewis told ESPN's Ed Werder in an interview scheduled to be run on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown (11 a.m. ET). "But it would really puzzle me, seriously, if anybody would ever tell Brett Favre ... if anybody would ever tell Peyton Manning not to walk into the Indianapolis facility.I like that. "I don't want to make it about race, but that's exactly what I'm about to do." That's like me saying, "You know, I don't want to make this about murder, but Ray Lewis put a knife in someone until they died." I would just never say that, because it's wrong.
I think Ray's wrong here. And believe me, I'm not the kind of guy who takes accusations of racism lightly. I think they do exist a lot of times when people don't realize it. But I've thought about it, and I don't think this is one of those cases.
I can't see that happening to Peyton Manning or Brett Favre, either, but I've got two different reasons for it. First, those guys are legends. McNair, while he was very good with the Titans, I think falls short of legend status. And secondly, I can't think of any team doing that, and the fact that the Titans did it to begin with was a classless, unnecessary, spiteful, and moronic thing to do. And I think they realize that now.
And the Titans/Oilers franchise, as they'll tell you, have a pretty good history with African-American quarterbacks, from Warren Moon to Vince Young.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-11-2006 @ 12:47AM
Bill Howell said...
Look I love what the Ravens have done so far this season. They have allowed their physical play to speak for them, which is why it suprised me to read Ray Lewis' comments. I understand that Ray might feel that it is unjust the way the Titans handled Steve McNair's situtation, but I do not believe that the descion to keep McNair out of the Titans Mini-Camps was made due to race(or ability for that matter). The descion was made to simply keep McNair healthy, due in part to the fact that McNair is injury prone at times. Now I'm not saying that the Titans had the right idea in holding him out, but I believe that it was in no way, shape, or form a racial issue. Futhermore I am shocked to hear Ray Lewis make such comments, and in a sence get away with it. Of course he will have a few fanss and a couple sportscasters bashing him for his comments, but I expect him not to get fined any money. Now if it was a relativily unknown player of the Baltimore Ravens, such as a Terrel Suggs, who made the comments, said player would probably recieve a fine of sorts. Now if it was Terrel Owens who made the comment, he would be crucified. That shows you just how fair the NFL really is.
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11-11-2006 @ 7:04AM
Hugh Beaumont said...
I truly believe this is racism at it's ugliest!!! Topay that poor man millions of dollars then have him go to the next nearest state of the art workout facility,or God-forbid,the one in his home,is nothing more than slavery,21st Century style. free OJ,oh that's right,the racist pigs did fre him,oh well Free Mumia!!
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