Who's On The Outs in Black America, And Who's Stepping Up?

Beverly Bond's '09 Black Girls Rock Awards
No Punches, Just Praise as Tyson, Holyfield Meet
White House Starts Newsletter Targeting African Americans

Rape a Weapon of War in Congo, Activists Say

Black Philly Murder Victim Selene Raynor: Why???

Beyonce & Lady Gaga Collaborating

McCain Tells Obama to Pardon Black Boxing Champion
Celebrating the First Black Cover Girl Katiti Kironde
Elder Bush Sees 'Ugliness' in Attacks on Obama
Fox Fires Liberal Black Analyst Dr. Marc Lamont Hill
Diddy Loses $20,000 Ring During BET Show Taping
Obama Administration Shifting Policy on Sudan

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Dallas Cowboy Linebacker DeMarcus Ware Adopts White Baby

I'm sorry is that headline a little too harsh? Perhaps a little to Jerry Springer or National Enquirer. Well hell, then let me know. Cause' those are the words that fell out of my mouth. Ware and his wife, Taniqua have adopted a White baby girl.

They believe they appreciate their daughter, Marley, more because they adopted her after three failed pregnancies. So how do I throw water on that? I can't. But every time we go to an orphanage we see hundreds of African American babies with no home, no future. Every couple and adoption agency in the worldwide "adoption land" knows that the most sought after "prize", is a White baby.

All concerned also know that these White babies go to the most influential and financially equipped parents. DeMarcus is a well paid highly visible All-Pro NFL Football player.

Am I the only one who feels just a little sad that they made this selection if in fact the baby is White? Would I feel different if the baby was biracial? Perhaps it is the media and the agencies who don't constantly remind us of unwanted African American babies here in the United States, thus my angst at even the possibility that this beautiful little girl does not have some sistah in her.

Recent celebrity adoptions and the television infomercials constantly remind us of orphans around the world in Africa and little girls from China have flooded America. Don't tell me you haven't noticed.

DeMarcus and Taniqua say they have two angels — one they hold each day, and one they can feel but never see or touch. A poem, “Angel in the Sky,” sits on the mantle in the living room. It refers to Omar Ware, who was stillborn in 2006 and cremated the same day. The Wares placed his ashes in a gold urn next to the poem.

To read more of their thought process, check out this NY Times article by Greg Bishop and tell us what you think.

Dolphins President Parcells Tells Twinkle Toes Jason Taylor, Get Your Butt In Camp

This is A Hot One.. NFL Miami Dolphin Jason Taylor

This One Is Even Hotter...

Taylor and his Partner Edyta Sliwinska On TV's Dancing With The Stars

But This One is the Hottest...

New Miami Dolphin Operations President Bill Parcells, Who Thinks Jason Needs To Stop This Dance Crap And Get His Butt Back To Work In Dolphins Camp

Baltimore Ravens QB Steve McNair To Retire... But For How Long?

IT"S OVAH!!!

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair will announce his retirement at a news conference at team headquarters this afternoon.

The news was reported on NFL Network and is on the Ravens' official web site.

The news comes as a surprise; the Baltimore Sun reported today that McNair is "hoping to keep his 13-year NFL career going after a turnover-marred, injury-filled 2007

But when have we seen this before? The NFL is a tough league and by the third preseason game there are usually three quarterback openings in the NFL. So don't worry Steve, stay on the bicycle and keep the weight tranning up because you are going to get a call. It is not a matter of if, but when.

Nod to Michael David Smith for breaking this story.

Is The NFL Ready For The Return of Pacman Jones?

"I probably wont go back to a strip club for

at least two or three years..."

Adam "Pacman" Jones made this comment after his infamous "make it rain riot" in a Vegas strip club. Although we don't think this Black man quite gets it, Jones will seek reinstatement to the National Football League next week, according to Dallas-area newspapers.

The troubled Tennessee Titans cornerback and kick returner missed the 2007 season after commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him indefinitely following several run-ins with the law. Agent Manny Arora said Jones would seek reinstatement on Tuesday, according to the Dallas Morning News and The Star-Telegram in Fort Worth. Jones sought reinstatement last year, but was denied following a face-to-face meeting with Goodell.

Jones has said he wants to play for the Dallas Cowboys, but the Cowboys and Titans have yet to agree on a deal. Arora said it makes sense for Jones to learn his playing future next week, before the NFL draft, so that teams can decide whether they'd want to trade for him, according to the Star-Telegram.

More at FOX Sports

The Death of Sean Taylor, From A Black Man Who Needs To Keep It Real

My Perspective Is What Everyone's Thinking But Just Won't Say

By Jayar Jackson

Even at his funeral, the NFL and the Washington Redskins team are still grappling with the tragic reality that Sean Taylor is dead.

The 4 year star of the league lost the battle for his life after intruders allegedly broke into the house as he and his Latina girlfriend slept around 1:45am. This story takes an interesting turn as everyone learned that Taylor’s house was broken into just over 1 week earlier in which the intruder(s) left a kitchen knife on a bed. With this in mind, Taylor grabbed a machete that he kept under his bed for protection when he was awakened Monday by loud noises.

Now its time to keep it real.

With the haunting images of a knife probably purposefully left on a bed along with the victim looking to defend himself with a machete, there will be speculation that he made some enemies in the past and was targeted for this brutal murder.

Some unconfirmed reports even say that when Taylor’s girlfriend tried to call 911, she discovered that the phone lines were cut, forcing her to use her cell phone to place the call. His 2005 arrest for aggravated assault involving firearms in a dispute over a possible theft of Taylor’s ATVs automatically label him a bad guy to some.

The violent shooting death of Denver Broncos defensive back Darrent Williams on New Year’s morning of this year is one of the first things that come to mind when this case is discussed. Williams was senselessly shot in the neck and killed outside of a Denver nightclub from a drive-by shooter’s gun. Although never involved in any criminal activity, this young player also lost his life while simply celebrating the holiday that everyone else enjoyed that night.

Known for his extremely aggressive tactics on the field, his brashness towards the media, and possession of a machete under his bed, many could believe that Taylor’s perceived character brought the wrong kinds of people to his bedroom door Monday night. Let’s be honest, when professional athletes go out or are seen in public, they are treated like kings; adored by fans but envied by lowlifes that never made anything out of their existence. They are walking dollar signs that could equal an easy and profitable hit for thieves, murderers, or the all too common jealous individual. Many in the hip-hop community refer to them as haters.

Many are big, and physically fit men that don’t feel they have to worry about being muscled or intimidated by the average Joe Schmo off the street. Sadly, with this guard being let down, athletes such as Antoine Walker and Eddy Curry were robbed at gunpoint earlier this year, with Walker facing the barrel of a gun for the second time in his own house. Walker was also robbed outside of a restaurant in 2000.

With this apparent targeting of rich, well-known athletes, what are young, oversized, well-paid men to do? Hire security, don’t leave the house, or try to protect themselves and their family the way any other man would do in America? The constant public relations worry of being seen with a weapon or having an entourage with weapons may discourage many from going that route, in fear of being ousted by the league and by fans. They are easily labeled a ‘bad role model’ or a ‘gang banger’ when these types of stories come out. While there really are bad role models and professional athletes that can’t leave bad company alone, we can’t forget that there are many more that are targeted for simply being who they are. While the football world remembers Sean Taylor and mourns his passing, let’s not forget this bizarre and absolutely threatening scene that played itself out twice in his house and even his bedroom as he slept with his girlfriend of 7 years and daughter of only 18 months. Hold your judgment and place yourself in the shoes of a talented athlete that only just began to stand out on a huge stage requiring patience, dedication, and courage in the face of threats that most 24 year-old men couldn’t begin to handle.

NFL Speed Demon "Lamborghini" Lance Briggs Tries To Do A Nick Hogan, With Similar Results!

Why Are So Many Athletes And The Folks Running The Game Losing Their Swagger?

Chicago Bears linebacker and pro bowler Lance Briggs had some esssplanin’ to do Tuesday after crashing his new, $350,000 Lamborghini Murcielago. Illinois police found the abandoned vehicle, which had hit a light pole and a concrete bridge support, alongside the Edens Expressway on the city's North Side around 3:15 a.m.

Why Does Nick Hogan Insist On Repeatedly Being Fast & Furious?

After the crash, Briggs fled the scene, calling a tow truck and the police a few times which eventually ended up in multiple conflicting stories.

"When it happened, the first thing I did was, obviously, I panicked," Briggs said. "I didn't want there to be a big scene there. And so I left the scene. When I left, I called the tow truck. I also was startled, and I called to report that my car was stolen. Within probably 10 minutes, I called back and accepted responsibility for what I did because it was ridiculous in the first place."

This panic over the possibility of a big scene occurring there was a bit too little, too late. Briggs hoped against hope that a few drivers wouldn’t notice an extremely expensive and rare car sitting on top of a bridge support, wrapped around a light pole, as long as a 240 pound Black man wasn’t standing next to the carnage.

Naturally, everyone has to wonder if he was drinking, was on drugs, or was racing the vehicle that was built for speed. These details will probably never be known, but that doesn’t stop suspension-happy fans and observers from asking why the Bears or the NFL hasn’t acted on this bizarre story with some arbitrary banning for Briggs. He was already charged with leaving the scene of an accident, a misdemeanor, and was given traffic citations for failure to give immediate notice of an accident and improper lane usage, when he met with police on Monday afternoon.

He was released after posting $100 bond and is scheduled to appear Oct. 4 in court.
The bottom line is that Briggs finally did come out and take responsibility for the accident and will face the legal consequences that he should. Every time an NFL player does something that doesn’t agree with 100% of the population, a witch hunt sparks people’s need to see him lose his opportunity to do his job, which is completely unrelated to the incident.

The rules and punishments of the league are placed there for reasons, mostly to protect the perceived infallible integrity of sports, which then gets sullied by the most obvious people involved in the game.

As long as the commissioners of the major sports keep their attention on actual violations instead of the fear of public scrutiny targeted at the faces of the game, these players won’t have a fear of breathing and the fly-by-night populace opinion won’t get a sense of unwarranted control over their fate.

If NFL commissioner Roger Goodell runs the league in constant fear of the image its players could portray, he’ll overlook the real scandals that actually ruin their good name. Just ask David Stern.

Keep talking, it’s the only way they’ll ever hear you.--JJJ

MICHAEL VICK OFFICIALLY PLEADS GUILTY, LETS JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL

Black Falcon's Quaterback Claws His Way Toward Redemption

"Guilty," Michael Vick responded to U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson in a low, almost inaudible voice, his hands clasped behind his back. His only sign of emotion came afterward, when he hugged a woman in the front row, later identified by his attorneys as his fiancee. Vick quietly wiped away a tear.

Yes, Michael Vick is a convicted felon now folks, formally pleading to heinous federal dogfighting charges Monday morning. Clocking in at exactly 18 minutes, the pro-baller admitted that he supplied most of the gambling money for fights on his southeastern Virginia property and endorsed the killing of poorly performing dogs.

Not that PETA won't still go for the jugular, but Vick must live out this dramatic fall for one of the NFL's marquee players.

And it sounds like he's found religion in the process. "Dog fighting is a terrible thing, but I found Jesus and have asked for forgiveness. I am turning my life over to God," the athlete stated at a news conference that was chalked full of contrition and humility. "I will redeem myself, I have to."

Judge Hudson set Vick's sentencing for Dec. 10 on the single federal conspiracy charge but repeatedly reminded him that he is not bound by the prison sentence of 12 to 18 months that prosecutors and Vick's attorneys are recommending. "The bottom line is that if I decide you deserve five years and give you five years, you can't appeal it," the judge said. "Do you understand? You're taking your chances here. . . . You have to live with whatever decision I make."

UPDATES AND VIDEO

U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg said in a statement this morning that federal sentencing guidelines had appeared to call for a prison term of up to six months and that a first-time offender like Vick normally might not have received any jail time. Prosecutors insisted that the sentencing range be adjusted upward to 12-18 months, and Vick's attorneys agreed. "It is highly unusual for a defendant to agree to recommend a sentence above the advisory guideline range,'' Rosenberg said.

An attorney for Vick, William R. (Billy) Martin, said afterward the hearing that "we hope Judge Hudson will see the real Mike Vick. What you've seen is something . . . an aberration. We think Judge Hudson will get [the sentence] right.''

Vick said he blamed no one else for his situation and apologized to the public, his football teammates and to "all the kids out there for my immature acts." "I made a mistake in using bad judgment and making bad decisions," he said.

His court appearance was again greeted by deranged animal rights protesters, but the atmosphere outside the courthouse was nothing like the circus it was at his first court appearance. One sign read "Prosecute all dog fighters, justice for all victims." Another represented a different take: "Hang in there Mike," it read.

On Friday, Vick was suspended indefinitely by the league, he has lost endorsement deals from athletic equipment companies, and he will face efforts by the Falcons to recoup upwards of 40 million dollars in signing bonuses. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank accepted Vick's apology and indicated that it was "sincere and heartfelt."

Michael Vick Gets Taken To The NFL Woodshed, Lands In Doghouse With Falcons Owner Art Blank

Vick Won't Be Running With
The Big Dogs Anytime Soon!

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Michael Vick today that he is indefinitely suspended without pay from the National Football League, effective immediately.

Following are excerpts from Commissioner Goodell's letter:

Your admitted conduct was not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible. Your team, the NFL, and NFL fans have all been hurt by your actions.

Your plea agreement and the plea agreements of your co-defendants also demonstrate your significant involvement in illegal gambling. Even if you personally did not place bets, as you contend, your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL Player Contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player.

You have engaged in conduct detrimental to the welfare of the NFL and have violated the league's Personal Conduct Policy. I have advised the Falcons that, with my decision today, they are no longer prohibited from acting and are now free to assert any claims or remedies available to them under the Collective Bargaining Agreement or your NFL Player Contract.

Statement from Atlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank Regarding Michael Vick's Plea Agreement and Indefinite Suspension:

"Today, Michael Vick admitted his guilt to very serious charges related to his earlier indictment. His admissions describe actions that are incomprehensible and unacceptable for a member of the National Football League and the Atlanta Falcons."

"We respect and support the Commissioner's decision today to place Michael Vick on an indefinite suspension. As with other actions he has taken this year, the Commissioner is making a strong statement that conduct which tarnishes the good reputation of the NFL will not be tolerated."

"We hope that Michael will use this time, not only to further address his legal matters, but to take positive steps to improve his personal life."

TMZ

BREAKING NEWS: FACING A RUFF SITUATION, MICHAEL VICK WILL PLEAD TO DOGFIGHTING CHARGES

Atlanta Falcons NFL Quarterback Michael Vick will admit to the charges filed in the controversial Virginia dogfighting case that has captured the nation's attention and infuriated pet activists all over the world.

Lawyers for the $100 million dollar Black superstar just released a statement saying that Vick is accepting full responsibility for his horrific criminal conduct and will do everything in his power to make the situation right!

The deal struck will include at least one year on lockdown, and triumphs logic that he actually had any other options after his co-defendants pled last week.

The inordinately talented player has obviously been leading a double life in his down time, and that may spark closer scrutiny by the NFL. The gambling allegations alone could trigger a lifetime ban under the league's personal conduct policy.

The offense is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The sentencings for the other defendants are set for November and December.

ESPN has more.

PACMAN ACCEPTS NFL SUSPENSION, BUT IS HE READY TO MAN-UP?

NFL Superstar Drops Appeal

Tennessee Titans'cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones now says he will serve the one-year term imposed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on April 10 for a series of off-field episodes.

The African-American baller withdrew the appeal of his suspension today after someone clearly schooled the cocky brother that his actions were becoming way too foul.

DOES THIS BROTHER PERPETUATE BLACK STEREOTYPES?

“I understand my responsibilities to my teammates, the Titans and my fans and I am committed to turning my life around and being a positive member of the NFL,” Jones said in a statement issued by his agent.

Jones met with Goodell at NFL headquarters Tuesday and was accompanied to New York by agent Michael Huyghue.