NFL RATINGS vs FLAG PROTESTS: BYE-BYE FANS (STOP USING U.S. MILITARY)

NFL RATINGS vs AMERICAN FLAG PROTESTS:

CORE FANS ARE QUIETLY SLIPPING AWAY.

PLEASE STOP USING U.S. MILITARY TROOPS TO PUSH DIVISIVE AGENDAS.

THIS PROTEST HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE U.S. MILITARY.

THIS PROTEST IS ABOUT 400 YEARS OF INTENTIONAL INSTITUTIONAL RACISM CONGRESS REFUSES TO STOP.


Sources: USA Today, Washington Examiner, Fox News, Youtube


***** Shock poll: NFL now least liked sport, core fans down 31%


Over just one month of player, coach, and owner protests of the flag and National Anthem, the National Football League has gone from America's sport to the least liked of top professional and college sports, according to a new poll.


From the end of August to the end of September, the favorable ratings for the NFL have dropped from 57 percent to 44 percent, and it has the highest unfavorable rating – 40 percent – of any big sport, according to the Winston Group survey provided exclusively to Secrets.

Worse for football, which was already seeing lower TV ratings and empty stadium seats, the month of protests and complaints about them from President Trump drove core fans, men 34-54, away, the most significant indicator that NFL brass aren't in touch with their base.

The Winston Poll from the Washington-based Winston Group found that the attitude of those fans went from an August rating of 73 percent favorable and 19 percent unfavorable to 42 percent favorable and 47 percent unfavorable, a remarkable turn against the sport.

According to the poll analysis, "more critically for the NFL, the fall off in favorables occurred among important audiences. Among males, NFL favorables fell 23 percent, going from 68 percent to 45 percent. In looking at a more specific audience, males 34-54, NFL favorables fell 31 percent, going from 73 percent to 42 percent. Among this group the NFL has a surprising negative image, as it went from +54 percent in August to -5 percent in September."

The Winston Poll was of brand images for the NFL, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and college football and basketball. It was of 1,000 registered voters and taken August 29-30 and then again September 28-29.

In August, baseball had the highest favorables, just a few points above the NFL.

August Winston Poll

MLB/61 percent favorable to 13 percent unfavorable.
NFL/57 percent favorable to 23 percent unfavorable.
College football/53 percent favorable to 16 percent unfavorable.
College basketball/48 percent favorable to 17 percent unfavorable.
NBA/47 percent unfavorable to 23 percent unfavorable.
September Winston Poll

MLB/63 percent favorable to 16 percent unfavorable.
College football/51 percent favorable to 21 percent unfavorable.
NBA/46 percent favorable to 28 percent unfavorable.
College basketball/45 percent favorable to 25 percent unfavorable.
NFL/44 percent favorable to 40 percent unfavorable.
During the month, the college basketball drop was likely influenced by the suspension of Louisville Coach Rick Pitino who is linked to a scandal.

According to the Winston Poll, every category of NFL fan saw a drop in support.

"DUCK DYNASTY" UPDATE: PHIL ROBERTSON RETURNS TO A & E! (FREEDOM OF RELIGION WINS!!)

#DuckDynasty

AFTER FAN BACKLASH (13.4 Million Viewers), PHIL ROBERTSON RETURNS TO A & E'S "DUCK DYNASTY" SHOW.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH.....& FREEDOM OF RELIGION WINS!

ARTICLE: "A&E calls off 'Duck Dynasty' suspension"

A&E has ducked away from a controversy surrounding the stars of its hugely popular reality series Duck Dynasty.

The network issued a statement late Friday backing off from its previously announced suspension of Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the clan behind the successful Louisiana-based Duck Commander duck-calling business.

The suspension was triggered by Robertson's interview with GQ, published last week, in which he made anti-gay statements, which he said reflected his religious beliefs.

The interview sparked protests from human-rights groups, and led to A&E's quick decision to suspend Robertson from future episodes.

But that action also triggered a backlash from some Dynasty fans, who tried to organize a boycott of the network -- and Robertson's own family, which suggested it would not be willing to keep filming the series without him.

In a statement, the network cited its "core values" of "inclusion and mutual respect" to explain why "we reacted so quickly and strongly."

"While Phil's comments made in the interview reflect his personal views based on his own beliefs, and his own personal journey, he and his family have publicly stated they regret the 'coarse language' he used and the misinterpretation of his core beliefs based only on the article.

He also made it clear he would 'never incite or encourage hate.'

We at A+E Networks expressed our disappointment with his statements in the article, and reiterate that they are not views we hold."

The statement then offered some wiggle room:

"But Duck Dynasty is not a show about one man's views.

It resonates with a large audience because it is a show about family… a family that America has come to love.

As you might have seen in many episodes, they come together to reflect and pray for unity, tolerance and forgiveness," the statement said.

"After discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups,

A&E has decided to resume filming Duck Dynasty later this spring with the entire Robertson family."

An already completed 10-episode season will begin airing Jan. 15, with all of the Robertsons featured.

The new episodes, scheduled to be shot this spring, will air later next year.

Duck is the No. 2 series on cable TV, behind The Walking Dead, and ranks among the top 30 of all TV shows with an average of 13.4 million viewers.


Sources: A&E, USA Today, Youtube

Derek Jeter's Historic 3,000th Hit! Christian Lopez Catches!

Derek Jeter's 3,000 hit ball nabbed by Christian Lopez at Yankee Stadium

It was the perfect birthday present for a lifelong Yankees fan like Christian Lopez: The historic baseball drilled by Derek Jeter for his 3,000th hit.

And while Lopez was thrilled by the gift, he wasted no time in returning the irreplaceable baseball Saturday afternoon to the future Hall of Famer.

"He deserved this," Lopez said in an interview on the YES Network. "He worked so hard for this. He's been in the league for so long. I'm not really the kind to take something away from him.

"He earned it."

Lopez, in a touch the Yankees captain would appreciate, outhustled the crazed crowd in Section 236 to snag Jeter's history-making homer.

His father - wearing a Joe DiMaggio No. 5 throwback jersey - offered some protection by hurling himself on Lopez's back once the ball was firmly in hand.

"It's amazing," the Highland Mills, N.Y., resident, told the Daily News, beaming from ear to ear while keeping a death grip on the ball. "I just picked it up off the floor."

Lopez, 23, was sitting in the first row of his section in left field - the luckiest seat in the stadium - when Jeter's third-inning solo blast landed.

"We bought him tickets a couple of weeks ago for his birthday, as a present," said Lopez's girlfriend, Tara Johnson. "He's a huge Yankees fan."

Asked about the moment her boyfriend snagged the one-of-a-kind baseball, Johnson said simply, "It was awesome."

Although Lopez insisted he wanted nothing in return for the ball, the Yankees provided him with four seats in a Yankee Stadium suite for the rest of the season - including the playoffs and World Series.

Lopez - wearing a Yankees baseball cap - was accompanied by his dad and his girlfriend to the afternoon game against the Rays.

He was quickly hustled out of the stands by Yankees security and a city police officer.

A sold-out Yankee Stadium exploded in exultation as Jeter wrote a new chapter in the storied franchise's history with his hit - a no-doubt-about-it home run.

The entire Yankees bench poured onto the field to hug Jeter as he crossed home plate in the bottom of the third inning. The crowd howled in delight at the historic blast by their hometown hero.

Mayor Bloomberg joined the chorus by hailing Jeter as a symbol of the city where he's starred for 17 seasons.

"Derek is someone who loves this city and who has a long history of giving back to the place and the people who helped make me the superstar he is," Bloomberg said in a statement.

The 37-year-old future Hall of Famer became the first player to collect 3,000 hits in pinstripes, and only the 28th in the history of baseball.

No. 2,999 came in Jeter's first at-bat, a bouncing single through the left side of the Tampa Bay infield as the stadium crowd stood and cheered.

"It's amazing!" said Richard Martinez, 27, of the Bronx. "It feels great. It means a lot."

The typically taciturn Jeter managed a smile as he was greeted by first base coach Mick Kelleher.

Outside the Bronx ballpark, there were still hard feelings about Friday night's decision to declare a rainout.

"We came to see Derek Jeter," said Giovanni Cortez, 18, who was shut out by Friday's storm. "This sucks."


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Sources: AP, NY Daily News, Youtube, Google Maps

LeBron James Becomes Cleveland's Worst Enemy! Jealousy!

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=8f0fcea2-31ca-4aa8-a4d0-2495b7a7de8d&amp;from=IV2_en-us_foxsports_articles" target="_new" title="LeBron Tracker: Cleveland enemy No. 1">Video: LeBron Tracker: Cleveland enemy No. 1</a>







Cavs Owner Rips LeBron's "Betrayal"


Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert posted this letter on Cavs.com after LeBron James decided he was leaving for the Miami Heat:


Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....

Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers



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Sources: CNN, Fox Sports, MSNBC, Google Maps

Saints Biggest Fans: Charlie's Saints Marching Club

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Sources: CNN, Google Maps

Mike Leach's Official Facebook Page Has 11,092 Fans! Keep It Coming!

Here is the link to Mike Leach's Official Facebook Page.

Let's show our support for Coach Leach and keep it coming!

By the way I believe he should have been suspended but NOT fired.






Mike Leach: I would like to dedicate this impending victory to all my fans, especially the ones here on Facebook, from Kevin Burson to Bryan A. Garner.
Guns up!

Mike Leach: Brandon, we're gonna come out with our guns up! AAAARRRRRGGG!

Mike Leach: Where I end up coaching next year has a lot to do with how many fans I get on Facebook... so keep it coming!

Debby Mills: I agree!!!

Mike Jaster: These people at ESPN are absolutely fools. They have tried and executed you in a "Hot Minute" you stood up for what you believe in and I respect that. It is not about holding hands and eating cake. I do not believe you did anything that would hurt any of the players/folks on the team. Too much whining on their end they should suck it up and grow a ... See Morepair, this is a tough game requiring concentration, discipline etc. Otherwise they should join the scouts may teach them a thing or two.

You should carefully analyze a position for next year where there will be better support for you and roll with that and build a stellar program like you did with the Raiders!

Mike Leach: I would like to thank all my fans! Please, we need more people to support this fan page if we are going to whip Oklahoma as badly as we whipped State!

Mike Leach: I'm sure mac brown is great at recruiting and with the boosters, but mike leach makes college football a wonder to behold. congrats on tonight's victory.





(From Facebook) Petition to Keep Mike Leach a Red Raider


This a group for anybody who thinks Mike Leach is a bad a** and wants to keep him in Lubbock. I know the Leach no longer has the opportunity to go to Miami but I think we should still rally behind this great coach.

He has taken a nobody football team and put us in national headlines. I am tired of the fair weather fans trying to put him down for a still winning season. All great programs have their set backs. If we could support our teams despite of a few mistakes, maybe they would have enough confidence in themselves to perform at the level they are capable of.

Some Facts about Leach:

- Leach's offense produced school records in nearly every passing category in 2000, but surpassed those numbers in each of the last four seasons. His five teams have combined for over 150 team and individual records at Tech.

- The Red Raiders have improved their total offensive numbers from 324.8 yards per game to 491.7 yards per game since Leach's arrival. The last five seasons rank as the top five all-time at Tech in total offense, while scoring went from 23 points per game in 1999 to 36.2 points last season. The most significant increase has been in the passing game, where the Red Raiders averaged 399.7 yards per game in 2004 compared to 175.4 yards in 1999.

- In 2003, Heisman Trophy candidate and quarterback B.J. Symons capped off his senior season with an NCAA Passing Championship and an NCAA single-season record 5,833 passing yards. A year earlier, current New Orleans Saints quarterback Kliff Kingsbury finished his senior campaign ranked in total offense (2nd), completions (1st), attempts (1st) and passing touchdowns (1st). The record-setting quarterback also set 17 NCAA records during his career and tied three other marks.

- Additionally, recruiting has been one of the top beneficiaries since Leach's arrival in December 1999. The Red Raiders' 2005 recruiting class was once again ranked among the top 25. From his first class in the spring of 2000 to this year's list of newcomers, each class continues to get better. Not only is Texas Tech recruiting the Texas area, but Leach also is extending the reach of the program across the country.

- "Since Leach got to Texas Tech, they've basically doubled attendance, doubled ticket prices and beaten some of the best teams in the country," O'Hagan said. "He's had winning records every year recruiting against Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and LSU.''

Open: All content is public to the Texas Tech network.



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Sources: Facebook, Texas Monthly, Google Maps

Rush Limbaugh Dropped From St. Louis Rams Bids

(Al Sharpton To NFL: "No Rush!")

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Reports: Group will drop Limbaugh from Rams bid


Looks like the Rush Limbaugh/NFL controversy may not last too long.

The group that is trying to buy the St. Louis Rams plans to drop the outspoken radio show host and conservative commentator, according to multiple published reports Wednesday. There is no definitive timeframe as to when the move will happen, according to ESPN.com.

News of Limbaugh being dropped from the investing group, which is led by St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts, comes a day after several prominent NFL figures, including commissioner Roger Goodell, expressed concern about the prospects of Limbaugh becoming part-owner of an NFL franchise.

Goodell on Tuesday labeled some things Limbaugh has said in the past as "polarizing comments that we don't think reflect accurately on the NFL or our players."

Goodell seemed to be referring to Limbaugh's 2003 comment about the Eagles' Donovan McNabb. On a Sunday Night Football broadcast on ESPN, Limbaugh said, "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."

"I have said many times before that we are all held to a higher standard here," Goodell said Tuesday. "I think divisive comments are not what the NFL is all about. I would not want to see those kind of comments from people who are in a responsible position within the NFL. No. Absolutely not."

Also Tuesday, Colts owner Jim Irsay said he would not vote to approve Limbaugh as an NFL owner.

"I, myself, couldn't even consider voting for him," Irsay said at an owners meetings. "When there are comments that have been made that are inappropriate, incendiary and insensitive ... our words do damage, and it's something that we don't need."

Prospective owners must be approved by 24 of the league's 32 teams.

Several players have also voiced their concern over Limbaugh's potential ownership position, and NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith, who is black, urged players to speak out against Limbaugh's bid.

While Limbaugh did not have any comment in response to the reports he would be dropped from the investing group, he did address the overall situation on his radio program Wednesday.

"I'm not even thinking of exiting," Limbaugh said. "I'm not even thinking of caving. I am not a caver. None of us are. We have been betrayed by too many who have caved. Pioneers take the arrows. We are pioneers. It's a sad thing that our country over 200 years old now needs pioneers all over again, but we do."

The Rams updated the league on their potential sale on Tuesday but specific bidders were not discussed, Goodell said.

Sources: MSNBC, NFL Fox Sports, Wikipedia

Rush Limbaugh's St. Louis Rams Bid, Al Sharpton Or NFL Fans...Who Wins This Battle?

(Al Sharpton To NFL: "No Rush!")

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Sharpton-Jackson attack Limbaugh’s Rams bid


The Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson attacked the bid by Rush Limbaugh to buy the St. Louis Rams on Monday, saying the conservative radio host’s track record on race should exclude him from owning an NFL team.

Sharpton sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, arguing that Limbaugh has been divisive and “anti-NFL” in some of his comments.

Jackson said in a telephone interview that Limbaugh had made his wealth “appealing to the fears of whites” with an unending line of insults against blacks and other minorities.

“The National Football League has set high standards for racial justice and inclusion,” Jackson said. “He should not have the privilege of owning an NFL franchise — and it is a privilege.” The Civil Rights leader said he’s had contact with numerous players and ex-players concerned about the bid.

Limbaugh shot back at Sharpton on his radio show.

“Now, this saddens me as well this disappoints me,” he said. “I know Rev. Sharpton. Sharpton is better than this. He knows better than this. You know, I didn’t judge Al Sharpton’s fitness to be in radio when he wanted to earn an honest living for once, given his well-documented past as the author of the Tawana Brawley hoax. I believe in freedom and I also don’t discriminate.”

Limbaugh said last week that he is teaming up with St. Louis Blues hockey team owner Dave Checketts in a bid to buy the Rams. He has declined to discuss details of the offer, citing a confidentiality agreement.

In 2003, Limbaugh worked briefly on ESPN’s NFL pregame show. He resigned after saying Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.

Transcripts posted on the radio host’s Web site also say that on a January 2007 show, Limbaugh commented: “The NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it.”

Asked about Limbaugh’s bid to purchase the winless Rams, McNabb said: “If he’s rewarded to buy them, congratulations to him. But I won’t be in St. Louis any time soon.”

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league is aware of the concerns voiced by Sharpton and Jackson.

“It is very early in the process and no transfer of ownership of the Rams has been presented to the league for review,” Aiello said.

The latest complaints came a day after executive director of the NFL Players Association, DeMaurice Smith, urged players to speak out against Limbaugh’s bid.

“I have asked our players to embrace their roles not only in the game of football but also as players and partners in the business of the NFL,” Smith said in a statement Sunday. “They risk everything to play this game, they understand that risk and they live with that risk and its consequences for the rest of their life.

“We also know that there is an ugly part of history and we will not risk going backwards, giving up giving in or lying down to it.”

Players on the 0-5 Rams, who were routed by the Minnesota Vikings 38-10 on Sunday, tried to distance themselves from the controversy.

“I’m paying attention, but I’m not even touching that one,” running back Steven Jackson said. “Because if I start touching it I might go somewhere I don’t want to go.”

Defensive end Chris Long said he just heard Monday that Limbaugh was part of a group seeking to purchase the team. His reaction: “Oh, is that the guy on the radio?”

Reminded of Limbaugh’s statements about McNabb, Long seemed to disapprove while adding he didn’t care who owned the team.

“I mean, those weren’t great comments at all,” Long said. “But it’s not my job to really comment on that.”

Defensive end Leonard Little, the last remaining player from the Rams’ Super Bowl championship after the 1999 season, didn’t want to talk about it.

“We’ve got a lot more things to worry about than who’s going to be our owner,” he said.




Goodell should say no to Limbaugh


It's a publicity stunt Roger Goodell should've shut down within minutes of its launch.

Rush Limbaugh as NFL owner is an unfunny joke. But the kingpin of talk radio counted on the sarcasm to fly over most of our heads and for television executives to ignore the absurdity and milk the controversy for ratings.

What he didn't know is how the NFL commissioner would react.

Well, now we have our disappointing answer. Given an opportunity to add equal-opportunity credibility to his clean-up-the-image-of-the-league campaign, Goodell has stood motionless on a busy airport runway.

And here come the Left Brothers — Al "747" Sharpton and Jesse "DC 10" Jackson — barreling in for a landing on top of Goodell's dome. And this time every black person with an ounce of common sense and self-respect is riding shotgun with Jesse and Al, who have justifiably voiced their displeasure with Limbaugh's ownership bid.

I'm not mad at Limbaugh. He expresses no shame to the game he's been running for two decades. He's an opportunistic, race-baiting, anti-black entertainer. The popularity of the gangsta element of hip-hop music culture has allowed Limbaugh to proudly claim that his form of entertainment is mainstream.

I'd say we're less than 24 hours from Limbaugh playing the Jay-Z card. Brother Jay owns a piece of the New Jersey Nets and has a library of rap tunes spewing the same kind of black-degrading lyrics, phrases and stereotypes that have made Limbaugh rich enough to buy a chunk of the St. Louis Rams.

This is a brilliant publicity stunt. After taking down challenger Sean Hannity during the election season, Limbaugh is now in an ultimate fight with Glenn Beck for the prestigious and lucrative crown of right-wing racial divider.

Having failed as an NFL commentator, Limbaugh understands the power of football. He realized announcing his intention to buy the Rams would feed the sports and political talk-show monsters. He figured if things hit just right, he might land the cover of Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine.

He never had a doubt that he'd smoke out Al Sharpton.

I spent last week and this weekend dodging this issue. People asked me via e-mail and Facebook if I had an opinion, and I declined to comment. My boss at FOXSports.com begged me to write a column, and I told him I had nothing to add to the discussion.

I didn't want to play Limbaugh's game. This is a (freaking) publicity stunt. I assumed that Goodell would quickly put an end to this lunacy.

In the name of improving the image of the NFL, Goodell has smacked every black and white player who has crossed paths with law enforcement.

Rush Limbaugh would be devastating to the NFL brand. Just as it has in the past seven days, his style of racial politics would upset employees and take attention away from the games.

This is the major difference between Rush and Jay-Z. Beyonce's boyfriend raps a bunch of dumb, racist, sexist (spit) but serious people don't take Jay-Z or his music seriously. Jay's expression of self-hatred does not bother NBA players, NBA fans or remotely overshadow what transpires on the court.

That would not be the case for Limbaugh. He would be a nightmare. He would make Marge Schott seem like Jimmy Carter, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X rolled into one package.

Here are two quotes from the best-of Rush Limbaugh racist collection:

"You know who deserves a posthumous Medal of Honor? James Earl Ray (Dr. King's assassin). We miss you, James. Godspeed."

And ...

"Let's face it, we didn't have slavery in this country for over 100 years because it was a bad thing. Quite the opposite: Slavery built the South. I'm not saying we should bring it back. I'm just saying it had its merits. For one thing, the streets were safer after dark."

You can argue the comments are presented out of context and were meant as jokes. Then I'd argue that Limbaugh needs to get on the comedy-club circuit and out of the business of attempting to influence presidential politics. Limbaugh wants to be taken seriously.

OK, let me bring Goodell's hypocrisy all the way home.

Do you think Goodell would allow Michael Vick to go on radio and crack jokes about dogs?

"Let's face it, I didn't dogfight for several years because it was a bad thing. Quite the opposite: We made a lot of money with Bad Newz Kennels. I'm not saying I'd do it again. I'm just saying it had its merits. For one thing, there was a lot less dog poop on the streets."

If Michael Vick said those words on radio, Goodell would rebuke Vick's comments within minutes and kick him out of the NFL within 24 hours.

We all know the atrocities of human slavery. Can an NFL owner with 30 to 40 black players and a 10 percent black fan base make a living cracking jokes about the abuse and torture of black people?

It's unfortunate and troubling that Roger Goodell needs time to think about this.

I wish I could say it's surprising. It's always easiest to castigate, penalize and shun the people outside your group. Goodell primarily represents a consortium of rich white men who apparently can't quite muster the courage to stand up to one of their own.



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Sources: MSNBC, NBC Sports, MSN Fox Sports, NY Daily News, Seattle Times, BBC, Baltimore Suns, Footblog, Google Maps

Michael Jackson Public Memorial Planned For July 7th In Los Angeles

MSNBC----

(Michael Jackson's public memorial service will take place at LA's Staples Center on July 7th. NBC's Michael Okwu reports preparations at the site are already underway.)

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

LOS ANGELES - City officials are scrambling over the holiday weekend to try to figure out how to accommodate a public memorial service for Michael Jackson at a venue that can hold no more than 20,000 people.

The event has been set for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the downtown Staples Center, according to a statement from the Jackson family’s publicist. The service is expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators wanting to pay their respects to the “King of Pop,” who died June 25. How city officials will handle the massive crowd remains to be settled.

Randy Phillips, chief executive of AEG Live, which owns the Staples Center and was Jackson’s promoter, said tickets would be free. He was not sure how they would be distributed. A press conference to announce further details was planned for Friday at 1 p.m. ET.

Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine said plans for the memorial are clearly moving forward, but he wished there had been more time to work out the logistics.

“If you can imagine 100,000 people show up and you have 20,000 capacity, there is not sufficient room. Now you have a crowd-control problem,” he said. With the July Fourth holiday weekend “it’s the worst time ... to work something out.” He also said he’s concerned about the cost of police overtime for the cash-strapped city.

Jackson’s brother Jermaine told CNN’s Larry King that there will be a private ceremony for family and some special guests before the public memorial. He added the family wants to have other memorials around the United States.

Meanwhile, the future of Michael Jackson’s children was thrown into question Thursday when his ex-wife emerged and won a delay in a custody hearing while she decides whether she she wants to raise her two offspring.

It was the first legal move from Deborah Rowe since the entertainer’s death. Jackson’s will asks for his 79-year-old mother, Katherine, to get permanent custody of his three.

Rowe, who met Jackson as a receptionist in the office of his dermatologist, has characterized their relationship as strictly for the purpose of giving birth to Jackson’s children. She is the mother of his two oldest children and received $8.5 million in their divorce, according to court records. His youngest child, 7-year-old Prince Michael II, was conceived with an unidentified surrogate.

Rowe has spent little time with her son Michael Joseph Jr., known as Prince Michael, 12; and daughter Paris Michael Katherine, 11. But Rowe also has opposed the idea of Katherine Jackson getting custody of her children when it came up in the past.

Rowe’s attorney, Eric M. George, said his client had not decided whether to seek custody.

A guardianship hearing was set for July 13 at the request of attorneys for Rowe and for Katherine Jackson, who has temporary guardianship of her son’s children.

In other developments:

* A 30-second snippet of Jackson rehearsing for a series of comeback concerts in London two days before his death was released Thursday. The rehearsal footage, shot in high definition, includes Jackson performing his hits “Thriller” and “Beat It.” His voice is strong and he appears in perfect health. Other footage shows production meetings and auditions.

* A court hearing was scheduled for Monday to deal with who will take temporary control of Jackson’s estate. He left all his assets to the Michael Jackson Family Trust. A person familiar with the details of the trust said it would be shared between his mother, who gets 40 percent, his three children, who together get 40 percent, and charities for children, which would receive 20 percent. The charities will be determined later by the trust. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

* Authorities were investigating allegations that the 50-year-old Jackson had been consuming painkillers, sedatives and antidepressants. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration and California Attorney General Jerry Brown both were helping Los Angeles police investigate the possible involvement of prescription drugs in Jackson’s death.


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Sources: MSNBC, The Wrap, MTV, Google Maps