'Pacman' Jones Subject of Don Imus's Latest Controversy

Radio host Don Imus and football star Adam "Pacman" Jones have each made news the last few years for less than stellar reasons. The career of Don Imus almost ended last spring due to his controversial comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team. The career of Adam Jones was derailed due to his various arrests and suspensions by the NFL. But recently, Don Imus has been able to return to radio and move on with his career, while Adam Jones is planning a comeback with the Dallas Cowboys this season. However, despite their attempts to return to a controversy free life, Don Imus may have taken a step backwards on his part and brought Adam Jones into the fray with him.

During an episode of his new radio show on WABC-AM yesterday, Imus had a conversation with sports announcer Warner Wolf. The subject of Jones and his numerous arrests was brought up, to which Imus asked "What color is he?" When Wolf said Jones was African American, Imus replied "Well, there you go. Now we know." When Imus returned to radio six months ago, he pledged to "mead the wounds" caused by his comments about the Rutgers African American female basketball players. With this latest comment involving race, it may have opened up some of Imus's troubles all over again.

Imus responded this morning that his comments about Jones were misunderstood. Instead of implying Jones' race is why he committed crimes, Imus claimed he was trying to say Jones' race is why the police arrested him a total of six times. Imus called his comments an attempt to make "a sarcastic point" to show sympathy for Jones, while also touting the diversity of his production team and co-hosts.

Jones himself commented in the Dallas Morning News that Imus has problems with African-Americans and that he will "pray for him." However, at this time it seems unlikely that Imus will face any disciplinary action or fines by his new radio station, unlike last year.

Sources

Crooks and Liars- "Imus under fire for yet another racially-tinged comment" www.crooksandliars.com/2008/06/23/imus-under-fire-for-yet-another-racially-tinged-comment/