Jim Rome is Burning? - Not On This Day In History

My man Jim Rome has an interesting show on ESPN. It’s one of the few shows I watch. The guy knows his sports and delivers his take on recent sports news with a certain wit and humor. However, I nearly choked on my Sam Adams when I heard him today.

He did a ‘burn’ on Lebron James claiming racism was responsible for some negative coverage about his decision to leave Cleveland and play for Miami. Here’s the background: a reporter planted the seed, asking Lebron and his agent if race played a role. (who are these self-righteous, bleeding heart, white reporters who always try and show how sensitive they are to their minority brethren by constantly injecting race in everything – more on this in another column). Lebron and his agent both answered in the affirmative (Have you ever heard a minority say racism wasn’t involved when asked about an incident by a white reporter?).

I searched the wires for any reported evidence of any sort of racism. There wasn’t any. The fans simply disagreed with his decision and were obviously upset. The owner said James acted ‘cowardly’ by the way he handled that circus they called ‘The Decision’. Because some disagreed with his decision, James and his agent played the race card.

In this politically correct day and age, you can’t even disagree with a minority without being called ‘racist’.

So what did Rome say? Rome said that since he was a ‘white guy’, and hasn’t walked in James’ shoes, he couldn’t offer an opinion. Later in his broadcast, he set up the question of race to his guest sportswriter by saying that they were just a couple of ‘white guys’ and may not be in the best position to judge.

What the hell Jim? Because you’re white, you can’t have an opinion on whether or not something is racist? Give me a freaking break.

I’m not an electrician, but I know when my power is out.

I’m not a bear, but I know it craps in the woods.

I’m not a bitch, but I know when someone is acting like one.

In fairness to Rome, he’s a smart guy. He knows who butters his bread. If anyone ever makes any comment, no matter how frivolous, about the possibility of Rome being a racist, his career is over. He knows it. That makes the reason why he even broached the subject, even more confusing. He raises the issue twice during his show, then provides a panty-waisted opinion that any politician would be proud of.

Man up. Either give us a real opinion, or don’t bother bringing it up.

But here’s the kicker. Rome is not just some ‘white guy’ who can’t render an opinion on racism because his skin isn’t black. He’s a Jew. That’s right. Over 6 million of his people lost their lives to racism during the 1930’s and 40’s. Thousands more have lost their lives to people who wanted to kill them simply because of their race. It’s hard to imagine any group of people who are more qualified to render an opinion on racism.

Yes Jim, you wimped out on this one. The correct response?

‘If by racism you mean that you are one of the richest, most famous people on the planet - you can go anywhere, do whatever you want, and people practically worship you in the process. If that’s what you mean by racism, then yeah there was racism. However, if you mean that you got your feelings hurt because you left a lot of angry fans back in Cleveland who disagreed with your decision to leave the team they supported with their time, money, and energy, and consequently you decided to play the race card to explain why they were being mean to you, then try again pal, because I don’t see it. When someone changes the channel because they don’t like my show, you don’t see me calling them a Jew hater. When an athlete won’t come on my show because they don’t like how I roll, you don’t see me playing the race card. When Jim Everett knocks me on the ground, I don’t claim it’s because he belongs to the KKK. No. I get back up, dust myself off, and keep moving forward. I suggest you do the same thing next time King – leave the victim routine for someone who deserves it. You know, like the fans that faithfully supported you for the last 7 years that you abandoned.’

Man up next time Rome. This one was beneath you.

© Real Man Magazine

Jim Rome is Burning