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College student mistaken for deer, shot to death
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Brown not ready to say America has changed
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist
Published on Thursday, Nov 06, 2008
CLEVELAND: Apparently Don Plusquellic missed a memo, or a meeting.
LeBron James made that point Wednesday night before the Cavs' 107-93 victory over the Chicago Bulls at Quicken Loans Arena.
Politics was the topic of discussion — prompted, of course, by the election of Barack Obama — and James was asked if he might join Kevin Johnson in politics after his career. Johnson, the former NBA player, was elected mayor of Sacramento, Calif. Would James run for mayor of Akron?
''Mayor of Akron?'' James said. ''I'm already mayor of Akron. I've been that for about 10 years now.''
There was no followup about bond issues or the selling of sewers.
Deep breaths please, James clearly was joking. Not even James, with his mythic pose that graces downtown Cleveland, considers himself bigger than his hometown.
He did, though, play a role in the election of Obama as the country's 44th president.
James donated $20,000 to the Obama campaign, held an early voter registration rally with Browns linebacker Willie McGinest and held a free ''Get Out the Vote'' rally/concert with Jay-Z at the Q.
In times past, a player like Michael Jordan was criticized for not being more active in political and societal circles. Same with Tiger Woods at various times in his life.
A couple of years back James said he wanted to be more informed when Ira Newble asked him to sign a letter related to China and Darfur. (James later spoke out about his concerns for Darfur.)
This year, Obama inspired James to get involved.
And on Election Night, James was at his home in Bath with many members of his family, intently watching election returns.
The night, James said, ''was kind of unbelievable.''
James said many of those present were in their 50s or 60s, and to them, segregation was more than a word. The election of Obama touched all of them.
''A lot of people said they never thought they would see a day like this happen,'' James said. ''Times have changed. I think it's unbelievable.''
And ''a great day in history.''
Cavs coach Mike Brown also discussed how meaningful the night was and said he watched the historic moment. But Brown said he wasn't yet ready to say that America had changed. He wants to see what happens.
James?
He seemed more into the moment, though he said he wasn't emotional. Colin Powell was emotional when he spoke of Obama's election, James more excited.
''I think it was uplifting,'' he said. ''Something that you can tell your kids that [they] really can become anything now.''
None of this affected whether the Cavs won or lost Wednesday night, mind you. But the election of the first black man reaches far into society.
James embraced the event — even though his taxes are sure to go up.
Perhaps James is following Joe Biden's lead and being patriotic.
James arrived at the Q wearing an Obama T-shirt. He talked about meeting Obama the night the two appeared on Letterman, described Obama as ''very cool'' and ''collected.''
''He seems like he'd never let any situation get to him,'' James said. ''I kind of like that in him.''
That's a bond the pair share. As well as the love of basketball. Obama spent part of Tuesday playing a pickup game, an election tradition for him. Obama's brother-in-law is the coach at Oregon State, and Obama himself played in high school in Hawaii. He talked in his book Dreams From My Father of finding ''a community of sorts'' in the game.
He even said during the campaign if he could make one change to the White House it would be to add a court.
''Did you hear that speech?'' James said of Obama's close-to-midnight speech in front of tens of thousands in Chicago's Grant Park. ''It was like, 'Wow.' If it takes basketball for him to say things like that, then let him do it.''
James couldn't say whether he thought more athletes might become more involved.
''But I was involved, and I was happy I was,'' he said.
Whether it was coincidence, James was energized against the Bulls. His game was complete, and dominant — and featured a driving, reverse, blind, reverse-spin, right-handed how-did-he-make-that layup.
James' income and fame clearly separate him from the rest of the world, but he used his fame to urge people to vote, which is never a bad thing.
He supported the candidate of his choice, which is his right.
He appreciated the emotions of his family, which is to be respected.
And he understood the impact of Obama's election.
He just might want to give Plusquellic a break.
The guy's got a tough enough job without worrying whether it really belongs to LeBron.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/mcmanamon/.
CLEVELAND: Apparently Don Plusquellic missed a memo, or a meeting.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Posted 09:15 AM, 11/06/2008
Hopefully, Barack can tell LeBron to stop being so influenced by someone who capitalizes on the negativity and stereotypes in the black community (Jay-Z).
Posted 09:20 AM, 11/06/2008
Oh gimme a break Jason.
Posted 10:27 AM, 11/06/2008
Thankfully LeBron is all positive, and not negative like you Jason.
Posted 11:11 AM, 11/06/2008
Hopefully, Barack worries about government and not popular culture.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:39 AM, 11/07/2008
Apparently, a big ego and a big mouth are prerequisites to the position here.
Posted 08:42 AM, 11/07/2008
The reason Jordan and Woods avoid commenting on politics is; they don't want to lose their product endorsements. Politics are always volatile.
Posted 10:15 AM, 11/07/2008
I disagree Dave. Jordan was a basketball player, Lebron is a celebrity. That in my opinion is the reason Jordan ended up with 6 rings, and Lebron won't.
Posted 12:39 PM, 11/07/2008
I feel that sports figures, actors, actresses and TV personalities should keep their personal views of politics and religion to themselves. They could say go vote or go to church or not but leave it in general terms and don't tell me your views because I don't care. I am not going to do something or not do something because you did it. I am not a child playing follow the leader. I like Jordan, Woods and LeBron and wish them well.
akron, oh
Posted 09:29 PM, 11/07/2008
oh please--him as mayor? he didn't regester to vote until a few weeks ago--guess that happens when you skip civic's classes and what not!
Tepplin, DC
Posted 02:10 PM, 11/08/2008
Christine, if you don't like hearing what they have to say, change the channel or turn off your TV. They have freedom of speech just like the rest of us, even if they have more and larger-reaching opportunities to express themselves.
Laura, what's your evidence on LeBron's registration? Can you provide a source?
Akron, OH
Posted 08:41 PM, 11/08/2008
Look it up:
http://www.summitcountyboe.com/WebApps/Release/vtrlookup.asp
akron, oh
Posted 09:22 PM, 11/08/2008
to Ignorance--go to Cleveland.com Oct 5th, 2008 and they have astory that states tha mr. james went to register on oct 2nd.. now stuff that in your pipe and smoke it!
akron, oh
Posted 09:29 PM, 11/08/2008
to Ignorance--one --read Kate's blog above or two go to Cleveland.com for Oct 5th and read the story that states that mr James went to register to vote on the 2nd of Oct. Now--go stuff that in t=your pipe and smoke it--
Posted 10:04 AM, 11/09/2008
Good Morning --
I have had the pleasure of being in lebron company more than one time, the young man has a exceptional out look on life, I got my frist chance to meet him at "Tangiers" when alot of the basketball players came down to support a fund raiser, of course it cost myself a 'pay-check' to get there, but I wanted to be in the history making company. God Bless this chosen leader, and keep him on the right track.
Also bless his family, Mr. "J.K. Brinosn, he is always the same person whenever you meet him, you would never know that he is in the elite company that surrounds himself.
One thing I would like to ask of Lebron, is there anyway you can posibly direct myself to getting a job in your organization, I am 60 years old, but still in pretty good shape, just wanted to find employment, "God' has blessed myself, just want to give something back.
P.O. Box 8196
Akron Ohio
44320
Posted 12:09 AM, 11/12/2008
Good evening Akron,
My daughter is God Mother to one of LeBron's children. My grandson & Lebron were arch-rivals during their high school years. I don't know LeBron personally but he has a history with our family.
I believe he could be a huge asset to Akron, if he chose to run for political office. More sports figures and entertainers should run for political offices. They impact large audiences and the potential to make positive change through their supporters and fans could be phenomenal. I'll stay tuned for the outcome. Change is here 2 stay.
Go Bron!
