CNBC Reporter: Keflezighi’s Marathon Win Was ‘Empty’ Because He Was An Immigrant Rather Than U.S.-Born
CNBC Reporter: Keflezighi’s Marathon Win Was ‘Empty’ Because He Was An Immigrant Rather Than U.S.-Born
On Sunday, U.S. media outlets reported that for the first time in 27 years, an American had won the New York City Marathon. Meb Keflezighi was born in Eritrea, “growing up in a hut with no electricity.” He and his family moved to Italy when he was 10 years old, and came to the United States two years later. Keflezighi “began running in junior high in San Diego, then went on to star at UCLA.” He said he it was with “big honor and pride” that he wore the USA jersey while running in the marathon. Watch a post-marathon interview with Keflezighi here:
However, CNBC Sports Business Reporter Darren Rovell doesn’t think Keflezighi deserves all this praise because when his mother gave birth to him, she wasn’t in the U.S. Rovell wrote a column yesterday saying that Keflezighi’s victory wasn’t “as good as it sounds” because Keflezighi is an immigrant, and this fact “takes away from the magnitude of the achievement the headline implies”:
Given our disappointing results, embracing Keflezighi is understandable. But Keflezighi’s country of origin is Eritrea, a small country in Africa. He is an American citizen thanks to taking a test and living in our country.
Nothing against Keflezighi, but he’s like a ringer who you hire to work a couple hours at your office so that you can win the executive softball league.
Around noon today, Rovell posted a “convoluted sort-of apology” clarifying yesterday’s piece, writing, “Let me be clear: Meb Keflezighi is an American and any suggestion otherwise is wrong.” He now granted Keflezighi’s win legitimacy only because the runner was “brought up through the American system”:
I said that Keflezighi’s win, the first by an American since 1982, wasn’t as big as it was being made out to be because there was a difference between being an American-born product and being an American citizen. Frankly I didn’t account for the fact that virtually all of Keflezighi’s running experience came as a US citizen. I never said he didn’t deserve to be called American. [...]
It turns out, Keflezighi moved to the United States in time to develop at every level in America. So Meb is in fact an American trained athlete and an American citizen and he should be celebrated as the American winner of the NYC Marathon. That makes a difference and makes him different from the “ringer” I accused him of being. Meb didn’t deserve that comparison and I apologize for that.
How long does someone have to be in the U.S. and go through the American “system” to be counted as legitimate? In today’s New York Times, academics who study race and sports note that there are still “undercurrents of nationalism and racism that are not often voiced” in sports. “There is this notion about innate physiological gifts that certain races presumably possess. Quite frankly, I think it feeds into deep-seated stereotypes,” said David Wiggins, a professor at George Mason University.
Yesterday, Keflezighi responded to the criticisms, saying, “I’ve had to deal with it. But, hey, I’ve been here 22 years. And the U.S.A. is a land of immigrants. A lot of people have come from different places.”
(HT: bustacap at DailyKos)
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If anyone wants a fun read—go to the comments section of the original blog post. The auther (rightfully) gets villified by each and every comment.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:42 pm(shrug) It’s just how lots and lots of white folks think of black folks. And then other white folks quickly leap to his defense saying things like “it’s not about race”.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:46 pmUmmmmm.. He IS a citizen..
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:48 pmA$$wiping dufoid.
What the hell is a “sports business reporter” and why should I give a shit what one might think regarding anything?
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:49 pmMemo to Mr. Rovell: None of the Minnesota Vikings are “real” vikings. It’s a cruel world.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:52 pmSame goes for Dallas ‘Cowboys’
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:53 pmMr Rovell:
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:54 pmThe winners of the the Super Bowl and the “World” Series are never world champions…
isn’t it interesting how the birther claims now leak into every area of American life..
Conservatism is a virus. Bigotry a disease.
He’s an American.. why? Because he lives in America… he has a vested interest in this place.. because it’s home.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:55 pmI am a conservative in that I am frugal, I am not conservative in the sense I am pro-aristocracy.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:57 pmThis writers first name is Darren = Darryl = troll
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:58 pmMeb Keflezighi also represented the United States in the Olympics. Does Mr. Rovell explain who gets to be an American?
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:59 pmdargumedo says:
If anyone wants a fun read—go to the comments section of the original blog post. The auther (rightfully) gets villified by each and every comment.
It’s true, and remarkable because of the uniformity of responses. This is one of my favorites:
BigMattyC | Nov 2, 2009 05:07 PM ET
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:01 pmHe’s technically an American like you’re technically an a$$hole.
TP, while I use Google, I am not a fan of Google analytics. Could you please not embed HTML code that causes my [and many others] browsers that connects to that which hogs bandwidth and tracks internet usage?
Thankew oh so much.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:02 pmSounds like the ol’ steaming pile of Conservative Kettle calling the ‘melting pot’ black, again.
Where are your people from again, Mr. Rovell?
Better stick to writing about Gatorade, buddy…
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:02 pmiy-in-f100.1e100.net:http
iy-in-f100.1e100.net:http
And this as well??
I am not in the habit of paying for this crap
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:03 pmWell no doubt Mr Rovell is pleased with the professional bowling line up…
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:05 pmMeanwhile this fellow made a big show of pointing to the letters USA on his chest as he approached the finish line and who kissed the ground after crossing the finish line and who I heard tell the interviewer that, “it was all about the United States!”.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:06 pmCNBC Reporter: Keflezighi’s Marathon Win Was ‘Empty’ Because He Was An Immigrant Rather Than U.S.-Born
– - And the only REAL states are the original 13. Although I think we can discount South Carolina and Georgia.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:08 pmI’m sorry, Mr Keflezighi, to some you will never be American enough.
**banging head on desk**
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:10 pmand the only real Americans are Seminol, Aztec, Mayan, Cheroke etc…. He is truly a moron
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:11 pmWe are proud of you, fellow citizen of the USA, Meb.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:17 pmWhen you can run 26 miles without stopping Darren Rovell, then I might give your sputterance some consideration.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:35 pmdbadass says:
“What the hell is a “sports business reporter”…”
A bookie.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:36 pmThe responses to that article are very uplifting. Most cheering thing I’ve read in a long time.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:37 pmDarren Rovell, what purpose did this commentary serve?
Who’s lily white a$$ are you trying to kiss.
Meb Keflezighi is an outstanding example of American exceptionalism. He came to this country, made it his home and did his country proud.
Darren Rovell, I am shocked that an American would think this way. There is nothing exceptional about you or CNBC for employing your smug a$$. I hope CNBC sees the errors of their ways and fires you.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:38 pmDisgusting.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:40 pmDon’t feel bad Meb, Blacks borne on this soil get the same treatment.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:40 pmflight says: I hope CNBC sees the errors of their ways and fires you.
Would yu like a pony, too? :D
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:41 pmCNBC Sports Business Reporter Darren Rovell doesn’t think.
Uh, Mr. Rovell, your name doesn’t exactly sound Native American…
…to ME, you are also an immigrant….go fck yourself, jerk.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:42 pmSince when did taking a test and living in our country demean the value of American citizenship?
Muckin’ foron!
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:49 pmFollowing this “logic” shouldn’t we give N.A.S.A to Germany? And our nuclear program. Although I suppose that France and Hungary and Britain and Holland and Denmark, to name a few, would deserve a share.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:52 pmPeople like Rovell are so bigoted, so racist and so ignorant, they don’t even realize what they say is offensive.
They are not given to introspection, much less empathy for a fellow human being – no, no, only a white, American-born (preferably conservative) male is deserving of all the USA has to offer. No matter that this young man has an amazing life story, is a proud American and has made America proud — the CNBC idiot does not/can not recognize or acknowledge that.
What to do with people like Rovell? They live among us.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:55 pmAnd they make me embarrassed, angry and sick!
I got a news flash for Darren Rovell. In Rovell’s worldview: if Native Americans ran this continent, he would be refer as a “sh*t-for-brains” immigrant. But guess what? In any world or worldview, Rovell will always be sh*t-for-brains.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:56 pmWhat kind of a job is a sports business news reporter?
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:01 pmSounds like a job created to fulfill a nepotism request.
“We’re number one! We’re number one!!! … Ummm, oh, uhhhh, waidaminnit….”
What a maroon. WTF cares that he’s not ‘Merkun-born? Look, Mr. Rovell: If it’s all that important to you and if you want ‘Merkuns to win races, get some real ‘Merkuns to actually go and train. Or do it your effin’ self. In the meanwhile, congratulations to Meb Keflezighi for a race well run. And that’s what counts, not which country the winner came from….
Cheers,
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:05 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
We’re Special…
There’s no bigotry like American bigotry.
On average, it takes 1.5 generations for our special bigotry to fully fester to all its glorious, oozing pussiness.
Rovell is fully matured – I’m guessing 4th generation at least.
.
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:06 pmBreaking laws not a good thing.
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:08 pm—-
Even if you think it is a “neat idea”?
Once again, since immigration is the process of legally entering the country, there’s no such thing as “illegal immigration”.
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:09 pmBreaking laws not a good thing.
Such as the outing of covert CIA agent?
But, back on topic, how about that Meb Keflezighi!!!
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:15 pmUnited States Citizen AND NY Marathon winner!!!
Mr Rovell (and his ilk) should keep in mind that Mr Keflezighi is constitutionally eligible to be a US Representative or US Senator. He is old enough, he is a citizen of the US, and he has lived in this country long enough to be eligible.
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:19 pmWhat happened to righteous Mr Duke?
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:22 pm“Rovell” means aschloch in which language?
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:23 pmPerhaps he was summoned…
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:26 pmI don’t know if anyone here saw the finish of the marathon. I did. What I saw was this guy pull ahead of another guy with 1 mile to go or so. Then, as the guy approached the finish line, he pointed to the USA on his shirt and then pointed to the spectators and then the USA on his shirt and then to the spectators. This guy did this over and over until he crossed the finish line.
I got the feeling that he was extremely proud to win the marathon for the country he is a citizen of.
Mr. Keflezighi has shown the world how to win with class.
This guy wrote an article how the victory isn’t as good because the guy who won wasn’t actually born in the USA.
Mr. Rovell has shown the world how petty and classless he is.
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:31 pmBut…he’s……..black…!
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:35 pmThis was a personal attack as Rovell ran fifth in the 2004 Marathon and is jealous. Look Mr. Keflezighi won in the Olympics with everyone cheering with pride for the US winners. Now Rovell who just couldn’t win is attacking the winner. Maybe Rovell should train better next time and who knows maybe he will win. It’s getting old with these racial attacks, we have serious problems to solve.
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:43 pmlivelongandprosper – I saw it (see my post at 17) and he was VERY proud to give all credit to the U.S.
He overcame many obstacles on his way to success and worked his butt off and endured much pain along the way. Isn’t that part of the American ideal? Work hard and succeed?
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:01 pmAND he was waving the American flag around all over the place!
He even had it up on the podium with him and made a point of spreading it out for the camera shots.
He couldn’t have acted more nationalistic!
Apparently there are Americans and then there are americans.
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:08 pmIt is nothing new for persons of color to have their achievements downplayed and dismissed. Rovell has clearly demonstrated his inability to remained unbiased in his reporting. He couldn’t resist assisting Becky and Dobbsy with their efforts to smear all immigrants.
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:21 pmClassy and stupid, the idiot’s manifesto. He didn’t get it then and still doesn’t. It was pretty entertaining to read the chorus of boos over there at CNBC. I sent an email to CNBC here.
And just to be a jerk, he’s a slow mofo, too. 5:08 gun, 5:04 chip is 20 minutes slower than me, and I am slow.
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:05 pm#43: I think you mean “Arschloch”.
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:47 pmWell, there goes the legitimacy of all the other cable news “sports business reporters”, as if they had any to begin with.
Besides, what exactly does a race winner’s heritage and up-bringing have to do with ” sports business” anyway???
November 4th, 2009 at 8:17 amMemo to Mr. Rovell: None of the Minnesota Vikings are “real” vikings. It’s a cruel world.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:28 amIt’s racism. Alberto Salazar, the last American to win the NYC Marathon in 1982, was born in Cuba, but he’s white. Those who make the distinction will say that Salazar came here when he was two. But do you buy that distinction?
Remember that none of the founding fathers or mothers were born in the United States.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:01 amFirst of all, why did the author feel he had to try to take some of the honor away from the achievement ? What a petty jerk.
Now add in that for years the 4 minute mile was thought to be an unbreakable barrier. Now these marathoners are coming close to averaging 4 minutes a mile for the entire marathon. This is an incredible achievement.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:36 amAt last, somebody got it right. The only time
america can gloat about an athletic victory is when the winner is 100% Native American.
Jim Thorpe is King
November 4th, 2009 at 1:10 pmRe: 43 and 52:
The correct word is _hinter_ loch.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:38 pm57 Old Fuzz,
But look how Thorpe was treated on his return to the states.
November 4th, 2009 at 2:29 pm