As a person of Nigerian descent, Falcons defensive end Osi Umenyiora took particular offense to Hawks general manager Danny Ferry saying Luol Deng “has a little African in him” with the implication that Deng’s heritage makes him “a two-faced liar and cheat.”
“It’s ridiculous, man,” Umenyiora said Thursday. “It’s ridiculous. It’s really sad. You (media) are going to have to help us out with that one because if you don’t say nothing, nobody else will.”
Umenyiora was born in Britain to Nigerian parents. The family later moved back to Nigeria and eventually to Auburn, Alabama, where Umenyiora took up football.
Ferry made the comments during a conference call to discuss free-agent players. Ferry and the Hawks maintain that Ferry was reading the racially-charged words from a scouting report prepared by someone else. However, Yahoo Sports says it obtained a transcript of the call and reports: “In context of the transcripts, it appears that those had been Ferry’s own interjections on the call, somehow supporting the intel culled outside of the Hawks.”
Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. objected to Ferry’s statements and initiated an independent investigation. That led to the discovery of a racially-charged email written by controlling owner Bruce Levenson, who announced on Sunday that he’s selling his interest in the team as a result of the fallout.
Hawks CEO and co-owner Steve Koonin said the franchise subjected Ferry to unspecified discipline for the episode but has no plans to fire Ferry.
Umenyiora said media scrutiny of Ferry and the Hawks is the only way to cause any changes.
“It’s really up to you guys, to be honest with you,” Umenyiora said. “It’s up to the media. You guys have the most powerful voice out there. It doesn’t matter what I say if you guys don’t come out (and denounce Ferry’s comments). When you push it out there the whole house of cards comes tumbling down. If you guys don’t say anything about it they just sweep it under the rug like they are doing right now.”
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