Dallas Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett becomes the first example of the teams' new get-tough on players behaving badly. The team has fined Bennett $22,000 for a profanity-laced rap released early this week on You Tube—quickly pulled off after 23,000 views—where he made derogatory jokes about blacks, gays and getting owner Jerry Jones’ "money."
Bennett hit all the stereotypical notes of ghetto fabulous culture in the amateurish freestyle rap to the song "Get Money." Wearing an autographed Cowboys helmet in the video and displaying a bottle of alcohol, the professional football player used excessive used profanity, regularly invoked the N-word, and, reports Outsports, "in rhyming something with quarterback Tony Romo, he came up with, 'Never been broke, I ain’t never been a homo.' "
The 21-year-old player released a "non-apology apology"—another silly attempt after the jump—on his YouTube channel. Bennett blames the media for blowing it out of proportion and says it was "just a song." Transcript via Outsports.
I wasn’t using guns, it was all in fun
I mean come on dog, it was just a song
The one crazy verse, it could have been worse
I mean I did curse, but I didn’t see a hearse.Even stars burst.
I mean, I’m 21, which is no excuse
It did make the news, but the way they spoke
Man it wasn’t true
Now they talkin bad about my attitude.
"Among non-apology apologies, this was a classic," notes Outsports' Cyd Zeigler. "He’s sorry if anyone was hurt by it, but if you were hurt by it, you just took it wrong and it’s your fault that he’s getting into trouble."
The tight end's video antics cap an embarrassing season for the football team once known as "America's team." Bennett has a solid season on the field—he caught 20 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns—but his laissez faire attituide, not-so-smart mouth, and, refusal to own up to his mistakes continue to be a problem. Sure, Martellus Bennett is only 21-years-old...but if he's old enough to wear the team helmet and cash millions of dollars in checks, he's old enough to take some responsibility.
After the jump, Martellus Bennett's rap "apology".
Another shining example of black masculinity.
Posted by: Quniton M | 29 January 2009 at 18:15
What a fool. Whenever I see brothers doing this, they have no idea how bad they make all of us look.
get a clue. You have millions of dollars and are a professional football player. Have some pride in yourself and the team.
Posted by: Daniel | 29 January 2009 at 18:17
Just one more guy that cares a lot more about cashing paychecks than winning Super Bowls.
Cowboys have no pride.
Posted by: Jason O | 29 January 2009 at 18:18
FANS???? How does a guy that has caught 20 balls in his career think he has fans? Just be quiet until you actually are somebody.
Posted by: Brandon | 29 January 2009 at 18:19
He fits right in on the Cowboys. It's always someone else fault
Posted by: Will | 29 January 2009 at 18:21
"Bennett hit all the stereotypical notes of ghetto fabulous culture in the amateurish freestyle rap to the song "Get Money."
Rod you are a MFing read. I. LOVE. IT!
Posted by: Carlos | 29 January 2009 at 18:22
This guy is an idiot. He thinks he has fans. Wow, get a clue.
Posted by: Tre | 29 January 2009 at 18:27
For some reason I am sure it was the Jerry Jones money remarks and Tony Romo "homo" that got the management all hot and bothered.
Posted by: Anderson | 29 January 2009 at 18:29
Either he didn't do nothing wrong or he apologizes. If he makes up his mind I might care... nah, I still don't care.
Thanks a lot for making us all look bad, my brother. And thanks a lot for the homo jokes, I don't think Terrell Owens would like that.
Posted by: Cevin Fisher | 29 January 2009 at 18:34
"Whenever I see brothers doing this, they have no idea how bad they make all of us look."
No, they make themselves look bad. That has nothing to do with me, I am sure everyone knows not all blacks act like that. But unfortunately too many young black athletes are from the hood and DO act like that.
Posted by: Donovan | 29 January 2009 at 18:37
If he had done it without using his employer's logo and image, and had he left his employer's name out of it, people might not have had a problem. But when he uses those props and his position as a Cowboys player, he is representing his employer. And that is just wrong.
And if anything, he should have learned from Troy Aikman that you can't make gay jokes about Cowboys QBs. No matter how true.
A-hole
Posted by: Eric Trujilio | 29 January 2009 at 18:52
"I'm not using drugs. I didn't use a gun..."
Does that mean that your WORDS do no damage? If so, then what did Jimmy the Greek say that cost him his job? Rush Limbaugh?
And homophobic words and names destroy self-esteem and lead many others to VIOLENCE AND BIGOTRY!!!
Words hurt- YOU IDIOT!!!
Posted by: martine | 29 January 2009 at 19:14
I AM extremely tired of this HIP HOP- Postulating. Did I say TIRED?
Cannot wait for the day when rap/hip Hop really becomes a thing of the past. Tom Foolery and fing idiotic behaviour.
Down with rap and ebonics, it is damaging our Brothas spirits and sense of self. Same old lame I'm tough - I'm cooler than you foolishness.
Posted by: Lang B. | 29 January 2009 at 20:07
These hood rats with way too much money are as destructive to the black communities image as all out, just as bad as the homophobic, n-word spewing "rappers," and money grubbing preachers.
If they were real men they would act like it, but, sadly many of them had no real men to raise them to be men.
Posted by: Luther | 30 January 2009 at 09:11
Amen Luther and Lang B!
Every time one of these millionaire hoodrats open their mouths they set us back! These ghetto athletes and rappers are basically corner boys with some bling and much more dollars. Why didn't he know this ghetto tacky video would get him in trouble?
At least they hit him in his POCKET that is how you get their attention!
Posted by: BGC | 30 January 2009 at 09:51
Just pathetic on so many levels.
Posted by: Marcus | 30 January 2009 at 11:09
Good, i hope they make an example out of his coon sorry a**,also they should sit him out NEXT season and make him really feel it, right in his wallet!!
Posted by: AzzedineAliaFan | 30 January 2009 at 22:42