NFL Running Back Who ‘Defended Osama’ in Tweet Apologizes, Clarifies Remarks
- Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:19pm by
Emily Esfahani Smith
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As The Blaze reported yesterday, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall “created a stir with comments made on his official Twitter page regarding Osama bin Laden’s death.”
He tweeted the following on Monday: “What kind of person celebrates death? It’s amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We’ve only heard one side…”
Since Monday, Mendenhall clarified his tweet in a blog post and apologized:
In the rather thoughtful blog post, titled “Clarification,” Mendenhall wrote the following today:
This controversial statement was something I said in response to the amount of joy I saw in the event of a murder. I don’t believe that this is an issue of politics or American pride; but one of religion, morality, and human ethics. In the bible, Ezekiel 33:11 states, “Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!…”. I wasn’t questioning Bin Laden’s evil acts. I believe that he will have to face God for what he has done. I was reflecting on our own hypocrisy. During 9/11 we watched in horror as parts of the world celebrated death on our soil. Earlier this week, parts of the world watched us in horror celebrating a man’s death.
Nothing I said was meant to stir up controversy. It was my way to generate conversation. In looking at my timeline in its entirety, everything that I’ve said is with the intent of expressing a wide array of ideas and generating open and honest discussions, something I believe we as American citizens should be able to do. Most opinions will not be fully agreed upon and are not meant to be. However, I believe every opinion should be respected or at least given some thought. I apologize for the timing as such a sensitive matter, but it was not meant to do harm. I apologize to anyone I unintentionally harmed with anything that I said, or any hurtful interpretation that was made and put in my name.
It was only meant to encourage anyone reading it to think.
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Comments (128)
Paulhgreenbay
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:07pm“During 9/11 we watched in horror as parts of the world celebrated death on our soil. Earlier this week, parts of the world watched us in horror celebrating a man’s death.”
I’ll bet you dollars to doughnuts a great majority of the celebrators where those that share the same political beliefs as this clown. You see the signs? It was an Obama pep rally. The celebrations show how spineless and hypocritical the socialist really are. Just thought of my new screen name. Because you know Socialism is the new black!
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:04pmNo matter what he says, those words will haunt him for a long time. He meant what he said at the time, and no apology will ever wipe it clean. Hopefully in the future if he has one here, he will learn to choose his words more carefully.
Report Post »jim
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:02pmWonder if he feels the same way about all the so-called “Muslim Americans” who jumped for joy on 9/11 — in their work place, on the street, in restaurants — upon hearing the World Trade Center had been taken down by bin Laden. Mendenhall may not have been one of those, but he has unfortunately been duped by the ongoing liberal narrative (established by Clinton and advanced by Obama) that we’re not at war with Islamic fundamentalists. Guess what, Mr. Mendenhall, we are… and bin Laden is their Hitler. We listened to both bin Laden and Hitler — both terrific speakers — but in the end, we judged them by their actions.
Report Post »Obeckian1984
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:00pmthose were Mosaad
Report Post »http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/fakealqaeda.php
Carl1
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:55pmHe already spoke how he felt…. That sounds like something the Steelers made him post.
Report Post »Paulhgreenbay
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:50pmJust love the uninformed. OBL made many tapes with his side of the story in his own words. What would he have told us now that we haven’t already heard from him?
Report Post »Paulhgreenbay
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:56pmHis original comment sounds like some ridiculous position circulating in the Louis Farrakhan and/or Jeremiah Wright circles.
Report Post »The Gooch
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:48pmUgly, ugly, ugly….
Report Post »orkydorky
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:48pm“Oh, I’m sorry everyone understood what I really meant”, when they passed out brains, this idiot was selling drugs on a street corner!
Report Post »CaptainSpaulding
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:48pm…he’ll continue making his millions of dollars.
Think about that while you’re job hunting. :)
Report Post »lightbeam
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:09pmLOL….good point….there are advantage$ for perfecting athletic $kill…I think he was caught off gaurd….I understand the premise, but the two exhibits entered in as evidence are lacking a credible connection. But it does sound grand, to grand and lofty for my uncivilized neanderthal grunt primal brain…..ugh…ugh ugh
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:10pmHere’s to blown out knees.
Report Post »lightbeam
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:46pmWell…he is a football player, you know….THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMMENTS JUST LIKE THIS! They sound kinda better than the average person ..right? They seem to be more self-righteous, to NOT cheer about someone suffering the consequences of evil behavior that began in the mind as a just and good idea to Bin Laden. Why did Bin Laden believe he was right to kill innocent people? Was it the hatred taught to him from the womb until he died? The hatred and violence taught to him as part of a holy religion?
ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE MADE SIMILAR STATEMENTS….HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF Cause and Effect? Here…let me help.
WHY did the persons hijack jets and smash into buildings in America and kill innocent people?
What was their cause? What was the effect? Was it a good cause or a bad cause? Was it a good effect or a bad effect?
NEXT Question! WHY did American Soldiers capture and kill Usama Bin Laden?
Report Post »What was the cause the US Soldiers attacked Bin Laden? Was it a good cause or a bad cause?
What was the effect of the cause? JUSTICE.
WisestOne
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:46pmI doubt he hates America, he seems just like everyone else – speaking before thinking. I knew what he meant because I was also a little put off by people cheering for a death. I’m a christian, I’m also all for UBL meeting his maker & having to answer for his evil ways. I didn’t like watching celebrations around the world after 9/11 & I didn‘t like watching my fellow countrymen celebrating UBL’s death either. I just think we are better than that. Am I glad the man is dead – yes, but I would never celebrate anyone’s death. I thought his clarification was just fine. I also doubt he’s muslim because a muslim would be caught quoting the bible. Put your anger aside people and try to find some forgiveness for someone who probably isn’t the most eloquent with words.
Report Post »Mr. Nice Guy
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:04pmSeconded, WisestOne.
Report Post »CHEWY
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 10:13pmAgreed.
Report Post »tiredoftaxes
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 11:51pmTotally agree with wisestone. This guy is a dumb jock. He’s probably uninformed and immature. Very immature statement to say “without even hearing the other side of the story.” He sounds like a twelve-year-old. I understood his sentiment, he just lacks the vocabulary to make a coherent point.
Report Post »Akira Gomi
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:42pmWhen he gets out on the field, line backers, from every team they play should be gunning for his ACL’s. Oh wait thats not what I meant, ah, maybe they make sure they tackle him well, yeah, yeah, that’s the ticket!
Report Post »Laureen1
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:38pm“During 9/11 we watched in horror as parts of the world celebrated death on our soil. Earlier this week, parts of the world watched us in horror celebrating a man’s death.”
Big difference – innocent victims deaths being celebrated in the Muslim world vs. a murdering terrorist’s death. Same moral equivalence as Odumbo used saying that we wouldn’t like it if al Quada killed one of our soldiers and posted pictures on the Internet.
Idiots really don’t know when to shut up.
Report Post »Marcia
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:38pmHis comments were clear as a bell. He meant what he said the first time, loud and clear. He is a terrorist sympathizer, plain and simple. Paul
Report Post »mthurmerm
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:38pmOkay, Mr. Star Running Back, Keep your mouth shut. I as a Patriotic American want to see the pics of Usama’s Brains Hanging out. I will post it on the wall next to the picture of the Twin Towers on Fire and Americans jumping out, holding hands to their Death. Your Obama style “clarification” means nothing.
Report Post »I hope you lose your very great contract and try to find a job. Your tallents are not in demand, sorry.
charlesxii
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:38pmdamage control. not working. next.
Report Post »mthurmerm
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:34pmOkay, You are a NFL Player, therefore your opinions are so vital. Well, I have news for you, I don‘t give a Hairy Rat’s Rear End what your opinion is. And while we are at it, the Country is suffering, families can not make ends meet, but you are living the High life.
Report Post »My son WAS a avid Steelers Fan Until today, you fixed that by opening your mouth instead of running the Damn Ball. I hope that your contract is cancelled, regardless of your Obama Like Clarification.
Go home and get a Damn Job, a real one.
Mitch Thurmer
Also, I want to see the pics of Usama’s Brain hanging out of his head, I will print it and put it next to pictures of the Toers of Fire and Americans jumping to their Deaths holding hands.
oriondma05
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:33pmI think this guy also agreed to another running back’s comments that the NFL is like slavery. Sided with that running back.
I’d love to see this guy spend even a month in the real world and see what real work is like.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:33pmHe can’t speak his mind, the neocon trolls are gonna clamp down real fast and threaten him.
They’re already trying to fine him, and it isn’t even football season.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:40pmWill there be a football season?
Report Post »Steel Awesome
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:10pmActually, there are probably enough America-loving defensive personnel in the NFL to take care of this guy.
Report Post »Patriot Z
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:43pmtheres no prob with speaking your mind, however you need to be prepared for the blowback. if he believes this then stand up, bring your A game and be counted. however i more believe this is just a fool who dosent know what he is talking about, is a truther and or just wanted to be edgy. thats why he is backing down and backpeddiling
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:18amHe said what he said, he meant it, and he was subsequently pressured into retracting and “clarifying” the statement.
I feel sorry for anybody trying to bulldoze this giant man. They stand to get hurt as much if not more than they can hurt him.
And he’s a Steeler. I don‘t even like the Steelers I’m from Cleveland, and I back him up on his opinion expression.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 9:20am“Will there be a football season?”
That’s a good question too, those greedy owners don’t want to pay the players for exploiting their talents.
Report Post »dscon
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:29pmyea i hate america……….ooops………i mean….i luv my paycheck
Report Post »and belay those last coments?
another entitlement dude with hoof in mouth!
steve peb
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 1:08amSounds just what our current president would also say !! It must be a muslim thing, HUH ??
Report Post »Patriot906
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:26pmYou and your statements are as irrelevant as the sport you play, badly.
Report Post »CarolinaGirl
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:26pmHe was made to apologize I’m sure by the NFL. This man is a m u s l i m. His first response was what he truly felt. Idiot.
Report Post »des1037
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 8:33amDid he ever have his helmet on while running with the football? He is also one rich “slave” who we need to feel sorry for.
Report Post »NHABE64
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:25pmI would throw his sorry dumb ass off the team if I was the coach.
Report Post »Steel Awesome
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:08pmYou can bet that there will be some defensive ends on the opposing team gunning for this SOB.
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:24pmPiece of excrement. Watch out for those pro-american defensive tackles you stupid azz. I’ll be waiting for the news…
Report Post »Patriot906
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:24pmShut up stupid, you’ve said enough.
Report Post »Mannax
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:32pmHave the courage to stand by your convictions even if they are wrong, if that is what you truly believe.
Report Post »jedi.kep
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 6:47amPeople need to understand the difference. No one is happy about killing someone. People do get happy over justice served. Painting the picture of American‘s as blood thirsty killers just doesn’t work. Picturing us as justice loving people does, because that is what happened with the death of Bin Laden. Justice served at the hands of our military. Bin Laden was a cold hearted bastard responsible for the deaths of thousands and thousands of people. Justice needed to be served, and it was. Thank you American military. Job well done.
Report Post »SoCal Patriot
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:22pmThat’s an Obama-esque clarification…
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:24pmYes … oops sorry I told ya how I really feel .. is this better?
Report Post »Revere1
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:27pmWow, the football player realized it was a bad idea to defend Bin Laden. Where has he been living since 9/11? http://www.elephantwatcher.com/2011/05/after-bin-laden-should-republicans-be.html
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:31pmYou need to go to the following site and scroll down to the 5th article…it is intense reading…YOU NEED to read it! Get informed and send this viral!
9 Months, 16 hours …… Obama’s Reluctance, Osama Poised to Flee
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:33pmAnother Fumble
Report Post »TNT1
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:36pmI‘m sorry I’m sorry I‘m sorry I’m sorry I‘m sorry I’m sorry.The second most used lie in America.The1st a POLITICIAN
Report Post »TNT1
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:38pmLOL so pickle how do you really feel
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:45pmEvery thing after the But!!!! is a lie.
Report Post »AOL_REFUGEE
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 6:47pmIt’s too late for this stupid POS. He’s already revealed his mental disorder.
Report Post »Obeckian1984
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:03pm***** , stick to your guns, the Truth is the truth.
Report Post »kritacul
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:06pmIf I was apart of the Steelers front office, I’d release him asap.
Report Post »Evileye
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:10pmvery true big pickle
Report Post »probably IQ 80 on warm Day
ireport uderide
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:21pmTB Pickle
Report Post »Kinda harsh don’t you think?
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:25pmOh shoot, I already burned your jersey and unfriended you….my bad, wait, I don’t have your jersey or really care about you or your fumbles. I heard OJ Simpson did call to give him some advice.
Report Post »The_Rev_In_Co
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:33pmHello sports fans, guess what, this guy is still a moron in my book.
Report Post »A multi million dollar Moron!
Obama Bin Lying
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:34pmWhy don’t these people stay out of politics and just throw the football?
Report Post »Miami
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:54pmJudging by his tweet there’s not a chance in hell he wrote this apology..
Can you say attorney…?
Report Post »avenger
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:59pmstill another useful fool….
Report Post »dissentnow
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:01pm“I‘m so sick and tired of black millionaire football players that are so stupid they couldn’t even work at a car wash, but because they can run fast, jump high and have they strength of a silverback gorilla they are glorified by millions of fat, obese, non athlethic White morons”
@Pickle
Report Post »He is a typical black jock that has been held up on a pedestal throughout his life based entirely off of his athletic abilities. I wrestled in college and there were a few members of the wrestling team that were on the slow side that probably got some preferential treatment along the way but our basketball team, on the other hand, seemed to be comprised of mostly illiterates. To this day, i have no idea how they got into college. It certainly wasn’t their academic achievements.
kindling
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:06pmIn a way I agree with him, I don’t think it is good to celebrate the killing of anyone….but as for the other side, Osama told us he was responsible for murdering Americans so he as much as signed his death sentense. I do agree with capital punishment, but I don’t cheer when the switch is flipped.
Report Post »JayCee
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:08pmSo Rashard Mendenhall says Osama was murdered?
Report Post »He agrees with Hillary’s favorite news source too.
sooner12
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:49pmDo you really think Mendenhall wrote his response by himself….without the Steelers?…….without his agent?…….
Report Post »Obeckian1984
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:55pmMaybe his family was threatened ?
Report Post »GRANNYMOO
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:56pmThink maybe the team owners came down a little bit 0n Mr Sympathy? sorry i don’t believe a word of it!
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:59pmWe must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
Report Post »Martin Luther King, Jr.
PSALMS23
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 11:17pmI would suggest you people read your Bibles, We are lowering ourselves to their level..Instead of growing smarter we are reversing in time….If all this is even true we should just be glad OBL is gone ..
Report Post »I think what the man is saying is that you can’t believe much of what comes out of our government anymore,,I have to agree with that…As far as OBL goes his final judgment will come from God, because HE is the only one who knows what kind of a life he led. We only know what we have been told by others….And the world is full of liars….Scary thought isn’t it….
Ruler4You
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 6:37amOBL made his statement. And it was Hateful. 3000 Americans died. I celebrate his death. The NFL can go to hell, with this clown leading the way.
Report Post »SeekeroftheTruth
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:01amThank you, Rashard Mendenhall, who shows himself to be a true God fearing American. Americans should rise to be better people than those that celebrate the death of another human being, even one of our enemies. I don’t watch much football, but I am going to watch the career of Mendenhall, who shows he has a moral compass, which seems to be rare these days. Why did we shoot the man who could have been a wealth of information regarding terrorist intelligence? It would have been in our better interest to interrogate him! It would have provided better closure to see him on trial and try to explain his evil to the world, then convict him, and have a state execution for all to see. There is no closure when he was shot in the head (no witnesses) and then his body thrown in the ocean.
Report Post »This admininstration, once again, shows it can’t be trusted with the welfare of our country. I think the people demonstrating in front of the WH on Sun. night were staged. Where do a bunch of 20-somethings get American flags at 11:00pm on a Sunday night? I know they don’t have them in their apts./dorms/homes. The Truth is the light and not to be feared.
SeekeroftheTruth
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 11:10amThank you, Rashard Mendenhall, who shows himself to be a true God fearing American. Americans should rise to be better people than those that celebrate the death of another human being, even one of our enemies. I don’t watch much football, but I am going to watch the career of Mendenhall, who shows he has a moral compass, which seems to be rare these days. Why did we shoot the man who could have been a wealth of information regarding terrorist intelligence? It would have been in our better interest to interrogate him! It would have provided better closure to see him on trial and try to explain his evil to the world, then convict him, and have a state execution for all to see. There is no closure when he was shot in the head (no witnesses) and then his body thrown in the ocean.
Report Post »This admininstration, once again, shows it can’t be trusted with the welfare of our country. I think the people demonstrating in front of the WH on Sun. night were staged. Where do a bunch of 20-somethings get American flags at 11:00pm on a Sunday night? I know they don’t have them in their apts./dorms/homes. The Truth is the light and not to be feared
Hobbs57
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 6:10pmI agree with you seeker of truth… I felt it was staged in front of the White House from the begining. As far as Mendenhall, I actually agree with him. That is, all except for his statement refering to the plane not being able to take down a building. Outside of that, I was appaulled by those Liberal College kids who were using the event as a political gain for Obama. Look how many people bought into it.
Report Post »I know I am an loyal American, through and through. I have served in the military and lived abroad. Those of you haven’t, don’t understand how it is a different story looking from the outside in. Those youth couldn’t possibly understand the events of 911 to the degree of which looked like a pep rally, they acted as if we just defeated the Nazi’s in WWII. I know in my heart I was grateful and proud we took him, but, like mentioned above, I would have loved if they captured him and interrogated him. See what a WUSS he really is and get a wealth of information. I wouldn’t have even told anybody in the world we had him for a few weeks. Keep the press away so they could deal with him as needed.
Lastly, those of you who tun to race on issues such as this, disappointed me greatly and causes me to feel our nation has a lot further to come than I thought. With those on the Left pretending they aren’t racist, while they are actually scared to death of race, make matters no better and inhibit the black society from fully progressing. Americans have NO one color.