Posted on 02/02/2005 8:41:48 PM PST by mhking
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Daunte Culpepper showed off his scrambling ability Wednesday -- in a crowded convention center ballroom.
The Minnesota Vikings quarterback presented a paralyzed high school football player two diamond necklaces worth about $75,000 during an NFL awards ceremony, but then awkwardly asked for them back after it was finished.
The apparent gift prompted a mother to cry, a father to think about buying a safe to store it and Culpepper to find a way out of the mess.
"I'll get him something else," Culpepper said sheepishly.
The confusion began at the FedEx ground and air player of the year honors, where finalists Culpepper, Peyton Manning, Shaun Alexander and Curtis Martin were on stage for the announcement.
When the master of ceremonies opened the floor for questions, Jerry Townsend spoke up from his wheelchair in the front row.
"Hey Daunte, can I get some of that ice?" he said in a low voice, referring to the two sparkling necklaces hanging around Culpepper's neck.
Culpepper jumped up, pulled them off and brought them over to Townsend, a senior defensive back at Jacksonville Episcopal High School who was paralyzed from the neck down while making a tackle in October.
(Excerpt) Read more at sportsillustrated.cnn.com ...
So you still think Dante's a punk or not?
How much info do you have on him? Try and stick to the topic.
Think hard. What has Dante done beyond this silly article to convince you he's a punk? If this article is all you have, you are a fraud, stain.
That's what I thought...you've got nothing.
Exactly! :-)
Thank you...
"And I understand the financial value of the jewelry - but dang - what's $75G to a superstar multi-millionaire like Cullpepper?
What a Jerk."
Someones a liberal.
"Oh, we can just tax the rich -- whats the money to them anyways??"
Favre's reformed Good ol' Boy image has some parallels to the current occupant of the White House. I think you correctly make the point that some people mature as they grow older and become worthy of admiration.
$75k would sure make a major step towards paying for college....
A liberal? You've got to be kidding - where did I in ANY WAY WHATSOEVER mention "tax the rich"????
A punk pro athlete decides to take advantage of press and public by "giving" his jewelry to a crippled high school athlete - in an obvious attempt to look like a "great guy". He then shows his true colors by actually taking the "gift" back.
I know he offered to get the kid something else. But did I in ANY way suggest that the gift should have been compulsory? No. I suggested that the bad judgment on the part of Cullpepper makes him look like a big jerk. Bad judgment is bad judgment. In this case, the Pro can afford the bad judgment.
I can't afford to give away "ice" like that - that's why I don't give away things I can't afford and am not willing to part with. And I certainly wouldn't give something away like that and then ask for it back.
And I also am aware that Cullpepper CAN afford the to replace his jewelry - the jewelry he GAVE away.
But I guess you fell for his publicity stunt too....
Fortunately the fine folks at Seton Hospital in Austin knew just what to do: they shot me full of Elvis-quality dope and ordered me a month's bed rest and a full bottle of Skelaxin, or, as I call it, "God's Drug". Maxin' and relaxin' with Skelaxin allowed me to rest and heal. The guy or gal who invented it ought to get a medal from the Pope.
I agree with you.
Say no and get reamed by the media?
Right.
He's paralyzed - why is he entitled to anything?
Sorry for seeming cold-hearted, but cripes! He's at an event with Super Bowl NFLers. Do you know how many folks would kill to be where he is?
http://www.startribune.com/stories/503/5221966.html
Last update: February 3, 2005 at 8:31 PM
Culpepper blindsided by erroneous reporting
February 4, 2005
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- This is what happens when there is too much media and not enough stories.
One of the NFL's most genuine and kind players carried out a genuinely kind act Wednesday. And what did Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper get for his thoughtfulness?
National scorn, thanks to an Associated Press reporter who misinterpreted the scene and never bothered to follow up with the key players.
Here's what happened: While participating in a news conference Wednesday, Culpepper fielded an awkward question from a paralyzed 17-year-old boy. "Hey Daunte," said J.T. Townsend. "Can I get some ice?" -- a reference to the $100,000, diamond-encrusted necklace around Culpepper's neck.
With cameras rolling, Culpepper walked over to Townsend and thrilled him by hanging the necklace around his neck. Later, Culpepper sought out Townsend and put the chain back on. At Culpepper's request, Townsend's parents wrote down his address and contact information. Culpepper promised to send him gifts and memorabilia.
We were standing at Culpepper's side when the transaction took place. There was no animosity, no hurt feelings and no accusations of impropriety -- only thank-yous from Townsend, his parents and a doctor nearby.
The AP version of the story, however, in essence painted Culpepper as a spoiled athlete who "sheepishly" took away a gift from a paralyzed teenager once the cameras stopped shooting. Newspapers and Internet sites picked up the story nationally. One problem: Nothing could have been further from the truth.
Anyone who has met Culpepper knows he wears the necklace every day. He has for years. Garish as it might be -- its main ornament is a 6-inch hot pepper -- it carries sentimental and personal value. Since when is anyone -- athlete, actor, politician or average schmoe -- obligated to hand over personal possessions permanently when someone asks? Or should Culpepper have shot down the request and embarrassed Townsend on television?
If that's your story, then the next time someone asks you for your wedding ring or a sweater your grandmother knitted, you better cough it up. Or else find some real news to write about.
Thanks for the update...I thought the whole thing sounded weird. I'm sorry for Mr. Culpepper and the Townsend family...the AP reporter really made something out of (apparently) nothing, and these people paid the price.
Lamestream media strikes again!
Wheelchair kid:"Hey Daunte, can I get some of that ice?"
Culpepper: "No you may not. You see, if I were to come down from this stage and put these diamond necklaces around your head, you might obtain the false assumption that I am gifting them to you. Thus I do not wish to put myself in such a predicament as it would make for a very awkward scene when the time came for me to take them back and everybody would think me a jerk for doing so. So screw it. Just sit there in your wheelchair with your whiny mother and your safe-depositing father."
Anybody know Daunte Culpepper? I certainly don't, other than observation. From his behavior on the field and during interviews, I have concluded that Mr. Culpepper is a gentleman.
No doubt, Mr. Culpepper regrets how he handled Jerry Townsend's request. OTOH, SI does love a "good story".
Are you ready for some football?
that certainly changes things
Agreed.
Too bad nothing will happen to the punk who wrote the story. He oughtta be canned, imo. At a minimum.
Who says the media doesn't try to manipulate a story? If the reporter was looking for a negative reaction he certainly got it at least from me, someone who knows nothing at all about football or this person in particular. Reporters who intentionally misrepresent people ought to be ashamed but it's all part of the 'game' I suppose.
Thanks for your update. AP reporter, huh? Can a big L be branded on their foreheads?
AP motto: "We exist to mislead you."
I agree as per my post #138
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