It would make more sense if Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison was an unrepentant John McCain supporter. Or a passionate pro-lifer. Or an ardent Libertarian.

But it looks like he’s just being a fool.

This week Harrison, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, stunned some folks when he announced that he wouldn’t be joining his teammates when President Barack Obama congratulates them at the White House tomorrow for their Super Bowl win.

His reason, it seems, has nothing to do with politics or conscience – and everything to do with silliness.

Basically, Harrison said he’s skipping the trip because the president is congratulating them for being, well, winners.

“Here’s how I feel about it – if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don’t win the Super Bowl,” Harrison said. “As far as I’m concerned, he [Obama] would’ve invited Arizona if they had won.”

Wow, what a concept, Silverback.



Invite every NFL team that falls short of Super Bowl stardom to the White House. After that, maybe Obama can invite every losing NBA team as well. And maybe in between that, he can find time to sign bills, negotiate treaties and vet a new Supreme Court justice.

Like I said, what Harrison said makes no sense. But sadly enough, the days when most black athletes cared more about making sense than making a splash are long over.

Not that Harrison doesn’t have his defenders.
 
Some people say that he just doesn’t see a presidential visit as anything special, and that he’s just being a rugged individual. Harrison did, in fact, pass on a trip to the White House in 2006, when the Steelers won the Super Bowl and when George W. Bush was president.

But most people who exercise individualism usually have put some real thought into why they’re defying the status quo. They don’t just blurt out nonsense.

And when you have a black football player who doesn’t get why it’s a big deal to get his Super Bowl congratulations from the nation’s first black president, then that speaks volumes about why many of them are so confused about so many other things.

Of course, Harrison is just one person, and it would be easy for me to write him off as the stereotypical dumb jock – as other pundits seem to be doing.

But I’m not going to do that – because too many young black males are watching. And the type of mentality that Harrison is showing right now, the type that is about attitude and not substance, is the last thing they need to be emulating.

Yet it continues.

Decades after Muhammad Ali gave up his heavyweight title for refusing to fight in Vietnam, a war that he believed was unjust, and Wimbledon champ Arthur Ashe valiantly spoke out against the apartheid regime i n South Africa, black athletes have devolved into an individualistic bunch.
 
Few embrace their wealth and their visibility as a vehicle for setting an example, or to make shows of courage or conscience. Instead, they use it to embrace neutrality, or to act out.

So in a way, it’s kind of easy to see why Harrison doesn’t believe a visit to the White House to be congratulated by Obama – a black man who, like him, defied incredible odds to make it to the top – isn’t important. It’s probably because he lives in that limbo of political and social neutrality that many black athletes live in, a place where it’s cooler to yield to impulse than to follow reason.
 
All I can hope is that at some point, fewer young black men follow the example of the black athlete – and more follow the example of the black president.

Now that would make more sense.

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Yes, the Cardinals did give their all. But, the better team won. If I lost then I'm going to do my best to beat you next year. If I won, I don't want the loser walking away with the same prize that I received for playing a better game.

With that said, it seems ol' James is now backpeddling.....! His reason now is a fear of flying!? WTF?! I guess the backlash of his comments hit hard. The only way you can respect a person for their word is if they stand strong behind - it appears that James is a weakling that fell under PR pressure. (smh)

by   
Edwill13
May 21, 2009, 9:32 am
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So what?
Here is my problem:
His reasoning is stupid.
You wasted your column on this non-story.
People having nothing better to do than to waste time commenting on this non-story. I guess that includes me to. Damn you Tonya! LOL

by   
Diamondjim55
May 21, 2009, 5:56 am
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OK maybe you don't agree with his decision, that's fine. Everybody is entitled to their opinion and personal decisions. To take personal shots at the man is wrong! I would love to meet the first black president, but just because he doesn't want to go with the team to me the president does give you the right to call him a fool or hypocritical. It's obvious it has nothing to do with race, he didn't go with the team to meet the president after super bowl XL,so what's the problem? , P.S. George Bush is White!!

by   
Sixday187
May 20, 2009, 10:31 pm
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I actually get what Harrison is saying. Where is the sincerity by the status quo? Harrison is speaking of motive. If the Steelers lost the Super B would they still be invited to the white house? No. Only “winners” are invited. The Cardinals lost but played just as hard and put it on the line. What does this say to our youth? If you do your best you are still a loser and thus not worthy to be invited to the white house. The invite is based on the tradition of inviting the "best team", but really all should be given a chance to visit the white house, not just the "best team".

by   
Dwrinch
May 20, 2009, 3:40 pm
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Harrison is entitled to his reasoning HOWEVER his reasoning is very stupid. Why would a losing team be invited? It's been tradition. What's the point in winning IF you still get the same prize as the looser?? Did he decline his super bowl ring? NO!Did he attend the parade that Pittsburgh gave them? YES! Why? Because they WON! They aren't issued a trophy for losing. It makes no sense - period. It appears that Harrison has a lot of growing and learning to do. I'm sure one day he will look back on this and realize what a fool he was. He sounds like a bitter ill-informed brother.

by   
Edwill13
May 20, 2009, 2:59 pm
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Tonyaa and Quita32, you are 100% correct. This “negro’s” logic (illogic) is not only hypocritical, but it demonstrates a lack of understanding or appreciation for the things with which he has been blessed, and the debt he owes to others, because God blesses us, so we can bless others, not so we can set moronic examples.
This negro must’ve been raised in the same house as "seanlemon and reality-check", (if in fact, the latter two really aren’t white imposters). His foolishness sounds a lot like theirs.

by   
Sevennotrump
May 20, 2009, 10:37 am
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Often I’ve heard athletes say, “I didn’t ask to be a role model”. The statement not only shows the immaturity, but also the irresponsibility of A FOOL. Ask for it or not, kids are looking at you, some will emulate your actions. This “negro” needs to have the NFL come to him and say, “You’ll probably want to return that ring and that extra check we gave to you, because we would have given it to Arizona had they won. The kindest label I can apply to Harrison is hypocrite!

by   
Sevennotrump
May 20, 2009, 10:34 am
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Life is a series of choices, and the world will always have its share of fools. Freedom of choice ensures good and bad choices. As long as you can accept the mess you create then do what you desire. The key is accepted your choices. Oh yeah..stop outsourcing your responsibility as a parent...Teach your kids and help them to aspire to achieve education is the first step.

by   
Diggie44
May 20, 2009, 7:02 am
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being a role model requires character. being in the public eye is not the same thing. perfection is not required but consistency and proof of character is!!
image builders including the person in the public eye have MULTIPLE reasons to present their lives in the most acceptable light but it doesn't mean much in relation to their actual character. stop the hero worship because of their chosen JOB!!!!!

by   
Msstarr82
May 20, 2009, 7:01 am
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tonya you and miss ebonics(quita32) need to get over it.he has every right not to visit the white house if he chooses.just because the president is black shows your lack of making your own choices and sticking by them.you and quita32 are probally the type of sisters that get upset when a brother chooses to go to a predominantly white school or marry outside of the race.get over it,move on and discuss other more important issues at hand,dam!!

by   
Seanlemon
May 20, 2009, 6:43 am
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in my opionion, i hope that all parents advises their kids to admire them, teachers or GOD not entertainers.entertainers knows just to make money and make themselves look good instead what our youth is thinking about them.they don't care so why should youth look up to them.they can be whatever they want to be and i'm glad that pres. obama proved that in the last election.no matter what your dreams are, you don't let anyone tell you what to do because you can make your own choices and never listens to anybody.

by   
Quita32
May 20, 2009, 6:06 am
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thats why i don't won't my kids to look up althetes or entertainers because majority of them acts very stuck up.harrison is a ignorant fool for not going;no matter what your political beliefs are, he could have went but pres. obama ain't worrying about it.harrison probably don't vote anyway.i would rather see president obama because he's smart and he would talk to me to death.harrison isn't all that as an football player;other can beat him as a player.

by   
Quita32
May 20, 2009, 6:01 am
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well,if he does'nt want to attend then that is his right but however his reasoning does sound kinda silly.

by   
Tgn222
May 20, 2009, 5:33 am
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