LEDGER COLUMNIST

No matter what American sporting event that a person has the opportunity to attend during their lifetime, there is one thing they will experience with each visit to an athletic venue.

That is the "Star Spangled Banner," written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key while watching British ships bombard an American fort during the War of 1812.

Adopted for official use by the Navy in 1889 and the president in 1916, it would become the national anthem on March 3, 1931 by way of a congressional resolution signed by President Herbert Hoover.

Debate reigns as to when the song was first played at an athletic event, whether it was opening day baseball ceremonies in Philadelphia in 1897 or during the seventhinning stretch of the 1918 World Series.

Honestly, none of that matters. In my eyes, when the "Star Spangled Banner" is being played it is a chance for everyone to put their differences aside and come together as one — as a nation.

So with that in mind, it brings me to the issue I have with Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard.

Months after he sabotaged his team's playoff run by publicly admitting he used marijuana during the NBA offseason, Howard would put himself into a bigger hole a few weeks ago at a charity flag football game.

During the "Star Spangled Banner," Howard looked into a camera and said "I don't even celebrate that (expletive). I'm black."

Usually, I don't pay any mind to the things I see on YouTube, mostly because the people who put their lives on there definitely have too much time on their hands or are in desperate need of attention.

But Howard definitely got my attention with his antics.

The last time I remember the enormous amount of money which he is paid by Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is American currency — the dollar. Without a doubt, he at least appreciates this country for filling his pockets.

But while the amount of cash he currently carries has a price, his freedom is priceless.

Howard must have been asleep during American History class while being taught about how George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin built the foundation for a country that would blossom into a world power.

Or maybe he was busy picking his nose when learning about the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation delivered by Abraham Lincoln.

I don't know ... it just confuses me that someone who is getting rich off American money can go out and blatantly say something like that; into a camera no less.

But what he fails to recognize is that it took the work of everyone — no matter what color or creed — to make this country what it is. That is what makes America what it is, a melting pot where everyone is welcome.

Howard is entitled to his opinion under the First Amendment, which states one "is able to speak freely without censorship or limitation."

I guess he didn't think anyone else would see the tape. Now Mr. Howard, you must sit back and listen while everyone uses their freedom of speech to talk about you.

You my friend, are now "Public Enemy No. 1" at every arena you go to.

If Howard can't take being the fans' and media's whipping boy for his actions, he can run from them like he has done most things during his career. In this case, it won't be in the United States where he'll be able to turn for refuge.

Joe L. Hughes II writes feature and enterprise stories for The Gaffney Ledger.