SOMM on the Political Tip: Steelers Harrison to Skip White House Visit; The Well-Connected Hill Family
May 18, 2009 by dwil
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison says he’ll skip his team’s Thursday visit to the White House. Harrison also skipped the Steelers 2006 post-Super Bowl XLIII win White House visit.
Is it politics that keeps Harrison from the traditional visit? Could it be possible that Harrison is so enlightened that he sees Republicans and Democrats as one in the same?
Ummmmm, no:
“This is how I feel — if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don’t win the Super Bowl. As far as I’m concerned, he [Obama] would’ve invited Arizona if they had won,”
I see, James.
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NCAA and NBA star Grant Hill is connected – in the biggest way. Hill a former Duke standout and, at one time was touted as the Next Michael Jordan, has deeper political connections than most people in the U.S.
Grant’s father, Calvin Hill was an NFL running back for both the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins. Calvin was the number one draft pick of Dallas in 1969. during his career with the Cowboys Mr. Hill attended Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. After six years with Dallas Hill played in Hawaii in the short-lived World Football League. Hill returned to the NFL and played with the Washington Redskins. Oddly, Hill retired after his season with Washington, but returned to professional football to play three years with the Cleveland Browns.
After his NFL career, Hillary was a vice president for the Baltimore Orioles from 1984 to 1997. Calvin left the Orioles in order to pursue the possibility of bringing professional baseball back to Washington, D.C. with a group of like-minded investors. The group had made an unsuccessful bid to purchase the Washington Bullets and Capitols in 1994. In 1996 another effort was focused on purchasing the Astros, a deal that also fell through. Ultimately, Hill wants to own a sports franchise.
Perhaps more important to and integral to Mr. Hill’s post-NFL successes, the Yale graduate is a Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity brother of George W. Bush (and perhaps the first Black Skull and Bonesman?).
But as if that’s not enough, there is much more to the Hill family.
Grant’s mother, Janet, was a roommate of Hillary Clinton’s at Wellesley, the prestigious women’s college. Janet earned a B.A. in mathematics in 1969 and a masters degree in math education from the University of Chicago. She has worked as a teacher at the high school, junior college, and college levels, and was a scientist at a private consulting firm.
However, Mrs. Hill’s most important work might not have been training young minds to excel.
She also a vice president at Alexander & Associates, a Washington D.C.-based consulting firm that she co-founded in 1981. Her partner is Clifford Alexander, who she worked for as special assistant and White House liaison when he was secretary of the Army from 1978 to 1981. Among its clients, the firm numbers Major League Baseball, IBM, ABC News, the Ford Foundation, and the U.S. General Accounting Office.
As a consultant, Mrs Hill aided and instructed her clients to establish a racially and sexually inclusive work force. Moreover, she taught corporations how to hire qualified women and minority employees without relying on quotas, affirmative action, or sensitivity training. The overreaching concept of her work is to show that diversity, as it is traditionally viewed and practiced by corporations, is divisive.
Additionally, Michelle Obama counts Mrs. Hill, who also sits on the boards of three companies and Duke’s business school, as a mentor.
And Grant? He’s just a two-time NCAAA champion and 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist, and NBA player with a Grammy-nominated R&B singer wife, Tamia, right? Oh no. This is from Hill’s website:
One of the world’s premier collectors of African American art, Grant wanted to draw attention to a facet of popular culture that has gone unrecognized and unappreciated for far too long – African American art. Grant sponsored a nearly three year, seven city tour of his personal art collection entitled “Something All Our Own: The Grant Hill Collection of African American Art.” This is an atypical example of an athlete capitalizing on the incredible power and influence that is often left unexplored by professional athletes.
Featuring a large collection of African American artists, including the works of celebrated masters Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, as well as the work of artists including Hughie Lee-Smith, John Biggers, Phoebe Beasely, Malcolm Brown, Edward Jackson, John Coleman and Arthello Beck, Jr., the popular exhibition attracted visitors of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Grant’s message stressed the importance for young boys and girls to witness African Americans who have been successful outside of sports and entertainment. In conjunction with the exhibition, Grant created the “Something All Our Own Scholarship,” which provided educational assistance to college students interested in pursuing a degree in visual arts. Through these efforts, Grant encouraged creative exploration of avenues beyond sports and entertainment while sharing his appreciation of artists who have played an important part in his life.
And Grant and Tamia Hill’s Orlando, Florida close friends and neighbors are the O’Neals, as in Shaquille.
Ahhhh, the life.
That James Harrison quote just leaves an itch on the top of the brain…huh?!
Anyway, that was an interesting factoid on Grant Hill. I never knew he rolled that deep…
Man, I have barely seen/read about any sports in about a week and the first thing I read is about Harrison’s ignorant sounding behind. He should have just left us to wonder why he didn’t go to the white house instead of putting forth that nonsensical reason. I feel stupider just reading it. The president doesn’t want to meet the Steelers-he wants to meet the SB champs. It’s debatable if he really wants to do even that. This is just so weird.
James Harrison-40 Million Dollar Slave.
On another note regarding our president, considering what went down this weekend, I how many black athletes start looking at Notre Dame in a new light?
I hope so. They gave Bush a pass for starting a war which you would think they would be against. But they give Obama grief for abortion. Their white robes are showing.
Did you guys here about ASU not giving Obama an honorary degree because he wasn’t experienced or qualified enough. Seriously, you can’t make this stuff up.
Harrison’s comment reveals an ignorance (as in either a lack of knowledge OR a willful decision to ignore) of some interesting things. Dan Rooney supported Obama. So did Franco Harris and Lynn Swann and many other Steelers. Obama went on record as rooting for the team to win the SB.
So, Harrison is a funny fellow. But, is he merely funny?
Perhaps it would have been wise to follow awb’s advise and zip it.
On the flip side, though…there is something authentically Old School about his refusal to visit the White House. His rejection is a fundamental rejection of a pseudo-personal invitation which has nothing to do with a relationship. Champions weren’t invited to the White House until Ronald Reagan figured it was smart politically. No team has refused an inviatation to the White House since — regardless of criminality of the White House occupant; regardless of the policies of that occupant.
Moreover, the people who have visited the White House, have tended to take politics OUT of an event that was and is clearly political. For athletes to be apolitical at a political event is probably good business — but it is a choice. Harrison is basically saying, “I don’t know you well enough to visit when I lose. I’d just as soon stay home.”
I think he’s being a bit facetious in saying that he would have invited Arizona…he must have made the correlation the last time they were invited. So, I don’t believe Harrison is being “stupid.” I believe his comment ignored some history. I’m sure that he was warned many, many moons ago about these unbalanced quid pro quo relationships. Maybe his spidey-sense kicked in. Either way, Harrison’s either crazy or he really gets this EQUALITY thing and hasn’t been seduced by the glitz and shitz that’s got everyone else on bended knee.
Frankly, it sounded like a lot of Dunbar’s masking.
Des–
Why would declining an invitation to be the invited guest of the White House make Harrison a 40 million dollar slave? I’m not clear.
If D is right about the Democrats and Republicans being one and the same — and Obama has actually hired skrate up dogs like Geithner and Summers (and wanted more dogs like Daschle), how does the man who refuses the invitation of the king become the slave? Isn’t it usually the people who GO TO DINNER that are the slaves?
Holla.
awb,
I don’t know if you had a chance to see Obama’s ASU commencement speech, but he handled the “degree-gate” brilliantly. Here’s a link in case you didn’t see it->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvaM6sjLbuA
-c
If Harrison actually said “I aint goin’ because I think Obama is coddling torturers” or “I voted for McCain” than at least I could understand. What he is saying here barely makes any sense. It betrays one of the tenents of the NFL-winning. Of course the winners are invited to the white house. Of course the winners get higher bonus checks, endorsements ect. That’s what the endeavors all about right? Obama may be a Pittsburgh fan, but does Harrison really think that the pres should invite the steelers over to the crib just to shoo the sh*t? Man, that’s bananas
At the very least he is consistent. I don’t think he went in 2006 either.
I personally just think Harrison is a bit crazy. He’s a grown man, though, and it is his right. Unlike some others who have refused to go to the White House, he didn’t throw politics in it.
Maybe he has the right idea. Instead of letting for a politician to use you for publicity points, don’t let them use you. Which, when you think about it, all having sports teams to visit the president at the White House is, is a photo-op anyway. Even if Obama really does like the Steelers, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a photo op.
One question that hasn’t been asked, was when Obama was hanging with Rooney, did he ever ask to visit the team? If not, then I can understand Harrison feeling that way.
I wish he did inject politics into it. As it stands now, he just sounds like he took the tired, cliched “they gave us no respect” card to its illogical conclusion. I guess if you are a steelers fan, perhaps he sounds hardcore. To me he sounds dumb. Based on his comments I am unable to attach any hidden signifcance to this. Doesn’t it just boil down to, “Well he didn’t invite us to the White House last year when we didn’t win the SB, why is he inviting us now?”
I think I have given this way too much attention. I am stopping now.
T3,
I said that out of disgust. But when i read that he didn’t attend the White House in 2006 either, at least he’s consistent, so I retract my statement.
As a Steeler fan, I am very please that our long tradition of All-world, Bat-shit crazy outside linebackers has continued unabated. From Lloyd to Greene to Porter to Harrison, if he chases down the QB in black and gold, he is likely to attack a coach or kiss a coach or put a gun in his kid’s mouth or refuse a White House invite for no apparent reason.
Myron — ROTFLMBAO.
awb — It ain’t that deep. I’m glad he didn’t say anything more than he did — it would haunt him until he goes in a pine box. On a certain level, that’s enough for me. There is a certain irreverance that I find refreshing here. Harrison comes off as a guy who would play for nothing. Some guys just have that vibe. Maybe he felt like going to the White House was just a bit too much like being told to “Walk the Track” for the johns. Who knows.
Either way, he was smart enough to drop into coverage in the biggest moment of the biggest game of his career and he outfoxed (with LeBeau) the oldest, wisest most sagiest sage QB of ever-dom. So, maybe he’s more crazy than dumb?
awb and des,
I enjoy reading your comments after dwil and MODI’s articles, as they frequently give me food for thought or point out another topic for discussion. I disagree with your comments about Notre Dame, though.
George W. spoke in May 2001, pre-9/11, pre-Iraq/Afghanistan, amid multiple protests against his death penalty stand. Notre Dame invited and honored Barack Obama for his accomplishments. Obama accepted, and cited ND’s leadership in the Civil Rights movement.
Catholics, such as myself, feel very strongly on the issue of abortion, and some, not myself, took Obama’s invitation as an endorsement of his policies. It was unfortunate, but, again, abortion is a testy subject. I find your “white robes” comment very unfair. Please use the phrase more judiciously in the future.
larry legend skipped the whitehouse dog and pony show with reagan back in 1984
Matt,
I don’t recall there being howls demanding Bush be banned from speaking or even that he was called a disgrace. From what I remember there were just a few scattered “protests” at best. This despite the sheer number of executions and the destruction of DNA evidence to make sure nobody can come back around and prove he ordered the murder of an innocent person.
At the risk of further offending you, I am going to stick by my previous comment. It may be a little flippant, but to me whenever I see reactions by the majority to a black person or any minority that isn’t proportional to their reactions to similar conduct/views/behavior by a majority person, I try to see what’s different between the two individuals. Usually, the only thing is race. Granted, it might be debatable in this particular case-it could very well be his party-but Obama has actually said he wants to reduce the number of abortions and make adoption easier. This sounds like the very thing pro-lifers want isn’t it? Why the vehement response?
James Harrison isn’t very bright. In fact, he should be slapped for saying something so stupid.
Thank you for your thoughtful response, and I apologize if I came off as harsh (and for this post’s length). To clarify:
Obama has said he aims to ease adoption to lower the number of abortions, but he has also said, “The first thing I’d do as president is, is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That’s the first thing I’d do.” This act, as he promotes it, mandates that Catholic hospitals perform abortions, and “would nullify all existing laws and regulations that limit abortion in any way, up to the time of fetal viability. Laws requiring parental notification and informed consent would be tossed out.” (From http://www.slate.com/id/2205326). This stance is what has induced the “vehement response.”
About ND: 1. 97% of the seniors approved of Obama as speaker. 2. Obama was elected in a campus-wide election by a margin much greater than Indiana as a whole.* 3. Much of the “howls” about Obama, came from non-ND voices. The ringleader of much of the protests was Randall Terry, who once mailed a fetus to Bill Clinton. Unfortunately, ND became a battle ground for many pro-life crazies like him (relatively few of them ND-affiliated).
You have certainly not offended me. I only take exception to your painting Notre Dame as a whole as racist (while it was being honored by Obama for its role in the Civil Rights movement). I am not saying that there are no racists at ND–or anywhere– but this is not an example. As you know, not every voice that dissents with Obama is racist.
*I do not mean to imply that voting for Obama means that the person is not racist– for that is certainly not always true. What I mean is that the objection to him on campus is not personal, and that the school’s reputation as uber-conservative is increasingly inaccurate.
matt,
From an athletic standpoint, there is a chance that Irish football and basketball could lose out on some blue-chip players because of perception. Protesting a speech by the President because of his views on abortion. Oh yeah, the first black President. Coincidence? Who cares so long as you can spin it. As I write this, at least ten schools have turned my theory into a hollow-point bullet to be used at a moment’s notice. Pro-life vs. Pro-Choice? Please. They protested the the first black president, if they did that to him, what do they think of you? And what if you hurt yourself? if you ain’t scorin’ touchdowns or hittin’ treys, you just another…
See where I went Matt? Doesn’t take much. The media proves that everyday.
Good points Des, saidly I don’t think that many of these black parents or athletes really care. If ND wave enough money in their eyes and whisper nothings in their ear. They will make the jump to ND.
Hell I thought these black folks would learn after how they treated Ty and that black QB.
No offense Matt , but F&^% ND.
Good investigating on Grant Hill………..I wouldn’t be surprised if quite a few of these athletes have connections with alot of these gate keepers.
Heck you dig deep enough Hills whole family might be on the trilateral commission.
As far as Harrison……..the media is making a big due about nothing. This dude did the same thing when that busta Bush was in office.
I could care less…………holla at me when one of these kats (coaches or players) has the balls to pull a craig hodges on these politicians/presidents.
Hey origin! The AJC has started their 24/7 Vick watch! They’re going into overdrive since that newspaper is now more of a pamphlet! I expect a special edition, full color – with special commentary from neo-con Neal Boortz coming soon! They seem to going all out to appeal to these teabagging secessionists in Gawga.
Yeah I saw that sista Miranda.
Boy folks are gonna make a killing off of Vick…..I know Yahoo has gotten Billions of hits just over the last 5 months. They can keep Vick out their d@mn mouth.
AJC is trying their best to save their crappy paper. In a way I kind of hope Vick doesn’t even play football (but I know thats not possible). That would be the only way that the media would some what leave him alone.
O-
Good catch on the gatekeepers……
Miranda-
My silence on the latest blast of Vick news is a protest. All of the reporting connected to hum right now is just sickening. Oh, and notice all these congress people weren’t trying to secede when Bush was in office- and his policies are the ones they are actually protesting – racist-ass crackers that they are.
matt-
I have never been a fan of ND and have never heard of a Black alum of any merit coming from ND who is not an athlete….. Please give me names – anyone…. and I bet privately Ty Willingham would have a thing or two to say about the Irish and racism.
EVERYONE-
PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO ABOUT CAPITOL HILL: THE LAST PLANTATION.
haha… never expected everyone to be Irish fans!
(fwiw, condi rice is nd’s most distinguished african-american grad)
matt-
Condi & ND? Wow, I didn’t know. But somehow the match is perfect… and it is sad that she is the only one.