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Congressman calls Hewitt about apology

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A congressman whose comment about former Georgia Tech basketball player Thaddeus Young rankled coach Paul Hewitt has called Hewitt to discuss the matter. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) was quoted in the New York Times last week saying Young -- who played one year at Tech before leaving for the NBA in 2007 -- "could have gone straight to the pros. I don't think he's going to be an engineer. It's just kind of a mockery." Hewitt demanded an apology. Young, the 12th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers, hails from Memphis, in Cohen's district. Cohen called Hewitt on Friday.

Atlanta Journal Constitution

Paul Hewitt, Getty Images Paul Hewitt, Getty Images
June 8, 2009  08:24 AM ET

Why is this a big deal?

June 8, 2009  08:35 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Why is this a big deal?

<I don't think he's going to be an engineer. It's just kind of a mockery.>

What's the graduation rate there?

June 8, 2009  08:35 AM ET

<I don't think he's going to be an engineer. It's just kind of a mockery.>

Do we really need another engineer?

June 8, 2009  09:01 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Why is this a big deal?

And what song is he singing?

June 8, 2009  09:35 AM ET

I don't see the big deal, either. He's telling the truth. I seriously doubt this guy goes into a career as an engineer.

June 8, 2009  09:39 AM ET

It's not like he said he would be pumping gas or anything..

June 8, 2009  10:27 AM ET

The sincerity of the apology should be in direct proportion to the actual classes taken by Young and the corresponding grades received.

June 8, 2009  11:11 AM ET

It looks like a dog just bit his jiblees.

June 8, 2009  11:21 AM ET

He looks like he's doing a James Brown impersonation, "HAAAAAAAAAA!!! I feel good!"

June 8, 2009  11:30 AM ET

Looks like he was a victim of Rich Brooks' kung fu grip.

June 8, 2009  01:10 PM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Why is this a big deal?

It isn't a big deal unless Thaddeus Young played for you or he's your child. However, the congressman could have made his point differently.

June 8, 2009  01:10 PM ET
QUOTE(#5):

I don't see the big deal, either. He's telling the truth. I seriously doubt this guy goes into a career as an engineer.

You can't be serious?

June 8, 2009  01:12 PM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Why is this a big deal?

You can't be serious?

June 8, 2009  01:20 PM ET
QUOTE(#13):

You can't be serious?

Yeah I am....as a black man, I believe there are a lot of underlying messages that get transmitted out there, I also believe that people need not take things out of context. I interpret this as Young had no intentions of staying in school at G-Tech to graduate. It was merely a formality that he was school.....he had intentions, just like anyone else, of going to the NBA early. I don't see anything wrong with that, but I don't think he owes an apology, just maybe something that clears up what he was intending to say to Paul Hewitt.

Also.....seriously.....Thaddeus Young has an intention to be an All-Star, not an engineer.

June 8, 2009  02:28 PM ET
QUOTE(#12):

You can't be serious?

Ok, you tell my why this is a big deal? Please tell me you don't think this is because of racism? He stated a fact. It IS a mockery for a kid to go to school and then after 1 year go to the pros.

What's the big deal?

June 8, 2009  02:31 PM ET

One thing I'll say additionally is.... if a young man can play in the NBA, he should not be forced to go to college. That is the problem here, not anything else. It seriously lowers opportunities for truly talented people to earn what they should be allowed to earn. I guess one can argue that the young man could go to one of the overseas leagues or just sit out a year, but this should be challenged in my opinion.

It's not like football where you need a couple of years at least to be physically prepared for the pros.

June 8, 2009  02:58 PM ET
QUOTE(#16):

One thing I'll say additionally is.... if a young man can play in the NBA, he should not be forced to go to college. That is the problem here, not anything else. It seriously lowers opportunities for truly talented people to earn what they should be allowed to earn. I guess one can argue that the young man could go to one of the overseas leagues or just sit out a year, but this should be challenged in my opinion.It's not like football where you need a couple of years at least to be physically prepared for the pros.

I agree...it ruins college basketball also. I'm an OSU fan and I'm tired of seeing these players leave early.

June 8, 2009  04:05 PM ET
QUOTE(#17):

I agree...it ruins college basketball also. I'm an OSU fan and I'm tired of seeing these players leave early.

The argument is (I think) that allowing them go straight to the NBA is killing college basketball, but it seems unfair to arbitrarily say, "Hey, you have to play college 1 year or sit out, or go overseas" before they can make the big bucks.

That seems like it could be challenged. Additionally, it seems like they'd allow football guys try at least. Then, hey, if you can't make it, you can't make it. Sorry.

June 8, 2009  04:05 PM ET
QUOTE(#3):

<I don't think he's going to be an engineer. It's just kind of a mockery.>Do we really need another engineer?

We need new blood in the financial sector and I really mean new blood - not the same blood that comes through the Ivy Leagues.

 
June 8, 2009  04:08 PM ET
QUOTE(#13):

You can't be serious?

I want to say "you can't be serious" about your comment of "you can't be serious" but I think that constitutes a double negative.

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