Overlay
05-18-2016, 08:13 AM
http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/new-zealand-fans-back-thunders-adams-after-monkey-comment/ar-BBtbvBV?li=BBnbfcL
Center Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who is from New Zealand, has apologized after coming under fire for using Kiwi slang (with no racial overtones there) in referring to the Golden State Warrior guards in the NBA playoff series between the two teams as "quick little monkeys" during a post-game interview.
It reminded me of non-New Zealander Howard Cosell (who, whatever else he may have been, was not a bigot) taking flack for a similar reference to Washington Redskins receiver Alvin Garrett as a "little monkey", also in reference to his small stature and his quickness (in getting loose from pass coverage), during a Monday Night Football game between Washington and Dallas in 1983. (During earlier broadcasts, Cosell had applied the same term to white players, such as diminutive (5'8") quarterback Mike Adamle, with no notable negative reaction.)
Center Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who is from New Zealand, has apologized after coming under fire for using Kiwi slang (with no racial overtones there) in referring to the Golden State Warrior guards in the NBA playoff series between the two teams as "quick little monkeys" during a post-game interview.
It reminded me of non-New Zealander Howard Cosell (who, whatever else he may have been, was not a bigot) taking flack for a similar reference to Washington Redskins receiver Alvin Garrett as a "little monkey", also in reference to his small stature and his quickness (in getting loose from pass coverage), during a Monday Night Football game between Washington and Dallas in 1983. (During earlier broadcasts, Cosell had applied the same term to white players, such as diminutive (5'8") quarterback Mike Adamle, with no notable negative reaction.)