Pittsburgh Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall gave clarification in regards to some of his recent tweets in the wake of the death of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.
According to SI.com, around 1:00PM Mendenhall posted a link on his Twitter page to a blog post where he states he doesn’t support Osama bin Laden and that he wanted to clear things up, not only for himself but also for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The day after news broke of the U.S. covert operation that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden, Mendenhall had this to say…
“What kind of person celebrates death? It’s amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We’ve only heard one side…” He also tweeted on the Sept. 11 attacks: “We’ll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style.”
Today Mendenhall was singing a different tune, yet still sounded like a complete idiot.
“I appreciate those of you who have decided to read this letter and attain a greater understanding of my recent Twitter posts. I see how they have gotten misconstrued, and wanted to use this outlet as a way to clear up all things that do not truthfully represent myself, what I stand for personally, and any organization that I am a part of.
“First, I want people to understand that I am not in support of Bin Laden, or against the USA. I understand how devastating 9/11 was to this country and to the people whose families were affected. Not just in the U.S., but families all over the world who had relatives in the World Trade Centers. My heart goes out to the troops who fight for our freedoms everyday, not being certain if they will have the opportunity to return home, and the families who watch their loved ones bravely go off to war. Last year, I was grateful enough to have the opportunity to travel overseas and participate in a football camp put on for the children of U.S. troops stationed in Germany. It was a special experience. These events have had a significant impact in my life.”
Mendenhall also specifically pointed out the “celebrates death” tweet.
“This controversial statement was something I said in response to the amount of joy I saw in the event of a murder. I don’t believe that this is an issue of politics or American pride; but one of religion, morality, and human ethics.”
He also tried to bring closure to the situation.
“Nothing I said was meant to stir up controversy. It was my way to generate conversation. In looking at my timeline in its entirety, everything that I’ve said is with the intent of expressing a wide array of ideas and generating open and honest discussions, something I believe we as American citizens should be able to do. Most opinions will not be fully agreed upon and are not meant to be. However, I believe every opinion should be respected or at least given some thought. I apologize for the timing as such a sensitive matter, but it was not meant to do harm. I apologize to anyone I unintentionally harmed with anything that I said, or any hurtful interpretation that was made and put in my name.”
The only thing I got from that was a bunch of self-righteous ramblings from a man who only further proves that twitter and the internet isn’t for everyone. Sure Mendenhall said that he doesn’t support Osama bin Laden (which I believe) BUT he failed to give any plausible explanation on his comments made in regards to only hearing one side of the argument.
Also, Mendenhall refers to the death of Osama bin Laden as a murder. Murder is a term more associated with someone who had their life taken that was presumably innocent. Now I don’t wish death upon anyone however there are no presumptions on the innocence of Osama bin Laden. This is a man who murdered thousands of innocent men, women and children and tried to justify it by using Islam as his pre course for action.
Mendenhall should do himself and the Pittsburgh Steelers a huge favor by shutting the hell up.
Source: SI.com
