It wasn't that long ago, that Jemele Hill was suspended for comparing the Boston Celtics to "Hitler" and "Nuclear War", and now she's back in the news for controversial remarks. During "First Take" yesterday, Hill encouraged Packers' fans to give Brett Favre the "Duracell Treatment", and ESPN has issued a statement regarding her comments. First the video via Bob's Blitz....

ESPN's Statement:


Obviously, this is another failed attempt at humor, but you have to wonder what was going through Hill's mind at the time. You can encourage fans to boo and bring signs, but never ask them to bring objects to throw at players.

Video - ESPNs Hill to Packer Fans: Throw Duracells at Favre (Bob's Blitz)

I honestly felt bad for Jemele Hill when she got suspended for her Hitler comment. It wasn't because I thought she shouldn't have been suspended, but rather the way various Bostonians and certain radio shows treated her in the following weeks. Well, now in the wake of yet another Hitler reference made by an employee, not only does she have to live with here original mistake, but she now has to deal with a possible double standard by her employer.

Hill actually spoke to A.J. from Deadspin today, and here were her thoughts on Holtz, Hitler and ESPN's policies....

The last couple days I've been inundated with calls and e-mails because of the Lou Holtz controversy. He made an inappropriate Hitler reference. I made an inappropriate Hitler reference. We both apologized, but only I was suspended.

A lot has been written about this. Many have said that ESPN treated me unfairly. The 64,000 question: How do I really feel?

My initial answer is a story, or rather, a moment. A couple years ago, I was visiting the Poynter Institute, one of the foremost journalism think tanks in the country, and I sat in on a session taught by one of my favorite columnist and people, the Washington Post's Sally Jenkins.

A student asked her if she ever got upset when other writers rewarded — particularly if she knew they weren't as good. And Sally said — and I'm paraphrasing here — that she always prided herself on keeping her eyes on her own career.

That's my answer. That's how I feel.

I'm not trying to paint Jemele as a victim in any way, but I can't imagine how frustrating it was for her to read about the non-suspension yesterday. That however, is far and away the right way to handle any situation, and after all of this nonsense, Hill actually comes out looking like she used the suspension productively.

As far as ESPN is concerned, it had been awhile since they had come across as looking hypocritical, but with these last two stories today, you have to wonder what in the hell they were thinking in both instances. No matter how you look at it, the overwhelming sentiment is that punishment for a crime was different for a young black woman, than an old white man. The ultimate lesson though, is that everyone needs to just avoid "Hitler references" altogether.

Jemele Hill Just Taking This Whole Lou Holtz-Hitler Backlash in Stride (Deadspin)

It wasn't too long ago that writer Jemele Hill was being suspended by ESPN for referencing Hitler in an article, but now they have another employee in hot water for referencing the German leader. That person, Lou Holtz, will actually not be disciplined at all according to College Football Talk.

Holtz, who when referring to Rich Rodriguez said "Ya know, Hitler was a great leader too," issued an on-air apology and apparently that was enough for the brass at ESPN....

A source at ESPN tells me that the Worldwide Leader does not plan to discipline college football analyst Lou Holtz for saying, “Hitler was a great leader, too.”

Per the source, ESPN considers Holtz’s on-air apology to be sufficient.

Of course, it’s still possible that ESPN will reconsider, especially if it gets complaints from advertisers. But for now, it appears that Holtz will not be suspended.

“Last night while trying to make a point about leadership, I made an unfortunate reference. It was a mistake and I sincerely apologize. At the time, I tried to clarify my remarks. I’m not sure I adequately did so. I appreciate your understanding.”- Lou Holtz

I just really don't understand ESPN's suspension policy. There has always appeared to be a double standards of sorts, and I think this just proves the thoughts that most people have had about the network for awhile. Just because he's a kooky old man, doesn't mean that Holtz shouldn't be forced to take time off as well, and I'd be upset if I was Jemele Hill. Both were making just a bad attempt at a joke, but only one is getting suspended. You can draw your own conclusions there.

ESPN Plans No Discipline For Holtz Hitler Comment (College Football Talk)

Hey, it's a race driven kind of day isn't it? Why not just bring it full circle with some thoughts from Jemele Hill on her suspension, Boston Radio Stations, and comparisons to Don Imus. Via an interview she did with MDS over at Fanhouse....

The statement released by ESPN said you were relieved of your duties to reflect on the impact of your words. What have your reflections been like over the last week?
It's been a myriad of emotions. Obviously, I was embarrassed. I was frustrated, and at times a little angry. But I wanted to keep in mind the actual offense and not get caught up in the hoopla that surrounded what was done. That's the part that can send you into negative places and I tried very hard and I think I largely succeeded in staying away from that – I never read anything that was written about me or said about me by various blogs or whatever newspapers might have done it.

The e-mails I received were tough and the only point where I really got mad in terms of the reaction was when that radio station in Boston posted my telephone number and address. That, I thought, was completely out of line.

You were critical of Don Imus. Do you see any similarities between what you wrote and what Imus said, and has this incident led you to reconsider anything you wrote about Imus?
No, I wouldn't reconsider anything that I wrote about Don Imus. I stand behind it. As for the similarities, I'll let people be their own judge. I know some people were putting me in that category and it's certainly their right to do so. I feel differently and I think pulling Imus into this is kind of a distraction. This shouldn't be about whether me and Imus should share the same fate, this should be about my particular insensitivity and not his. I hope this is about me being better as a columnist and as a person.

The Big Lead also reported in October of 2006 that you had signed a two-year contract. Does that mean you might only have a few months left at ESPN?
It was actually November of 2006. Yeah, you're right. It's closer than I thought it was. I'm sure there will be some talking. I usually leave that in the hands of my very capable manager. I try not to think about that. My relationship with ESPN has been very positive and I do not anticipate any contentiousness around that. I have no doubt that will continue.

I don't want to even get into a comparison of our three racial subjects of the day (four if you count Miller over the weekend), but it's good that Hill thinks she erred in making the comparison. It's also very interesting that her contract is up, but as the quote goes, "Any press is good press." Even if the reaction to her column was negative, she's still more than likely to be re-signed by ESPN.

With that said....Can we please stop with all of the racially charged comments in Sports? I don't care if you're Jemele Hill, Don Imus, Johnny Miller, or Joe Schmo. It's so counterproductive, idiotic and just downright tiresome. Enough. Great interview by MDS and you should definitely check out the rest of the questions and responses from Ms. Hill.

Update: Hill has now penned/typed her own apology for ESPN.com. Here's an excerpt....

This isn't about my editors because even if the word "Hitler" never appeared in the posted column last Saturday, that doesn't change the fact that I wrote it and, at the time, found humor in making a moronic comparison between a man who was responsible for killing millions to Detroiters who root for the Boston Celtics.

This is about my living up to a standard I expect of everyone else -- respect, awareness, honesty and accountability.

Rob King, the editor-in-chief of ESPN.com, once said something I've never forgotten. I'm paraphrasing, but if we truly want to see racial progress, you have to be willing to be the dumbest person in the room, a person who can admit to being in need of education.

I wish I'd raised my hand before writing that column last week.

In January, I wrote about Kelly Tilghman, the Golf Channel anchor who was suspended two weeks for joking on the air that young players should "lynch [Tiger Woods] in a back alley." I wrote, "... those who, like Woods, believed this is a 'non-issue' would understand that the word 'lynch' is off-limits to most blacks, just as joking about the Holocaust is off-limits to most Jews."

I got too comfortable with my own knowledge and history of dealing with racial issues. I forgot to ask questions, perhaps subconsciously thinking I knew it all. I've served on numerous diversity panels, and regularly work with the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports. I had a this-would-never-happen-to-me attitude, instead of a let-me-make-sure-this-doesn't happen-to-me attitude. I dropped my guard. I got caught up in being cutesy and wrote something stupid.

I let you down.

Apologizing for an error in judgment (ESPN)
FanHouse Interview: Jemele Hill on Her Hitler Comment, Don Imus Criticism and More (Fanhouse)

Before I get into this I just want to say that I think Jemele Hill is a bit hypocritical and just plain dumb for her "Celtics-Hitler" line. With that said.... this stunt by WBCN in Boston has gotten a tad out of hand. The station is sending two people to ESPN to protest and their website has even published her address and phone number....

Fred:
"Jemele Hill wrote an an article for ESPN.COM's page two comparing rooting for Celtics to rooting for Hitler. The article was promptly edited by espn.com. This is the same woman who called for the firing of Don Imus after his remarks on the Rutgers women's basketball team. This hypocrisy cannot be ignored. Please call for Ms. Hill's firing."

Right now, Intern Nick and Adolfo are on their way to ESPN headquarters in Connecticut.

CONTACT ESPN and let them know Jemele should be fired!

Comment: She picked up the last number.. 7Mile Scribe Inc 19731 Glen Elm Way, Orlando, FL 32833 (321)251-XXXX (321)251-XXXX (877)259-XXXX

Come on people. I know that you're mad she bashed your team but seriously....everyone just calm down. She made a dumb joke and asking for her head is only going to make her appear on ESPN more. And also.....making a dumb, senseless comparison just isn't the same as racially degrading an entire team of women (in Imus' case). There are reports that she's getting harassing calls and even death threats, so it might be time to put an end to this Boston.

She's been suspended (although there are rumors to the contrary), so just let it pass. I posted the address so all of you industrious folks can write her a letter but "X"ed out the phone numbers. If you're really vindictive and care to call....they're in the link below, but seriously....let's just move on shall we?

Fred's Response (WBCN, 104.1)

Deadspin found a quote from Jemele Hill over the weekend that, while over-the-top and since taken down, is not sitting well with Celtic fans at the start of this week. Jemele tried to take the angle that rooting for the Celtics is like "saying Hitler was a victim," and MSM sites like CBS TV in Boston are now picking up on it....

The writer behind the poor choice of words was Jemele Hill. She wrote on ESPN.com, "Rooting for the Celtics is like saying Hitler was a victim. It's like hoping Gorbachev would get to the blinking red button before Reagan."

Some Celtics fans told WBZ its one of the most insensitive comparisons they have ever heard.

"We're not talking about war; we're talking about basketball," one fan outside the Garden said. "How can you compare Hitler to a basketball game?"

"I don't think you can say Hitler is a victim no matter what the circumstance is. That's over the top," another fan said.

Late Saturday night, the online article was changed. ESPN spokesperson Paul Melvin told WBZ, "the column as originally posted made some absolutely unacceptable comparisons. It was edited to correct those and we will continue to look into the issue."

In all honesty this just makes me laugh. Not only is making a Hitler comparison to a Basketball team idiotic, it's just stupid to even bring that name into any discussion. You know it's going to upset people so why even attempt it? I mean would it have been fair to say that rooting for Kobe is like rooting for John Wayne Gacy? Of course not.

I know I say this a lot but again, it's just Sports....let's all just calm down, enjoy the games and have a little fun with them. Okay?

Harsh Words For Celtics Fans Pulled From ESPN (WBZ TV)
Celtics Fans Are No Longer Hitler Sympathizers (Deadspin)

Jemele Hill has been in the news of late mainly for jumping on the whole Lebron James racist "Vogue" magazine cover, but that didn't bother me nearly as much as this. The ESPN columnist was filling in for Jim Rome last week and when she wasn't reading poorly off of cue cards, she was mocking Shawne Merriman for having his SUV stolen and burnt....

"There are no reports to back this up, but I'm betting – and by betting I mean hoping – that whoever set that Benz ablaze busted out in that ridiculous sack dance just as the flames were starting to run rampant over the upholstery. Karma is reponsible for this. Merriman got his sled ripped and barbecued because he can't make a play without making a fool of himself, and people just aren't feeling it."

It's a shame that ESPN seems to turn certain writers into such attention getting journalistic jokes. I don't care who you are, the words "hoping", "someone's property" and "getting barbecued" are not words you should use together. It's just a celebration dance not a crime that someone should pay for. Wide Receivers celebrate every damn first down by doing some ridiculous first down signal. Should Chad Johsnon's Lexus be stolen and burnt to a crisp because of it?

If you'd spend less time trying to be controversial and more time writing heartfelt pieces.....people might begin to respect you Jemele. It's a shame because I was beginning to enjoy her work.

Torching of Merriman's car funny? Rome fill-in host seems to think so (Sign On San Diego)

This Merrill Hoge thing had me chuckling at first. It was the beginning of the season and Vince Young hadn't done anything yet. It was the perfect time to be a skeptic about Young and pile on. But now? Now you're just sounding like a stubborn ass.

Sure the Titans run the ball. Travis Henry gets 70-90 yards in the first half....1 TD, and they're still down 10 points. They head into the second half and they get down 13. Head into the 4th and the lead is back down to 10......all of a sudden Vince is playing like a madman. The lead is three.....but crap there's only 3 minutes left. The defense finally wakes up and gets a stop. 2 minute drill time.....the Titans are trying for the tie. Umm, no they're not....Vince drives them down the field with a combo of runs and passes. Titans win.

Just think for a second if Fisher hadn't started the season with drunk-ass Kerry Collins under center. The Titans could be the fourth seed in the playoffs. Vince reminds me of two players actually.....the first is obvious.....John Elway. The second is a crossover of sports. Up until now there was one player that teams were terrified to face at the end of games. He is so clutch that people have solely kept track of his stats and late inning heroics. Well that one player is David Ortiz.










If I'm a defensive coordinator I do NOT want to face Vince during a two-minute drill. Your defense is tired, they are playing a pseudo prevent defense, and you're scared. You're scared to death. Hell, just ask the Texans' Richard Smith, the Giants' Tim Lewis, the Jags' Mike Smith, the Bills' Perry Fewell, the Colts' Ron Meeks, the Skins' Gregg Williams, and the Eagles' Jim Johnson.

Forget the mechanics, forget the players on the team, and forget the coaches....Vince Young does it on his own. He wills one of the crappiest teams to win. He doesn't have the defense that Elway had and he doesn't have the protection in the lineup that Ortiz has.

Look....Merrill....Buddy. I understand you want to "stick to your guns". But occasionally you're just wrong (see AA- Jemele Hill. I wouldn't say I like her, but she's not as bad is I originally pegged). While I may be wrong occasionally (rarely)......if I'm ever THAT wrong, I will admit it. But no one is ever this blatantly wrong. It's one thing to peg a rookie as a flash in the pan, but after he's proven you wrong over, and over, and over, and over again.....just give it up. Every other ESPN talking head does so and no one remembers (I wish this wasn't the case).

I think One More Dying Quail sums it up best by saying this.

"Whoever ultimately wins, one thing should certainly happen at ESPN: someone should take Merrill Hoge aside, tell him to stop letting whatever personal issues he has with Vince Young cloud his judgment, then teach him how to construct a reasonable argument."

I agree, either admit you are wrong, or just move the hell on Merrill. Check out the video collection below.