— Just as the demonstrations of players during the national anthem have become a means of expression for NFL
players
D.J.
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a political platform. It certainly did Saturday night.
Ray Lewis did so with his words, and Randy Moss with his tie.
There even were political tones with a different target 600 miles away during Terrell Owens’ speech at his personal celebration of entering the pro football
shrine.
Lewis was a man on the prowl as he concluded proceedings in Canton, just as he was on the field as the greatest linebacker of his generation. He eschewed
the lectern, wearing a cordless microphone for his 33-minute oratory focusing on
“hope, faith and love,” on “family, honor, legacy.”
And then on the division in this country.
“Our country needs real leaders,” Lewis said. “We need people that are willing to step up and take action. We need people willing to fight for what is
good and what is right.
“How do we react to challenges in our country right now? Think about this,” he added
Anthony
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being legends to building a legacy bigger than football, bigger than sports. I
want us to work together to really take on these challenges, to look at our
goals and what unites us. Surely, there is something.”
While he never specifically mentioned anyone or any political party, Lewis delivered a message about unity that stretched far beyond the football field. It
echoed the powerful speeches in recent years by LaDainian Tomlinson, Tony Dungy
and Cris Carter.
“How about stopping our kids from dying in schools?” Lewis asked. “Can we please put prayer back in schools? Please. How about protecting our children
from a terrifying life of being sex trafficked? How about helping our neighbors
that can’t afford their medicine?
“How can we do this? How can we come together? The answer is simple. The answer is love. … The love that sacrifices and is defined by action taken for
others. The actions of stepping up and being a leader. It’s no different than we
all did to get here. We rose to the challenge, week after week for the love of
the game and for the love of our team. That love just doesn’t go away when we
retire. It’s still in us burning to be used.”
Yes, the loudest cheers during Lewis’ time onstage came when he mentioned Baltimore or paid tribute to former teammates and coaches. But Lewis admitted to
being hopeful that the words at the end of his speech would have a lasting
impact.
Instead of politicizing his speech, Moss wore a tie he said bore the names of 13 black men and women who have been killed by police in recent years. Late
Saturday night, he explained his reasoning for wearing it to NFL Network.
“You see the names on my tie. Being able to use a big platform like this here at the Hall of Fame … what I wanted to be able to express with my tie is to let
these families know that they’re not alone. I’m not here voicing; but by these
names on my
tie
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Jersey , at a big platform — it’s the Pro Football Hall of Fame — there’s
a lot of stuff going on in our country. I just wanted to let these family
members know that they’re not alone.”
Owens was alone, not among Hall of Famers, after making the unprecedented decision to skip the Canton inductions. He gave a bunch of reasons in
Chattanooga, ranging from the process by which people get voted in to his being
badmouthed unfairly — one Hall of Famer has called Owens “a cancer” — to being a
groundbreaker for future hall candidates.
“It’s not because of how many times it took for me to be voted to the hall,” said Owens, who got in on his third try — the same as Joe Namath, Willie Lanier
and Fran Tarkenton, for example. “It’s about the mere fact that the sports
writers are not in alignment with the mission and core values of the Hall of
Fame.
“These writers disregarded the system, the criteria and bylaws in which guys are inducted, and ultimately the true meaning of the Hall of Fame and what it
represents. I wanted to take a stand so the next guy coming after me will not
have to go through what I and others have gone through. Whether it’s three years
or 45
years
Donovan
Smith Jersey , you should get what you rightfully earned.”
One thing Owens apparently earned is the enmity of many men who own gold jackets. While they preferred not to speak on the record about his absence, a
significant number in Canton said Owens might never be welcomed into their
fraternity.
As Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway stood by, a police officer said he "got real nervous" when he found bullets and a gun part while
searching the rookie's vehicle.
Callaway was cited for marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license after being stopped by Strongsville, Ohio police early Sunday morning
for failing to yield to oncoming traffic..
On Wednesday, the dash-camera video obtained by TMZ shows Callaway getting out of his car and being questioned by police after the ammunition and a "strap"
for a handgun were found in the 23-year-old's car.
A Browns spokesman said Callaway, a fourth-round pick who had numerous off-field problems while he was at Florida, traveled with the team for
Thursday's exhibition opener against the New York Giants.
Callaway had been scheduled to appear in court Thursday, but had his appearance moved to Aug. 23. He recently moved into the starting lineup after
the Browns traded Corey Coleman to Buffalo. It's still not known if Coleman will
be disciplined by the team.
Callaway was pulled over at 2:59 a.m., and during the routine stop was asked to exit his vehicle after one of the officers smelled marijuana. In the video,
Callaway says he has not been smoking and tells the officer his car had just
been shipped from Florida.
Once he returns to his patrol car
Lee Roy
Selmon Jersey , one officer tells the other he got worried when he found
the bullets.
"I got real nervous when I opened (the car) up and first thing right down by where the seats sit is the backstrap of a Glock, and then he's got a bunch of
spare single rounds sitting in the center console," the unidentified officer
said. "So I got real nervous when he's standing back there and there's no gun
but there's gun stuff everywhere."
Callaway says he owned a gun, but that it was in Florida. The officer asks to pat him down to make sure he's not carrying a weapon.
There was no mention of the ammunition or gun part in the police report. The AP has requested the dash-cam video.
Coach Hue Jackson said he only learned of Callaway's situation on Tuesday and said he wanted to gather more information before commenting further.
"Obviously, the red flag is up," Jackson said. "Let me work through it, see what it is and go from there."
Callaway is already in Stage 1 of the NFL's substance-abuse program after he provided a diluted urine sample at the league's combine in February. He could be
subject to a fine or discipline from the league for his latest
transgression.
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