Josh Howard in more hot water

[spiral97]

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

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.)

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.

[muarmy81]

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. 

[detroitwarrior]

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.