Rob Parker Apologizes for RG3 “Cornball Brother” Comments in Hopes of Saving His Job
Rob Parker, the ESPN talking head in hot water for idiotic comments on First Take last week about the “blackness” of Redskins QB Robert Griffin III, has written a lengthy apology. He tweeted this moments ago:
I blew it and I’m sincerely sorry. I completely understand how the issue of race in sports is a sensitive one and needs to be handled with great care. This past Thursday I failed to do that. I believe the intended topic is a worthy one. Robert’s thoughts about being an African-American quarterback and the impact of his phenomenal success have been discussed in other media outlets, as well as among sports fans, particularly those in the African-American community. The failure was in how I chose to discuss it on First Take, and in doing so, turned a productive conversation into a negative one. I regrettably introduced some points that I never should have and I completely understand the strong response to them, including ESPN’s reaction. Perhaps most importantly, the attention my words have brought to one of the best and brightest stars in all of sports is an unintended and troubling result. Robert Griffin III is a talented athlete who not only can do great things on the field, but off the field handles himself in a way we are all taught – with dignity, respect and pride. I’ve contacted his agent with hopes of apologizing to Robert directly. As I reflect on this and move forward, I will take the time to consider how I can continue to tackle difficult, important topics in a much more thoughtful manner.
The comments are Parker’s 1st since the incident. The apology comes one day after our report about how the National Association of Black Journalists was going to speak with ESPN about the incident. Our report also said sources believed it was “75-25″ that Parker would be terminated by ESPN for his comments.

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66 Responses to “Rob Parker Apologizes for RG3 “Cornball Brother” Comments in Hopes of Saving His Job”
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December 19th, 2012 at 2:19 PM
Meanwhile, I just farted.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:21 PM
Why would ESPN fire him? He did exactly what they wanted. Ton of free publicity for that show.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:22 PM
Did anyone ever get the Reverend Jesse Jacksons take on this?
December 19th, 2012 at 2:24 PM
I give more shits about what the Reverend’s mistress’ opinion is on any topic than Jesse’s.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:24 PM
Did anyone ever get the Reverend Jesse Jacksons take on this?
Al Sharpton had never heard of the term Cornball Brother, but he knew what Parker was talking about.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:25 PM
Did anyone ever get the Reverend Jesse Jacksons take on this?
PUSH will boycott the NABJ
December 19th, 2012 at 2:25 PM
obviously, three traits that aren’t down with the cause.
this dumbass meant what he said. not once in that apology did he deny that. he is basically apologizing for acidentally letting opinions out of the bag and pledging to do a better job concealing his racism in the future.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:25 PM
al sharpton as a show host is the gift that keeps on giving in 15-second bursts
December 19th, 2012 at 2:26 PM
Fire this clown. I can only hope WDIV does the same.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:28 PM
al sharpton as a show host is the gift that keeps on giving in 15-second bursts
Al is scary to look at now that he lost all that weight.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:28 PM
I know I forgive him and will continue not watching that show under any circumstances.
I did watch about 15 minutes of Sports Nation yesterday. Charissa Thompson standing on too high heels in ultra tight jeans just trying to get comfortable was pretty awesome.
Then she sat down next to that other guy and I changed the channel.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:29 PM
Not sure if this is duckworth, but that’s a hell of a lot of guns.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:29 PM
I think of him whenever SNL pulls out “What’s Up With That?”
December 19th, 2012 at 2:29 PM
Untrue.
/Glares at Super Andy
December 19th, 2012 at 2:29 PM
I’m seriously baffled why anybody has any reason to give a crap about this guy.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:29 PM
Cornball Brother would be a sweet fantasy team name
December 19th, 2012 at 2:29 PM
Fuck this asshole.
Unfortunately, he’ll keep his job
December 19th, 2012 at 2:29 PM
/link fail
Camden gun buyback
December 19th, 2012 at 2:32 PM
I cant believe Sharpton has his own TV show. What a complete hack-fraud mcmuddraker
December 19th, 2012 at 2:32 PM
I did watch about 15 minutes of Sports Nation yesterday. Charissa Thompson standing on too high heels in ultra tight jeans just trying to get comfortable was pretty awesome.
Then she sat down next to that other guy and I changed the channel.
i only see sportscenter on mute at the gym these days, but how in the world is it ok for espn to present that hoodrat czarniak to viewers?
oto, i caught some WSOP late last night and there was a brunette ‘sideline’ reporter who was amazing. will research later
December 19th, 2012 at 2:32 PM
h
December 19th, 2012 at 2:33 PM
This.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:33 PM
Griff started eating this cereal for breakfast, resulting in an increase of 5 blackness points.
http://theblacksphere.net/wp-content/uploads/Al-Sharpton-Ghetto-cereal.jpg
December 19th, 2012 at 2:34 PM
I cant believe Sharpton has his own TV show. What a complete hack-fraud mcmuddraker
yep, he’s pretty biased. just funny looking at him and hearing his unpolished diction
December 19th, 2012 at 2:34 PM
So he has made fewer comments on this subject than TBL has made posts about a subject created from a show that supposedly no one watches or cares about.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:34 PM
h
This.
getting ahead of the ‘oto’ attack squad
December 19th, 2012 at 2:36 PM
4 days ago a lot of people did. Even for The Big Lead this is a stretch what with Mark Sanchez dominating search strings right now.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:37 PM
Billy Crystal co-hosting SportsCenter tonight. You gotta be shitting me
December 19th, 2012 at 2:37 PM
Cornball Brother would be a sweet fantasy team name
Shut it down.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:37 PM
;
December 19th, 2012 at 2:39 PM
h
;
+1!
December 19th, 2012 at 2:39 PM
He’s still alive? His career really went down hill after My Giant.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:39 PM
That’s the main reason he is so popular! He’s not a cocky run his mouth thug!!
December 19th, 2012 at 2:40 PM
There’s no way he seriously can get fired for comments that innocuous, can he? Where’s the outrage from women or gay people everytime Skip calls Lebron Queen James?
December 19th, 2012 at 2:41 PM
it’s kara scott
December 19th, 2012 at 2:41 PM
Monsters Inc 3D release, Disney movie. Corporate synergy.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:42 PM
He’s still alive? His career really went down hill after My Giant.
along with his looks. looks like a mask
December 19th, 2012 at 2:42 PM
Monsters Inc 3D release, Disney movie. Corporate synergy.
me and you, you and me, both of us togethah!
December 19th, 2012 at 2:43 PM
Zero percent chance he gets fired. This is absolutely what ESPN wanted and got
December 19th, 2012 at 2:43 PM
Perhaps most importantly, the attention my words have brought to one of the best and brightest stars in all of sports is an unintended and troubling result.
Parker’s right. This was horrible for everybody that RGIII got attention. Sad.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:44 PM
You didn’t just insult the good man that is Gheorghe Muresan did you?
December 19th, 2012 at 2:46 PM
Well wheres Sully.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:46 PM
Good read on Newtown: https://www.facebook.com/caldara/posts/10151195718117945
December 19th, 2012 at 2:46 PM
/Glares at Super Andy
ha.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:46 PM
Eating, would be my guess.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:48 PM
What? This guy was born to play that role.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:49 PM
Because ESPN has such difficulty attracting attention, right? It’s not like they’re big enough that a dumb move by an ESPN radio host could bring previously unprecedented attention to a certain 1/3 sports blog, am I right?
December 19th, 2012 at 2:49 PM
ha. muresan
i’m trying to find the one where kids are making fun of him and he says at the end Stop looking At me
December 19th, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Weekend at My Giant’s
December 19th, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Not like Troy McClure as Dr. Zaius…
“He can talk. He can talk. He can talk.”
“I can SIIIIIIIIIING!!”
December 19th, 2012 at 2:51 PM
(sees the corpse of of Billy Crystal’s career)
(•_•) Looks like the this crime was worse
( •_•)>⌐■-■
(⌐■_■) than the legend of Curly’s gold
YEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH
December 19th, 2012 at 2:52 PM
STOP THE PLANET OF THE APES, I WANNA GET OFF!
December 19th, 2012 at 2:53 PM
Not like Troy McClure as Dr. Zaius…
“He can talk. He can talk. He can talk.”
“I can SIIIIIIIIIING!!”
I love the song lyric from that show of “Oh my God I was wrong, it was Earth all along…” I don’t know why but it cracks me up.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:54 PM
That was his best episode by far. The breathless speech to the crowd he gives after the performance is perfect, guy was just brilliant.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:54 PM
Meanwhile Fatboy Slim has yet to apologize for Funk Soul Brother.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:55 PM
please apologize for getting this stuck in my head.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:55 PM
/pours one out for Phil Hartman
December 19th, 2012 at 3:00 PM
I only tune in and watch for a few mins to see what she is wearing, and only while she is standing. Glad I’m not the only one.
December 19th, 2012 at 3:09 PM
My problem with this….Warren Moon, Doug Williams, Cam Newton, Mike Vick, David Garrard, Byron Leftwich, Dante Culpepper, Kordell Stewart…
RGIII isn’t the first black quarterback. I mean, hell, it’s 2012 – why in the hell does the BLACK have to go in front of quarterback? He’s a quarterback to me and a damn decent one. Isn’t it time journalists quit placing emphasis on the color of one’s skin and instead focus on one’s talents?
December 19th, 2012 at 3:11 PM
Just recently re-discovered SportsNation after flipping by while she was standing and hosting a game….Count me in the fan club.
December 19th, 2012 at 3:41 PM
Joe Gilliam was wondering this his own self.
December 19th, 2012 at 3:50 PM
Wow, you all act just like women….I thought mostly women made these catty moves.
December 19th, 2012 at 4:02 PM
You remembered! I wanted to be Jefferson Street Joe so badly when I was a kid.
R.I.P., no. 17.
December 19th, 2012 at 4:12 PM
Hey, when you were a kid, Gilliam wasn’t even an embryo yet!
/ rimshot
December 19th, 2012 at 4:25 PM
Billy Crystal co-hosting SportsCenter tonight. You gotta be shitting me
Monsters Inc 3D release, Disney movie. Corporate synergy.
Isn’t his character a “little one-eyed monster”??
December 19th, 2012 at 4:47 PM
ESPN wrote that bs apology for him and told him to put it out there or he would be fired. His ignorant ass isnt going away.