Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not backpedaling from his criticisms of "Linsanity," continuing to use his Twitter account to belitte the hysteria caused by the recent spectacular play of New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin.
Mayweather started the controversy by tweeting that "Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he's Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don't get the same praise."
Mayweather's remarks drew criticism on Twitter and from other media outlets. He reacted indignantly.
"Other countries get to support/cheer their athletes and everything is fine. As soon as I support Black American athletes, I get criticized."
He also tweeted this:
"I'm speaking my mind on behalf of other NBA players. They are programmed to be politically correct and will be penalized if they speak up."
What is Mayweather talking about? Who nominated him as a spokesman for NBA players? Last I checked he isn't one of them, so how can he speak for them?
Of course, the fact that Lin is Asian is part of the story. He is the first American-born player of Taiwanese or Chinese descent to play in the NBA. It isn't THE story, though.
The story is about guy who was nearly out of the league getting a chance, doing things no one thought possible, and re-energizing a franchise and a fan base. It's a great story, regardless of race.
It is a shame that people like Mayweather have to try to marginalize it that way.