Before Kaepernick, there was Craig Hodges

[calamity]

Thoughts as the 1990's Chicago Bulls are revisited.

A little history: When the Bulls went to the White House after winning one of many titles (this one in 1992) Craig Hodges showed up in African Garb (a dashiki). He then went on to deliver a letter to GWB, expressing "discontent at the administration's treatment of the poor and minorities."

Hodges then went on to slam Michael Jordan, criticizing him for "not using his fame to draw attention to social and political issues."

A few months later, Craig was out of the league...forever.


Craig Hodges - Wikipedia

In 1996, Hodges filed a $40 million lawsuit against the NBA and its then 29 teams, claiming they blackballed him for his association with Louis Farrakhan and criticism of "African-American professional athletes who failed to use their considerable wealth and influence to assist the poor and disenfranchised."[13] After he was waived by the Bulls in 1992, he did not receive an offer or a tryout from a single NBA team, even though he was only 32 years old and still able to contribute to contenders. The lawsuit claimed that Bulls assistant coach Jim Cleamons told him that the team was troubled by his criticism of players' lack of involvement in inner-city communities.[19] The suit also claimed Billy McKinney, the director of player personnel for the Seattle SuperSonics initially showed interest in Hodges in 1992, and then shortly after backed away, telling Hodges he could do nothing because "brothers have families, if you know what I mean." While a Bulls official said Hodges was waived as he was getting old and could not play defense, head coach Phil Jackson said, "I also found it strange that not a single team called to inquire about him. Usually, I get at least one call about a player we've decided not to sign. And yes, he couldn't play much defense, but a lot of guys in the league can't, but not many can shoot from his range, either."

 

[dave8383]

Thoughts as the 1990's Chicago Bulls are revisited.

A little history: When the Bulls went to the White House after winning one of many titles (this one in 1992) Craig Hodges showed up in African Garb (a dashiki). He then went on to deliver a letter to GWB, expressing "discontent at the administration's treatment of the poor and minorities."

Hodges then went on to slam Michael Jordan, criticizing him for "not using his fame to draw attention to social and political issues."

A few months later, Craig was out of the league...forever.


Craig Hodges - Wikipedia

Hodges' personal life included a well-publicized incident in 1991 when his estranged wife, Carlita Hodges doused him in gasoline and attempted to light him on fire.[23]

Good lord.

 

[calamity]

Good lord.

Yeah, I'm not sure of all the details. But, I suspect he ran for his ****ing life when she fired up the lighter.

Ah, not a lighter, matches.

The estranged wife of Bulls guard Craig Hodges was released Thursday on bond after she was charged with throwing a jar of gasoline at Hodges and tossing two lighted matches at him.

Hodges was not hurt in the incident, which occurred Wednesday as he dropped off their two children at Grove School in Northbrook.

Clarita Hodges, 30, has been charged with aggravated battery, a felony and reckless misconduct, a misdemeanor. Conviction on the felony charge carries a prison term of two to five years or up to two years` probation.
HODGES` WIFE CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED BATTERY - Chicago Tribune

 

[calamity]

It appears that Craig is still the activist.

At home in Chicago, where Hodges and one of his sons, Jamaal, now coach basketball at his old high school, Rich East, his urgency is tinged with pathos. “He’s in surgery right now,” the 56-year-old says of his wounded player. “He got shot in the hip. He’s only a freshman so he’s just a 15-year-old. It’s stuff like this we’re battling every day. A few weekends ago in Chicago, five people got killed, so it’s terrible. There is so much injustice, but it’s just a matter of time before we win these battles.”

Craig Hodges: 'Jordan didn't speak out because he didn't know what to say' | Sport | The Guardian

Good for him. Chicago's poor communities need people to step up. It's good to see this guy practice what he preaches.

 

[bluesmoke]

Thoughts as the 1990's Chicago Bulls are revisited.

A little history: When the Bulls went to the White House after winning one of many titles (this one in 1992) Craig Hodges showed up in African Garb (a dashiki). He then went on to deliver a letter to GWB, expressing "discontent at the administration's treatment of the poor and minorities."

Hodges then went on to slam Michael Jordan, criticizing him for "not using his fame to draw attention to social and political issues."

A few months later, Craig was out of the league...forever.


Craig Hodges - Wikipedia

Before Hodges, there was Paul Robeson and Jackie Robinson. Robeson, a famous athlete, was an outspoken critic of white America racism. Robinson was once court-martialed, unsuccessfully, for refusing to follow an order when in the army to sit at the back of the bus. Robinson also spoke out against racism in America in his testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee investigating Robeson in 1949. In his autobiography, Robinson wrote: “As I write this twenty years later, I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag; I know that I am a black man in a white world.”



Jackie Robinson was asked to denounce Paul Robeson. Instead, he went after Jim Crow. — The Undefeated

 

[btthegreat]

Thoughts as the 1990's Chicago Bulls are revisited.

A little history: When the Bulls went to the White House after winning one of many titles (this one in 1992) Craig Hodges showed up in African Garb (a dashiki). He then went on to deliver a letter to GWB, expressing "discontent at the administration's treatment of the poor and minorities."

Hodges then went on to slam Michael Jordan, criticizing him for "not using his fame to draw attention to social and political issues."

A few months later, Craig was out of the league...forever.


Craig Hodges - Wikipedia

As long as your source is basing this story on Hodges statements, consistent with a lawsuit brief on his behalf, I will not comment as though this has a lot of merit. You are missing corroborating stories by other players and objective evidence of real pressure from team owners.

Here's a less ominous read on the same set of facts. You have one 32 year old player who was no longer deemed a sufficient marketable prospect by the NBA to risk pissing off players who he may have criticized, offended or alienated. In other words, he was possibly a general morale problem with bad defensive skills and an aging body who can't get anyone interested anymore despite his laudable offensive skills.

 

[btthegreat]

Before Hodges, there was Paul Robeson and Jackie Robinson. Robeson, a famous athlete, was an outspoken critic of white America racism. Robinson was once court-martialed, unsuccessfully, for refusing to follow an order when in the army to sit at the back of the bus. Robinson also spoke out against racism in America in his testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee investigating Robeson in 1949. In his autobiography, Robinson wrote: “As I write this twenty years later, I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag; I know that I am a black man in a white world.”



Jackie Robinson was asked to denounce Paul Robeson. Instead, he went after Jim Crow. — The Undefeated

Look up Paul Robeson. He was not an athlete. He was a stage and screen actor with a great operatic bass voice. "Ol Man River... that Ol Man River.... he keeps on Rollin a long. Showboat was the musical. He was the black star who had joined the communist party and was blacklisted.

 

[calamity]

Before Hodges, there was Paul Robeson and Jackie Robinson. Robeson, a famous athlete, was an outspoken critic of white America racism. Robinson was once court-martialed, unsuccessfully, for refusing to follow an order when in the army to sit at the back of the bus. Robinson also spoke out against racism in America in his testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee investigating Robeson in 1949. In his autobiography, Robinson wrote: “As I write this twenty years later, I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag; I know that I am a black man in a white world.”



Jackie Robinson was asked to denounce Paul Robeson. Instead, he went after Jim Crow. — The Undefeated

IMO, things have changed for the worse. Political activism in sports has been Kaepernized...or maybe we should say Hodgesized.

In his foreword to Hodges’ book, the sportswriter Dave Zirin recalls that, when he started covering the NBA in 2003, he asked players why they did not speak out politically. The stock answer, fed to the players by their agents, was stark: “You don’t want to be like Craig Hodges.”

 

[jimbo]

Thoughts as the 1990's Chicago Bulls are revisited.

A little history: When the Bulls went to the White House after winning one of many titles (this one in 1992) Craig Hodges showed up in African Garb (a dashiki). He then went on to deliver a letter to GWB, expressing "discontent at the administration's treatment of the poor and minorities."

Hodges then went on to slam Michael Jordan, criticizing him for "not using his fame to draw attention to social and political issues."

A few months later, Craig was out of the league...forever.


Craig Hodges - Wikipedia

There's a time and place ace for everything.

Nobody wants to deal with a troublemaker.

 

[calamity]

As long as your source is basing this story on Hodges statements, consistent with a lawsuit brief on his behalf, I will not comment as though this has a lot of merit. You are missing corroborating stories by other players and objective evidence of real pressure from team owners.

Here's a less ominous read on the same set of facts. You have one 32 year old player who was no longer deemed a sufficient marketable prospect by the NBA to risk pissing off players who he may have criticized, offended or alienated. In other words, he was possibly a general morale problem with bad defensive skills and an aging body who can't get anyone interested anymore despite his laudable offensive skills.

He was a two-time NBA champ and the premier three-point shooter in the league. His crime? He made players think.

Yeah, we can't have that in the locker room.

 

[calamity]

There's a time and place ace for everything.

Nobody wants to deal with a troublemaker.

Especially a black one. Amirite?

Funny how white troublemakers, even lowly kickers with Nazi tattoos, always seem to find work.

 

[jimbo]

Especially a black one. Amirite?

Funny how white troublemakers, even lowly kickers with Nazi tattoos, always seem to find work.

No, you're not. Race is not my go to default. It appears to be yours.

 

[calamity]

No, you're not. Race is not my go to default.

Right, white people have that privilege. That's why one of them can openly display symbols calling for the overthrow of the US government and keep his job while a black man loses his for kneeling during its anthem. :roll:

 

[code1211]

Thoughts as the 1990's Chicago Bulls are revisited.

A little history: When the Bulls went to the White House after winning one of many titles (this one in 1992) Craig Hodges showed up in African Garb (a dashiki). He then went on to deliver a letter to GWB, expressing "discontent at the administration's treatment of the poor and minorities."

Hodges then went on to slam Michael Jordan, criticizing him for "not using his fame to draw attention to social and political issues."

A few months later, Craig was out of the league...forever.


Craig Hodges - Wikipedia

Is that the correct year in which he "...went on to deliver a letter to GWB, expressing "discontent at the administration's treatment of the poor and minorities."

 

[calamity]

Is that the correct year in which he "...went on to deliver a letter to GWB, expressing "discontent at the administration's treatment of the poor and minorities."

Daddy Bush was president. W, an avid sports fan, was in the WH hanging out at the time.

I did a double take on the date too. Looking into it is how I found the article I linked to in post #4.

He wore a dashiki and George W, the president’s son and a future occupant of the Oval Office, spoke slowly as if Hodges might not understand English. “Where are you from?”

“Chicago Heights, Illinois,” Hodges answered, amused at the way in which W’s excitement at meeting the famous Bulls, which had him “bouncing around like a kid” at his father’s workplace, had disappeared into startled incomprehension.

Edit: Rereading it, I see it was HW that he gave the letter to.

Phil Jackson, the Bulls’ coach, informed the president that Hodges was the Bulls’ best shooter. On a half-court set up on the South Lawn, Hodges drained three-pointers from 24 feet. He hit nine in a row, his white dashiki swirling gently around him. As they left the court, Hodges told the president he had written him a personal letter.

So, yeah, I screwed up.

 

[StillBallin75]

You could also put Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (the former Chris Jackson) in this category. Dude was definitely blackballed from the league cause last year he was 50 years old and still ballin out in the Big3.

 

[calamity]

You could also put Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (the former Chris Jackson) in this category. Dude was definitely blackballed from the league cause last year he was 50 years old and still ballin out in the Big3.

I remember him doing an Anthem protest and wondered what happened to him. Thanks.

 

[btthegreat]

He was a two-time NBA champ and the premier three-point shooter in the league. His crime? He made players think.

Yeah, we can't have that in the locker room.

My point is, other than a head coach wondering where some inquisitive phone calls were, the only source of all of this was 'the lawsuit claimed...' I have no doubt that Hodges sincerely believes this was some very effective blackballing for political speech, but Law 101: The brief or complaint serves its client. You don't have a lot more than a very litigious echo of that belief.

 

[armycowboy]

There's a time and place ace for everything.

Nobody wants to deal with a troublemaker.

That's true to a point. Teams will put up with a lot of crap from star players but not role players. Had Kaepernick had more talent, he would still be in the NFL.

 

[calamity]

My point is, other than a head coach wondering where some inquisitive phone calls were, the only source of all of this was 'the lawsuit claimed...' I have no doubt that Hodges sincerely believes this was some very effective blackballing for political speech, but Law 101: The brief or complaint serves its client. You don't have a lot more than a very litigious echo of that belief.

There are going to be many examples of players with less skills and more birthdays than Kaepernick and Hodges who did find jobs in the NFL and NBA respectively. Had Hodges filed his lawsuit in a timely manner like Kaep did, he probably would have prevailed as well.

 

[jimbo]

That's true to a point. Teams will put up with a lot of crap from star players but not role players. Had Kaepernick had more talent, he would still be in the NFL.

It's also possible that had he kept his protests off the playing field he would still have a job.
\

 

[armycowboy]

It's also possible that had he kept his protests off the playing field he would still have a job.
\

Very possible. The bottom line is that no team owner is going to welcome a media circus to town over a replacement level starter or backup.

Had a QB like Mahomes or Lamar Jackson knelt, the result would have been much different.

The juice has to be worth the squeeze.

 

[Bucky]

There are going to be many examples of players with less skills and more birthdays than Kaepernick and Hodges who did find jobs in the NFL and NBA respectively. Had Hodges filed his lawsuit in a timely manner like Kaep did, he probably would have prevailed as well.

It is a ***** private business. They can hire/fire whoever they want. Whatever is best for business. It is not that hard to understand.

 

[Tigerace117]

Before Hodges, there was Paul Robeson and Jackie Robinson. Robeson, a famous athlete, was an outspoken critic of white America racism. Robinson was once court-martialed, unsuccessfully, for refusing to follow an order when in the army to sit at the back of the bus. Robinson also spoke out against racism in America in his testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee investigating Robeson in 1949. In his autobiography, Robinson wrote: “As I write this twenty years later, I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag; I know that I am a black man in a white world.”



Jackie Robinson was asked to denounce Paul Robeson. Instead, he went after Jim Crow. — The Undefeated

.....Paul Robeson defended the USSR for decades, to the point of talking about Stalin’s “deep humanity” and “wise understanding.”

“ Robeson is often criticized for continuing to support the Soviet Union after he became aware (according to his son Paul Robeson, Jr.) of state sponsored intimidation and murder of Jews.[28] Robeson would state continually in speeches and essays that having experienced firsthand for himself during the 1930s a climate in Russia that he perceived as free from racial prejudice, he saw no western country or superpower actively attempt any comparable commitment. Robeson thus refused any pressure to publicly censure the Soviet experiment.[28”

“ In 1952, Robeson was awarded the Stalin Peace Prize. In April 1953, shortly after Joseph Stalin's death he wrote a eulogy entitled To You Beloved Comrade,[31] in the New World Review, in which he praised Stalin's "deep humanity," "wise understanding," and dedication to peaceful co-existence with all peoples of the world calling him "wise and good." He also praised Stalin as a man that the world was fortunate to have for daily guidance: "Through his [Stalin's] deep humanity, by his wise understanding, he leaves us a rich and monumental heritage."[32]”

Political views of Paul Robeson - Wikipedia

His claims that there wasn’t racial prejudice in Soviet Russia were particularly silly, as any of the African students who were invited to study there could tell you.

 

[code1211]

Daddy Bush was president. W, an avid sports fan, was in the WH hanging out at the time.

I did a double take on the date too. Looking into it is how I found the article I linked to in post #4.



Edit: Rereading it, I see it was HW that he gave the letter to.

So, yeah, I screwed up.

What were the policies enacted by HWB to which Hodges objected?