FOX Sports: Beware: Critics to come for Collins
http://msn.foxsports...response-043013
I actually expected there to be a bit more of a backlash. I wasn't aware of Chris Broussard's religious convictions, but I know Mark Jackson is an ordained minister and Tim Brando has referenced his ideology a bunch of times. Mark Jackson gets a pass in my books, he's a coach, he's not in the media, of the Warriors want him to shut up, that's up to them, but they knew full well about his background upon hiring him I know Al Michaels has made some subtle political references(and it's been publicly reported on his political donations), he's a legend NBC needs him more than he needs them. I'm surprised CBS executives haven't said to Brando, we pay you for your sports opinions, stop tweeting about politics (he's referred to James Carville as his "favorite" Democrat) and making references to your ideology on the air. I actually like Brando, few are as passionate about college sports as he is and he's a great ambassador in this regard.
CBS radio host and TV personality Tim Brando, sensing an opportunity to light up his radio phone lines, made it perfectly clear on his Twitter feed that he doesn’t regard Collins as any kind of hero. Brando also used the Collins’ announcement as an opportunity to throw some red meat to any FOX News watchers looking for a friendly radio sports voice.
“Simple Being a Christian White male over 50 that's raised a family means nothing in today's culture. The sad truth. Period,” Brando tweeted.
First of all, I disagree about just using this to the stir the pot as I mentioned above, it's how he really feels. Sure he knows being a veteran in the business, he'll become a lightning rod for controversy by making such a statment. Now he's supported his family by talking sports for a living (not to mention some very high-profile assignments and probably good $$$ to go along with that), something many of us envy. I have no idea why he's playing the race/religious card here, I thought Whitlocks retort to this was good. Hero is an overused term and he's certainly entitled to think Jason Collins isn't one. But don't go listing David Toms, Hootie(from Hootie and the Blowfish) for giving money to chairty, and Curt Gowdy for helping mentor him as "heros." I tweeted him on the last one, that if Gowdy is a hero for that reason, Jason Collins is more than one for GLBT youth out there. To which he replied sure he's a hero to them. I don't think you have to be save a life, cure cancer to be one, at the same time, I think it's misplaced when talking about someone hitting a walkoff homer or game-winning goal but not in this case.
I fully expect — and quite frankly I demand — David Stern to use his power to ensure that Jason Collins has a job in the NBA for 82 games next season. This is a chance for basketball to be as important as baseball in 1947.
While I'd like to see Jason play next-year, I hope he makes a team based on his talent NOT as a publicity stunt. I'm sure Whitlock is exaggerated a bit with Stern using his power. He is also off-base as saying this could be as important as 1947. Jackie Robinson was pre-Brown v. BOE, Civil Rights Act of 1964, etc. I've always said that Branch Rickey signing Jackie transcended sports more than anything else. Yes I know, gays are still discriminated against but the tide is turning much more. If this had been a decade ago, I could've seen more of impact. I think at this point, someone had to be the first, and he's lifted that burden off of others.
