As it turns out, Browns receiver Donte’ Stallworth isn’t the only recent target of Hall of Fame running back (and Browns executive) Jim Brown’s ire.
Brown also has taken aim recently at Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan.
In a Tuesday night appearance on HBO’s Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel, Brown addresses the efforts (or lack thereof) of Woods and Jordan to engage in social activism.
“This cat is a mamajama; he is a killer,” Brown says of Woods, according to Neil Best of Newsday. “He’ll run over you, he’ll kick your ass. But as an individual for social change or any of that kind of [stuff], terrible. Terrible.”
Brown specifically pointed to Woods’ silence after the Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman said last year that the best strategy for Woods opponents would be to “lynch” him.
As to both men, Brown said, “I know they both know better, OK? And I know they both can do better without hurting themselves.”
But why single out Woods and Jordan? Other than Brown, we’re having trouble thinking of many/any athletes of any race or creed or ethnicity in the past generation who have risked compromising their careers in the name of promoting social progress. (Feel free to refresh our recollection in the comments.)
Indeed, most athletes have opted to tread cautiously when it comes to things that potentially could undermine their earning power.
On one hand, it’s prudent. On the other hand, we agree with Brown — we think that things can be said and actions can be taken without hurting an athlete’s on-field or off-field interests.