Jesse Jackson rips Cavs owner's LeBron comments
Jesse Jackson was less than pleased with Dan Gilbert's comments.
Share This Story
CHICAGO (AP)
The Rev. Jesse Jackson criticized Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert on Sunday, saying Gilbert sees LeBron James as a "runaway slave" and that the owner's comments after the free-agent forward decided to join the Miami Heat put the player in danger.
Shortly after James announced his decision last week, Gilbert fired off an incendiary letter to Cleveland's fans, ripping the 25-year-old and promising to deliver a title before James wins one. He called James' decision "cowardly" and later told The Associated Press he believes James quit during a handful of Cavaliers playoff games.
"He has gotten a free pass," Gilbert told the AP in a phone interview late Thursday night. "People have covered up for (James) for way too long. Tonight we saw who he really is."
Jackson said, "These accusations endanger LeBron. His jersey is being burned in effigy, and he is being projected as a betrayer by the owner." Overall Jackson said Gilbert's comments were "mean, arrogant and presumptuous."
"He speaks as an owner of LeBron and not the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers,"Jackson said in a release from his Chicago-based civil rights group, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. "His feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality. He sees LeBron as a runaway slave. This is an owner employee relationship — between business partners — and LeBron honored his contract."
Jackson also called Gilbert's comments an attack on all NBA players and said the owner should face a "challenge" from the league and the players' association.
Gilbert says he "strongly" disagrees with Jackson's criticism of his recent comments about James.
In a statement released by the team on Monday, Gilbert says the Cavs "are not going to engage in any related discussion on it."
NBA spokesman Tim Frank declined comment.
Among the comments Jackson made in the statement:
Miami bound
The most coveted free agent in NBA history made his choice. Now what? Keep up with everything you need to know about the Summer of LeBron.• "If (Gilbert) believes that LeBron quit in games 2, 4, 5 and 6 of the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals, then ... why did he pursue him and offer him and additional $120 million to stay in Cleveland?"
• "When players or coaches speak disrespectfully to or about referees, they are fined. If Mr. Gilbert cannot prove that LeBron changed games by quitting, he defames his character. He should have to face a challenge by the NBA and the players association. LeBron has every right to an apology."
• "LeBron is not a child, nor is he bound to play on Gilbert’s plantation and be demeaned. He has been a model citizen and has inspired the children of Akron, Cleveland, the State of Ohio and the United States."
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Report: Youkilis to marry Brady's sister
Boston Red Sox slugger Kevin Youkilis will soon count Tom Brady as a brother after ge... -
Nearly 200 sick after cheerleading event
Nearly 200 people have reported falling sick after attending a weekend cheerleading c... -
Belichick: Force throw to Manningham
Before Eli Manning and the Giants took the field for their eventual game-winning driv... -
Braun PED appeal: MLB not starstruck
Braun case shows MLB not starstruck in PED testing. -
Patriots Way headed down rocky path
Week full of gaffes wreaking havoc on Patriots' image.
NBA Videos
Rockets survive in Phoenix
Posted: Feb 10, 2012
Goran Dragic talks with FOX Sports Houston after the Rockets' 96-89 win over the...
Goran Dragic talks with FOX Sports Houston after the Rockets' 96-89 win over the...
Nash talks ASG nod
Posted: Feb 10, 2012
FOX Sports Arizona hears from Steve Nash after being selected to his eighth All-...
FOX Sports Arizona hears from Steve Nash after being selected to his eighth All-...
Houston to host ASG
Posted: Feb 08, 2012
Houston was awarded the 2013 NBA All-Star Game. Hear David Stern's remarks.
Houston was awarded the 2013 NBA All-Star Game. Hear David Stern's remarks.
NBA Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Gold | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/491688/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_491000/ff_491688_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-.. |
| adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/498609/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_498000/ff_498609_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black |
| \'47 Brand Orlando Magic Black Hardwood Classics Franchise Fitted Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Orlando_Magic/browse/featuredproduct/505997/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_505000/ff_505997_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | \'47 Brand Orlando Magic Black Hardwood Classics Franchise Fitted Hat |
| New Era Dallas Mavericks Black Primary Logo 59FIFTY Flat Bill Fitted Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Mavericks/browse/featuredproduct/614631/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_614000/ff_614631_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era Dallas Mavericks Black Primary Logo 59FIFTY Flat Bill Fitted Hat |
| Boston Celtics Team Mascot Gnome | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/617849/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_617000/ff_617849_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Boston Celtics Team Mascot Gnome |
| Mitchell & Ness Houston Rockets Red Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Houston_Rockets/browse/featuredproduct/692238/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_692000/ff_692238_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Mitchell & Ness Houston Rockets Red Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat |
| adidas Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers Womens Replica Jersey - Red | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Clippers/browse/featuredproduct/702882/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_702000/ff_702882_xl.jpg&w=100 | 64.95 | adidas Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers Womens Replica Jersey - Red |
| Majestic Chicago Bulls #1 Derrick Rose Energized T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Bulls/browse/featuredproduct/784437/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_784000/ff_784437_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Majestic Chicago Bulls #1 Derrick Rose Energized T-Shirt - Black |
