This is hot at the water cooler down here in Dallas.. Skip Prosser would be disappointed I am sure.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/nba/09/17/mavs.howard.ap/index.html
Quote
DALLAS (AP) -- The battered reputation of Josh Howard took another hit this week when an online video surfaced showing the Dallas Mavericks forward disrespecting the national anthem.
In a video posted on YouTube, Howard is shown on a football field at a charity flag football game. As the national anthem plays in the background, Howard approaches a camera and says: The Star Spangled Banner is going on right now. I don't even celebrate that [expletive]. I'm black." (See the video here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDxf35b06s4).)
Howard's agent, Jeff Schwartz, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment. Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks' president of basketball operations, directed questions to team owner Mark Cuban, who in an e-mail declined to comment.
The incident is the latest off-court problem for Howard, a fifth-year pro from Wake Forest who averaged 19.9 points and seven rebounds last season. He was arrested in July when police said he was drag racing at 94 mph in a 55 zone. A court appearance was scheduled for next week.
Howard was criticized last season for saying in a radio interview during a first-round playoff series against New Orleans that he occasionally smokes marijuana. Later that same series, he angered coach Avery Johnson by throwing himself a birthday bash after a Game 4 loss to the Hornets.
Sorry if this comes across way to political but...this guy is an absolute D-Bag. As someone who's seen much worse situations in much worse countries it sickens me to see somebody who is living a very comfortable life in this country turn around and ignorantly disrespect it.
He isn't the first athlete or celebrity to do something dumb unfortunately. In this day and age of cellphones and youtube if you are a high profile person you need to watch your step whether you are being serious or joking.