As if Rashard Mendenhall’s controversial tweets about Osama bin Laden and the September 11th terrorist attacks weren’t enough, the Pittsburgh Steelers running back has decided to stand his ground two months later by filing a lawsuit against Hanesbrands for terminating his endorsement deal following the comments.
A day after Mendenhall’s remarks, Hanesbrands, who owns Champion, ended their deal with Mendenhall and refused to pay him his remaining $1 million on the next five years of his contract. CNBC’s Darren Rovell first reported the news via twitter.
Mendenhall’s ridiculous news just seems to be a typical day in Pittsburgh for the Steelers this offseason. His wide receiver Dancing with the Stars teammate, Hines Ward, was arrested for DUI last week, then his rage-filled linebacker teammate, James Harrison, made harsh remarks towards commissioner Roger Goodell days later.
“If that man was on fire and I had to piss to put him out, I wouldn’t do it. I hate him and will never respect him,” Harrison said in Men’s Journal.
One has to expect that the Steelers will face some suspensions at the beginning of the season once the new CBA gets hammered out. While Mendenhall’s comments are more stupid than suspendable, his actions certainly don’t make the Rooney family proud. It’s funny to think that their probably most proud of Ben Roethlisberger, whose rockin’ wedding is set for the end of the week.
Zach! Move to China! You’re in the wrong business in the wrong country if you are going to say a man shouldn’t speak what he feels in THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. And if ‘politically correct’ companies whose products are assembled in other companies by children are not going to respect contracts they’ve made they should go to. There should be nothing in his contract saying he gives up any of his rights as an American so he should sue.
Gotta go with Sadler here, Lazzy. You can not be a public figure endorsing products and spout off stupidity and expect to keep your job. Ever heard of public perception? Do you want your company spokesperson running his yap about the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks? If you do, maybe you should go to China because a rather large portion of the U.S. population won’t be buying from you anyway.
Laz… do you work in corporate America? People have a legal right to talk, but if it affects the perceived image of the company they work for… well then they can get fired. It is a balance that I have to control every day.
AS a Ravens fan, I love watching Harrison and Mendenhall saying stupid things. With any luck, it will cause them to get suspended. But i fear that I won’t be that lucky.