04/23/24
November 15, 2006
Washington's Trading Card For The "Bird"s?: Was Leon Washington's two-handed gesture in his Bowman trading card humorous or horrendous? And is this really the "Signs of the Future," as the card states? Either way, how could the card company miss it?
Great role model there. No, wait, athletes aren't role models! Parents are. So, I'll be a role model by telling my kids he's acting like a 2 bit thug.
posted by ChiefsSuperFan at 09:05 AM on November 15, 2006
Oh, relax. If society hasn't crumbled yet, this ain't gonna do it. Card companies let stuff like this pass every once in a while as part of their promotional budget. They know knuckleheads try stunts like this all the time, and as long as it's not too over the top, they don't mind ruffling some of the more prudish feathers out there. In fact, it's good for business. Tempest. Teapot. Mountain. Molehill. Marketing. Marketing.
posted by chicobangs at 09:17 AM on November 15, 2006
Since trading cards are now more for collectors than kids, he was just trying to bring a little extra money to the people.
posted by bperk at 09:18 AM on November 15, 2006
He's throwing signs, not flipping the bird.
posted by Venicemenace at 09:25 AM on November 15, 2006
I have to agree with chico, this isn't some monumental issue that everybody has to get all worked up over. I personally think it's unique and would make a nice card to have as something like this doesn't happen every day. Also, as chico said, it is good for buisness since it generates a lot of exposure.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 09:44 AM on November 15, 2006
Citation: "Jets spokesman Ron Colangelo said Washington told him he was trying to form two E's to honor Eastside, his old neighborhood in Jacksonville." I'm going to go with Occam's Razor here and accept this explanation.
posted by Venicemenace at 09:45 AM on November 15, 2006
This is FAR worse than anything Bobby Knight's ever done...
posted by ajaffe at 10:21 AM on November 15, 2006
Say what you want regarding card companies looking to profit, or about card collecting only being for serious collectors now, but one thing is for sure. It makes the Jets look bad, and considering what their existence has been like for much of the past 36 years or so, this type of thing is just one more item to add to the joke.
posted by dyams at 11:11 AM on November 15, 2006
I collected cards as a kid and off and on as an adult I just keep all of my favorites in books but I don't really care if I own this card I hope he was doing that as a joke you just know it's not an error card though
posted by luther70 at 11:15 AM on November 15, 2006
...................................................................................you can have a few of mine.
posted by hawkguy at 11:28 AM on November 15, 2006
I was sure I was going to click the link and see him giving two "shockers" Four in the...well, you know...
posted by vito90 at 12:18 PM on November 15, 2006
I was sure I was going to click the link and see him giving two "shockers" I actually thought the same thing but after re-reading the link I should have known he was giving the "bird".
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 01:53 PM on November 15, 2006
Now he's going to have to pay to have the yearbook retakes. Fortunately for him, he's being paid well by the Jets. (BTW, hawkguy, I saw him use a question mark in a post.)
posted by THX-1138 at 03:11 PM on November 15, 2006
Luther, reading your punctuationless posts makes me feel I'm listening to an over-caffinated, hyperactive 8 year-old.
posted by SummersEve at 03:14 PM on November 15, 2006
He's throwing signs, not flipping the bird. Venicemenace is absolutely right. If you look closely at the photo, he actually has both his thumb and middle finger raised on both hands. When's the last time you ever saw someone flip you the bird while raising their thumb as well? Maybe on the planet Vulcan. It makes the Jets look bad, and considering what their existence has been like for much of the past 36 years or so, this type of thing is just one more item to add to the joke. Dyams, a little fact I'd like to remind you of: Super Bowl Records: Jets: 1-0 Bills: 0-4
posted by cjets at 03:28 PM on November 15, 2006
cjets, I know for a fact that that's NOT how to flip the bird on Vulcan. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to tape my glasses back together.
posted by THX-1138 at 03:40 PM on November 15, 2006
I don't really think it's all that big a deal. Why is flipping the bird considered offensive? Why is "fuck" considered offensive? There are far worse things to do or say.
posted by cabuki at 04:21 PM on November 15, 2006
Dyams, a little fact I'd like to remind you of: Super Bowl Records: Jets: 1-0 Bills: 0-4 Exactly my point. 36 years ago. I'm not sure how old you are, cjets, but unless your in your 40s, I doubt you remember that game too vividly. By the way, I always loved Namath. If you get the chance, read his biography by Mark Kriegel. Man, what a life the guy has led.
posted by dyams at 08:17 PM on November 15, 2006
ESPN just posted a story on this today. The story I linked was from Nov. 10, but shows a picture of the card in question. What an idiot. Go back to fifth grade. One hand may be a mistake, but both hands?