Ron Artest Speaks To Children About Detroit Brawl + Defends Actions

[hoops4kings]

Have no problem at all with the general concept. Fits very well with my own personality. However, there is another lesson that kids need to be taguht -- when you **** up and overreact, admit it, apologize, and don't do it again. Don't run off bragging about being a bleeping idiot.

Sorry for not getting back quicker after hearing Ron on Grant's show earlier. Yes, he did say he was sorry that it happened and that he very much was affected by what kids thought of him (the incident). Also that when he saw the footage of a little kid crying in the stands it made him feel bad, and he wanted to repair what he could. He noted that he has been warmly welcomed in Michigan and the experience has changed him. He very much enjoys talking with these kids.

He noted that he wanted to go back to Michigan and heal old wounds and talk to kids. Artest said that he wants to put the whole thing behind him and that he knows he's looked up by kids and wants to be a good example to them.

I think he was being genuine and came off very good in the interview. He owned up to it being a mistake (when Lamb asked him) and that he indeed was sorry it ever happened. He just wished the media didn't focus so much on a perceived negative quote, and report more on the goodwill he was trying to impose on these kids. He said he really wanted to be real and connect with them.

 

[Kingzrool]

Ron should have simply said he made a mistake and that he paid for it. Of course the media clinged on to the "I ended it" quote. Ron would not be my first choice to have at a school lecture for my children, but he is certainly not the worst possibility.

Although, I am annoyed at the publics firm belief that celebrities should somehow be perfect people, professional athletes have accepted a role that is influential to children and IMO they should take responsibility for this. Ron's actions that night, clearly did not live up to that. This is an opportunity to make that right, and I hope that he is taking it. I am weary of the presses take on anything. I would reserve final opinion until after viewing a video of the actual talk with the children. The sentence comprised of one word quotes is a flag for slanted journalism if I ever saw one! All of his "crazy" quotes to the media that are meant for adults have been amusing and fun and unless he physically attacks someone again, I will consider him "reformed".

All the back and forth about how children should or should not be raised is for a different site altogether, but my kids are in karate classes and they learn respect and tolerance for others and self defence.

I am with VF and did not vote. I would not bet either way, but Ron is the man and has done for the KINGS what we have needed. We are lucky to have him and are far from stuck with him. Any player can go "wrong" at any time in this sport, and we should judge Ron by what he has done here with us.

 

[cdep73]

What gets me is that if some random person said to "protect yourself", it's no big deal, wheras if a Ron Artest says it everybody jumps on him. It's not really fair. Many dads share that belief with their kids. It's no big deal. But for Ron, he has a target on his back when he says stuff like that.

 

[Bricklayer]

What gets me is that if some random person said to "protect yourself", it's no big deal, wheras if a Ron Artest says it everybody jumps on him. It's not really fair. Many dads share that belief with their kids. It's no big deal. But for Ron, he has a target on his back when he says stuff like that.

He has a target on his back after he starts a stadium wide brawl over a cup of beer resulting in criminal charges and then tells kids he "ended it".