HTTR24-7: Cornball Brothas and Such

[Lavarleap56]

“Cornball Brothas and Such” by: Cliffvon Howell



On December 12, 2012 ESPN’s First Take contributor Rob Parker opened his mouth in an attempt to introduce race in a conversation intended to test the depth of the Washington Redskins’ rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III’s Character.

Robert Parker responded to a quote extracted from a post practice QB media session held a day earlier. The dominant conversation of that session was regarding the injury Robert Griffin III (RG3) sustained 3 days earlier against the Baltimore Ravens. At the end of the press conference a journalist announced that his periodical was writing a story celebrating the fact that Dr. Martin Luther King Day and President Obama’s Inauguration were going to take place one day apart.

The report went on to say that Robert Griffin III has re-energized the DC area giving young people a positive role model and providing a positive African American figure in the city that produced the NFL’s first black Superbowl winning quarterback. The reporter asked Robert what it meant to him to be this larger than life figure for African Americans in DC. To that Robert responded “”For me, you don’t ever want to be defined by the color of your skin’ …”You want to be defined by your work ethic, the person that you are, your character, your personality. That’s what I’ve tried to go out and do.” “I am an African-American in America. That will never change. But I don’t have to be defined by that.” “I am aware how much race is relevant to them;” “I don’t ignore it. I try not to be defined by it. But I understand different perspectives and how people view different things. I understand that they’re excited that their quarterback is an African-American. I play with a lot of pride, a lot of character, a lot of heart. I understand that. I appreciate them for being fans and not just fans because they’re African-Americans.” (http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...-race/1765701/)

When presented with an abbreviated version of Robert’s response to the columnist a day earlier, ESPN’s Rob Parker indicated that Robert Griffin III’s comment was a demonstration of Robert Griffin III “distancing himself from black people.” Parker would continue with the question “Is he a brotha or a cornball brotha?” At a moment when his tongue was committing career suicide Mr. Parker attempted to substantiate his argument by introducing the fact that Robert Griffin III has a white fiancé and some people that (Parker) knows from the (DC) area told him that Robert Griffin III is a member of the Republican Party. Parker acknowledged that Robert Griffin III wears braids as a hairstyle, but continued to question whether Robert Griffin III is “down for the cause?”

Continue Reading:http://httr24-7.com/blog/cornball-bothas-and-such/

[sydshobob]

Well said.It makes me wonder how this guy ever got the job in the first place.

[SWFLSkins]

Every time I hear the term Cornball brother, I hear that song Right about now, Funk Soul Brother, except with Cornball brother instead.lol. Blackboo you feel me?

[GothSkinsFan]

She seems like a sweet girl. A guy like RGIII could easily ride the celebrity train, but he's not. Good for him (and for us).

[PerryMason]

Good article....I'm still laughing at the post someone had in the insomnia thread before the Cleveland game about Kirk Cousins getting replaced at halftime by Cornball Kirk Cousins....i really wish i knew who wrote it. It was at like 2am and it was hilarious.

[Riggo-toni]

That was a terrific piece. What Parker said is far more damaging than any b.s. any white supremacist could concoct, because a David Duke disciple is automatically and immediately discredited, whereas Parker's comments are like, as the author states "black on black genocide." Parker isn't going to ever accuse Ray Lewis, Michael Vick, or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of not being black enough. Identifying a guy who gets a masters degree by the time he's 22 and stays faithful to a woman despite what are undoubtedly numerous opportunities as thus displaying a character flaw...just unbelievable.

[Born In 93]

I've been hearing this phrase everywhere lately lol.

I saw people calling Jabari Parker a "cornball brother" for picking Duke over Kentucky and MSU.

[kappaluvacee]

I had to let Parker have it. His commentary was out of bounds. There's 100 other ways he could have approached the conversation, but he chose the manner he used on First Take. He wanted a reaction.

[rk3025]

Looks like ESPN has a hard time finding anyone to work for them.

[Silencer6091]

That was great man. I had the same feelings....and observations.

[Redskin-All-In]

post deleted

[Jumbo]

I like the tone. Harsh, stick it out there, don't pull punches, but not some rant, either. Sometimes this type of approach to a person is not only merited IMO but actually productive. Being diplomatic in castigation isn't the only good choice when calling out an issue or an individual's behaviors, at times. I agreed with the take and points made, but also liked the "personality" in the writing.

[Spear]

Mmmm. Corn balls. Wait. I mean, ewwwww, corn balls...

It's a shame that this whole thing is washing over Robert's comments. He was saying that the color of his skin has nothing to do with his candidacy as a role model. It's his work ethic and character than should serve as a beacon, not his superficial pigment, hair type, and bone structure.

It's perfectly all right for people to draw inspiration from people with a similar background, and that usually implies the same ethnicity. But Robert wasn't born in an inner city or raised in poverty, surrounded by violence. He had two loving parents. He had the support and opportunities that too many African-Americans never receive. So, if you need an example of someone who overcame a series of economic, educational, and societal obstacles, that's not Robert. And we should celebrate that fact, not hold it against him.

The bottom line is that RG3 is the future, while this Parker guy is a lumbering dinosaur with the brain the size of an acorn, primed for extinction. I can't wait for that future. Global warming will be so worth it.

[elkabong82]

Great piece LL!

While I am not African American, I do agree with your sentiment and was disturbed by Parker furthering the "not black enough" stigma. I think that stigma can be destructive because some of the characteristics it discourages are actually positive. This occurs in other cultures too, often viewed as "selling out."

I really liked how you pointed out the positive in RG3 being engaged, and someone being critical of the race of another's spouse is incredibly backwards. While I disliked that comment too, I hadn't thought of the perspective you brought up about RG3 being in a committed relationship and such adding to his character as a good role model.

[T-REX1240]

I had to let Parker have it. His commentary was out of bounds. There's 100 other ways he could have approached the conversation, but he chose the manner he used on First Take. He wanted a reaction.

Perfect for this type of situation. Thank u.