Jesse Jackson Needs to shut up!

Jesse Jackson definitely needs to shut up. He certainly doesn't understand the total dynamics surrounding LeBron James and his move to Miami. I don't either but I must go on what LeBron has told us. He is seeking the holy grail, NBA Championship rings. He wants them immediately and in the future. All I can say is that he is now old enough for his "wants" not to hurt him.

Dan Gilbert is no more a racist than Jesse Jackson or myself. I am a 56 year old African-American born and raised in Ohio. The O-H-10 (O-H-Ten), home of the Real men. LeBron let us down. He disappointed us. I can certainly understand Dan Gilbert's ire. It wasn't what LeBron did, it was how he did it. He didn't for one minute consider the feelings of his loyal fans. Many of these fans have been pulling for him since his middle school days. He was totally insensitive to how we felt. It was all about him and his agenda to win championship rings (at least that is what he tells us).

I believe Jesse Jackson makes his home in Chicago so he doesn't quite understand the pain of Ohio sports fans. He definitely needs to shut up. He didn't care when Warfield was traded to Miami; when Elway made his drive; when Byner had the fumble; or when Jordan hit the shot; when Mr. Modell moved our beloved Purple Browns to Cleveland and then smacked us in the face with a SuperBowl Title. Mr. Jesse doesn't know anything about that or doesn't care. We Cleveland fans are loyalists. We're true and we don't tolerate anything else. Either you are with us or you're against us. We stand together and I support Mr.Gilbert in his disdain for what LeBron did.

However, I must admit that we created the monster. We've catered to him and told him how great he was. We deified a man and made him a little god. Now we see the results of trivial worship of a man. These sports icons are thinking too much of themselves and very little about you and I. Michael Jordan demonstrated that at his Hall of Fame induction. Who did he think he was? That man has achieved all that he wanted to achieve and still has bitterness in his heart and feels he was mistreated and maligned along the way. Get over it Michael. Talk to the guy that lost his legs and was never able to play ball. You're maybe the greatest player to ever play the game. Do we still owe you something?

Also Jesse, may I tell you this? High-priced superstar athletes are indeed slaves. If you are in a position of servitude you are a servant or slave. When Gatorade, Coke, and Haines calls they'd better be there. Your work/life schedule is based on the needs of the business. We are all in bondage. All of us have to answer to someone. Whether it's our employees, employers, or clients. We all answer!

LeBron is a young man that has made a mistake. For some reason NBA stars don't feel their careers are complete without winning rings. There are 30 teams and 360 players in the league. Only 12-13 rings go to players each year. Not everyone is going to get one. But that is not what validates your career. Example: Adam Morrison, Tom LaGarde, Derrick Dickey, Jackie Robinson, Lonnie Shelton, Earl Cureton, Mike Riordan, Clint Richardson, and Chirs Jent have NBA Championship rings. Not trying to offend them; but they are not great players. Who even knows who they are? They were great contributors to their respective teams. They have rings but that doesn't make them iconic figures in the NBA. You attain greatness when you give 110 percent and leave it all on the floor. Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Nate Thurmond, Jerry Sloan, Norm Van Lier, George Gervin, etc. don't have rings but they will always be remembered and respected by players, coaches, owners, and fans.

LeBron may or may not win championships. He is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. "Look at that. All that talent on one team. They should have won." Or "Look at that. All that talent on one team and they still couldn't do it." I don't wish bad on LeBron but any championship he wins will pale in comparison to a championship in his home of Ohio. His best opportunity for success and iconic greatness lie along the banks of the Cuyahoga. He gave that up when he went to Miami. He lost in this deal. He lost the admiration, adoration, and respect of a tremendous fan base. His name, his brand is tarnished. I don't know if he can ever redeem it.

I personally hope he never wins an NBA title at least until he does right by the fans of Cleveland. Some say he doesn't owe Cleveland anything but I don't believe he thinks that. Otherwise, he would not have left in the manner he left. You could see the uneasiness in the exit interview with Jim Gray. He's not happy about that decision. At least I don't think so. In the mean time; Jesse Jackson, please shut up! You don't have a clue.

Jesse Jackson definitely needs to shut up. He certainly doesn't understand the total dynamics surrounding LeBron James and his move to Miami. I don't either but I must go on what LeBron has told us. He is seeking the holy grail, NBA Championship rings. He wants them immediately and in the future. All I can say is that he is now old enough for his "wants" not to hurt him. Dan Gilbert is no more a racist than Jesse Jackson or myself. I am a 56 year old African-American born and raised in Ohio. The O-H-10 (O-H-Ten), home of the Real men. LeBron let us down. He disappointed us. I can certainly understand Dan Gilbert's ire. It wasn't what LeBron did, it was how he did it. He didn't for one minute consider the feelings of his loyal fans. Many of these fans have been pulling for him since his middle school days. He was totally insensitive to how we felt. It was all about him and his agenda to win championship rings (at least that is what he tells us). I believe Jesse Jackson makes his home in Chicago so he doesn't quite understand the pain of Ohio sports fans. He definitely needs to shut up. He didn't care when Warfield was traded to Miami; when Elway made his drive; when Byner had the fumble; or when Jordan hit the shot; when Mr. Modell moved our beloved Purple Browns to Cleveland and then smacked us in the face with a SuperBowl Title. Mr. Jesse doesn't know anything about that or doesn't care. We Cleveland fans are loyalists. We're true and we don't tolerate anything else. Either you are with us or you're against us. We stand together and I support Mr.Gilbert in his disdain for what LeBron did. However, I must admit that we created the monster. We've catered to him and told him how great he was. We deified a man and made him a little god. Now we see the results of trivial worship of a man. These sports icons are thinking too much of themselves and very little about you and I. Michael Jordan demonstrated that at his Hall of Fame induction. Who did he think he was? That man has achieved all that he wanted to achieve and still has bitterness in his heart and feels he was mistreated and maligned along the way. Get over it Michael. Talk to the guy that lost his legs and was never able to play ball. You're maybe the greatest player to ever play the game. Do we still owe you something? Also Jesse, may I tell you this? High-priced superstar athletes are indeed slaves. If you are in a position of servitude you are a servant or slave. When Gatorade, Coke, and Haines calls they'd better be there. Your work/life schedule is based on the needs of the business. We are all in bondage. All of us have to answer to someone. Whether it's our employees, employers, or clients. We all answer! LeBron is a young man that has made a mistake. For some reason NBA stars don't feel their careers are complete without winning rings. There are 30 teams and 360 players in the league. Only 12-13 rings go to players each year. Not everyone is going to get one. But that is not what validates your career. Example: Adam Morrison, Tom LaGarde, Derrick Dickey, Jackie Robinson, Lonnie Shelton, Earl Cureton, Mike Riordan, Clint Richardson, and Chirs Jent have NBA Championship rings. Not trying to offend them; but they are not great players. Who even knows who they are? They were great contributors to their respective teams. They have rings but that doesn't make them iconic figures in the NBA. You attain greatness when you give 110 percent and leave it all on the floor. Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Nate Thurmond, Jerry Sloan, Norm Van Lier, George Gervin, etc. don't have rings but they will always be remembered and respected by players, coaches, owners, and fans. LeBron may or may not win championships. He is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. "Look at that. All that talent on one team. They should have won." Or "Look at that. All that talent on one team and they still couldn't do it." I don't wish bad on LeBron but any championship he wins will pale in comparison to a championship in his home of Ohio. His best opportunity for success and iconic greatness lie along the banks of the Cuyahoga. He gave that up when he went to Miami. He lost in this deal. He lost the admiration, adoration, and respect of a tremendous fan base. His name, his brand is tarnished. I don't know if he can ever redeem it. I personally hope he never wins an NBA title at least until he does right by the fans of Cleveland. Some say he doesn't owe Cleveland anything but I don't believe he thinks that. Otherwise, he would not have left in the manner he left. You could see the uneasiness in the exit interview with Jim Gray. He's not happy about that decision. At least I don't think so. In the mean time; Jesse Jackson, please shut up! You don't have a clue.

• Reply