Is it worse to have an unpopular opinion or be a convicted drug user? Think before you answer

2005.11.30

We live in a free country. We have freedom of speech. We oppose censorship. Well, that is what we like to believe. But, that is not necessarily accurate - professional sports have taught us otherwise. In 2003, Rush Limbaugh made controversial comments on ESPN's NFL Countdown TV show.

"I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well,'' Limbaugh said. "There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."

Limbaugh did not use a racially divisive term. Limbaugh did not slander McNabb or suggest he was not an adequate NFL quarterback. Limbaugh stated that the media was over hyping McNabb due in part to his skin color.

Limbaugh's comment created a national firestorm. Presidential candidates even weighed in on the seriousness of his comments. Limbaugh was blasted as a racist and forced to resign. An ESPN spokesperson called the resignation, "the right move". (Limbaugh resigns from NFL show - 2003.10.01)

This week ESPN and the nation discovered that Michael Irvin has been arrested on drug charges. This is at least the third time in the past decade that Irvin has made headlines being arrested on drug related charges. A google search details arrests in 1996, 2001, and now 2005. (Irvin: pipe belonged to friend, not brother - 2005.11.29) - (Irvin arrested on charge of cocaine possession - 2001.06.18) - Cocaine arrest, assault allegation (1996) - In March of 1996, Irvin was arrested on charges of cocaine possession at a hotel party celebrating his 30th birthday. He pled no contest to the charges and was sentenced to community service and probation. The NFL suspended Irvin for the first five games of the 1996 season.

There has been no national cry from politicians stating Michael Irvin should resign. ESPN has remained fairly quiet on the issue. Yesterday, on the Dan Patrick ESPN Radio Show, the host (Dan Patrick) had only positive comments for Michael Irvin. Co-host Keith Oberman applauded ESPN for not rushing to judgment in the matter.

Is it worse to have an unpopular opinion or be a convicted drug user? The answer, it is worse to have an unpopular opinion. Don't believe me? Consider...

Eagles wide-receiver Terrelle Owens is known for extravagant touchdown celebrations on the field and speaking his mind off of the field. In November, Owens claimed that the Eagles would be undefeated if they had Brett Favre at quarterback instead of Donovan McNabb. A week later, Owens was suspended from the team. Owens will be deactivated following the conclusion of his 4-game suspension. Owens will not play another down of football in the 2005 NFL season.

Owens did not break the law. Owens did nothing illegal. Owens is guilty of speaking his mind. (Owens discusses McNabb, his own future in Philly - 2005.11.04)

I ask again, is it worse to have an unpopular opinion or be a convicted drug user? It is more detrimental to have an unpopular opinion than is a convicted drug user.

As a side note, having a controversial opinion is "sometimes" acceptable. For example if you are black athlete and want to say that white athlete is overrated by the media because of his color - that is acceptable.

Dennis Rodman, blurted out that Larry Bird was "very overrated," a regular winner of the MVP only because of his race.

Smelling blood, reporters repeated these remarks to Isaiah Thomas, who seemed to concur, saying, "If Bird was black, he'd be just another good guy." (full story)

Just as it was okay for Charles Barkley to say, "That's why I hate white people."

Kanye West took the government to task on national television, saying "George Bush doesn't care about black people."

West also criticized the news media, saying "I hate the way they portray us in the media. If you see a black family, it says they're looting. See a white family, it says they're looking for food."(full story)

Kanye West has just been named to Barbara Walters "10 Most Fascinating People in America" list.

Following a recent game Air Force Head Coach Fisher DeBerry said, "It is very obvious to me they [black players] run extremely well."

A Colorado state senator demanded DeBerry be fired for his comment. The Athletic Department forced DeBerry to apologize for his racially insensitive comments.

Just as a reference point 99 of the past 100 wide receivers taken in the 1st round of the NFL draft were black. Of the last 50 all-pro cornerbacks, only 1 was white. (full story)

Okay.. okay... where is this going?

I am not going to sit here and pretend I have answers to societies ills. I am merely making some observations. You are to make up your own mind and draw your own conclusions. We live in a free country. We have freedom of speech. We oppose censorship.