Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, a longtime Chicago White Sox broadcaster in his final season in the booth, attempted to slam NBA superstar LeBron James, and other athletes, who voice their opinion on politics.
“Well I used to watch LeBron but no more,” Harrelson said on-air Sunday during the White Sox’s game against the Boston Red Sox.
“I wish these guys would keep their nose out of politics and just play because people didn’t come to hear their opinions on politicians.”
Harrelson lives in Granger, Ind., which is 88.2 percent white and has a median household income of $93,825 and median property value of $198,300. James, a three-time NBA champion, recently signed a four-year, $154 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Harrelson, who has a history of making controversial and racist remarks on-air, is certainly in no position to tell James to keep quiet about social justice issues.
Both Harrelson, and Fox News host Laura Ingraham, who said in February that James should “shut up and dribble,” can stop the absurd advising. James clearly doesn’t need it.
He launched his I PROMISE School in Akron, Ohio, in August, to help students who have been failed by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the Trump administration.
The school, which is a joint effort of the LeBron James Family Foundation and Akron Public Schools, will benefit at-risk children. James donated $8 million of his own money. He’s also currently producing “The Shop,” a talk show on HBO.
In an interview with CNN’s Don Lemon in July, James candidly shared his thoughts about Trump and what it means to be Black in America.
“What I’ve noticed over the past few months [is] he’s kinda used sports to kinda divide us, and that’s something that I can’t relate to,” he said.
In response to James’ comments, Trump took to Twitter to insult the NBA player and philanthropist.
Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do. I like Mike!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2018
Harrelson, who lives in a state Trump won by 19 points in 2016, has the tact of Trump when he’s broadcasting.
During a game last season, his broadcast partner Steve Stone said too much information could be a burden for ballplayers. Harrelson chimed in and said it was true “especially [of] Latin players.”
In 2014, Chen-Chang Lee, who is Taiwanese, was pitcher for Cleveland.
“After a pitch that caught Alexei Ramirez swinging and missing, Harrelson declared it to be an example of ‘typical Asian motion. Deception involved!'” according to Deadspin.
Major League Baseball continues to honor and applaud the 76-year-old former baseball player and broadcaster.
