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Sharpton Wants NFL Game Canceled

Posted: 2008-03-20 08:06:41

Filed Under: Sports

CANTON, Ohio (March 19) -- The Rev. Al Sharpton's organization plans to ask the NFL to cancel this summer's Hall of Fame game over allegations of police misconduct in the city.

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The Rev. Al Sharpton is again making his presence felt in the sports world. His organization, the National Action Network, is planning to ask the NFL to cancel this summer's Hall of Fame game, citing allegations of police misconduct in the city.

Richard Jones, who heads the local chapter of the National Action Network, founded by Sharpton, said the group is taking action because of police officers' "general aggressiveness and over-the-line attitude to the citizens of Canton, especially the black citizens."

The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins are scheduled to play in the Hall of Fame game Aug. 3 in Canton.

Jones said he has sent information on police misconduct to NFL players Tank Johnson and Adam "Pacman" Jones, who have been punished by the league over their legal troubles.

"Please hold Canton to the same standards you're held to," Jones said he asked the players.

The group also will publish contact information for black NFL stars so they can be urged to put pressure on the league, Jones said.

Adam Herman, spokesman for Mayor William J. Healy II, said the call for the NFL to cancel the game comes as a surprise. Herman said the mayor is committed to meeting with Jones.

"We do not believe the cancellation of the Hall of Fame game is either likely or appropriate in this situation," Herman said Wednesday.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Wednesday that the group has not contacted the league.

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WESTHAMPTON, NY - JUNE 23: NFL wide receiver David Tyree of the New York Giants attends the 4th annual Hamptons Golf Classic at the Hampton Hills Golf and Country Club June 23, 2008 in Westhampton, New York. (Photo by Rick Odell/Getty Images)

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Carolina Panthers' Dwayne Jarrett catches a pass during the team's football minicamp in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, June 5, 2008. Jarrett pleaded guilty to driving while impaired on Monday June 23, 2008, minutes before he was scheduled to go on trial in Charlotte. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant, a Georgia native, signs a shirt during his youth football clinic Friday, June 20, 2008, in College Park, Ga., during which more than 250 youngsters were coached in drills by 12 NFL football players. (AP Photo/John Amis)

New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant, right, and Minnesota Vikings' Kendrick Allen playfully pit their strength against each other during Grant's youth football clinic Friday, June 20, 2008, in College Park, Ga., in which more than 250 children were coached in drills by 12 NFL players. (AP Photo/John Amis)

New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant, in black, an NFL football player and Georgia native, watches Jay Galloway, 14, run a drill during a football clinic Friday, June 20, 2008, in College Park, Ga. Twelve NFL football players coached more than 250 youngsters in football drills at Grant's camp. (AP Photo/John Amis)

New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant, in black shirt, joined by other NFL football players, rear, gets a sea of responses as he asks a question of attendees during a youth football clinic Friday, June 20, 2008, in College Park, Ga. More than 250 youngsters received coaching from 12 NFL players. (AP Photo/John Amis)

This 2007 season handout provided by the NFL shows Arizona Cardinals football player J.J. Arrington. Arrington was among five people arrested after a fight at a nightclub in Rocky Mount, N.C., early Wednesday June 18, 2008. (AP photo/NFL) ** NO SALES**

NFL quarterback Eli Manning attends the Whitney Art Party and auction at Skylight on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

NFL quarterback Eli Manning and wife Abigal McGrew attend the Whitney Art Party and auction at Skylight on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

NEW YORK - JUNE 16: NFL Hall of Famer Boomer Esiason throws a football at the 7th annual Samsung Four Seasons of Hope gala on June 16, 2008 at Cipriani, Wall Street in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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One arrest the group is concerned about is the Dec. 4 arrest of Cortes Everett, 21, who is accused of carrying a loaded gun and having marijuana.

Everett contends his pants were removed during a search. Safety Service Director Thomas Nesbitt said an internal affairs investigation, which includes video of the arrest, shows Everett's complaints are unfounded.

Two officers were reprimanded for unprofessional conduct during the search, including using foul language, Herman said.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-03-19 17:54:19

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76 comments

Imsupertater 07:25:41 AM Apr 12 2008

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If our great great grand fathers would of picked thier own cotton, this zero would still be in south africa chucking spears at oxen with dinner plates in his lips. screw him!

mjm0959 12:45:37 AM Apr 03 2008

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Black peoples rights its always about black peoples rights, how about the right for blacks to be treated equally as in law inforcement as well, if you do the crime you should do the time The poor neglected black folk are forced to break the law and therefore white folks need to have pity and help them after all its white folks fault, isn't it? Somebody else is always the blame, how about people taking responsibility for their way of life after all isnt it easier to steal or wait for a check in the mail rather than struggling like the rest of us white trash... Enjoy your rewards for now.

bigbud325 06:34:43 PM Mar 25 2008

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Reverend AL does have a place in society. I am white and I feel that he does shine a spotlight onto racism in America. Society needs checks and balances, and although I personally do not like the REV, as long as he does not go over the top, I can live with his rhetoric.
By the way, ever notice that when he is asked a question on TV he always answers with a question. He's slick indeed.

hondaf4i2fst4u 09:45:11 PM Mar 23 2008

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what about white people's rights?

hondaf4i2fst4u 09:44:35 PM Mar 23 2008

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just another greasy brother from the ghetto trying to get all the spotlight!!!!

Shighley74 09:30:13 PM Mar 23 2008

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big al can lick the dirt star

jeffbjames 01:50:21 PM Mar 23 2008

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Yeah no one seems to remind Al too much about Tawana. And how he tried to ruin a few people's lives who were "innocent" but then Al seems to play judge jury and executioner on things before the facts come out and when reality runs in the face of his opinion he screams racism. Yeah racism is bad, but people who make a career out of pointing it out and screaming about it as opposed to working on the root causes in a quiet and dignified manner, there's something wrong.

arlason68 09:03:26 AM Mar 23 2008

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go home al

rburke3177 08:30:54 AM Mar 23 2008

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Has Al ever worked a day in his life?

Lennys kid 8 06:11:51 AM Mar 23 2008

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This guy shows up at every "black thing" goin on. And then embarassses his majority of blacks by being an idiot. Remember... He was there celebrating when OJ was found not guilty. Where is his sorry ass when two thugs take an innocent white girl from college and put a bullet in her head only to get caught because they are so fu*#%in stupid that they try to use her ATM card... Where is he huh?

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