That's kinda like reverse racism isn't it? DeBerry sounds like just the kind of person I would want my boy playing under. After 22 years, they look like they are going to run him off just because he said blacks can run faster. :dis:
I was working at the Academy when Fisher was hired. He's the same person today he was 20 years ago. There isn't a prejudiced bone in his body. He got a lot of heat last year over the prayer issue and I'm afraid that the current flap will probably result in his retirement. As you are aware, the Academy has received a lot of negative press and public scruitiny in the past couple of years. I suspect the Academy leadership will let Fisher twist in the wind and that's a shame. Considering all he's given to the Academy he deserves better.
Air Force takes what they can get... not many of the top prospects want to go to the military... especially now
Before everyone jumps on me let me say I think his comments have been blown way out of proportion by the media. My first reply was …. Oh, that was pretty funny, not …. Oh, lets fire the guy. I wish people were not so sensitive over statements like this. But on the other side there is a legitimate reason why there is concern when people hear things like this, Pat Forde said it well in his article: “So it's not like DeBerry was inventing something here -- or even saying something many coaches don't talk about in private. But given the decades of wrongly stereotyping black athletes as physically superior and mentally inferior -- run fast, think slow -- the coach was walking into a minefield.” http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2204334 Run Fast, Think Slow. Although he didn’t say it, unfortunately, and with good reason, that is what many people hear when people make statements like DeBerry’s. Not saying its right, but that’s what people (myself to a degree) hear.
Only an idiot would have a problem with the statement. It is obviously a true statement when talking about the races in general terms. People who are offended by it are politically-correct liberal pansies. And the separation of church and state doesn't mean that government schools can't say prayers. The constitution just says that state's can't establish a particular religion. Liberal Supreme Court Justices have twisted it to try to wipe religion from schools and anyplace other than a house of worship.
um. He said they can run faster. He didn't say or even mean anything about how they think. Is that untrue in the least?
As expected, Academy officials slapped Coach DeBerry on the wrist today. Here's an excerpt from the article in the Colorado Springs newspaper: Air Force Academy football coach Fisher DeBerry was reprimanded Wednesday by athletic director Hans Mueh and by new academy superintendent Lt. Gen. John Regni for comments related to minority recruiting. But DeBerry will remain as coach of the Falcons. Mueh said he met with DeBerry Wednesday and issued a formal reprimand, then drove him to Regni's house, where Regni issued a verbal reprimand. Regni did not appear at the news conference. Mueh, DeBerry and Johnny Whitaker, academy spokesperson, fielded questions from reporters. DeBerry said he did not consider resigning. "Today it is my desire to make a public apology for remarks I made recently about minority recruitment," the coach said, reading from a formal statement. "I realize that the things I said were hurtful to many people and I want everyone to understand that I never intended to offend anyone. Gazette columnist Milo Bryant was right today when he said that however well-meaning my comments were, I should never have said what I did. "I have made a mistake and I ask for everyone's forgiveness. I hope these statements will not reflect negatively toward the academy or our coaches and players." Mueh said the academy "takes the inappropriate comments by Coach DeBerry very seriously. However, he cited DeBerry's accomplishments in explaining why he was not fired. "I have known Fisher DeBerry all the years that he's been here," Mueh said. "He has produced leaders for this nation. He is our coach and will continue to be until I lose confidence in his ability to produce leaders for this nation."
Yes, his comments were very hurtful to me and my people. We can't help it if we run slow! Apology accepted! :hihi:
