When one of Imus's on-air partners, Warner Wolf, discussed Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones' legal troubles, Imus asked, "What color is he." When told that Jones is African-American, Imus said, "Well, there you go. Now we know."
The full transcript is below.
Wolf: "Defensive back Adam 'Pacman' Jones, recently signed by the Cowboys. Here's a guy suspended all of 2007 following a shooting in a Vegas night club."
Imus: "Well, stuff happens. You're in a night club, for God's sake. What do you think's gonna happen in a night club? People are drinking and doing drugs, there are women there, and people have guns. So, there, go ahead."
Wolf: "He's also been arrested six times since being drafted by Tennessee in 2005."
Imus: "What color is he?"
Wolf: "He's African-American."
Imus: "Well, there you go. Now we know."
UPDATE: Al Sharpton weighs in on the story.
UPDATE 2: Don Imus says "I meant he was being picked on because he's black".
UPDATE 3: Don Imus claims he was defending Adam "Pacman" Jones against racist cops.
Also at FanHouse:
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Fox Hires Michael Strahan
Boxer Arrested for Kicking His Brother's Opponent
Ex-Duquesne Players Sue School Over Shooting
Cedric Benson Ordered to Get a Breathalyzer on His Car
Racism and Sports
Mauricia Grant, pictured here working during the Stater Bros 300 in 2006, is suing NASCAR for $225 million, alleging racial and sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful termination. Click through to see other racially charged incidents from recent sports history.
Mike Basso, US Presswire
In a newspaper nterview in April, Los Angeles Angels star Torii Hunter said he had heard racial taunts from Red Sox fans at Fenway Park in the past.
Lisa Blumenfeld, Getty Images
Kosuke Fukudome has become a sensation in his first season in Chicago, but shirts emblazoned with a stereotypical caricature of Asians and the words "Horry Kow" (a play on ex-Cubs announcer Harry Caray's home run call) offended the Japanese outfielder.
Nam Y. Huh, AP
Earlier this year Golf Channel analyst Kelly Tilghman said on air that other golfers should "lynch [Tiger Woods] in a back alley" to better compete with him. In the aftermath, Golfweek Magazine ran a cover with a hanging noose, for which editor Dave Seanor was fired.
Golfweek / AP
Radio host Don Imus caused a stir in 2007 when he referred to members of the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos." CBS canceled his long-running show 'Imus in the Morning,' but he returned to airwaves with ABC later in the year.
Spencer Platt, Getty Images
Rush Limbaugh was hired as a commentator for ESPN's NFL pre-game show Sunday Countdown, but he lasted only a few weeks after implying that Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb received great praise mostly because he was black.
Getty Images
Former golfer and current CBS commentator Bobby Clampett made waves at this year's Masters when he referred to golfer Liang Wen-Chong as "the Chinaman" on air.
Mike Powell, Allsport / Getty Images
African soccer players, like Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o, are often the targets of racially charged taunts in Spain. Fans of Real Zaragoza made monkey-like chants at the Barcelona striker during a 2005 match, and he nearly walked off the pitch during a match against the club the next season.
Phillippe Desmazes, AFP / Getty Images
In an interview with HBO's Real Sports last summer, former Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield claimed that manager Joe Torre gave white players preferential treatment during his time in New York and said that biracial shortstop Derek Jeter wasn't "all the way black."
Mark Mainz, Getty Images
John Rocker's inflammatory comments in a 2000 Sports Illustrated article made him one of the most despised athletes in recent memory. Rocker described riding the New York subway as "looking like you're riding through Beirut next to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS."
Matt Campbell, AFP / Getty Images
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 60)
6-23-2008 @ 2:44PM
Adam Jacobi said...
I expect the ensuing discussion in this comments section will be thoughtful, reasoned, and respectful.
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 2:53PM
Joel said...
The only news here is that Pacman wants to be called by his real name now... Here I thought we were talking about an outfielder for the Orioles.
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 3:04PM
Caple said...
This world is filled with all forms of distortions. People of white descent commit crimes as well and for Don Imus to make a comment like that is to suggest that White people are perfect. America's jail houses are replete with individuals of white descent.
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 3:07PM
Tha Prowler said...
old white men together discussing a young black man. what a surprise something negative is said. some things never change.
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 3:34PM
oldpatfan said...
...see, we're all trained to be so friggin politically correct. I assumed he meant which color, as in the game Pacman....http://www.thepcmanwebsite.com/media/pacman_flash/....see, they're different colors. Get it?
The fact that the other morin responded African-American is what made it die a painful death. But, it was the first thought that comes to mind. What color? Funny guy.
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 3:35PM
oldpatfan said...
that was moron, not morin. lol
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6-23-2008 @ 3:38PM
oldpatfan said...
try again
http://www.thepcmanwebsite.com/media/pacman_flash/guy
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 3:39PM
Blahoaisudioashdasa said...
I can't say that I disagree with Imus' sentiments. You can run whatever numbers you want...but then adjust those numbers to reflect the fact that only ~17% of people in America are black.
Ignoring the fact that blacks are responsible for a disproprtionate amount of violent crimes in this country is only allowing the problem to grow. There's a core problem in black society that needs to be address. Ignoring it under the guise of being "tolerant and more accepting" of others is just allowing the problem to continue.
Blacks as individuals aren't flawed in any unique way, and they're no more inferior than a white person. But black society does have serious issues that need to be addressed. It's time for white apologists and sensitive blacks out there to get over themselves and solve these problems.
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 3:42PM
Clint Kirby said...
So... was Imus wrong? Is Jones really white? Also, what color is the sun? Was that offensive?
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6-23-2008 @ 4:24PM
Bob said...
So.....what's da problema?
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 4:27PM
j01943e said...
SO WHAT?
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 4:29PM
j01943e said...
If you can't stand the heat stay out the kitchen!
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 4:30PM
j01943e said...
if they don't want people talking about it then stop it idiot!
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6-23-2008 @ 4:32PM
j01943e said...
dumb a$$es
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 4:34PM
ted wilson said...
PACMAN JONES IS ONE OF THE MOST DISGRACEFUL AND IMATURE PEOPLE WHO EVER LIVED.... TO ACT LIKE HE DID AT A STRIP CLUB WAS INSANE... YOU DONT BRING GUNS IN A STRIP CLUB, WHAT PURPOSE DOES THAT SERVE.... TO START SHOOTING INTO A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE.... TO START THROWING MONEY AROUND THAN TRYING TO TAKE IT BACK IS ABOUT THE WORST CONDUCT POSSIBLE... DONT BLAME DON IMUS BY PLAYING THE RACE CARD HERE...
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 4:37PM
Jerry said...
I think, someone here said 17% of the poulation is black, if you will do the research, you will find that they perpetrate over 65-70% of the crime in America. So, Imus has a point if you want to be honest, not politically correct. Political Correctness has nothing to do with honesty.
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6-23-2008 @ 4:39PM
Brad said...
He's RIGHT!!!
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 4:39PM
Thomasagrace said...
Just when are going to finally be sick of this fool and get rid of him from the airwaves? Am I the only one who can't stand this idiot?
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 4:39PM
Joe Willie said...
So What ,Can't you people handle the truth ? The spear chucker did all those things.Imus perhaps didn't have his correct lenses on and simply asked a question.
Reply
6-23-2008 @ 4:42PM
sam Lupowitz said...
Yes, it was a racist comment. But, I just can't believe that Imus would be so stupid after his last incident. Bigger than the racism is how stupid Imus is!
Reply