On “ESPN First Take” on Thursday afternoon, analyst Rob Parker said he can’t tell if African-American quarterback Robert Griffin III is a brother or “cornball brother” because he has a white fiancée and he might be Republican. Here is the quote:
“My question, which is just a straight-up, honest question, is he a brother or a cornball brother? He’s not really … okay he’s black he kinda does his thing, but he’s not really down with the cause. He’s not really one of us. He’s kind of black, but he’s not really, like, the guy you want to hand out with … I keep hearing these thing We all know he has a white fiancée and there’s all this talk about, he’s a Republican, which there’s no information at all. I’m just trying to dig deeper into why he has an issue.”
As you can imagine, Twitter went berserk.
Amazing. ESPN's first take debate, is RGIII black enough? Really, this happened. http://t.co/UIgMf2gY
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) December 13, 2012
https://twitter.com/TheBigLead/status/279322932520554496
Dear, Rob Parker: RG3 having a White fiancee makes him a "cornball brother" but his braids add to his "authenticity?" Really? *sigh*
— Stephon Pujols-Johnson (@StephonPJohnson) December 13, 2012
https://twitter.com/tyduffy/status/279309559397486592
https://twitter.com/TrapBasquiat/status/279322346601459712
Absurd comments by @RobParkerESPN 2day on RGIII's being "down w cause" or not. This is why @ESPN_FirstTake sets us back http://t.co/oRTOKU6t
— Roy S. Johnson (@roysj) December 13, 2012
What does it even mean 'acting more black' ? @RobParkerESPN How do I 'act more white'? #GetOverTheRaceCardAlready This is 2012, not 1960.
— Huskers (@WackAttack35) December 13, 2012
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Wow @RobParkerESPN I know you were asking "questions" but that was uncalled for. What is a real black guy or a fake black guy anyways?
— M@ (@MKsmn515) December 13, 2012
https://twitter.com/hmich176/status/279334806184132608
Put the words “cornball brother” in the column of terms I didn’t know existed before today and wish I hadn’t learned ever.
— IronandrewCMV (@andrewdlynch) December 13, 2012
Wondering what @espn maybe doing where they can't respond to such disgraceful speech http://t.co/5QR7znIV Maybe using bathroom or…
— The Wyomingite (@ConservativeHic) December 13, 2012
I liked @RobParkerESPN but his comments on First Take are incredibly offensive. If that network wasn't a joke, they'd fire him.
— . (@Teecus90) December 13, 2012
https://twitter.com/L_Allen_/status/279324459096236032
This guy @RobParkerESPN wears the most RIDICULOUS suits and HE'S calling someone a cornball??
— Johnny Buckets (@JohnnyBuckets9) December 13, 2012
Heh.
@RobParkerESPN you sorry son of a bitch. Don't you ever ever talk shit about my QB RGIII. You need to apologize for those comments #CORNBALL
— Gregory Raspberry (@The_Fatmack) December 13, 2012
No apology from Parker yet. On the contrary, he’s doubled down. He retweeted these race-baiting fans:
@RobParkerESPN you were dead on about RGIII & other athletes who shy away from their blackness. It's unnecessary & pathetic to do so
— Rocky Bilboa (@ThadBaggins) December 13, 2012
https://twitter.com/FatherV/status/279297870744657920
And then insulted one of his critics:
“@nomorevinny: I'm curious how @RobParkerESPN thinks RG3 should act to "be more black".” Bet u didn't even see show. Typical and uneducated
— Rob Parker (@RobParkerFS1) December 13, 2012
@RobParkerESPN tweeting back insults at people for calling him out on his BS racist remarks, reeks of desperation and pathetic sadness.
— David (Razor) Harris (@House_Razor) December 13, 2012
No kidding.
We can’t wait to find out what future gems are set to issue forth from Parker’s mouth. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait too long. He’s busy prepping for Saturday’s show.
“@RobertALoblaw: @RobParkerESPN Good luck in your next line of work!” Typical silly response. Watch me on First Take tomorrow and Sat.#pleze
— Rob Parker (@RobParkerFS1) December 13, 2012
Tune in to “First Take” on Saturday. You never know what you might hear.
***
Update:
Even race card aficionado Touré thinks Parker went too far:
https://twitter.com/Toure/status/279359294984552448
https://twitter.com/Toure/status/279359732567904256
https://twitter.com/Toure/status/279364466548822016
https://twitter.com/Toure/status/279365075125559297
Wow. When you’ve lost Touré …
* * *
Update:
ESPN’s communications director says that the network is evaluating its next steps.
ESPN comment re Rob Parker on First Take earlier today: "The comments were inappropriate and we are evaluating our next steps."
— Chris LaPlaca (@espn_chris) December 14, 2012
That didn’t sound like a request for suggestions, but as long as there’s an ESPN official paying attention…
@espn_chris not to mention the comments were stupid.
— Mike Costa (@JudeCosta_) December 14, 2012
@espn_chris Like cancel the show? It's turned into garbage , serving no purpose but to make outlandish statements just to get a rise.
— PAWWWWWWWL (@AJSRNJ) December 14, 2012
@espn_chris @PeytonsHead the next step is to remove @robparkerespn from his duties. Ignorance on sports and now race? Terrible. @espn
— mister o (@FerroniusMonk) December 14, 2012
@espn_chris if a white reporter (loosely used for Parker) made anything in line of this he/she would already be in the unemployment line.
— Matt Steele (@Matthew_Steele1) December 14, 2012
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