Jun 24, 2008 7:37 pm US/Eastern
Imus Defends Comments On 'Pacman' Jones
Claims He Was Calling Attention To Race-Based Legal Harrassment
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Imus made what some are considering a questionable comment during a discussion about oft-troubled NFL player Adam "Pacman" Jones, who wants to drop his nickname. (File)
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Radio personality Don Imus again defended his comments about "Pac Man" Jones' legal troubles Tuesday morning.
It was during a Monday morning conversation on his radio program with sportscaster Warner Wolf when he asked about the arrests of suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones and quickly found himself under fire again.
"He's also been arrested six times since being drafted by Tennessee in 2005," Wolf said. "What color is he?" Imus asked. Wolf answered: "He's African American."
"Well, there you go. Now we know," Imus responded.
On Tuesday's edition of "Imus In The Morning," the host decried the criticisms he received over his comments, likening them to "McCarthyism" and again said he was highlighting harassment of black athletes by authorities, continuing the explanation he made the night before.
"I was talking yesterday about 'Pacman' Jones who had been arrested six times. Obviously they had been picking on him, so I asked Warner what color he was. Obviously I knew what color he was, the point was to make a sarcastic point. I asked Warner what color he was and Warner tells me and I say, 'There you go,' that was the point. What people should be outraged about is they arrest blacks for no reason," he said.
The Imus comments are being played, replayed, dissected and debated. For some his explanation is not the end of this controversy.
"It was racist, it was vile, and he should be taken of the air," said New York City Councilman Charles Barron.
Barron wants Imus fired, remembering how he was dropped from MSNBC and CBS Radio last year shortly after making racially charged remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team. This time his WABC bosses are standing by Imus and no discliplinary action is planned.
"This is outrageous that the station would back an excuse like that," said Barron.
Jones heard the tape of the Imus' comments last night and said in a statement: "Obviously Mr. Imus has problems with African-Americans. I will pray for him."
Jones pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct charge stemming from a Las Vegas brawl that police said he incited.
The on-air exchange came six months after Imus's return to work after being fired by CBS Radio for making racially-charged and sexist remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team.
When given his second chance on WABC, Imus gave a lengthy on-air apology and pledged to use his new show to create an open dialogue about race relations.
Rev. Al Sharpton called Imus's remark disturbing because it played into stereotypes, saying "We will determine in the next day or so whether or not his remark warrants direct action on our part."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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