Retired Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington emerged from obscurity this week when he called former head coach/local savior/Jesus' right-hand man Joe Gibbs a coward, and suggested the only reason the Hall of Famer returned to the sidelines was to promote his NASCAR hobby.
Predictably, Redskins fans were unimpressed, and running back Clinton Portis, Arrington's former teammate, appeared on Michael Irvin's radio show to support Gibbs. Yesterday, Arrington, restaurateur and local television personality, was a guest on The Best Damn Sports Show Period to clarify his Gibbs-related comments.
If you don't have two-and-a-half minutes to watch the YouTubes, here's the CliffsNotes: LaVar admits that calling Gibbs a "coward" might've been a bit much. "Coward-like" is probably more appropriate.
Whatever you think of Arrington, he makes a fine point: Gibbs came back to clean up Lil' Danny's mess, except that after he had "all the key components in place," Gibbs left, and his alleged successor, Gregg Williams, got canned, which, as the Sports Bog's Dan Steinberg writes, "undermined the whole 'stability' mantra of Gibbs II."
Of course, Williams is having is own troubles trying to coordinate up the Jaguars defense, and Jim Zorn has been a pleasant surprise over the first half of the season, so maybe stability is overrated.
via Le Bog Sportif
NFL Trash Talkers
Former Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington may be retired, but that didn't stop him from ripping his old coach. Arrington called Joe Gibbs a "coward" and then "coward-like," claiming he only returned to the sidelines in Washington to promote his NASCAR team. Click through to see other players that ran their mouths this year.
Joe Robbins, Getty Images
Dolphins star Joey Porter, left, argued that Jaguars receiver Matt Jones should not be allowed to play after a felony cocaine charge against him earlier this year. So Jones responded by, among other things, asking if Porter liked men.
Getty Images
What, you're surprised to see Porter in here twice? Porter took aim at the Broncos' Brandon Marshall after Miami's Week 9 win - saying that Marshall turns into a head case when he doesn't get the ball enough.
Doug Benc, Getty Images
Cincinnati's Keith Rivers - out for the year after a Hines Ward block broke his jaw - issued a warning to the Steelers wide receiver, saying "what goes around, comes around."
Tom Hauck, Getty Images
Sensing a theme here? Baltimore's Terrell Suggs put Ward on notice in advance of the team's Dec. 14 game, bragging that the Ravens had put out a bounty on Pittsburgh's star wideout.
Rick Stewart, Getty Images
Browns defensive tackle Corey Williams talked smack to Brandon Jacobs and the Giants before their 'Monday Night Football' clash. He said, "I'm going to try to knock his head off." Cleveland stunned New York 35-14.
G Fiume, Getty Images
Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson said he was going to "kiss the star" at Texas Stadium before a matchup with the Cowboys. 'Ocho Cinco' managed just three catches for 43 yards in a Dallas win.
G. Newman Lowrance, Getty Images
Minnesota's Pat Williams talked a big game before a MNF matchup with the Packers, saying he would hold Green Bay running back Ryan Grant to less than 100 yards. While Grant only rushed for 92 yards, the Packers won the game 24-19.
Joe Robbins, Getty Images
In days leading up to a another emotional game versus his old team, Cowboys star Terrell Owens said he got "too big" for Philadelphia and former teammate Donovan McNabb. Dallas won the game 41-37.
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
It was meant just as a joke, but Donovan McNabb took some fun pokes at Bears stars Brian Urlacher and Tommie Harris before a Week 4 battle. "He can't grow any more hair," McNabb said of Urlacher. And about Harris, McNabb remarked: "He shaves his head with a butter knife and he eats fatty foods." Philly lost 24-20.
Tom Mihalek, AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
11-16-2008 @ 1:55AM
35inaquarter said...
Hey LaVar,
Welcome to the Tiki Barber school of sourgrapes. You never lived up to your hype. You never were able to be the character Dan and Co. hoped you would be. You talk about Danny wanting to sell Redskin nation things. The jokes on you. You were the retail item! Only trouble was, Danny hoped you were going to deliver more than you could. Now you are a soured has-been athlete that always put yourself before your team. Even now when the team is doing well and the DC area has forgiven your gross vanity and embraced you and your restaurant after your childish behavior when Joe returned, you choose to throw the revered coach under the bus instead of being a man and letting by-gones be by-gones. Thanks alot, Lavar. Just when the team needs focus you are willing to provide the distraction. Do all your "fans" a favor. Sell your stinking restaurant and move to Dallas!
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11-16-2008 @ 3:54AM
Barbara said...
I know LaVar may be a retard, but what does Tiki have to do with this? He was one of the best running backs in the modern era and his comments can definitely be justified. Definitely under utilized in the playoffs.
Anyway, LaVar's issues with Gibbs for all we know could be justified so who knows. That's between him and past management.
11-16-2008 @ 11:43PM
ruaskinsfan said...
Amen well said, I also was a big lav fan but was soon to find out what he was all about..Himself. Could'nt keep your mouth shut huh. had to show dis..to a man who not only D.C. love's but a whole lot more people then you can comprendhend.I myself will always love gibbs for his Great work in washington.I iam the biggest redskins fan and my sports collection is huge (only redskins items) of course. I threw away my lav, things i had collected in the trash I must agree with the other comment a writer had written SELL YOUR RESTRANT AND GO TO DALLAS LOSER
11-16-2008 @ 5:36PM
Shamus said...
Just another example of an angry black man hating whitey !!
Lamar should go back to the 5th grade and get reeducated. Calling Gibbs a "coward"??? Lamar does'nt know the meaning of the word.
If you don't perform for Gibbs your out of here. period. Football , Nascar, anywhere. Ask some of his crewchiefs, drivers etc.
Lamar was an under achiever. So joe showed him the door
11-16-2008 @ 7:28PM
Jim "THe Giant" l said...
GO GIANTS!!!!...GO GIANTS!!!...GO GIANTS!!!...
THE ONLY TROUBLE WITH YOUR ARTICLE IS THAT IS NOT ABOUT THE GIANTS!!!...GO GIANTS!!!...WHY WASTE YOURTIME WITH A LOSER TEAM LIKE THAT ANYWAY WHEN WE ARE ALL BLESSED WITH THE BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD.., NOW THAT THAT "BIG MOUTH" TIKI BARBER IS GONE(THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN!)...THE GIANTS HAVE NEVER BEEN BETTER....IF THEY DUMPED BARBER 6 YEARS AGO, WE WOULD ALL HAVE 7 SUPER BOWL RINGS BY NOW....TIKI BARBER WAS NOTHING BUT A DRAIN ON THE TEAM, THE COACHES AND THE NFL AS A WHOLE....THANK HEAVEN HE "retired???"...(HIS WIFE DIDN'T WANT HIM TO PLAY ANYMORE SO HE QUIT)
GO GIANTS!!!...GO GIANTS!!!...GO GIANTS!!!...
11-16-2008 @ 7:35PM
glenn said...
well said
11-16-2008 @ 7:33PM
MonsterMike said...
hey!!!! we don't want him in Dallas. We have enough big mouthed has beens as it is
11-16-2008 @ 7:46PM
JIM L CONNECTICUT said...
GO GIANTS!!!!...GO GIANTS!!!...GO GIANTS!!!...
THE ONLY TROUBLE WITH YOUR ARTICLE IS THAT IS NOT ABOUT THE
GIANTS!!!...GO GIANTS!!!...WHY WASTE YOURTIME WITH A LOSER TEAM LIKE
THAT ANYWAY WHEN WE ARE ALL BLESSED WITH THE BEST TEAM IN THE
WORLD.., NOW THAT THAT "BIG MOUTH" TIKI BARBER IS GONE(THERE IS A GOD
IN HEAVEN!)...THE GIANTS HAVE NEVER BEEN BETTER....IF THEY DUMPED
BARBER 6 YEARS AGO, WE WOULD ALL HAVE 7 SUPER BOWL RINGS BY
NOW....TIKI BARBER WAS NOTHING BUT A DRAIN ON THE TEAM, THE COACHES
AND THE NFL AS A WHOLE....THANK HEAVEN HE "retired???"...(HIS WIFE
DIDN'T WANT HIM TO PLAY ANYMORE SO HE QUIT)
GO GIANTS!!!...GO GIANTS!!!...GO GIANTS!!!...
11-16-2008 @ 10:12PM
Mark B. said...
Talk about "How to lose friends and influence people (negatively)" I can't understand what Arrington was thinking. Joe Gibbs is an institution in DC. If Arrington wants to live in and do business in Washington, it's the kiss of death to "dis" Joe. I guess it's another display of Arrington's arrogance and narcissism. There are a number of retired ex Redskins who have prospered in the DC community, by continuing to support the team. To quote Forrest Gump, "Stupid is as stupid does."
11-16-2008 @ 1:36PM
Eric said...
I loved Lavar as a Redskin. I even have his action figure
Reply
11-16-2008 @ 2:06AM
Anderson William said...
Why would "Best Damn" even give this ignorant loser a platform to speak. He has no class. Football is an emotional game and your not always gonna get along with everyone you work with. Boo hoo...let it go, I hope your restaurant gets shut down by the health department, lol.
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11-22-2008 @ 7:46PM
Sridharan Krishnaswami said...
Joe Gibbs has three rings. Lavar has none. In spite of his frustrations, Gibbs handled Lavar's arrogance quietly. He did not have to hurl "sour grapes". Lavar has demonstrated that he deserves no respect from anyone. If Dan Snyder decides not to hire Gregg Williams it is his prerogative as owner. Performance of Redskins this season as a "team" is enough to know what Gibbs had done during his second turn at Redskins. Lavar, think twice before you open your mouth. No class!
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11-16-2008 @ 10:00AM
john smith said...
as you can hear he only wants to promote himself and his restaurants!! he a punk
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11-16-2008 @ 7:48PM
redskinsfan said...
This fool still dosent get it. Joe has more class in his little finger than arrigantion ever will have.
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11-16-2008 @ 2:19PM
David said...
Who cares what Arrington said. I saw him make a cheap shot in a college game and have never cared for him since. He was a flop as a PRO. He needs to look in the mirror before he tries to analyze someone elses motives about anything. Joe Gibbs is twice the man Arrington will ever be.
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11-16-2008 @ 2:25PM
dann said...
an overrated has been/never was opens his fat mouth, again! LMAO
Reply
11-16-2008 @ 2:28PM
kent eberly said...
You were washed up before you even tried to play for Joe Gibbs!
Reply
11-16-2008 @ 2:30PM
RGL said...
What a boor! Arrington absolutely has no class to say things like he did. Coming out of college, he was hailed as the second coming of Butkus or Taylor. Well, he never lived up to his billing, and now blames his coach instead of himself. What a sorry excuse for a poltroon. He ought to hang down his head in shame.
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11-16-2008 @ 4:21PM
JD said...
what the hell is a poltroon?
11-16-2008 @ 2:40PM
ladyredskins said...
Arrington is a total ignorant jerk. He needs to keep his ignorant mouth shut. He never played as good as they said he would and he was not an asset to the Redskins. He never should have been part of the Redskins because he lacks class. He needs to just go away and never be heard from again. HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!
Reply