Marvin puts his hat into the controversy ring

by Josh Kirkendall on May 25, 2007 9:36 AM EDT in Legal/Off Field Issues

Things always happens in cycles. Especially the Bengals when they go all out into controversial mode. In the past week, we've seen Kenton County Attorney Garry Edmondson erroneously claim that Chris Henry failed a court mandate drug test. A.J. Nicholson appeared in court to answer for domestic battery; then cut later that afternoon. Now, just to make sure we've completely hit the cycle of controversy and distraction, Marvin Lewis went on the Dan Patrick show to express his opinion on racial profiling. Like Clinton Portis, Marvin responded to a question by Dan Patrick. "Coach, do you believe there's racial profiling?"

"I think there's profiling, no question," Lewis said on the show. "We're (Cincinnati) a small place - our guys stand out, and they know that, and you've got to do things the right way. But when you are arrested for, or you are pulled over for, not putting on your turn signal, there's something wrong there.

"Many people make right turns without putting on their turn signals and it's unfortunate that we've had a guy that's pulled over for not putting on his turn signal."

Again, it's not a problem if someone responds to a question by a reporter/interviewer that has little, if anything, to do with the actual issue. There's one difference here. It's disappointing that the Bengals head coach had to add to the distractions. He's since backtracked -- as completely expected. Then Lewis started getting defensive, even playing a plausible deniability act -- "I don't know what you mean by off the field stuff". Right.

Then Kenton County Attorney Garry Edmondson called Chris Henry a "lowlife". Curious. How will Marvin respond?

Lewis clarifies radio remarks [Bengals.com]
Lewis sorry for 'profiling' remarks [Enquirer]
Lewis apologizes for remarks about police profiling [ESPN]
Bengals coach apologizes for police comments [DDN]

Tweet Comment 1 comment | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Best new Bengal 's slam

"No, I'm going with 27-year-old Carson Palmer because, despite his career-threatening knee injury in the 2005 playoffs, I think he's on the verge of greatness. It's too bad that he's currently in a locker room that doubles as a reform school, and we could definitely offer more stability."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2884722&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1

They just don't stop. Even when they try to write something good, they stick in a little jab.

by ochentacinco on May 28, 2007 4:06 PM EDT reply actions