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Black and white athletes face substantially different treatment, panelists of a forum on media coverage of African-American athletes agreed.
The panelists used the experiences of Barry Bonds, a Major League Baseball slugger; Michael Vick, former National Football League quarterback; and Roger Clemens, Major League Baseball pitcher, two of whom were federally indicted on various charges, to make their point.
The San Antonio Association of Black Journalists presented "Do African-American Athletes Face Greater Media Scrutiny" Tuesday at the Central Library.
Panelists included Dr. Carey Latimore IV, professor of African-American studies at Trinity University; Greg Moore, San Antonio Informer managing editor and analyst for Fox Sports radio; Gary Green, Sam Houston High School head football coach and former NFL player; Willie Hall, Brackenridge High School coach; Bremond "Bay Bay" McClinton, founder of All Sports Speed and Conditioning Program and former NFL player; Tai Dillard, assistant women's basketball coach at the University of Texas at San Antonio and former WNBA player; and Anthony Pittman, Fox 29 Maximum Sports anchor.
Bonds is under investigation for possible illegal use of steroids and human growth hormones (HGH) in major league baseball.
Michael Vick, former starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful torturing and killing dogs, and the promotion of dogfights, and is serving a 23-month prison term.
Clemens is involved in a legal proceeding pitted against former personal trainer Brian McNamee where both have been accused of lying in the case leading toward possible federal indictment on charges of perjury.
An audience member asked if there was any unfair bias in the comparisons between the individuals.
Pittman answered before the question was even finalized.
"Without a doubt," Pittman said. "It's institutional racism. It's fine to have Clemens. He can be a part of the circus and still be applauded, people wanting his autograph. I still think Barry was on the juice (steroids).
"(Former Olympic track star) Marion Jones, is she worthy of being in jail? Is Vick a threat? No. He went on TV and apologized. He has the money to pay the fine."
Latimore said a lot of reporters and sports writers are frustrated because of an impression in society that blacks cannot act a certain way because of how they dress and that determines the jobs they are qualified to perform.
"They can't be a stand-up guy like (NFL quarterback) Tom Brady," Latimore said. "It's yellow journalism. It's a money-making thing. They have to have controversial statements. That's what they throw African-Americans into; they are the money-makers."
Pittman spoke about the problem black journalists have covering positive topics about the African-American community.
"You have no choice in not speaking out as much as you want," Pittman said. "You have to be willing to lose it all. I wish I had more backbone to risk it all and lose it all. I speak up but not enough."
Aissatou Sidime, San Antonio Express-News business reporter and former association president, said the goal of the forum was to address the media coverage of black athletes in society, positive or negative.
Sidime posed the first question of the evening asking how panelists suggest upcoming athletes who have yet to hit the major scene should contend with the media.
Pittman said athletes should begin learning how to handle the pressure when they are questioned or covered by the media.
"Universities are starting to teach young athletes how to approach the media," Pittman said. "They need to try to become media savvy."
Young athletes should not look up to upper-echelon players, like the Dallas Cowboys' wide receiver Terrell Owens, and how they approach the media, Pittman said.
"They need to become comfortable," he said.
Hall said it is about the human side. Team first, not the individual.
"Kids see self-promotion," Hall said. "I teach character and discipline in the athletic department."
Latimore said sometimes it can be easier for young black athletes to become the president of the United States than to make it as a professional athlete.
"They look at athletics as the prime venue," Latimore said. "Go for athletics, but have a fall back. Give yourself options, open it up."
Green said youths only think of becoming players.
"They might have talent enough to play but are more of a coach," Green said. "The average career in the NFL is three years. A lot of kids, especially inner-city, they don't have goals."
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