Johnny Miller is sorry. He's sorry he described U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate as looking like "the guy who cleans Tiger's swimming pool," he's sorry for later commenting that "guys with the name of Rocco don't get the trophy, do they?", and he's particularly sorry now that he's being called on it.
"I chose my words poorly and in the future will be more careful," Miller said in a statement. He added that his intention was to "convey my affection and admiration for Rocco's everyman qualities and had absolutely nothing to do with his heritage."Meanwhile, Jemele Hill's people are feverishly mounting a "Johnny Miller defense" for her Boston/Hitler comments. You see, Jemele was just trying to convey her affection and admiration for The Hub and it's everyman qualities and it had absolutely nothing to do with an insane murderous tyrant.
According to the New York Times, earlier this week, A. Kenneth Ciongoli, the chairman of the National Italian American Foundation, sent a very well-reasoned letter to Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Sports:
"We are certain that NBC and Mr. Miller meant no harm and was simply having some fun at the expense of Italian Americans. Nonetheless, this type of humor is problematic as it reinforces a demeaning and damaging stereotype about an entire ethnic group."I think that's the exact right tone. Miller's comments were ignorant and offensive, but not malicious. That doesn't excuse them, just helps put them in perspective. Anthony Baratta, the president of the Order Sons of Italy in American's commission for social justice, wasn't feeling quite so magnanimous. "If Johnny Miller had made a similar remark about Tiger Woods," he said Thursday in a press release, "he would have been fired."
Obviously, Baratta has never heard Miller talk about Tiger. He'd rather die than speak ill of the player whose posters adorn his bedroom walls. Not only that, but if Kelly Tilghman can casually suggest tour players should lynch Woods and get a two-week vacation out of it, I think Miller could get away with making fun of his heritage. Just a hunch.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-21-2008 @ 10:52AM
murph207 said...
Personally when I heard Miller say those things it never crossed my mind that they would upset anyone because they are Italian , I never saw it as a slight about anyone’s background. Then again I am not Italian so its not really for me to say. I this case I hope his apology was accepted and it can be forgotton. Ms Hill on the other hand should have been fired.
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6-21-2008 @ 11:21AM
Orange Chuck said...
As an Italian American, I could not care any less at all about his comments. Damn I wish some people would get off their high horse and get a freakin life already. Stop being so uber sensitive to everything and live a little bit without the bitterness some of you seem to have about everything.
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6-21-2008 @ 12:50PM
Martin said...
As a member of the Association of the American Pool Guys, I hereby demand an immediate apology from the National Italian American Federation for their assertion that calling someone a pool guy is somehow demeaning. Pool guys throughout this country provide an incredibly valuable service not only by keeping pools looking pristine and inviting, but also from protecting Americans from water borne diseases. As global warming increases, these services will only increase in value.
I further demand an apology from Mr. Miller for referring to a professional golfer as a pool guy. As opposed to pool guys, professional golfers provide no substantial benefit to society and in fact, as global warming increases, golf courses will become one large sand trap.
However, in lieu of apologies, you can each send large sums of unmarked bills.
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6-21-2008 @ 12:50PM
RASHKOVSKY said...
Miller needs a smack in the mouth. It has nothing to do with ethnicity. It has to do with personal respect for a decent man doing a wonderful job.
JM is always trying to live up to his press notices as a tough commentator. He is as full of crap as a Christmas turkey. I feel sorry for Gary Koch, an absolute professional, having to "yes" Millerfor hours on-end. Get rid of that guy, he's irrelevant and he ain't funny. Put him and Faldo in a room together and then don't let either of themout.
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6-21-2008 @ 12:53PM
ryan said...
I'm with Martin. Can't we all get along ... with pool guys?
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6-21-2008 @ 4:57PM
Financial Planner said...
A Mexican cleans my pool.
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6-21-2008 @ 5:51PM
sultanhelfrich said...
are you kidding me???? If the "sons of italy" are so sensitive... why not question Benito Mussulini about his actions? Am i offending anyone? Gosh, I hope not. LOL... face it.... typical
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6-21-2008 @ 8:09PM
Bob said...
My issue was that he was putting down Rocco for his looks...He's not your typical country clubber preppy kind of golfer....Rocco breaks the steriotype which i think is so refreshing!!!.....He's down to earth....Humble and decent....That's my main complaint with Miller....To apologies for some ethic comment is a cop out!...He was making fun of his looks!....
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6-21-2008 @ 8:09PM
Robert Williams said...
My main complaint was that Miller was making fun of Rocco's appearance.....He's not your typical country clubber, preppy golfer which i feel is so refreshing!....He's down to earth and humble and breaks all of the steriotypes which is what Miller is....To apologies for the ethnic card is a cop out!
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6-21-2008 @ 8:09PM
Robert Williams said...
My main complaint was that Miller was making fun of Rocco's appearance not his ethnicity....Rocco's not your typical country club preppy which is very refreshing!....He's humble and down to earth which is the opposite of Miller and most of your pro rich kid golfer's...To apologies for the enthnic card is a copout!!
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6-21-2008 @ 8:10PM
sara presley said...
Johnny Miller is always running his mouth when he should be listening. This insults me and I'm not Italian. I loved watching Rocco, and wish he had beaten Woods.
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6-21-2008 @ 8:10PM
sara presley said...
There are times when Johnny Miller should keep his muoth shut. I loved Rocco and wanted him to win this US Open.
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6-21-2008 @ 8:10PM
Julie Walczer said...
As an Italian I found Johnny Miller's remarks very offensive. If he had made an ethnic comment about Tiger Woods, he would already be looking for another job. I get tired of the double standard. I could give a crap if he apologized. He had to and no ones knows if he was sincere or not. I would much rather sit and talk with Rocco than that pompus ass of a sportscaster. Him and his preppy look. That was considered by many one of the greatest golf matches in current history. Miller had to taint it with his slurs at Italians. What is his background? Like I have always said, Italians are the most maligned ethnic group on the planet. You can call us anything but don't say a work about a black or a muslim or you are a racist. Well Miller if the racist golf shoe fits, put it on. I would have fired your preppy ass.
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6-21-2008 @ 8:28PM
Matthew Rand said...
When did Johnny Miller make fun of anyone's heritage? Give me a break! And as Martin humourously pointed out, when did being a pool guy become a bad thing?
Bring back the 70's, when people could laugh at themselves and their ethnic stereotypes! But Johnny Miller didn't even indulge in a stereotype, that is what is so funny.
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6-21-2008 @ 8:25PM
watcher said...
get a life, why is the world so sensitive ....just enjoy one mans opinion.....
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6-21-2008 @ 8:47PM
The Webloglearner said...
Anything racist or stereotypes be it against Italian, American or whatsoever is nothing good. ;Moreover, people are only good at criticizing others without looking at themselves in the mirror! Why? How good this Mller is?
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6-21-2008 @ 10:19PM
DB Ballantine said...
It had nothing to do with Rocco`s ethnic background and everything to do with Johnny and all the golf announcers desires for that matter, to KISS TIGERS ASS every chance they get. He was not implying Rocco was Italian and should be cleaning pools just displying his irritation that someone was beating their beloved Tiger at the time. You could hear the dissapointment in their voices then and the sheer joy when Tiger eventually won.
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6-21-2008 @ 11:33PM
George B Vieto said...
Johnny Miller said something dumb about Rocco Mediate and he has apologized. It was not offensive to me. Now if Johnny Miller made that comment about Tiger Woods yes he would be fired for insulting a golf icon. I don't recall any journalist getting fired over making fun of Florence Griffith Joyner's death. It isn't the racial insult it is who you insult in the African American community.
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6-22-2008 @ 1:37AM
cmstorm said...
Miller's comment wasn't intended to offend anyone. He was just trying to be cute as he often does. I didn't care for the comment. I was rooting for Rocco. I'd like to add Tiger and Lee Westwood were put on the clock the first nine (slow play). Rocco finished 18 before they even teed off on the 18th hole. Why weren't they penalized 2 strokes. Then Rocco would've won. They wouldn't penalized the World's # 1...
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6-22-2008 @ 10:27AM
pszkeres said...
Unfortunately, the 70's are gone. Now comments regarding ethnicity will get you fired or suspended. Just ask Imus or Kelly Tighlman.....
I'm tired of the double standard, and it IS an ethnic issue. People like Al Sharpton have made it so. What's fair is fair. Miller needs to be suspended, period, and if it were up to me I'd fire his ass too.
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