Shaq Thompson's interview cut off by Panther PR

[t96]

Shaq is now immediately one of my favorite players.

​what did he do?

[PhillyB]

I just wish Panther games had more Panther fans in attendance instead of fuging transplant and bandwagon ass clowns.  

​actually i support police brutality in new orleans

[vorbis]

gotta admit, this thread turned out to be far more informative and civil to read than I anticipated. kudos to the people using their noggins and expressing thoughtful concerns.

I agree with those that said that a post-OTA rookie practice is not the time and place to delve into college course essays, much less those on topics sure to breach their own bounds with overflowing controversy due to current events. by all means, give a young man like shaq thompson a chance to show how thoughtful and smart and articulate he is, but let's give the guy a chance to be a fully rounded public persona, not an icon/sound-byte to trot in front of the internet/media poo-slinging machine. he is 21 years old and pursuing a career in professional football, after all. the important thing is that the conversations couched in a paper about the history of police brutality in the USA are had by anyone and everyone that wants to have them, not that they're started at the whim of NFL beat reporters a month after the guy can even be considered part of the NFL. 

[Panthers8969]

Quick everyone comment on all racial issues! And gay rights! And the totally uncalled for feminist movement!

[Plewis]

gotta admit, this thread turned out to be far more informative and civil to read than I anticipated. kudos to the people using their noggins and expressing thoughtful concerns.

And yet Darrin Gantt calls us all racist white guys for saying Cam Newton throws off his back foot (via 610 the fan the day Cam got his extension). Gantt wants to portray us we are all bucktooth sisterfuggers.

 

Good to hear we seem to be rational and worldly in our viewpoints.

 

Police brutality is a problem.... a freaking $20 bodycam on every police officer would make this country safer for everybody... but we are the country that used million dollar pens to write in outerspace instead of using a fuging pencil.

[cbarrier90]

I just wish Panther games had more Panther fans in attendance instead of fuging transplant and bandwagon ass clowns.  

The Arizona game last year was one of the best experiences I've had at BoA, and that was a terrible football game.

There are many reasons why you see a lot of opposing fans across many NFL stadiums, but in the Panthers case it has more to do with not winning a playoff game between 2005 and last season and not having any consistency from season to season more than any beliefs or politics. Thankfully now that Dave is here those times are changing. 

At the end of the day, fans are just consumers. Give folks a reason to be excited and they'll be excited. I don't think censoring Shaq's thoughts on police brutality when he represents the organization as an employee changes that.

[tondi]

The Arizona game last year was one of the best experiences I've had at BoA, and that was a terrible football game.

There are many reasons why you see a lot of opposing fans across many NFL stadiums, but in the Panthers case it has more to do with not winning a playoff game between 2005 and last season and not having any consistency from season to season more than any beliefs or politics. Thankfully now that Dave is here those times are changing. 

At the end of the day, fans are just consumers. Give folks a reason to be excited and they'll be excited. I don't think censoring Shaq's thoughts on police brutality when he represents the organization as an employee changes that.

​I don't disagree but I'm concerned we will always have to deal with opposing fans because far too many people own PSL's who are only in it to maximize their return from selling them, and they could care less if they are selling them to opposing fans.  Don't really know what to do about that, however.

[csx]

I agree with the notion that it's a topic best left un touched in the workplace but it's a shame that it has come to that. 

It's a topic that highschool and middle school children likely discuss as simply being current events. I certainly remember having somewhat intelligent conversations in class regarding heated current event topics. 

It's dissapointing that our adult environments make these issues more trouble than they are worth to even mention the subject in.

[Riverboat Ron]

Check your privilege at the door.

[MadHatter]

​I don't disagree but I'm concerned we will always have to deal with opposing fans because far too many people own PSL's who are only in it to maximize their return from selling them, and they could care less if they are selling them to opposing fans.  Don't really know what to do about that, however.

​You know how you end this problem?  Have Panthers fans buy PSL's and the tickets.

[TheRed]

And yet Darrin Gantt calls us all racist white guys for saying Cam Newton throws off his back foot (via 610 the fan the day Cam got his extension). Gantt wants to portray us we are all bucktooth sisterfuggers.

​Gantt has been bitter for awhile now, but there are more than a few jackasses in North/South Carolina that just don't like Cam Newton for reasons unknown. Take a look at the Panthers Facebook page when the season begins, or just listen to one of the local radio stations when the mouth breathers start calling in.

[MHS831]

​

or it's everybody's job?

 

perspective's a bitch

 

 

​I like the way you think. I teach at a University nearby and I encourage this approach to the issues in my field. However, in terms of marketing, it makes no sense to divide your fan base over issues that have nothing to do with the game.  I would say that there are forums when it is every persons job to speak out, but there are also forums where it is not appropriate.  A stage is not always a political platform--however, I don't think you meant literally (at every given opportunity), so I wanted to point that out.