Imus' Adam "Pacman" Jones Comment: Asks Of Suspended, Crime-Ridden Athlete, "What Color Is He?"

Update with Imus response below

A little over a year after being fired for making what were perceived as racist and sexist comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team, Don Imus is courting controversy again over a potentially racist remark made about an athlete.

When sports host Warner Wolf explained that Adam "Pacman" Jones — who was suspended in 2007 following a Last Vegas nightclub shooting incident — had been arrested six times, Imus asked, "What color is he?"

A slightly confused Wolf responded, "He's African American."

Imus then said, "Well, there you go. Now we know."

Listen (via Politico):

Imus returned to the airwaves in December after eight months off the air.

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Update: Imus has defended his comments in an email exchange with the New York Times' Jacques Steinberg:

Asked in an e-mail message what he was trying to convey, Mr. Imus wrote: "I meant he was being picked on because he's black.'' He added that Dick Gregory, a veteran comedian and activist who is black, would be a guest on his show on Tuesday, to discuss the death of George Carlin. "We'll see what he thinks,'' Mr. Imus wrote. "I mean...come on!''

Full transcript, via AOL sports, 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."

Comments

[chumleypotts]

Just a harmless comment. Like when Joe Biden called Barack "clean and articulate" Same thing. Joe got a pass, so should Don.

[Meok]

I bet you also think that Rev. Wright should have gotten a pass too (sarcasm.)

[DrDemon]

Another pass?

[qdog112]

WHAT WOULD CARLIN SAY ABOUT IMUS?

[joemac1114]

He was good friends with Imus and one of the first to appear on his show upon its return to the air. I think Carlin understood humor, even when it goes awry. I also heard the comment in real time and didn't draw the conclusions that you nut jobs with nothing better to do did.

How is Iraq going these days? Who knows were busy crucifying Imus.

[rh654]

Where is the news story here?

Everyone knows what Imus says - he doesn't care (as long as he doesn't lose his job).

Wow - Imus makes a potential racist comment...

That's like saying Howard Stern said something offensive...

[IntelligentDesign]

Shock jocks are so over in terms of main stream relevance - they can take their dark art and shove it.

[nellie]

You are so right. They are so last century.

[dora rice]

yeah he is getting harrassed bec ause he is a football player and black. Not bec ause he's been 5 times arrested. There goes an angel....ha ha ha ...Now we know/

[qdog112]

"Not bec ause he's been 5 times arrested"

And definitely not because he wants to perpetuate a stereotype.

[dora rice]

what color is he. There you go , now we know.

[stepintothelight]

Anyone smell a cab drivers seat near this comment???

[repugnicansfearme]

Headline: Brain Dead Cowboy Wannabe Inserts Foot Into Mouth- Again

[LivingStardust]

Words only have power if YOU let them.

Children.

[wmbear]

WHEN IMUS CAUGHT ALL THAT FLAK...

Over his remark about the Rutgers womens basketball team, I kept hearing in the liberal media about how stupid this was because Imus was such a pillar of political liberalism, etc., etc. etc. Frankly, he doesn't sound at all "liberal" to me and, in general, my impression of his is that he's huge phony trying to parade as this authentic observer of American mores -- NOT....

[raker]

In the 60s we learned, don't judge a person by their color. Consider all people the same inside. Today, race politics is all about "diversity," which says that people of color are different. Everything about them is unique, i.e. intrinsically "black." Prejudice is the new equality. I like the old way better.

[DrDemon]

"In the 60s we learned, don't judge a person by their color."

WOW - Over forty years ago, and people ARE STILL judged by their color...FU*KIN PATHETIC!

[misswilliams]

Why does he want to know what color he is and why are we even surprised at what he says? Why do we even care?

[igmond50]

George Carlin just called and suggested we all stop trying to limit speech. Let people talk, don't support what you don't like but stop insisting that they stop talking. Seems too commie like.

[stepintothelight]

So you are in support of Father Phlegar and Rev. Wright???

[igmond50]

If they want to display thier ignorance for the world I am 100% in favor of it. Who am I to deny anyone the opportunity to speak thier mind (or lack of it)?

[joemac1114]

I don't have to like what they say but you know what they have the right to say it.

[estevancarlos]

Leave Imus Alone!

[Independent007]

I don't like Imus, but I sincerely believe that the guy does not have a racist bone in his body.
He speaks nonsense and walks the line, but he is cool. Give him a pass guys!

[dallashailee]

FORGET IMUS! We all know we let old people say what they want anyway. If I had a dime for every time an older white American said something borderline racist to me...ok I'd probably only have a dollar...but forget Imus. He's a has-been. Attack Pat Buchanan!

[vocalist]

For a non Imus fan, I say , just give it a rest...
I have listened to Imus long enough to know, what ever he is, Imus is not a racist.
Where is the mercy that is shown to all the media people all the time ?
Just drop this. Enough is enough.
Must be a slow day.

[tulsey]

Exactly,satire.

[qdog112]

Speaking of SLOW.

[DrDemon]

Well if he's not a racist, his mouth & brain seems to suggest otherwise...he just may be the "closeted-type" racist.

[ohiomark]

If case you Libs don't know, Imus is a Lib too.

Just because he is on WABC, doesn't make him conservative.

Have you ever noticed that it's mostly liberals who obsess over skin color? The media, Al (not so) Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and Democrats.