♪ ♪
>> VAPED WON THE SUPER BOWL NOW,
IT'S GOING TO FEEL OLD HAT.
>> YOU HAD YOUR FUN, DON'T BEAT
UP THE LOCAL POPULATION.
LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION.
DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE WORSE IN
THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA IF THE
EAGLES WON OR LOST?
WHAT WOULD HAVE MORE PROPERTY
DAMAGE?
>> Bomani: LOSING HAS MORE
PROPERTY DAMAGE AND THAT
PROPERTY DAMAGE WOULD BE AT
JALEN HURTS' HOUSE.
THAT'S THE GUY I AM LOOKING FOR
HERE, ASKED DONOVAN McNABB.
GET A GET OF THE SUPER BOWL AND
LOSING IT AIN'T GONNA DO THE
JOB.
ASK NICK FOLES, HE WILL NEVER
PAY FOR A MEAL IN PHILADELPHIA
AGAIN.
>> WHAT'S MORE DANGEROUS THAN AN
ANGRY PHILADELPHIAN IS A HAPPY
ONE.
>> Bomani: THEY'VE WON THE
SUPER BOWL AT THE SIXERS EVER
WIN ANOTHER ONE IT MIGHT ALL
COME DOWN BECAUSE IT WON'T FEEL
FRESH.
>> THE FLYERS -- THEY'RE NEVER
GOING TO WIN.
>> Bomani: THE WHAT?
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
♪ ♪
>> Bomani: THANK YOU!
WELCOME TO "GAME THEORY."
THANK YOU.
SO I DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU
WHAT'S GOING ON.
WE ALL KNOW THE BIGGEST STORY OF
THE WEEK.
>> SUPER BOWL WEEK IS FINALLY
UPON US.
IT'S ALL GOING DOWN IN ARIZONA.
SUPER BOWL LVII FEATURING THE
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AND
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES.
>> Bomani: IT'S THAT SPECIAL
TIME OF YEAR WHERE SECURITY HAS
TO ESCORT A DRUNK KEVIN HART OFF
THE FIELD.
ON TOP OF THAT THE NETS IMPLODED
SENDING KYLIE IRVING TO DALLAS
AND KATIE TO PHOENIX.
HAVEN'T SEEN THIS MANY BROTHERS
MOVED WEST SINCE THE GREAT
MIGRATION.
DOES A LOT HAPPENING, IF YOU GO
ONLINE THIS WEEKEND AND
LeBRON JAMES IS SENDING A
BUNCH OF LOOK AT ME TWEETS, IT'S
BECAUSE WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT
HIM.
>> AT 38,390 AND COUNTING,
LeBRON
JAMES STANDS ALONE ATOP THE
NBA'S SCORING RANKS.
LeBRON PASSED KAREEM ABDUL
JABBAR TO BECOME THE LEADING
SCORER IN NBA HISTORY.
KAREEM'S RECORD STOOD FOR NEARLY
FOUR DECADES.
HE SET IT EIGHT MONTHS BEFORE
LeBRON WAS EVEN BORN.
>> Bomani: WE JUST SAW THE
ONLY THING LAKERS FANS LOOK AT
THE CELEBRATION 2023.
IT'S THE BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT
OF HIS CAREER.
AND IT'S TRULY THE BEST STORY OF
HIS CAREER.
'CAUSE THIS IS THE ONLY LeBRON
STORY LEFT THAT HAS NOTHING TO
DO WITH MICHAEL JORDAN.
REMEMBER WHEN LeBRON PASSED
JORDAN IN SCORING?
NEITHER DO I.
THIS DOESN'T MATTER LIKE THAT.
THIS IS A FEAT, NOT ADDITIONAL
EVIDENCE FOR YOUR GOAT
DEBATE.
THAT'S PART OF WHY I WISH LeBRON
WOULDN'T USE THIS TIME TO TALK
ABOUT THAT STUFF.
THAT JUST STARTS AN ARGUMENT
HE COULD WIN GAME 7 OF THE
THAT YOU'LL NEVER WIN.
FINALS, BRONNY, BRYCE, ZHURI,
AND SAVANNAH AS HIS TEAMMATES,
ATE NOBODY'S MIND CHANGING.
THIS RECORD SHOULD BE JUST ABOUT
HIM, NOTHING ELSE.
WHICH IS A GOOD THING, 'CAUSE
LeBRON DAMN SURE WASN'T THINKING
ABOUT NOBODY ELSE ON TUESDAY
NIGHT.
HE DEFINITELY WASN'T THINKING
ABOUT THE PLAYOFFS.
HE BROKE THE RECORD IN THE THIRD
QUARTER AND ONLY SCORED TWO MORE
POINTS AND THEN TRADED EVERYBODY
WHO WASN'T HAPPY FOR HIM.
[LAUGHTER]
[APPLAUSE]
YOU CANNOT BLAME HIM IF HE WAS
THINKING ABOUT HIMSELF AND
EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED ALONG
THE WAY.
AND ALL THE OBSTACLES HE HAD TO
OVERCOME TO GET HERE:
UNPRECEDENTED COMPETITION IN THE
LEAGUE, HAVING NO ONE BETTER TO
PASS TO THAN ZYDRUNAS ILGAUSKAS
FOR THE FIRST THIRD OF HIS
CAREER.
TEACHING J.R.
SMITH HOW MANY TIMEOUTS TEAMS
GET.
LeBRON EVEN TOOK ON KYRIE'S
BULLSHIT AND WON A TITLE AGAINST
MAYBE THE GREATEST TEAM IN
LEAGUE HISTORY.
KD TRIED IT AND WOUND UP WITH
NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT BUT LESS
HAIR AND A TEAMMATE WHO KNOWS
THE BALL IS ROUND BUT THINKS THE
EARTH IS FLAT.
LeBRON DID THIS WHILE NEVER
BEING CONSIDERED THE BEST SCORER
IN THE LEAGUE.
AND THE TRUTH IS, AT LEAST
EARLY, HE WASN'T EVEN WITH A
SCORING TITLE.
'CAUSE WE ALL KNOW 2010 AND 2011
PLAYOFFS.
WOULDN'T HAPPEN TO THE BEST
SCORER IN THE LEAGUE.
NOCERA.
DALLAS HADN'T SEEN IT SHOOTING
THAT SINCE JFK GOT MERCED.
THOSE TWO POSTSEASONS, THE MOST
EMBARRASSING MOMENTS OF HIS
CAREER, ENDED BECAUSE HE COULD
NOT GET BIG BUCKETS.
AND THEN HE TURNED INTO A
COMPLETELY UNSTOPPABLE
BASKETBALL MACHINE.
THE PLAYOFFS ARE ABOUT THE BEST
BEING THE BEST AND LeBRON HAD
TO OVERCOME SOMETHING THAT FEW
SUPERSTARS HAVE HAD TO LEARN.
JORDAN HAD TO LEARN TO SHARE,
LeBRON HAD TO STOP BEING SO NICE
TO THE OTHER KIDS.
BECAUSE THAT'S THE THING.
EVEN WITH THIS RECORD,
THE COOLEST THING ABOUT LeBRON
IS HE'S THE SUPERSTAR YOU'D WANT
TO PLAY WITH.
HE'S THE KID IN "THE SANDLOT"
WHO TELLS THE SCRUB KID JUST TO
STAND WITH HIS GLOVE OPEN AND
THE BALL WILL COME RIGHT TO HIM.
[LAUGHTER]
YOU KNOW, MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA,
ERIC SNOW, THINKING ABOUT YOU
TIMOTHY MOSGOV.
LeBRON'S ENERGY WAS
EMPOWERING, NOT INTIMIDATING AND
THERE WILL BE NO ONE CLOSE FOR A
LONG TIME TO BREAKING THIS
RECORD, THEY WON'T EVEN BE CLOSE
TO CHASE THIS RECORD PRICKLED
I'LL PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE FOR
YOU.
TO HAVE ANY SHOT OF OVERTAKING
LeBRON, LUKA DONCIC WILL HAVE
TO KEEP SCORING AT THE PACE HE'S
SCORING NOW UNTIL HE'S 38 YEARS
OLD.
YOU UDONIS HASLEM WHO IS 42 WILL
HAVE TO PLAY UNTIL HE'S 6,000
YEARS OLD.
BECAUSE OF THAT THERE WON'T BE
REMINDERS AND AT THIS AT A TIME
WHEN PEOPLE NEED TO SET A
REMINDER TO CALL THEIR MOMS.
WE NEED THOSE REMINDERS, SPORTS
IS THE RARE PLACE WHERE HISTORY
IS VALUED AND REVERED.
SURE, IT DOESN'T FEEL THAT WAY
WHEN SOME 17-YEAR-OLD SAYS
LeBRON IS THE GREATEST BECAUSE
NOTHING MATTERED BEFORE HE WAS
BORN.
BUT THERE'S NO ARGUING WITH THAT
NUMBER.
DO NOT QUALIFY THIS.
APPLAUD THIS.
ENJOY THIS.
IT'S NOT EVERYDAY A 13 SEED GETS
TO WITNESS SOMETHING SO SPECIAL.
[LAUGHTER]
[APPLAUSE]
THEY CALLED TONIGHT'S GUEST
"AGENT ZERO" WHEN HE WAS IN THE
NBA, DROPPING 60 ON KOBE AT THE
STAPLES CENTER, AND PLAYING IN
THREE ALL STAR GAMES.
THESE DAYS, YOU CAN CATCH HIM
TALKING SMACK ON HIS PODCAST,
"NO CHILL" PLEASE SHOW SOME LOVE
TO GILBERT ARENAS.
I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THE TRADE
DEADLINE, WHAT DID YOU THINK
ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE
NETS?
THE BUILDING AND THE FALLING.
>> I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT FOR
NEW YORK, ESPECIALLY THE FANS
HERE.
TO THE FACT THAT EVERYONE WAS
KNICKS FANS.
THEY HAD ONE THING TO DO, JUST
BE BETTER THAN THE KNICKS AND
HUGH WAS FINE.
JUST DON'T DO WHAT THE KNICKS DO
AND YOU WOULD BE FINE.
AND IT'S LIKE YOU'RE WORSE.
AND HOW DID YOU GUYS MESSED THAT
UP?
IT'S SAD THAT SUCH GREAT TALENT
DIDN'T ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING.
>> Bomani: YOU PLAYED IN A LOT
OF DIFFERENT TEAMS IN DIFFERENT
TEAM DYNAMICS.
THE THING THAT WAS SO WEIRD IS
THEY NEVER SEEM LIKE IT WAS ANY
FUN.
NOTHING AROUND THAT TEAM WAS ANY
FUN AND WITH YOU EVERYTHING
AROUND YOU SEEM TO BE FUN.
>> WHEN GENERAL MANAGERS PUT
TEAMS TOGETHER, THEY PUT NAMES
TOGETHER VERSUS PERSONALITIES.
WHEN YOU'RE BUILDING SOMETHING
LIKE THAT IT HAS TO BE THE RIGHT
FIT PERSONALITY WISE.
WHAT GOLDEN STATE HAS COME A
PERSONALITIES ALL FIT WHEN
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE NETS,
THERE'S GOING TO BE CLASH WITH
THE STYLE OF PERSONALITIES.
>> Bomani: HOW DO YOU THINK
ABOUT KYRIE PLAYING WITH LUKA?
I ASK YOU ABOUT SOMEBODY WHO
LIKES TO SHOOT THE BALL A LOT.
>> THAT'S A MYTH WHEN YOU'RE
TALKING ABOUT SHOTS.
WHEN YOU HAVE TWO PEOPLE
SHOOTING THE REST OF THE TEAM --
IT'S NOT LUKA AND KYRIE AND
EVERYONE ELSE WANTS TO GET THE
BALL.
>> Bomani: I GUESS YOU DON'T
KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT HOW IT WORKS
FOR THOSE GUYS.
>> WITH ME -- EVERYONE ELSE WE
WERE TAKING AWAY FROM YOU GUYS.
>> Bomani: DID THAT LOOKED
LIKE FUN FOR YOU, BEING ONE OF
THOSE OTHER GUYS?
>> YES, YOU'RE GETTING PAID --
EVERYONE HAS A DUTY.
DO YOUR JOB, REBOUND -- TO GET
10 MILLION.
>> Bomani: YOU'RE A JOB
CREATOR, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
FOR OTHER PEOPLE?
I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS
STORY WITH JA MORANT, THERE WAS
AN INVESTIGATION ABOUT WHETHER
OR NOT SOMEBODY IN HIS PARTY
SHOT A LASER BEAM INTO THE
PACERS TEAM BUS.
THE PACERS SAY THEY ARE SURE IT
WAS A GUN, JA SAYS IT WAS CAP,
YOU HAVE A DOCUMENTED TRACK
RECORD OF PLAYING TOO MUCH AT
WORK -- IN A SIMILAR FORM OR
FASHION WHAT DID YOU THINK WHEN
YOU SAW THIS STORY?
>> JUST FROM THE OPTICS -- THEY
ARE YOUNG KIDS.
THEY ARE STILL YOUNG.
WHO YOUNG KIDS DO YOUNG, DUMB
STUFF.
MY THING WITH JA IS LOOK AT
LeBRON JAMES AND HIS TEAM IT'S
NOT YOU PROTECTING THEM, THEY
NEED TO PROTECT YOU.
THE FOUR PEOPLE AROUND LeBRON,
YOU HAVE HIS WIFE, MAVERICK,
ERNIE, AND RICHIE PAUL.
I MET THEM 20 YEARS AGO AND
THOSE GUYS BUILT A LEGACY TODAY.
WHEN YOU ARE YOUNG THINK ABOUT
THE PEOPLE YOU SURROUND YOURSELF
WITH BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO
LET YOU GO AS FAR AS THEY ARE
CAPABLE OF.
>> Bomani: I'M GOING TO TELL
YOU THE THING THAT WORRIED ME
WHEN I SAW THAT STORY.
THAT I WOULD PLAY THOSE GAMES
WITH THE TEAM WITH JAMES JOHNSON
ON IT, 8 DEGREES OF BLACK
BELT -- I WOULDN'T DO THAT.
BUT IT'S ONE THING ALLEGEDLY TO
PLAY THESE GAMES ON AN NBA TEAM
BUS, THAT DUDE LIVES IN MEMPHIS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT GAMES THEY
PLAY OR WHAT JOKES THEY PLAY IF
THEY PLAYED THE SHOOT THE LASER
BEAM AT SOMEBODY GAME DON'T
BRING THAT TO THE CITY YOU PLAY
IN.
THIS AT MOMENT YOU GET HERE AND
REALIZE IT'S AUTHENTIC AROUND
THESE PARTS!
>> I DON'T KNOW WHY WHEN WE GET
TO THE NBA WE WANT TO BE A
LITTLE HARDER THAN WE ARE
SUPPOSED TO BE.
IT'S THE OPPOSITE -- WE WORKED
OUR ASSES OFF TO GET HERE -- YOU
DON'T NEED TO BE STRAIGHT AND
PRETEND TO BE TOUGH.
WE DON'T WANT TO FIGHT, WE
REALLY DON'T ACTUALLY WANT TO
FIGHT, WHEN YOU SEE ONE, THAT'S
A REAL ONE BECAUSE THAT FINE
LETS YOU KNOW IF THAT PUNCH WAS
WORTH IT.
>> Bomani: YOU KNOW PEOPLE
HEARING THIS SAYING WHY DO WE
WANT TO PRETEND WE ARE HARDER
THAN WE ARE, YOU BROUGHT ALL
THOSE GUNS TO WORK ONE TIME.
[LAUGHTER]
>> I CAN SPEAK ON IT NOW!
I KNOW -- MINE, I WAS CALLING A
BLUFF.
>> Bomani: AS WE LATER
LEARNED, THAT DUDE MIGHT HAVE
HAD ACES.
>> FACTS!
>> Bomani: GILBERT ARENAS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
LET'S PAINT A PICTURE OF THE
AVERAGE NFL FANFARE KILLED THE
AVERAGE AND OF HEALTH AND
EATS --
>> NOT HEALTHY.
>> Bomani: THE AVERAGE NFL
FANS FAVORITE TV SHOW IS?
>> COPS.
IF COPS MADE A RERUN THEY WOULD
BE COMBATING WITH SUNDAY NIGHT
FOOTBALL REAL HARD.
>> Bomani: NFL WOULD HAVE TO
COMPETE AND BE LIKE NFL THE REAL
BAD BOYS PICK OF THE.NFL
THE AVERAGE NFL FAN DRIVES?
>> TRUCK I THINK.
>> Bomani: I THOUGHT YOU SAID
DRUNK AT FIRST, THAT ANSWER IS
MORE PROVOCATIVE.
HOW WOKE IS THE NFL ON A SCALE
FROM I STAND WITH THE
NATIONAL ANTHEM AND THE LORD TO
DEFUND THE POLICE?
>> IT'S WEIRD TO USE THE WORDS
WOKE AND NFL BUT I'M GOING TO
SAY ABOUT HERE.
>> Bomani: WE ARE BRINGING
THEM ALL THE WAY OVER HERE?
>> I'M THINKING WAY COME OUT.
>> Bomani: YOU'RE HALFWAY UP
THE STEPS OF THE CAPITAL OVER
THERE.
IF I TOLD YOU THE NFL SPENDS
MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE CAUSES, WHAT
WOULD YOU SAY?
>> I DON'T BELIEVE IT, I DON'T
SEE IT.
>> IF THAT'S TRUE THE ONLY
REASON THEY WOULD DO IT IS FOR A
TAX WRITE OFF, NO ONE GIVES A
SHIT COME I DON'T CARE.
NO ONE CARES, THEY DO IT WHEN
THE PRESSURE IS ON.
LIKELY END RACISM STUFF IT'S
ONLY THERE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO
PUT SOME MESSAGE UP SO IF SOME
CRAZY SHIT HAPPENS THEY CAN
COVER THEIR ASS.
>> Bomani: I'M IMAGINING THE
MINDS BLOWN IN AMERICA AT THE
COGNITIVE DISSONANCE OF THAT BOY
SEND THAT MESSAGE, THEY ARE NOT
READY FOR THAT.
[LAUGHTER]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> Bomani: SUPER BOWL LVII IS
HERE.
AND THIS YEAR IS A CELEBRATION
BLACK BLACK BLACK, BLACK.
I'M NOT SAYING WE ARE PAST
KNEELING BUT WE HAVE TWO BLACK
STARTING QUARTERBACKS
RIHANNA PERFORMING THE HALFTIME
SHOW,
PITBULL IS IN THE PUPPY BOWL.
BUT THE BLACKEST THING YOU'LL
SEE
ALL WEEKEND IS THIS LITTLE LOGO
HIDING ON SOME INCREDIBLY BORING
NFL GEAR.
>> THE NFL FAMILY IS COMMITTED
TO ADVANCING SOCIAL JUSTICE IN
COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE
COUNTRY.
>> THROUGH THE INSPIRE CHANGE
INITIATIVE.
>> IT RECOGNIZES COMMUNITY
MEMBERS WHO ARE WORKING EVERYDAY
TO CREATE PROGRESS AND TO LEARN
MORE, VISIT NFL.com.
SLASH INSPIRE CHANGE.
>> Bomani: INSPIRE CHANGE IT
SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING HOMELESS
TONY ROBBINS WOULD SAY BUT IT'S
ACTUALLY THE NFL'S SOCIAL
JUSTICE INITIATIVE.
AND YES!
THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE HAS
A SOCIAL JUSTICE INIATIVE!
IT'S CRAZY, RIGHT?
LIKE FINDING OUT ISIS HAS A
PROGRAM FOR "WOMEN IN STEM."
BUT WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE
CULTURAL UPHEAVAL THE COUNTRY
HAS GONE THROUGH -- NO -- THE
LEAGUE HAS GONE THROUGH OVER THE
PAST DECADE, IT MAKES SENSE.
NOW, IT'S PROBABLY THE FIRST
TIME YOU'RE HEARING ABOUT THIS
BUT "INSPIRE CHANGE" HAS
ACTUALLY BEEN AROUND FOR A
WHILE.
>> DURING THE 2017 SEASON, THE
LEAGUE FORMED A WORKING GROUP OF
FIVE PLAYERS AND FIVE CLUB
OWNERS.
THEIR MISSION: TO HELP SUPPORT
THE PLAYERS' COMMITMENT TO
ADDRESSING SOCIAL INJUSTICE
ACROSS AMERICA.
THE RESULT WAS "INSPIRE CHANGE,"
A SWEEPING SOCIAL JUSTICE
INITIATIVE THAT LAUNCHED DURING
THE 2018 SEASON.
>> Bomani: THAT WORKING GROUP
BECAME THE PLAYERS' COALITION,
WHICH OVERSEES THE NFL'S SOCIAL
JUSTICE INITITIAVTES.
TOGETHER, THEY CAME UP WITH
"INSPIRE CHANGE."
WHICH IS MUCH BETTER THAN THE
ORIGINAL NAME THEY CAME UP WITH:
"THE BLACKS."
IN 2017, INSPIRE CHANGE PLEDGED
$89 MILLION TO SOCIAL JUSTICE
CAUSES TO HELP THE COMMUNITIES
THAT THEIR PLAYERS COME FROM.
NOW THIS IS PRETTY MUCH A DIRECT
REACTION TO COLIN KAEPERNICK AND
THE LEAGUE DIDN'T EVEN TRY TO
HIDE IT.
THEY HOPED THIS WOULD CREATE AN
ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH PLAYERS
WOULD NO LONGER WANT TO PROTEST.
EVEN SO, THEY DID SOME
INCREDIBLE WORK.
THEY AWARDED MILLIONS IN
EDUCATION GRANTS.
AND ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT.
POLICE AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS.
AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.
NFL STADIUMS ARE NOW EVEN USED
AS BALLOT DROP OFF CENTERS.
BECAUSE WHEN YOU GET ALL THE
BLACK VOTES IN ONE PLACE, THEY
ARE EASY TO LOSE!
[LAUGHTER]
AND WHEN GEORGE FLOYD WAS
MURDERED IN 2020, THE NFL
ACTUALLY DOUBLED DOWN.
>> BIG BUSINESS IS COMMITTING
BIG BUCKS TO COMBATING RACISM IN
AMERICA.
THE NFL IS NOW PLEDGING $250
MILLION OVER THE NEXT DECADE.
>> THE INSPIRE CHANGE FUND
BATTLES AGAINST INJUSTICES FACED
BY AFRICAN AMERICANS.
>> THAT FOLLOWS COMMISSIONER
ROGER GOODELL'S STATEMENT LAST
WEEK CONDEMNING RACISM, SAYING
BLACK LIVES MATTER.
>> Bomani: ESPECIALLY IF THEY
RUN A 4.340!
THINK ABOUT IT -- WHAT HAPPENED
TO GEORGE FLOYD WAS SO
UNDENIABLY FUCKED UP THAT EVEN A
THE PRESSURE OF THE PROTESTERS
IN THE STREETS AND WORKPLACE WAS
SO INTENSE,
GROUP AS RICH AND WHITE AS THE
NFL OWNERS HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO
ACT.
IT HAPPENED THERE WORKPLACE WAS
FULL OF BIBLICALLY STRONG BLACK
MEN WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO
MAIM.
YOU KNOW WHAT EVERY WHICH WAY TO
BILLIONAIRES FEAR IS?
BIBLICALLY STRONG BLACK MEN WHO
HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO MAIM.
[LAUGHTER]
LOOKING AT THEIR WIVES [CHEERS
AND APPLAUSE]
SO ROGER GOODELL PUT OUT A VIDEO
LOOKING LIKE A FRESHMAN YEAR
AFRICAN STUDIES MAJOR.
>> WE, AT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL
LEAGUE, CONDEMN RACISM AND THE
SYSTEMATIC OPPRESSION OF BLACK
PEOPLE.
WE, THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL
LEAGUE, ADMIT WE WERE WRONG FOR
NOT LISTENING TO NFL PLAYERS
EARLIER AND ENCOURAGE ALL TO
SPEAK OUT AND PEACEFULLY
PROTEST.
>> Bomani: WHAT YOU CAN'T SEE
JUST OFF THE SCREEN THE PLAYERS
COALITION HOLDING ROGERS FAMILY
HOSTAGE.
THIS IS THE PART OF THE BLACKS
BOY TAKE A MOVIE WHERE SOMEONE
SAYS "ALL RIGHT CRACKER, LET'S
GET CRACKING!"
AND A SCENE.
AND DESPITE THE STRANGE FRAMING
OF THAT VIDEO, ROGER GOODELL IS
ACTUALLY MAKING GOOD ON HIS
PROMISES.
WHEN IT COMES TO SPENDING ON
THEIR SOCIAL JUSTICE
INITIATIVES, THE NFL IS
MOVING FASTER THAN EXPECTED.
BUT ALL OF THIS BEGS THE
QUESTION, WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE
I'M THE FIRST PERSON TELLING YOU
ABOUT THIS?
THAT I JUST TO BREAK THE BIG
LITTLE SECRET THAT THE NFL IS
QUIETLY WOKE?
AND MY SNITCHING?
IF I AM SNITCHING, I DON'T FEEL
SO BAD IT BECAUSE IT'S NOT AS
THOUGH THE LEAK AND RACISM
AIN'T BEEN DAY ONES.
LIKE, JUST OFF THE TOP OF MY
HEAD: THERE'S THE CURRENT BRIAN
FLORES DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT.
CONCUSSION SETTLEMENTS THAT PAID
BLACK TEAMS LESS.
THE ENTIRE NFL COMBINE AND ONE
TEAM BEING NAMED A RACIAL SLUR
FOR NEARLY A CENTURY.
IT'S DEEPLY HARD TO SQUARE THE
LEAGUE'S POSITIVE SOCIAL JUSTICE
WORK WITH ITS CONSISTENT AND
PUBLIC BLUNDERS WHEN IT COMES TO
MATTERS OF RACE.
AND YET, HERE WE ARE.
THE NFL IS SPENDING $250 MILLION
DOLLARS ON SOCIAL JUSTICE
CAUSES.
AND YES, THIS IS A DROP IN THE
BUCKET COMPARED TO THE LEAGUE'S
CURRENT ESTIMATED PROFIT OF $17
BILLION.
BUT IT'S ACTUALLY FAR MORE THAN
WHAT THEY SPEND ON OTHER SOCIAL
CAUSES.
TAKE TWO OF THE NFL'S TWO MOST
KNOWN CHARITIES.
CRUCIAL CATCH, WHICH IS A
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN
CANCER SOCIETY.
AND SALUTE TO SERVICE, AN
ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS WITH
MILITARY CHARITIES LIKE WOUNDED
WARRIORS.
SINCE CRUCIAL CATCHES'
FOUNDATION IN 2009, THE NFL HAS
RAISED $24 MILLION FOR CANCER
RESEARCH.
SINCE SALUTE TO SERVICE'S
FOUNDATION IN 2011, THE NFL HAS
RAISED $58 MILLION FOR
MILITARY-RELATED CAUSES.
SINCE JUST 2017, INSPIRE CHANGE
HAS WILDLY SURPASSED THE OTHER
TWO COMBINED.
YET, BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF
PROMINENCE THE NFL GIVES TWO
CRUCIAL CATCH AND SALUTE THE
SERVICE, YOU WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT
TO.
BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF
MILITARY IMAGERY IN THE NFL, I
MEAN A LOT OF MILITARY IMAGERY.
AND A LOT OF PINK IN THE NFL
OVER THE YEARS.
LOOKING LIKE A CAMERA ON VIDEO.
YOU WOULD THINK
WE'RE TWO SEASONS
AWAY FROM THE SUPER BOWL BEING
CALLED "THE LOCKHEED MARTIN
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY FOR BEING
GOOD AT FOOTBALL."
IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE WE USE
BARELY SEE ANYTHING FOR INSPIRE
CHANGE.
IF MONEY WAS ANY INDICATION,
IT FEELS LIKE WE SHOULD BE
HEADED TOWARDS KENTE CLOTH
CANNONS.
ALL REFEREES ARE ABLE TO DO
RENEE
OR AT THE VERY LEAST: AN AFRICAN
HERITAGE SECTION OF THE STADIUM.
BUT INSTEAD...
THIS IS HOW THEY PROMOTE ENDING
RACISM.
YEAH!
YOU SEE THAT WORD "END RACISM"
RIGHT ABOVE THE WORD "CHIEFS!"
THE MOST RACIST TEAM NAME LEFT
IN THE LEAGUE!
BUT, HEY, IT'S HARD TO THINK
ABOUT ALL THAT CHANGE BEING
INSPIRED WHEN THERE ARE 2,000
F-19 FIGHTER PILOTS GOING OFF
OVER HEAD.
EVEN THE OFFICIAL INSPIRE CHANGE
MERCH IS ON THAT "STAY LOW AND
BUILD" WHEN COMPARED TO THE
OTHER CAUSES.
MILITARY CAMO GEAR?
CHECK.
PINK CANCER CHARITY GEAR?
CHECK.
OKAY, NOW ZOOM IN.
ZOOM IN A LITTLE MORE.
ENHANCE.
IF YOU SQUINT JUST RIGHT, YOU
CAN JUST MAKE OUT THE "INSPIRE
CHANGE" LOGO ON TODD BOWLES'
SWEATSHIRT.
THAT SWEATSHIRT DOES NOT SAY "WE
ARE SPENDING FIVE TIMES MORE ON
THIS THAN THE MILITARY THIS
YEAR."
IT SAYS, "SHHH, WE ARE SPENDING
FIVE TIMES MORE MONEY ON THIS
THEN MILITARY STUFF."
AND WHAT INSPIRE CHANGE PROMOTES
IS INCREDIBLY PROGRESSIVE.
THIS IS NOT "SHOW UP TO ONE
PROTEST AND POST A BLACK SQUARE"
TYPE OF STUFF.
THEY'RE INVOLVED WITH
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE NATIONAL
BAIL FUND, THE VERA INSTITUTE
FOR JUSTICE, THE ANTI-RECIDIVISM
COALITION, AND THE COMMUNITY
JUSTICE EXCHANGE.
NOW AT THE JUSTICE EXCHANGE?
THEY ARE SOME GANGSTERS.
I TRULY DO NOT BELIEVE THE NFL
HAS EVER TALKED TO THIS
ORGANIZATION, MET WITH THIS
ORGANIZATION OR EVEN GOOGLED
THIS.
LET ALONE DONATED TO IT.
BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY JUSTICE
EXCHANGE ADVOCATES FOR SOME WILD
SHIT!
LOOK AT THE HOME PAGE.
ORGANIZING TO END ALL FORMS OF
INCARCERATION, CRIMINALIZATION,
AND SURVEILLANCE.
ENDING ALL FORMS OF
INCARCERATION?
YOU MEAN EVERYBODY?
NAZIS?
JARED FROM SUBWAY?
R. KELLY?
RADICAL IDEA, THAT'S A BRIDGE
TOO FAR.
SHUT UP TO THE NFL BECAUSE Y'ALL
ARE MORE WOKE THAN ME!
HERE'S THE THING, THE AVERAGE
NFL FANTASY APP ACTUALLY LOOKS A
LITTLE DIFFERENT THEN YOU MIGHT
EXPECT.
THERE ARE 130 MILLION NFL FANS,
THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE WHITE.
BUT MOST OF THEM ACTUALLY DO NOT
IDENTIFY AS CONSERVATIVE, ONLY
31 PERCENT DO.
30% IDENTIFY AS DEMOCRATS AND
THE REST IDENTIFY AS INDEPENDENT
WHICH MEANS MAY BE RACIST BUT
NOBODY IS GOING TO MAKE THEM
HAVE A BABY.
HOWEVER, WHEN THE NFL PUBLICIZES
A SOCIAL JUSTICE WORK THEY DO,
IT'S THE 31% TO GET UPSET.
>> THE WOKE NFL HAS TAKEN A
FOOTBALL FAN LIKE ME A DIE-HARD
GIANTS FAN AND I HAVE NOT WASHED
A GAME ALL SEASON.
>> I'M QUITE CERTAIN THESE FANS
ARE NOT PAYING THESE HIGH PRICES
TO PROTEST COPS.
>> DOES EVERYONE IN NFL
FOOTBALL, EVERY SINGLE PLAY OR
AGREE WITH THE PREVAILING WISDOM
THAT AMERICA IS AN AWFUL,
ROTTEN, RACIST COUNTRY?
>> WHY WOULD A LEAK BUILT ON
RULES AND PUNISHMENT WANT TO
ELIMINATE THE PEOPLE WHO ENFORCE
OUR RULES AND OUR PUNISHMENTS?
>> Bomani: SAYS THE GUY WHO
MIGHT HATE HIS PHONE BECAUSE
SOMETIMES THE SCREEN TURNS BLACK
BEAR KILLED ACCORDING TO POLLING
THIS IS ACTUALLY LED TO MORE
CONSERVATIVES SAYING THEY WILL
NOT WATCH THE SUPER BOWL IN
RECENT YEARS.
IN 2019, 70% OF REPUBLICANS SAID
THEY INTENDED TO WATCH THE
SUPER BOWL.
BY 2021, THAT NUMBER DECLINED TO
59%.
BECAUSE 11% ARE LYING.
WHEN
THE NFL PUBLICIZES THE GOOD IT'S
DOING FOR THE COMMUNITY?
IT MAKES THE RIGHT FEEL LIKE
THEY ARE PERSONALLY ATTACKED BY
THE LEAK IN THE LEFT FEEL LIKE
THEY ARE SKEPTICAL.
>> THERE ARE LITERALLY BRAGGING
ABOUT DONATING LESS THAN 1% OF
THE REVENUE TO THE BLACK LIVES
MATTER BECAUSE.
>> WHERE THESE THINGS MEANINGFUL
OR DO YOU SEE THEM MORE AS
BAND-AIDS ON THE SYSTEM THAT
NEEDS SURGERY?
>> I WOULDN'T CALL THEM A
BAND-AID.
>> YOU KNOW WHAT A BETTER
GESTURE WOULD BE?
GETTING COLIN KAEPERNICK BACK
INTO THE LEAGUE.
THAT'D BE A MUCH BETTER GESTURE.
>> Bomani: I UNDERSTAND THE
SKEPTICISM BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH
THE NFL IS TAKING THE IMPORTANT
STEP OF DONATING HUNDREDS OF
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO SOCIAL
JUSTICE CAUSES, THEIR WORDS DO
NOT SEEM TO ALIGN WITH THEIR
ACTIONS AT ALL.
THE NFL IS ACTING LIKE ONE OF
THOSE DUDES WHO GOT CAUGHT ON
THE KISS CAM WITH THEIR SIDE
CHICK, TRYING TO ACT LIKE THEY
AREN'T GIVING MONEY TO AN
ORGANIZATION THAT IS FIGHTING TO
END ALL FORMS OF SOCIAL CONTROL!
WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?
THIS RELUCTANCE TO SPEAK ABOUT
GOOD WORK BEING DONE MAKES THE
NFL LOOK LIKE A BUNCH OF
COWARDS.
BUT DON'T FEEL BAD FOR THE NFL'S
P.R. SITUATION.
THE LEAGUE AND ITS OWNERS
CREATED THIS PROBLEM FOR
THEMSELVES THROUGH DECADES OF
PUBLIC RACIAL MISSTEPS.
THE NFL MILD MESSAGING ISN'T DUE
TO ANY MORAL ISSUE OR COHERENT
IDEOLOGY, IT IS A BUSINESS
CALCULATION.
THIS LEAGUE SEEMS TO HAVE RUN
THE NUMBERS ON EXACTLY HOW MUCH
THEY CAN SPEAK OUT ABOUT SOCIAL
ISSUES, DONATE TO SOCIAL ISSUES,
EVEN SAY THE WORD "SOCIAL
ISSUES," WHILE STILL MAXIMIZING
PROFITS.
WHETHER FANS CHEER OR BOO IS
ONES AND ZEROS TO THE LEAGUE AND
THAT'S WHY WE SAT DOWN WITH A
FEW FANS TO PULL THEM ON HOW
THEY FEEL THE NFL IS DOING WITH
SOCIAL PROGRESS.
IS IT POSSIBLE FOR THE NFL TO
PLEASE BOTH CONSERVATIVE FANS
AND FANS WHO BELIEVE POLICE
BRUTALITY EXISTS?
TO FIND OUT WE SPOKE TO FANS ON
THE LEFT.
>> AMERICA, LAND OF --
>> SOUL CRUSHING CAPITALISM.
>> DISAPPOINTMENT.
>> Bomani: AND THE RIGHT.
DEFUNDED THE --
>> PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST THE
POLICE BUT I DON'T KNOW WHO THEY
ARE.
>> MARXIST.
>> DEFUNDED EVERYTHING WITH THE
LIBERALS.
>> ONE >> Bomani: SOME NEW
INITIATIVES TO PLEASE BOTH
SIDES.
>> WE WANT YOUR HONEST FEEDBACK
ON IT BECAUSE WE ARE HOPING TO
PITCH THESE TO THE NFL VERY
SOON.
IF YOU AGREE WITH THEM YOU'RE
GOING TO GIVE AND IT'S GOOD TO
SIGNAL AND IF YOU DON'T YOU'RE
GOING TO THROW A FLAG ON THE
PLAY.
>> THIS WOULD BE CALLED THE NFL
ALL PRONOUNS INITIATIVE.
DURING THE STARTING LINEUP
BROADCAST, PLAYERS ARE REQUIRED
TO SEE THEIR NAMES, THEIR
COLLEGE, AND THEIR PREFERRED
GENDER PRONOUNS.
HOW DO WE FEEL ABOUT THAT?
[LAUGHTER]
MAYBE YOU'RE NOT UNDERSTANDING.
WWHO IS YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER?
>> DANIEL JONES.
>> IT WOULD GO SOMETHING LIKE
THIS.
DANIEL JONES, DUKE, THEY/THEM.
>> WHAT'S THE POINT OF DOING
THAT?
>> JUST TO FIND COMMON GROUND?
>> THIS IS WOKE ON STEROIDS FOR
GOD SAKE!
YOU NEED TO BRING THE BUCKET, I
NEED A VOMIT BUCKET.
>> Bomani: WE DON'T HAVE THAT,
LET'S TRY THE OTHER ROOM.
>> ALL THE PLAYERS WOULD BE
REQUIRED TO STAND FOR THE
NATIONAL ANTHEM AT THE BEGINNING
OF THE GAME.
AND IT WOULD BE CALLED "STAND
YOUR GROUND."
>> YOU TOOK THE BLACK FIST AND
YOUR LIKE THIS IS FOR WHITE
PEOPLE NOW.
IT'S THE ELVIS OF SLOGANS.
>> DO YOU LIKE THE NAME?
>> NOT ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
>> IT PULLED THROUGH THE ROOF
WITH CONSERVATIVES.
>> OF COURSE IT DID.
>> WHAT IF YOU STILL HAVE TO
STAND FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
BUT AFTER THE ANTHEM PLACE
EVERYONE HAS TO REMAIN STANDING
FOR A DIFFERENT SONG?
LIKE I DON'T KNOW, MEEK MILL'S
DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES?
>> I HAD TO GRIND LIKE THAT TO
SHINE LIKE THIS?
>> ITS REGIONAL, SOMEONE ATLANTA
GETS OUTCAST --
>> THERE IS MIDDLE GROUND HERE.
>> NO, THIS SUCKS.
>> IS THERE ANYTHING WE ALL CAN
AGREE ON?
>> THROUGH THE INSPIRE CHANGE
INITIATIVE THE NFL IS DONATING
$25 MILLION A YEAR.
WHAT IF WE UPPED THAT NUMBER, IS
THERE A NUMBER AT WHICH YOU
WOULD STOP?
>> NO, LET THEM GIVE AS MUCH AS
THEY WANT.
>> 100 MILLION IS FINE, THEY
HAVE PLENTY OF MONEY.
>> Bomani: I THOUGHT SHE WAS
GOING TO THROW UP AGAIN.
BOTH GROUPS ARE COOL WITH
SPENDING MORE?
HOW MUCH MORE?
>> HOW MUCH MONEY WITH THE NFL
HAVE TO SPEND PER YEAR FOR YOU
TO SAY OKAY, YOU GUYS ARE
ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING, I'M
GOING TO WATCH FOOTBALL ALL THE
TIME.
>> I WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH THEY
MADE.
>> $17.1 BILLION A YEAR.
>> IF THEY GAVE 25% TOO MUCH?
>> 4.2 BILLION.
>> I WOULD LIKE 9 BILLION.
>> Bomani: BEFORE YOU LAUGH AT
HIM, WHAT'S MORE ABSURD?
DONATING ABOUT HALF YOUR REVENUE
TO SOCIAL JUSTICE OR 0.15%?
I'VE SEEN BETTER NUMBERS FROM
THE PULLOUT METHOD.
>> 8.55 BILLION IS HALF AND
EVERYONE WOULD GIVE THAT?
>> I WOULD GIVE THEM MY MONEY IF
THEY DID THAT.
>> SPECIFICALLY IF THE NFL PUT
$8.55 BILLION INTO THE INSPIRE
CHANGE PROGRAM, WOULD YOU KEEP
WATCHING?
>> IS THERE EVERYBODY --
>> IT SEEMS LIKE NO MATTER WHAT
THE NFL DOES, PEOPLE ARE
PROBABLY GOING TO KEEP WATCHING.
>> YES.
>> THERE ARE THINGS I'M GOING TO
DISAGREE WITH BUT I'M A SPORTS
FAN.
I FEEL LIKE I'LL STILL WATCH
SPORTS.
>> WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING WHEN
WE TURN ON THE TV, WE KNOW WE
ARE SCRAPPING UP FOR THIS
NARCOTIC.
WE ARE ALL COMPLICIT.
>> YOU KNOW WHAT?
THAT'S A SLOGAN ALL FANS WOULD
AGREE WITH.
THE NFL: WE ARE ALL COMPLICIT!
>> Bomani: YOU CAN DONATE AS
MUCH AS YOU WANT AND NO ONE IS
GOING ANYWHERE EXCEPT FOR CLETUS
THE FOX SPORTS ROBOT WHO IS
HEADING TO REHAB.
THAT IS OUR SHOW, THANK YOU FOR
WATCHING, GOOD NIGHT!
>> HOW WOKE IS THE NFL ON A
SCALE FROM RAND PAUL TO
RuPAUL?
>> THAT'S TOUGH, IT'S TOUGH.
WE HAVEN'T HIT RuPAUL YET.
>> Bomani: HAVEN'T GONE THE
FULL RuPAUL.
>> I THINK THEY MIGHT INVITE
ANDY: TO STOP BY.
>> Bomani: FROM CHICK-FIL-A TO
POPEYES?
>> DEFINITELY CHICK-FIL-A, I
REFUSE TO CONNECT NFL WITH
POPEYES, I LOVE POPEYES TOO
MUCH.
>> ON A SCALE OF CRACKER BARREL
TO DRAG BRUNCH THE NFL IS CLOSER
TO CRACKER BARREL.
>> Bomani: I SEE THAT COME
WITH A PLAY THAT PIG GAME.
>> THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE THE
DRAG PUNCHES ACT.
>> Bomani: FROM COP KILLER
ICED TEA TO LAW AND ORDER S UIS
T.
>> I PREFER COP KILLER ICE T
CULTURALLY BUT THE LAW AND ORDER
ONE IS MORE WOKE.
I'M GOING TO GO WITH COP KILLER
BROKENNESS BUT INSPIRING LAW AND
ORDER ICE T.
>> Bomani: HE'S SKEPTICAL OF
THOSE YOUNG LADIES WHEN HE WALKS
IN THERE, HE HAVE A LOT OF WHAT