There is nothing worse than an irrelevant athlete or entertainer who will do anything to become relevant again. Bernard Hopkins hasn’t mattered in the world of boxing in the last five years, so he’s desperate for anyone with a camera, recorder or notepad to pay attention to him when he opens his mouth.
While working out for an upcoming fight against Jean Pascal, a fight that no one cares about, Hopkins was asked why Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb felt betrayed when he was traded by the Eagles. And because no one cares about Hopkins’ boxing career, the 41 year-old pugilist took the opportunity to discuss a sport he has no connection to.
“[McNabb] got a suntan. That’s all,” Hopkins said. “McNabb is the guy in the house, while everybody else is on the field. He’s the one who got the extra coat. The extra servings. ‘You’re our boy.’ He thought he was one of them.”
Referring to McNabb’s suburban upbringing in Chicago, Hopkins hinted that McNabb didn’t have mental toughness because he was an Uncle Tom.
Honestly, there are athletes who misrepresent themselves as black men. Pro athletes who squander invaluable opportunities by participating in crime; spend tons of money on nonsensical items that depreciate in value; and those who fail to present positive images and help others in the neighborhoods they grew up in, are the only black athletes who are betraying our community.
McNabb led the Eagles to a Super Bowl and three NFC Championship games. Only Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have compiled more victories than McNabb.
Off the field, McNabb has remained a leader by speaking to students and holding charity events that raise awareness about childhood obesity and diabetes. He also mentored Michael Vick once the embattled star was released from prison. McNabb is far from a “House Negro.”
Hopkins prides himself on being disciplined and a tactician in the ring. But unfortunately, he provided fodder for the largely white sports media who often jump at the chance to report on a successful black man’s verbal attack on another successful black man.
Today, Hopkins is likely excited because the media is finally talking about him again. But in the next few weeks, the media will ignore him and he will realize that they gave him attention only because he degraded McNabb. What an ignorant way to justify blackness. –amir shaw
