I understood why there was such a media backlash about the comments from Bernard Hopkins about Donovan McNabb not being black.
In this new age media, quotes that would have been a blip on the radar in the past become headline news immediately now. I found this story interesting because most people assumed it was just Hopkins randomly calling out McNabb when in reality Hopkins has said the same thing about McNabb several times over the past decade.
Wasn’t new to me, I knew the back story from the beginning. I even know exactly what Hopkins is trying to say about McNabb, he used a poor choice of words and I don’t necessarily agree with him, but I know his point was much bigger than the “he isn’t black” headline that was spread across the internet.
If you strip away all the colorful language of the Hopkins comments, the crux of his argument is that McNabb choose to be a “management” guy and chooses not to always speak up or speak his mind.
Depending on your perspective you could see that as smart, cowardly, manipulative or a lot of other adjectives.
From my perspective I think McNabb did what is best for his long term viability in the league and when he ultimately retires. I do think in the T.O. situation he had the ability if he wanted, to make that situation work.
Little known fact is that Andy Reid would not have suspended T.O. without the approval of Donovan McNabb.
T.O. can be difficult and he certainly holds a part of the blame, but there were things going on behind the scenes that alienated McNabb’s teammates on how how McNabb handle the situation.
With that being said I don’t think that has anything with him being black, just him protecting his own interest and some jealous of T.O.’s popularity at the time. Hopkins wording was bad but if you listen to this interview you may find some truth in what he is saying.
It is his opinion and some will agree and some won’t just remember we don’t “Mendenhall” around these parts, use your brain and come to your own conclusions.