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Rob Parker Calls Robert Griffin III A Cornball Brother Not One Of Us,It was quite refreshing to read some quotes from Robert Griffin III recently in which he said he didn't want to be defined by his race, particularly as it applied to being an African-American quarterback. Rob Parker Calls Robert Griffin III A Cornball Brother Not One Of Us, Disgraced ESPN talking head Rob Parker issued a full-on apology for his racially inflammatory remarks about Robert Griffin III that set off a media firestorm and earned him an indefinite suspension from the network.
I am an African-American in America," Griffin told Jim Corbett of USA Today. "That will never change. But I don't have to be defined by that. ... We always try to find similarities in life, no matter what it is so they're always going to try to put you in a box with other African-American quarterbacks -Newton, Randall Cunningham, Warren Moon. Warren Moon and Doug Williams really didn't run that much. That's the negative stereotype when it comes to African-American quarterbacks, that most of us just run. Those guys threw it around. I like to think I can throw it around a little bit. The failure was in how I chose to discuss it on First Take, and in doing so, turned a productive conversation into a negative one. I regrettably introduced some points that I never should have and I completely understand the strong response to them.
"I blew it and I'm sincerely sorry." Parker also extended an olive branch to Griffin, just days after hinting that the rookie sensation QB is a "cornball brother" for lifestyle choices such as having a white fiancé and possibly being a Republican.
"The attention my words have brought to one of the best and brightest stars in all of sports is an unintended and troubling result. Robert Griffin III is a talented athlete who not only can do great things on the field, but off the field handles himself in a way we are all taught - with dignity, respect and pride."
Those same off-the-field traits were once negatives in Parker's book, at least according to his now-infamous "First Take" rant that even made fellow ESPN provocateur Stephen A. Smith "uncomfortable."
"He's not real. He's black, he kind of does the thing. But he's not really down with the cause. He's not one of us. He's kinda black, but he's not really like the guy you really want to hang out with because he's off into something else."
Whether it's a genuine change of heart or a result of the backlash he's facing, Parker wants to make amends with Griffin by apologizing to the man in person.
"I've contacted his agent," Parker said. He also promised to "consider how I can continue to tackle difficult, important topics in a much more thoughtful manner."
Just when ESPN allows Parker back on the air to do just that remains to be seen.
I am an African-American in America," Griffin told Jim Corbett of USA Today. "That will never change. But I don't have to be defined by that. ... We always try to find similarities in life, no matter what it is so they're always going to try to put you in a box with other African-American quarterbacks -Newton, Randall Cunningham, Warren Moon. Warren Moon and Doug Williams really didn't run that much. That's the negative stereotype when it comes to African-American quarterbacks, that most of us just run. Those guys threw it around. I like to think I can throw it around a little bit. The failure was in how I chose to discuss it on First Take, and in doing so, turned a productive conversation into a negative one. I regrettably introduced some points that I never should have and I completely understand the strong response to them.
"I blew it and I'm sincerely sorry." Parker also extended an olive branch to Griffin, just days after hinting that the rookie sensation QB is a "cornball brother" for lifestyle choices such as having a white fiancé and possibly being a Republican.
"The attention my words have brought to one of the best and brightest stars in all of sports is an unintended and troubling result. Robert Griffin III is a talented athlete who not only can do great things on the field, but off the field handles himself in a way we are all taught - with dignity, respect and pride."
Those same off-the-field traits were once negatives in Parker's book, at least according to his now-infamous "First Take" rant that even made fellow ESPN provocateur Stephen A. Smith "uncomfortable."
"He's not real. He's black, he kind of does the thing. But he's not really down with the cause. He's not one of us. He's kinda black, but he's not really like the guy you really want to hang out with because he's off into something else."
Whether it's a genuine change of heart or a result of the backlash he's facing, Parker wants to make amends with Griffin by apologizing to the man in person.
"I've contacted his agent," Parker said. He also promised to "consider how I can continue to tackle difficult, important topics in a much more thoughtful manner."
Just when ESPN allows Parker back on the air to do just that remains to be seen.
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