Sports

NFL Player Scrambles After Comparing Booed Football Players to War Veterans

It may be the quickest backtrack in the history of sports. Only minutes after complaining about New York Giants fans booing players, and comparing those players to returning Iraqi War veterans, Antrel Rolle shoved his foot as far back in his mouth as far as possible.

On Thursday, when asked what he thought about fans booing, Rolle responded by making an odd comparison:

They want to make it that guys paid this much money for a ticket. Yeah, I understand that, I understand completely. We risk ourselves out there on the field each and every day also. When soldiers come home from Iraq you don’t boo them. I look at it the same way. I take my job seriously.

Just minutes later, he realized what he had said and backtracked:

I gave the analogy as far as when you have troops coming from Iraq they don’t get booed. And you know, it’s not even a comparable analogy. You cannot remotely compare what we do as opposed to what they do. They’re fighting for our freedom, they’re fighting for our country, We’re out there playing a game. At the end of the day, it’s a game. We get paid a lot of money, I understand that. But at the end of the day it’s a game.

But the damage was already done. Despite rescinding his analogy, the team forced him to issue an official apology:

“I used a very poor, inappropriate example earlier today to demonstrate how seriously I take my job. Obviously there is no comparison between the men and women of our military putting their life on the line defending our country and what I do.

“They risk their lives and that gives me the opportunity to play a game for a living. After I made my earlier comments, somebody even said to me: how would your father, who is the chief of police in Homestead (Fla.) and puts himself at risk every day, feel about the comparison you made? Again, it was a very poor, very inappropriate choice of words.”

The New York media did not take kindly to Rolle’s statement. In an op-ed in the New York Daily News, writer Gary Myers took Rolle to task:

Antrel Rolle has been a very good addition to the Giants’ secondary this season, but if he doesn’t develop a filter between his brain and his mouth, he’s going to talk his way right out of town. …

The more Rolle talks, the deeper the hole his tongue digs. Of course, he did offer an apology/clarification later in the day Thursday, but what comes out first often represents true feelings and what comes out next is the result of a huge public relations machine trying to minimize the backlash

Rolle’s comments Thursday were the result of a controversy that started Monday. Then, he attacked Giants fans for recently booing the team during a home game:

Comments (72)

1 2 3
  • Bronco II
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 10:01am

    I pray every morning for GOD to keep one hand on my shoulder and one over my mouth because sometime I let my brain overload it and he keeps it from spilling out at the wrong time.

    Report Post » Bronco II  
  • sjohn70037
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:55am

    My drugged-up felons can beat your drugged up felons. And they can look good doing it with our pretty ear rings and our gangsta tats… The NFL is a complete joke plus they financially supported Barbara Boxer.

    I’m done with the NFL.

    Report Post » sjohn70037  
  • ivdad
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:54am

    Antrel Rolle needs to join my son this spring when he heads to Afghanistan. Maybe then he will learn the true meaning of gamesmanship.

    Report Post » ivdad  
  • HWT-Patriot
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:47am

    Ok He Retraced His Comment Right aftr Makeing them
    He was Only Tryn To Show How Serious He Took His Job & Used A Bad Example
    Was All so Kinda referin to Disrespect Of your Home Team _ And Plus He’s A Football Player They Get War Analioges Used all the time by Coachs & Commentors He Ment No Disrespect

    Report Post »  
  • srpatterso
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:43am

    Actually, I give this guy a break. Once what he had just said sunk in, he immediately “cowboyed” up and admitted what he had just said was inappropriate and just plain wrong. If only more DEMOCRATS could do the same, we might actually see some legitimate compromise in Congress.

    Report Post »  
  • vonryansexpress
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:23am

    The Pro Sports community has fallen low. Where are the Nolan Ryans and the Emmitt Smiths?

    Trouble with this remark is not the bad analogy but the sub-text that soldiering is bad.

    What this man thinks is irrelevant, that society attaches merit to the athletes anymore is a worthless shame.

    Report Post »  
  • DTOM_Jericho
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:21am

    @godfatherofblog
    “We need to take the what we pay players and give it to our Soldiers and pay these prima donnas what our Soldiers are paid. ”

    sounds like redistributions of wealth… what a tool.

    Report Post » DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)  
  • DTOM_Jericho
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:20am

    He made a dumb comment and realized it instantly and walked it back. Then he apologize yet again in a statement. He stuck his foot in his mouth and he owned up to it. You people are too used to bashing congress. Can you imagine if they took this kind of responsibility? So much for forgiveness and second chances in the U.S. Sadly, even though it is not relevant I’ll let you know I am not a Giants fan or a *******. This type of negativity even when someone tries to say, “I messed up” is only serving to bolster lib claims that “the right” is unreasonable.

    Report Post » DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)  
    • GHill7.62
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 10:30am

      I agree, a slip of tongue, very insulting and inappropriate but he realized what he said right away. we have all said things that we immediately regretted. not to mention this is a football player, not a politician, not an activist, no agenda, etc. just a football player to slipped up and immediately realized it. let it go.

      Report Post » GHill7.62  
  • blacksmith
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:16am

    They get paid the big salary even if they lose. This is is distraction for the masses just like the Coliseum in Rome was. Society has deteriorated to the point we are because more people know a sports stats but do not know our history.Americans pay huge sums of money to go to games,wear jerseys and buy the merchandise of sports figures that you would not trust in your home. I am for capitalism and vote with my dollars on such things. Americans tax dollars are spent to subsidize professional sports arenas all over the country while the owners and players make millions then pull out after the looting is done because the tax payers vote to turn off the spigot.

    Report Post »  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:12am

    Affirmative-Action turns the brain to mush.

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
  • rfycom
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:11am

    PEOPLE, who do we raise to the level of hero in this country? Who gets millions of dollars? Who? WHo? Who’s pictures on a box of wheaties? Who gets the tennis shoe deals? Who do the lovely ladies chase? Soldiers? I think not. This is missed up.

    Report Post »  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 10:13am

      As has always been the case. alot of money is made by the televised sporting world. No money is made in war, I love our soldiers and would love to see them make the money these atheletes do, who would pay for it?

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
  • LukeAppling
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:11am

    Rolle is no soldier he is an overpaid undereducated nitwit! Our military stands head and shoulders above ANY athlete. The longer I see athletes like LaBron James, Wade and Bosch who are paid millions and exploit their fans with the price of tickets, their jerseys their promotions and they believe they deserve this adulation. I do not watch sports any longer because of the low quality of human beings they have become.
    Comparing him self to a soldier who is risking his life for US shows how truly dumb this man is.

    Report Post »  
  • GodfatherofBlog
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:10am

    We need to take the what we pay players and give it to our Soldiers and pay these prima donnas what our Soldiers are paid. Now I could get behind that~!!!

    Report Post » GodfatherofBlog  
    • dontbotherme
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:44pm

      My son (active duty Army – MP) & his family are on food stamps. I, too, would like to see sports gods live on their salary for awhile. The man did, however apologize. Gotta give him credit for that.

      Report Post »  
  • MidwestMomof3
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:04am

    Stupid for him to say it…

    But I do have to say I’m proud of the young man for realizing, without someone having to explain it to him, that the analogy he used was way off and saying so right away.

    Report Post » MidwestMomof3  
  • nsblues
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:57am

    Was it a stupid thing to say? yes. But he backtracked and apologized on his own not after a media firestorm and the team forced him to do it like most athletes do when they say something stupid. I’ll give him that much credit. of course that the analogy was even in his brain was disturbing.

    Report Post »  
    • roach
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 10:38am

      In his defense. Having a very physical, team oriented job, it helps to have a “soldier” mentality. Some people take it overboard but still, cut him some slack.

      Report Post »  
  • Seagal45
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:55am

    I guess he shoved his foot as far down his throat as he possibly could. Maybe he should be donating some of that salary to help a real hero if he really doesn’t believe what just came out of his pie-hole.,

    Report Post »  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:45am

    Yet one more reason to stop going to games. we see this type of thing all the time. many in pro sports believe they are better simply because they can play a GAME well..

    The men and women in our military give up everything for you and I and THAT should be honored

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
  • catndahat
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:44am

    Football players aren’t hired for their brains….or tact. Why is this a story?

    Report Post » catndahat  
  • mtnclimberjim
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:30am

    Hmmm! Union sports will never see another dime from me. Do they still teach ebonics in some schools?

    Report Post » mtnclimberjim  
  • Cpriestess
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:27am

    What an ignorant swine. This is why I have given up on professional sports. Paid ungodly amounts of money to play a game they go into a self pitying rap as soon as fans hold them responsible for their performance.

    Join the army you Jack wagon!

    Report Post »  
    • chickenlittle
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:41am

      You know, while I actually agree with all of you, I was also thinking about how we seem to put so much emphasis on making it a front page story every time has one of these misspoken analogies is publicized. I can think of a number of things I have said in anger or jest or just plain fishing for a comeback that I wish I never said. I’m not trying to defend the guy at all… I don’t even like pro sports for a lot of the reasons listed above, but come on… I really don’t think the guy meant anything near as bad as it came out. Now we have all the ink, radio/TV talk and cyber comments to discuss the retractions, etc. It’s a little much. Now every comment is national news instantly. Maybe I’m missing something here… just sayin’.

      Report Post » chickenlittle  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:26am

    In other important news – Finger-Flipping Crosswalk Sign Fixed.

    http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/12/02/finger-flipping-crosswalk-sign-fixed/?test=latestnews

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
    • PALINCAINTICKET
      Posted on December 5, 2010 at 5:58am

      Thank you NICK for bringing that to my attention. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard.

      Report Post »  
  • Nightstalker
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:26am

    If these guys did mandatory military service they would know better.
    They are spoiled overgrown children!

    Report Post » Nightstalker  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:43am

      Slave armies are the Emporer’s answer. You didn’t learn much from Star Wars, despite Glenn’s repeated references, did you?

      As to this goof’s comment, open mouth, insert foot. He obviously tried to make good as soon as he realized what he said. You’ve gotta credit him for that.

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:24am

    Stupid is as stupid does. He might be a good football player I don’t know him, but next time a reporter comes up to him and asks for his opinion. He might want to consider “NO COMMENT”. or “OPINIONS ARE LIKE BUTT HOLES AND THEY ALL STINK”. Naw, “NO COMMENT”.

    Report Post »  
  • snowleopard3200 {mix art}
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:22am

    Morale of story: make sure brain works first before opening mouth!!!

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • heavyduty
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:26am

      They always told me to make sure the brain is in gear, before putting the mouth in motion. But yours is good to. It get’s the point across.

      Report Post »  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:10am

      My foot mouth filter has failed before.
      He apologized immediately for his verbal blunder, he didn’t need anyone to tell him to apologize for image sake. I don‘t see that he meant any harm and I’m willing to cut him some slack…and for anyone getting ready to blast me , yes I come from a military family.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • dkhartman
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:23am

      Kate –

      I agree. I‘ve said things without thinking before and wasn’t intending to hurt anyone yet I did. He apologized which is more than I can say for most of our polititians whom have said worse IMO. It happens. And I am a military wife and I’ll look past it because we all make these mistakes. He just happens to be in the spot light. Move on

      Report Post »  
    • patriotgamer
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 10:16am

      I accept his apology, he sounded sincere and surprisingly intelligent for a football player. I am an Iraq war vet and, believe me, it takes a lot more than that to offend me.

      Next…

      Report Post » patriotgamer  
  • hempstead1944
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:22am

    Talk about a spoiled child who has no clue……take a picture.

    Report Post »  
    • FED-UP-AND-READY-TO-TAKE-ACTION
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:34am

      It is just the “me first” thought process revealing it’s self. “VICTORY OR DEATH”

      Report Post » FED-UP-AND-READY-TO-TAKE-ACTION  
    • MAULEMALL
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:57am

      He needs to be transported to a front line unit so he can figure out how woefully inadequate he is..

      Eff him and EVERY spoiled millionaire PS “PRO athlete”.

      Report Post » MAULEMALL  
    • Flagwaver
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:06am

      Amen. I‘ve heard some sergeant’s compare combat to football before. You know, train the play, then when the ball is snapped, you know what to do. However, in Football, the opposing team isn’t trying to KILL YOU!

      Report Post » Flagwaver  
    • ->Click For Brain Enema<-
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:40am

      After being booed by the crowd they can go home to their families huge mansion and all the other compensation they receive. As a vet my heart goes out to these down trodden entertainers.

      Report Post » -&gt;How To Work From Home Site&lt;-  
    • roach
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 10:31am

      I dont think it was that bad. He was just making a comment about how inappropriate it is to BOO your home team when they are working hard. Football and being in the armed forces are two very different things, but its not like this guy has a speech writer or even time to think about how a comment might be perceived. I think people need to just calm down, the guy obviously wasn’t trying to offend anyone, and he caught himself soon after understanding what he just said. Give him a break.

      Report Post »  
    • Bob Holland
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 10:33am

      Shame on all of you!

      I hate the Giants. I have no love for this guy. But give the guy a break. To many of you are over reacting to his comment made in the heat of the moment. He caught his mistake. He retracted it. What more do you want from a guy?

      When I read your statements it sounds like a whole bunch of jealous people who don’t know how to forgive a man who has even retracted his mistake moments later. Or is this the sight where nothing but perfect people (except for myself) come on. Obviously everyone who posted a negative comment about Rolle have never misspoke in their adult life and said: “that wasn’t really accurate”. You all act like a bunch of Jealous teenage girls who sit back and observe everything around them waiting for the moment to pounce on another for a mistaken comment. It’s not like Rolle stood his ground and told everyone to kiss off. I would understand your anger and insults then.

      You need to take the time to evaluate yourself. It’s a time to be better people. If you‘re acting like this over this football player who tried to immediately correct his mistake then you’re not trying hard enough. ‘Your’ behavior is outrageous. And I contend more outrageous then his because of your lack of empathy and compassion. Be better people! And, Shame on you!

      Report Post »  
    • Rogue
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 10:36am

      Typical professional sports child. Paid millions to play a game, and yet gets all fussy when fans boo his team. Many people can’t afford to go to a single game a year, and for many who do go to just a game or two a year, it’s a really big deal to them.

      I recently went to an NFL game, the only one I can afford to go to this year, and the home team played with no heart and got beaten soundly. I love my team, but after seeing them simply go through the motions for the final half, you bet your @ss I booed them.

      Oh, did those mean fans hurt your feelings? Go to the ATM and check your balance if you need to be cheered up. But remember where your paycheck is coming from – the fans that pay the ticket prices.

      Report Post » Rogue  
    • touch
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 11:48am

      Self absorbed, overpaid, loudmouth, thugs. YADA…YADA…YADA

      Report Post »  
1 2 3

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love