ESPN suspends analyst Parker for comments about RGIII
ESPN announced on its website Friday that it has suspended commentator Rob Parker, who questioned the “blackness” of Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III while on the air a day earlier.
“Following yesterday’s comments, Rob Parker has been suspended until further notice,” spokesman Jos Krulewitz said in a statement. “We are conducting a full review.”
The spokesman made no further comment on the matter.
ESPN earlier quickly responded to the racially charged comments, calling them “inappropriate” and hinting the network may take some action against him.
“The comments were inappropriate and we are evaluating our next steps,” David Scott, ESPN’s director of communications, said on Twitter.
During a segment of ESPN’s “First Take” on Thursday, Parker said:
“Is he a brother, or is he a cornball brother?
“He’s not really. He’s black, he kind of does his thing, but he’s not really down with the cause. He’s not one of us. He’s kind of black, but he’s not really like the guy you really want to hang out with, because he’s off to something else.
“… I want to find about about him. I don’t know because I keep hearing these things. We all know he has a white fiancée, then there was all this talk about he’s a Republican. … I’m just trying to dig deeper into why he has an issue because we did find out with Tiger Woods — Tiger Woods was like ‘I have black skin but don’t call me black.’”
Parker’s comments came in the wake of remarks Griffin made after practice Wednesday — in response to reporters’ questions about race — and reported in USA Today:
“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.”
Griffin’s father told USA Today that Parker “needs to define what ‘one of us’ is. That guy needs to define that. I wouldn’t say it’s racism. I would just say some people put things out there about people so they can stir things up,” Robert Griffin II said.
“Robert is in really good shape on who he is, where he needs to get to in order to seek the goals he has in life … so I don’t take offense.”
RGIII didn’t respond directly but he did tweet that “I’m thankful for a lot of things in life and one of those things is your support. Thank you.”
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357 comments Add your comment
Bob L
December 14th, 2012
12:11 pm
If anyone ever needed to be fired for his inappropriate comments, this is the guy!
Boca Baby
December 14th, 2012
12:12 pm
Guess who once said that he longed for the day when a man would judged on the content of his character and not the color of his skin? Mr Parker should get in the habit of reading and re-reading and then contemplating the famous speech “I Have a Dream.” I am white and I read it at least once a year.
Not Nice
December 14th, 2012
12:22 pm
Rob Parker comments are definetly out of line. But the thing I think he was trying to say is with Tiger Woods the entire black community was so proud of Tiger being the 1st black golfer etc; but Tiger didn’t want to identify with being black unless the person was of celebrity status (Michael Jordan etc). He married white & was totally embraced by the Media & White Society until he stepped out of line & cheated on his wife. Then the media turned against him & painted him on the cover of TIME magazine as a very dark African-American (which for some reason supposed to depict an Angry, Menancing Black Man). Same depiction as OJ Simpson. Too many times we African-Americans try to look for hero’s of our community. But look to GOD. Don’t put too much emphasis, hope of an entire community or nationality on (1) person. Let that person be him or her self; whatever they want to be without their race being the determining factor.
Gladdius
December 14th, 2012
12:26 pm
Let that person be him or her self; whatever they want to be without their race being the determining factor.
Amen to that…Jack Nickalous never had to answer questions about that it was like to be white and win. Equality is a two way street.
EAWill
December 14th, 2012
12:31 pm
I get the same responses when I tell another African American that I’m not a democrate,no AA’s in live in my neighbor hood and and don’t believe in Obama politics. When you do not fit the norm you are a “cornball”. What he wanted to say was the old forgotten term “Uncle Tom”. Is that racist coming from another African American?
HAN
December 14th, 2012
12:33 pm
I’d respectfully disagree with RGIII on this one point: “I am an African-American in America…”
I see RGIII as simply an American, period, who btw happens to be a black guy! And the black guy part is irrelevant to me (He moves so fast around the field you can’t tell what he looks like anyway). No divisions, no focus groups. When we, if we, all can ever get to this place in America, then we will have captured a tiny portion of the DREAM MLK envisioned. The VISION that our forebearers hoped for. Come on everbody, we got work to do!
That we are not nearly there after 50 years of this crap is the sad tragedy of this story. Rather, we have digressed into something as ugly as this moron’s comments on ESPNY.
Well, that my opinion, and it should be everbody’s.
4xtra
December 14th, 2012
12:36 pm
This situation speaks for itself on the level of IGNORANCE but I am trying to figure out on why white people on here keep mentioning “racism”?
He never mentioned ANYTHING about whites or ANY other race..
You guys need to shut your “pie hole” (A white term just in case you didnt know)
Atlbirdawg
December 14th, 2012
12:38 pm
I heard the comments last night on the radio and Parker is an absolute moron and has been for a long time. This is the same NY beat writer that said Atlanta does not deserve to have a Championship team because the fans don’t support the teams and then went on to find as many excuses as he could to justify the empty seats at Yankee stadium during the playoffs. I think what he was alluding to with his comments is that RGIII is intelligent and therefor isn’t really “black”. Evidently in his little brain to be “Black” you have to be an uneducated thug and keep it real. It’s amazing that he has a job.
Eric Smalls
December 14th, 2012
12:40 pm
I don’t have a problem with the comments that Rob Parker made. I actually watch and enjoy the show. I think he was spot on with his comments!!ALL BLACK athletes stand on the shoulders of men like Earl Lloyd, Willie O’Ree, Fritz Pollard, Bobby Marshall, and Jackie Robinson. Men who went thru hell just to be a part of their respective sports. Men who stood up for civil rights men who believed in the black community. Who were not afraid to say they were proud to be black. These new age black athletes are married to white women, do very little in the black community, and hide behind their foundation! What did Tiger say? Don’t call me black, I am not black! Ask them the last time they visited a housing project in Harlem, The south side of Chicago, or Watts? Just spent some time talking with kids showing black folks they haven’t forgotten about them.
One greatest thing of my young life was spending 10 minutes talking to Walter Payton about school and football. It really changed my view on things/life. I understand our white friends and others don’t understand the black dynamic of “each one teach one”. I respect the fact that some may think some black folks are tearing him down. What EVERYONE needs to understand is by and large black folks don’t want your money brother, we not telling you who you should marry, we want your leadership, we need your positive presence in our communities, we need you to be a trailblazers like Kurt Flood, Ali, Kareem, and Jim Brown. Rob Parker was just openly asking what has been whispered even before RGIII made it to the NFL, brother who are you?
Helter Skelter
December 14th, 2012
12:43 pm
Let’s all make Charlie Manson a prophet, because he predicted back around 1969 that there would be a war between “blackie and whitie,” and “blackie” would win. He than went on to say that “blackie” would be too stupid to run the country, so they would free Charlie so he could run it for them. Looks like his prediction of a war was witnessed on ESPN. Kinda like thinking the wood is solid, but chip off a piece of paint and find a nest of termites under the surface; but Charlie saw it coming … 45 years ago.
Hubert
December 14th, 2012
12:48 pm
Please stop calling us White. We prefer European Americans. We’ll let you know when that changes. Thank you.
Fakey McFake
December 14th, 2012
12:55 pm
Hey Parker, let’s make a deal: We’ll take RG3 and you can have Vanilla Ice!
Renaissance
December 14th, 2012
12:56 pm
Eric –
The “giving back” myth is the liberal propoganda that continues to be perpetuated. Funny, when i was on I-285 this morning I didnt pass the “Black Community” exit. Moreover, I can’t “give” anything back to the Black community because I never took anything from it. How is it that we give people like gangs/drug dealers that “take” from the community a pass but knock upstanding brothers.
The only thing people should “take” from RGIII are the qualities he exemplifies; faith, leadership, diligence and honor. It shouldn’t be packaged any other way.
OLD DOG
December 14th, 2012
1:00 pm
Parker is a one direction racist. Any white anaylist that used his words would been fired on the spot. There is a double standard in this country as to commenting on racial issues and everyone knows it. White on black fired on the spot. Black on white gets a pass. Black on black gets a pass. The racial issues in this country are 90% initated by blacks. The whites have been trained not to open their mouths or they will be called down instantly. Racial issues only run in one direction that has been decided by the liberial PC agenda. Blacks don’t have racial issues HA! HA! only white Republicans. The whole system black and white is a big joke.
10Dawgs
December 14th, 2012
1:02 pm
“Cornball brother”? WTF? Not only are those comments inappropriate, they are STUPID! What is a “cornball brother”? That might mean something in the ghetto, but that’s dumb.
Fakey McFake
December 14th, 2012
1:04 pm
4xtra…. First, Parker did mention white people, RG3’s financee. But even if he hadn’t, are you seriously attempting to say his entire racist rant wasn’t about white vs. black? LOL. Fail.
Second, how can you tell it’s white people mentioning racism? Is it something about the way they type? Do they speak in complete sentences and spell everything correctly? Is that how you can tell they are white? It’s soooo Robert Griffin-like of them to use good English!!!!!
Good thing you told them what they need to do. Fool.
Omar
December 14th, 2012
1:08 pm
There are 8 differences in black American culture, light skin, dark skin, rich, poor , educated, uneducated, common sense, uncommon sense, each one has a tree of definitions, and each
of them are associated, it comes down to a whats your make up, In RG3 case this gent has two major degrees, and finish college early, won a Hesiman, from a miltary upbringing, lets touch on this,
structure, discipline, attention to detail, of course athlectics, seems like an american up bringing, The problem is that because of differences, in up bringing, becauses of choices, the different dreams, the hard life vs the protected life, what you chose is different than being chosen,, education puts you in a difffernt mind set, Herm Edwards sd a football life is 3yrs some make it to 5 and at 30 its becomes a problem, when you notice RG3 he is a differentn person than what you want, but again its what you want, not who he is, if you gave all of your money away by helping people, you will be broke, his mind and future appear to way different than yours, that brings me all the way back,,,
What???
December 14th, 2012
1:09 pm
@Eric Smalls
Lies Lies Lies!!! I absolutely refuse to believe that anyone enjoys “First Take”.
Utah Dawg
December 14th, 2012
1:14 pm
Parker is a moron. His comments are barely even coherent. ESPN better fire his sorry arse. Whites have been fired and vilified for far less ignorant bigoted commentary.
Chicagotoatlanta
December 14th, 2012
1:20 pm
As a white guy recently moved to Atlanta I have one thing to say: Georgia whites are generally racist.
H
December 14th, 2012
1:37 pm
“As a white guy recently moved to Atlanta I have one thing to say: Georgia whites are generally racist.”
okaaay…what that got to do with this idiot Parker being a racist?
T DOG
December 14th, 2012
1:41 pm
Rob Parker is black, and that’s what makes it more terrible. It’s 2012, and we should be past this. This is more of an age thing than a color thing because younger adults of all races don’t live in a blatantly racist society unless it’s taught to them as acceptable behavior. It’s not something that they live with like people did in the 50s and 60s. So, they they have a better understanding of who they are as people, not based on what they look like. Appearances mean more to the older generation.
Rickster
December 14th, 2012
1:53 pm
Borrowing the words of Dr. Martin Luther king, Jr,: “…a doctrine of Black supremacy is just as dangerous as a doctrine of white supremacy.”
Especially when you sprinkle in a dash of the “green-eyed monster”!
Just sayin’
I contend that you, Mr. Parker, should grow up!!
Chicagotoatlanta
December 14th, 2012
1:56 pm
I was referencing the comments. The idea that we live in a post racists society is fantasy. I see rob Parker’s point as why couldn’t he say he is African American and great instead of making a point to say he’s not black. Living now in an area where the legacy is a war to own blacks followed by 100 years of Jim crow I would think some would see the importance of such distinctions.
Wilson45
December 14th, 2012
1:58 pm
I’m black. I identify myself as black, and appreciate others who do the same. It’s when you try to start identifying me as a DEMOCRAT that I take offense.
john h
December 14th, 2012
2:01 pm
things are really hard enough for this guy\i could b mistaken when jackie robison died someone that knew him said that he just wore out from what he had to endure……hope it does not happen for all d young men like him….john
atlnative
December 14th, 2012
2:27 pm
Rob Parker is a guy who believes Black men should be of a “monolithic” nature.Parker doesn’t believe in the “evolution of the Black athlete”.
atlman4
December 14th, 2012
2:33 pm
There is actually intellectual conversation going on here on an atlanta website about race?? Thats progress in itself I believe..
Chicagotoatlanta- im interested in what side of atl you live on? where there are a lot of racist whites..
I am wondering what it would be like if a white analyst said this about another white athlete, that he is not “white” enough. what would that mean? what is the white cause? he clearly would not be down with it. He is marrying a black woman, and wtf does “off to something else” mean? what are the differences between what makes you black and what makes you white, besides skin pigmentation, what attributes or qualities was parker trying to say that rg3 has a lack of?
I just do not understand
Puzzled
December 14th, 2012
2:39 pm
Maybe RGII is trying to distance himself from people like Rob Parker for obvious reasons. Mr. Parker is an example of evolution regression. Kudos to RGIII and Rob Parker needs to find a job as Al Sharpton’s right hand man.
Anthony Fewell
December 14th, 2012
2:39 pm
And we wonder why other races look at us as inferior. This is a good example of why. His comments are totally out of line and he needs to think before he speaks. I hope he understands that he doesnt have “braids”, nor are most african american men on TV for a living. Does that mean hes not down with “us”? Total foolishness! And I still would like to know what “down with us” means b/c truth be told I cant really on a black man out on the streets to help me in the time of need just becasue I’m black. Totoal ingnorant comment! Go skins!
Virginia Jim
December 14th, 2012
2:49 pm
I understand Parker’s jealousy. It’s a shame that the media has to be ” microscopic ” in finding something negative about someone who has obviously impacted a number of people in a positive manner. RGIII- you rock! He is very comfortable in his own skin.
MFG
December 14th, 2012
3:03 pm
Rob Parker is a typical biggot! RG 3 is an exemplary human being, irregardless of color!
Annie
December 14th, 2012
3:05 pm
“Were Parker’s comments out of line, or was he raising a legitimate question?”
That’s an incredibly ignorant question, but pretty much keeping with the bulk of the stories that appear in the AJC. It’s not wonder that so many bigots congregate on the comment sections of every blog post on this site.
Ultra Right Wing Nut
December 14th, 2012
3:11 pm
It Sad that white people dont get help for all that racial hatred. It has to boil out some where. Living in denial or blaming people who try and help those whose rights to life are violated is no cure.
Attacking Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King or any of those whose faith follows is no solution to the racial disease, anger and fear in white people.
The problem is in white people and the solution is in white people.
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
- King James Bible “Authorized Version
Ultra Right Wing Nut
December 14th, 2012
3:12 pm
Stop the mass murdering and suicide white people stop the racism and anger white people.
Ultra Right Wing Nut
December 14th, 2012
3:13 pm
MFG there is no word “irregardless” the word is regardless
Pemo
December 14th, 2012
3:16 pm
Tiger may have been public ally humiliated, but Petrino was also and got fired to boot.
Pemo
December 14th, 2012
3:20 pm
Ultra right wing, don’t get stuck in the mud. Languages change and new words emerge based on grequency of usage, Irregardless of what you pontificate.
Ultra Right Wing Nut
December 14th, 2012
3:24 pm
Pemo/MFG its dat is not a word nidder nor nimber. no matter how often used..
a nudder white racist thought...
December 14th, 2012
3:30 pm
… cant get no pu tang… lets go up to Connecticut and shoot up the women and children. That will teach the nig** gers ….
White people rock !
George
December 14th, 2012
3:48 pm
Parker people need to help themselves please stop begging,Parents need to help their own than kids not the world RG111 do not owe noone a dam thing black,white,green or yellow that man has worked hard to get where he is at.Please you make your self look bad.I hope they fire your ass.By the way I am black.
Mike
December 14th, 2012
3:52 pm
@Quantavious Ladarious Jones,
You mentioned this guy was from Detroit. Well let me tell you I lived the first ten years of my life there and that place is a S!@#hole. Have you ever watched the show “Hard Core Pawn” and seen the ignorant people in that area? Being black, it makes me proud to see RGIII stand on his own two feet; he doesn’t owe anybody anything.
payniac
December 14th, 2012
3:53 pm
What about the nature of ths type of show. Staged debates attempting to illicit over-the-top responses. Just another sad saga in what is turning into reality-based confrontational television.
Pitbull
December 14th, 2012
3:54 pm
Obviously ESPN commentator Rob Parker is too ignorant to be familiar with MLK Jr’s speeach where he said that he prayed for the day that a man would be judged by his character rather than the color of his skin.
RGIII is obviously much better educated than Rob Parker.
WOW
December 14th, 2012
3:55 pm
payniac…Couldn’t have said it better!!!
tidog
December 14th, 2012
4:11 pm
A very sad commentary by journalist Parker. Maybe RG3 has to be a “make it rain” brother in the strip club to really be black and down with the brothers. Shame on you Rod Parker and your fate is now the hands of your ESPN employer. You sir have disgraced yourself in a failed attempt to be witty.
Dubble Standurd
December 14th, 2012
4:22 pm
Sadly, the attitude and ignorance expressed by Parker represents what many in the black community feel. It’s stupid and racist.
RGIII appears to be a fine young man with morals, character, leadership and a good head on his shoulders – sad that many in the black community apparently think those are “white” characteristics. He’s a fine young man – period.
Arnold Sherell
December 14th, 2012
4:32 pm
This is where the conversation should change to how do we insure that this idiot is no longer paid for being an idiot. no one should be able to tell another what his choice should be because of his …..
Last white guy in stone mountain
December 14th, 2012
5:06 pm
Well, there’s another word that only the brothers can use. Racism. Will it now be called the R word and will you guys pull guns on whitey when he decries racism? You want some respect from me, Homies? Pull up your GD pants and act like a person that respects others. Otherwise why don’t you just tap dance the hell back to your ghetto and STFU.
LoneStarSkin
December 14th, 2012
5:50 pm
If anyone here has ever taken a diversity class at an institution of higher learning , they will most LIKELY learn that only the racial/ethnic group who is in power is able to make racial comments. I took exception to what Parker says for three reasons : 1. I have been a Redskin for THIRTY-TWO years and we have been without a franchise quarterback, and was thrilled we drafted RG3. He is every bit as advertised and is an outstanding role model for today’s youngsters (something sorely needed in a league where player arrests out-strips the general population THREE TO ONE on a per capita basis) 2. At a time when people of color are beginning to gain a viable foothold in leadership ,here is this demagogue who seeks to confines AfricanAmericans to a ghetto persona when in fact the most respected leaders of that herotage are anything but. I guess he is stuck in the early 1960s and has no appreciation or understanding of what GREAT BLACK leaders have done for ALL people, chief among them Thurgood Marshall, MLK,Jr. and Barack Obama. He is an ignorant person of the same ilk as Don Imus. 3. The exec producer of the show approved his characterization prior to the airing of that program , and subsequent to that airing he was congratulated by someone else calling that particular segment ” Emmy winning” and “great stuff”. It was all choreographed and approved by teh controverst machine that is the ESPN family of networks. HAIL TO RG3 ! HAIL TO THE REDSKINS ! That is ALL. Good day.