Indians Weekend Recap: Two Great Starts and Two Losses
September 13, 2010Browns Can Use Both Quarterbacks Without Controversy
September 13, 2010
LeBron James is the close friend, confidant and self-purported mentor of Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. But on Saturday afternoon, when his friend was on his largest, most well-lit stage since January’s Rose Bowl, James was a no-show.
Though he was the talk of the town leading up to the big game between the Buckeyes and Hurricanes, James bailed on his “friend” because The Ohio State University said something that the two-time MVP had not heard in quite some time.
The word “no.”
James reportedly opted to pass up the chance to support his friend because Ohio State administration nixed his request for a full police escort, something that James obviously felt he needed on this day due to the 100,000 rabid Ohio State fans that would ultimately be surrounding him. ESPN’s Bruce Feldman quoted an Ohio Stadium security guy stating that LeBron would, at best, “get one guy” and that “he made his decision.” Though he was deemed “a Buckeye” earlier in the week by Pryor, James opted to watch the game on the television instead of the sideline – you know, with the real Buckeyes – tweeting vociferously during every drive.
Spurning Columbus, James opted to stay in his home town of Akron for the day, catching the St. Vincent-St. Mary football team put up a baseball score win of 7-6 over Buchtel. James obviously felt safer amongst the St. V’s crowd as it drew approximately 95,000 fewer fans that could potentially cause harm.
Most of James’ other appearances since The Decision came without much fanfare. His Akron, Ohio bike-a-thon was a relative non event in terms of hecklers or those that would potentially require anything short of the Popemobile. He would eventually be the focal point of a local high school football game, but it was not announced that he would be attending. Alas, James was willing to swap a would-be presidential motorcade with secret service patrolling the mean streets of Wooster for a few friends, some of which were of very large stature. You know, just in case.
James has often been accused of being clueless as to what local fans feel or say about him. The look on his face when confronted with a burning jersey on that fateful night showed that the former Local Hero had not really included others feelings and subsequent reaction to his Decision before he uttered the words “South Beach.” But Saturday’s no-show may have finally been a signal that James knew what he could be up against. Had the media not prompted Pryor earlier in the week about his friendship with the former Cavalier, perhaps it could have went unnoticed until the day of the game. But once Pryor stirred the pot, telling fans to “respect” the man who blasted the city of Cleveland on national television two months earlier, and not to boo or call him names, the NBA star’s multi-tiered security level went up a few colors. And he bailed.
Though James managed to avoid all in-person verbal jabs and potential blunt objects that could be tossed from the stands of Ohio Stadium, the lashings he took on Twitter may have not been much better. Luckily for James, it is a bit easier to avoid wayward response tweets than it is to dodge the boos from 100,000 strong.
Thankfully for James, he was able to get his football fix in one day later, attending the Dallas Cowboys game in Washington, DC, using words like “we” and “us” to describe the play of those with the blue stars on their helmets. You know, since he’s “a Cowboy” and all.
Sorry, Terrelle. For now, your friendship with James runs only as deep as the “yes” men that are willing to bow down to his ridiculous demands. As Saturday proved, James prefers to chill out in the shallow end.
Some “Buckeye.”
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(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
24 Comments
I’m done w/ LeBron stories.
But that’s just me.
I drove by Lebron’s house the other day just out of curiousity to see if there was additional security or anything out front…. Only to find his neighbor just a few houses down (on the corner) to have a giant sign reading “Don’t worry Lebron, we support you wherever you play” I was outraged reading this I almost took out the oncoming traffic not paying attention. I hope he realizes this person is not of the majority in NE OH.
I know the streets of Wooster. Don’t knock the Amish hussle son
@justin
wow thats sickening. did you happen to take a pic?
as for lbj not coming to the game, i figured he wouldnt. but i was a bit disappointed because i was saving all my boos for him, and ill admit i did find myself looking at osu’s sideline for him a few times.
Bill, I went to school there, and I agree that the amount of buggee drive-bys is rather excessive.
Anybody else up for a LeBron moratorium until training camp starts?
why are we still talking about this clown?
please stop.
I don’t understand. You guys clicked on the link simply to comment with a complaint about the topic of the post?
@ JK. No I didn’t even think to – The only thing running through my mind was whether or not I wanted to egg the person’s house or turf their yard. My wife talked me out of doing either.
Damn her
Word.
Forget LeBJ, she’s not worth our time.
As long as LeBron continues to mess with Ohio- I’ll continue to read about it.. and still be bitter.
Justin: dang. maybe wait for the sun to go down?
Q: What goes clickety-clack, clickety-clack, bang bang?
A: An Amish drive-by.
The continued talk about LeBron is ok in my book. I hate him, and I want to continue to fuel that fire until 12/2 when we have our pow wow with the scumbag.
I wish Ohio State had said, “Look LeBron, you’re not an OSU alum or an ex-OSU player, or an OSU VIP, or a parent of any player, and we only give VIP treatment and/or field passes to those type of people.”
On the other hand, if James really did go to a Buchtel High baseball game, I’m cool with that. I figured he’d already moved down to Florida.
I was going to go to the game, but they wouldn’t give me a police escort.
There are ostensibly a lot of super-bitter, vindictive, childish people out there. This was quite apparent based on the response to Pryor’s comments last week re: LeBron. Now, whether any of these people would actually DO something rather than chirp on the internet is something we’d all rather not know, but if LeBron was really worried about his safety I don’t think it’s something to chide or laugh off. Now, if he wanted a police entourage for glitz and glamour, that’s another thing all together – but we’ll never know, and I think there’s a good chance he really felt at harm with just one security man.
Really think it’s time to let it go. I really think you’re bordering Livingston territory with this one, Scott. This reads as antagonistic and vindictive simply for the sake of being so.
Why are we making fun of the amish? I thought we were making fun of Lebron.
Thanks Denny.
denny, i haven’t been back to ohio in years, so i defer to you and other natives. but from what i remember columbus cleveland. like… different solar systems. my guess is that lebron would have been fine at the shoe. you were there, what do you think?
for that matter… there’s always a lot of bluster on the internet. i bet if he put on a peyton hillis jersey and popped for beers, lebron would be everyone’s best friend in the dawg pound.
i also guess — guessing is what i do — i also guess that being loved in the dawg pound would make him a hell of a lot happier than he was in that plastic heat intro rock show. i guess that in his heart of hearts he’s regretting his decision and would take it back if he could.
you can’t take the ohio out of the boy, this i know. but for some reason you have to leave to appreciate it.
Im just stoked that someone finally told LeBron, you’re not the most important thing on our priority list. As someone had mentioned before LeBron has no affiliation with tOSU, and therefore should have received nothing from them. The buckeyes are an elite force, with MAJOR money and prestige behind them. LeBron can’t even sniff tOSU’s jock strap.
That being said…he is gonna be a MONSTER on the court next year. I’m hoping he doesn’t show up to the Q next year, cuz he will drop a 30/13/13 on us….
Sounds like he is more a Pryor fan than a Buckeye Fan.. When Pryors gone, will he be interested then. I think we can count on his loyalty, No? LOMFL!
LeBron is a Pryor fan and thats it. His only dealings with O State revolve around his own personal agenda’s. Dont forget him and his cronies have a marketing firm that would like to represent as many athletes as possible. Dont be surprised if Pryor doesnt sign with LRMR as he goes pro. Also dont be surprised if Pryor never figures out that LeBron isnt his big brother after all and that Pryors only value to LeBron is if he signs with LRMR.