I was pleased to read that Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver, whom I have a great deal of respect for, has had a chance of heart and realized that he was out of line comparing the unthinkable and epic crime of slavery to the current impasse between NFL players and owners.
Here’s what Weaver had to say on his Twitter account.
“Hey everyone I’m here in therapy an I have seen the recording of the interview….
And I will have to say that I’m very disappointed in the whole interview an the comments I made.
I first want to apologizes for the bad choice ode words, and using the word slavery.
Now, that I have seen it, I will say that it was hard for me to watch and after thinking about it, I’ve come to the conclusion that…..
I represented my family, friends and organization the wrong way. I’m sorry for those words I used and if I offend anyone, please forgive me.
To all my fans whom I’ve disappointed I’m sorry.”
Good man Leonard. Good man.
it’s a sign of strength and character to admit your mistakes and we all make them.
class act
I agree with Leonard. They are running the NFL like slave owners use to run plantations. They would buy the strongest black and make him the workhorse — the same happens in the NFL.
The NFL combine itself is like a damn slave convention. “Let’s see what colored kid is the strongest, fastest and most talented so we can draft him and he can make us a lot of money Bob!”
It’s the same concept and anyone can see it. Now it’s obviously not as severe, but I can see where they get the comparison. Some of you may not agree, and that’s fine, but just think about it.
birdo – aren’t job interviews the same? The race thing is irrelevant – your comment suggested that there aren’t white people and other races trying out for the NFL combine – that’s pretty ridiculous.
People gathered to assess the best job attributes for future employment? What’s the slavery part?
What’s the difference? Newsflash: NFL players (when not locked out) get compensated for their work. Well. No shit. I’m serious
What about auditions for plays? Musical auditions? Slavery? Nope – just auditions.
Come on man..this is just ridiculous.. I came here to say well done #43
and Birdo says what he says..LMAO…
How can you compare a group of men AUDITIONING for a job that will pay them millions of dollars to a slave convention or slave auction
birdo, i think one major difference is slaves really did not have a choice . if weaver , peterson , vick or kolb don’ t want to play in the nfl , guess what they don’t have to. they can become an accountant , attourney or a carpenter , or a car salesman. they all went to college. my one issue is a couple months ago when they were under contract none of this came up. now the checks stop aflowin all s**t breaks loose.
Good job Weaver. Bad choice of words from an emotional guy. I can move past it.
Not to change subjesct..
Did anyone listen or read some of LAwrence Taylors Comments about rape,having sex with a minor.. talk about a disturbed fellow… He’s a disgrace to the NFL , the Giants and to his brothers if you ask me..
Birdo are you related to Jimmy the Greek? you should be careful, your hood is showing. How in the heck do you have that perspective on athletic tryouts unless that’s how YOU feel!
Rastadoc, you are an ignorant fool, nothing the Greek said was racist, it was historical fact, and birdo is correct, the NFL combine is akin to a slave auction, with the major exception that it isvoluntary, but nonetheless very degrading
jakedog, degrading how? It’s a frickin audition. How is it any more degrading than a job interview or theater audition?
I was just generalizing with the NFL Combine. Yes, white players also take part in it and audition like schiller said, but once again, I was generalizing. If you look at the NFL as a WHOLE, it’s very similar to slavery. Black players/athletes make WHITE owners lots and lots of money.
Yes, I know there are white players in the league as well…..but do I have to give you the percentage of white players in the league? Didn’t think so.
There were white slaves back in the day too — get what I’m saying?
I know I’m generalizing but people need to stop getting into a hissy fit about what Adrian and Leonard said. The NFL is VERY similar to the slave trade and how slave owners made money.
You can say it’s like a “job interview” or “theater audition” all you want, but be real, a high percentage of guys in the league know nothing BUT football — take that away from them and they have nothing. Is that partially their fault? Most likely. Regardless, I stand by my theory.
Birdo, kudos for standing by your theory. I still disagree. Your new caveat to your argument is that they know nothing but football, for the most part I can’t disagree with that. BUT, same goes for most workers of any job in america. Shit happens, and nobody is taking football away from the players, strikes happen all the time in the real world, it’s not slavery at all. If a football player knows nothing but football, well guess frickin what – LEARN SOMETHING. There’s billions of different schools and opportunities to learn a new trade in this country. The difference between slavery and this situation is FREEDOM. Slavery and freedom by definition cannot coexist. Now tell me what freedoms are restricted from an NFL player?
Like I said, it’s a generalization. Is it as severe as slavery? of course not. But I can still see where they are coming from when they say the things they say. (Weaver/Peterson).
My main point, and the basis of my comparison, is that these players (mostly black) make the owners (all white) a TON of money — like the slave workhorses use to make for the plantation owners.
Back to the combine tho — that thing is REALLY irrelevant. What is the point to it? You can tell if a player is ready for the NFL by watching their college film. The NFL combine is just something for the owners to make more money and exploit their new workhouse (the black player).
In other professions, for the most part, you are free to work for whomever you please, you are not drafted, your interview for the job for most professionals centers on your mental capabilities, not how much “work” you can perform at a combine, how much body fat you carry, how fast, etc, so yes birdo has a very valid defense of Weaver’s statements. The significant difference, however, is that to the extent Weaver is enslaved,he brought it upon himself, is paid handsomely for his srevices, and he can leave any time he wants.
good points all around. It is more nuanced than I was accounting for…
I posted on the other Leonard Weaver article and I’m not going to be redundant. Before everyone tries to pat Weaver on the head and tell him “Good Job.” it’s important to restate the fact that he said he apologized for the WORDS not for expressing the idea that the owners view players as property and want to break them as a collective group because they view them as property.