Indians outfielder
Kenny Lofton appeared as a guest on
ESPN's
First Take Wednesday morning. One of the questions host Jay Crawford asked Lofton dealt with Cleveland Cavaliers star
LeBron James. James did not hide the fact that
he was a Yankee fan, and even went as far as to show up to Game 1 of the ALCS in Cleveland
wearing a Yankee hat. Apparently the Indians were not pleased by LeBron's actions:
The players didn't appreciate it. If you're a Yankee fan, just come to the game and cheer for both sides, but don't wear a Yankee hat. That was the biggest thing -- just putting the hat on and showing your support in front of your own Cleveland fans. Just go ahead and say you're a Yankee fan, but don't wear a hat. That was just like a stab in the back.
Crawford followed up by asking if the Indians players would show up at a Cavs game wearing a Spurs hat when those teams played. Lofton took the high road:
I think we are more of adults -- we don't do that kind of stuff. We know what's right and what's wrong, and that's not the right thing for us to do.
Never thought I would say this, but why can't
LeBron James just be
more like Allen Iverson? I don't think LeBron needs to switch allegiances and sport a Tribe hat, but why go out of your way to upset your fans when there's no need to? That's just bad business.
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_thumbnail.jpg "NASCAR Cowboy Hats")
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. I think the idea that Lebron chose to wear a Yankees cap as oppose to a Indians cap is his prerogative. Just because he plays for the Cavalier's doesn't make him any more obligated to root for his home town team than any other fan. I currently live in Philly and I don't root for any of these sorry teams in this city. "They all stink." Seems to me Lofton is being a bit childish and needs to get over it.
Posted at 11:37AM on Oct 10th 2007 by Xavier
2. I promise you he will be booed at the first home game the Cavaliers have...Like my father always say's "Do not bite the hands(in this case)that feed you".
Posted at 12:05PM on Oct 10th 2007 by rogergdfela
3. LOOK Who cares what hat lebron wore for all i care he could wear a boston hat in the alcs and it wont make a difference. just cuz he wore a yankee hat didnt make the yankees win..... he has every right to sho support for the team he followed throughout his childhood (albiet the wrong team of course) but still has that right... people are making to much of this, this country is not built on dictatorship that you must cheer for the team that is the crowd favorite at the time, we have that god given and constituional given right for freedom of speech( the verbally spoken i root for the yankees . that lebron muttered out) whether or not you like the decision of lebron wearing a yankees cap to an indians game is mute...... personally id like to see an indians hat on him since he plays for the cavaliers but still its his choice no one elses it wasnt like he went to the nba finals wearing a spurs hat and playing for the cavs now there you would have a BIG issue there . but this is a NON issue get over it
Posted at 12:16PM on Oct 10th 2007 by irish1977nd
4. We Tribe fans understand that it is Labron's right to support any team he chooses, but when you go to the Jake in front of 47,000 tribe fans as the face of Cleveland sports figures, you just incourage the same city/sport steriotypes(mistake by the Lake) that Clevelanders have been fighting for years. We felt like it was very disrespectful and showed the entire country that we don't even get respect from our own hometown hero. We're all WITNESSES, when I say all, every single Cleveland sports fan saw or heard about his lack of respect for the city that pays his multi-million dollar contract. So, he can build his 50,000 sq. ft. castle near Lake Erie and King James can sit on his thrown wearing a crown with a big NY on the front with all his "friends". This may all be forgotten by many by the time the Cavs start their season, but most of us will remember at the season opener at the Q, and we should all leave our Cavs gear at home and show up to the game with our Tribe hats front and center. GO TRIBE!!!!
Posted at 12:41PM on Oct 10th 2007 by BigSherm
5. "just cuz he wore a yankee hat didnt make the yankees win".
Gee, thanks for clearing that up irish. I was under the mistaken impression that the hat had magical powers that could help the Yankees to victory.
Posted at 12:42PM on Oct 10th 2007 by primantis
6. Come on... Grow up... It's a game you get paid lots of millions to play...
Posted at 12:51PM on Oct 10th 2007 by aeo854
7. Xavier, I think the fact that you are missing is that LeBron is FROM Northeast OH! You state that you are "currently living in Philadelphia" which implies that you did not grow up there. LeBron was 10 and 12 respectively when the Indians were in the World Series in the 90s.
That being said, I still dont mind if LeBron is a Yankess fan. however, I do have a problem with LeBron showing up to the game in a Yankees hat, saying he is "representing for the Yankees" (dude, you represent the city of Cleveland whether you like it or not), and then standing and raising his Yanks cap in the air to taunt the same Cleveland fans who pay his salary, when it looked like the Yankees were going on a run.
Posted at 12:52PM on Oct 10th 2007 by Brian
8. I'm surprised that Kenny Lofton has the right cap on since he's been on more teams than anyone can remember...
I promise you he will be booed at the first home game the Cavaliers have...Like my father always say's "Do not bite the hands(in this case)that feed you".
Yeah...One dunk later,all is forgotten.
Posted at 12:57PM on Oct 10th 2007 by dvdjamm
9. Yes, LeBron has the right to wear what he want and root for who he wants. But, if I remember right this isn't the first time his headware has caused controversy. I'm sure there are times where he has to interact with Indians players, not necessarily run in the same social circles but perhaps at charity events, so to keep the piece maybe he could have worn a plain dark blue hat or one with his shoe
company's logo. I wonder how he'd feel if Lofton and Sabathia showed up at the playoffs, sat behind the Cavs bench, and wore Pistons gear?
Posted at 1:19PM on Oct 10th 2007 by danny
10. Lebron used bad judgement. It was totally wrong to do that. Lets hope he apologizes and we move on or he won't be in a Cavs jersey when his contract runs out. As far as Mike T at WTAM, he is an even bigger idiot. The reason he is fat is because he is so full of HIMSELF.
Posted at 1:25PM on Oct 10th 2007 by Greg
11. I can't believe adults act the way they do because someone likes another team. What is Kenny Lofton talking about? shut up and play . We always say that we live in a democracy but as soon as someone voices an opinion different than the majority they are crucified. It's silly grow up.
Posted at 1:35PM on Oct 10th 2007 by Leon
12. LEBRON JUST SHOWED HOW IMMATURE HE REALLY IS. wHEN YOU LIVE AND PLAY FOR A CITY, YOU DON'T DISS THEM BY WEARING ANOTHER TEAM'S HAT------PERIOD
Posted at 1:50PM on Oct 10th 2007 by radman
13. Brian, I understand your point. But my point is, fans are not obligated to root for a team just because they live in that particular city. It's a matter of freedom to choose. But I certainly appreciate your analogy.
Posted at 2:20PM on Oct 10th 2007 by Xavier
14. Nonsense!!! Lofton is absolutely correct. It is not about who Lebron likes it is about respect for the fans that support him and the team he plays for. Imagine how successful the Cavs would be if not one fan showed up for any games or not one Television station supported his team! The childish comment is about Lebron.
On the other hand, we (as fans) often forget the real game for every player -- Money!!! Lebron and his agent would love to negotiate a new contract (when the time is right) with a begger market like New York. We just get sucket into it and get emotional. Radio broadcaster (Cleveland) Mike Trivisonno sais it best -- Root for the uniform not the player -- again, Lebron should have not offended his best supporters and suckers alike!
Posted at 3:16PM on Oct 10th 2007 by Chuck
15. It's okay for black men to call black women bitches, but it's not okay for LeBron to wear a Yankees cap.
Everybody knows that. Word.
Posted at 3:41PM on Oct 10th 2007 by nickstoli
16. It's okay for black men to call black women bitches, but it's not okay for LeBron to wear a Yankees cap.
Everybody knows that. Word.
Posted at 3:41PM on Oct 10th 2007 by nickstoli
17. LeBron is just showing his true colors. NO CLASS
Posted at 4:15PM on Oct 10th 2007 by nevik senrab
18. Lebron is smarter than most give him credit. Yes, he owns Cleveland but he also knows he can own the Big Apple. Can we say marketing and dollar leverage for labron. Considering the disarray within the Knicks organization, who else better to save the organization. Smart move Lebron.
Posted at 5:49PM on Oct 10th 2007 by Frank
19. For so many years it ticked me off when Cavs vs Bulls games in Cleveland were full of Michael Jordan supporters. They shouldn't be allowed in the arena. For King James to show up at the Jake to root for the Yankees is indeed a stab in the back as Lofton pointed out. If he wants to root for the Yankees, go to NY for games 3 & 4 and sit in George's lap for all I care but don't show up in Cleveland with that trash on your head and don't show up for ALCS games against the BOSOX either. Just stay home with the rest of the Yankees who were sent packing.
Posted at 6:14PM on Oct 10th 2007 by Tim
20. As is Lofton is loyal to anyone but a dollar bill......please
Posted at 6:46PM on Oct 10th 2007 by EskinSux