A.G. Gancarski
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan unleashed on “racist” NFL owners, offering some sharp critiques of President Donald Trump and his consigliere Steve Bannon Thursday in Chicago.
Quotes from Crain’s Chicago Business:
Khan’s description of NFL owners was so subversive and trenchant a player could have said it: “You’ve got a bunch of 85-year-old guys who don’t think they’re racist, but they are racist.”
Though Crain’s said a spokesman tried to ameliorate the impact of that quote, saying those were sentiments that were expressed to Khan or some such, rest assured that it will resonate with those who have watched a third of an NFL season and wondered why Colin Kaepernick couldn’t get a job despite his resume.
Khan, who played a crucial role of support in the Jaguars’ National Anthem protest in their London trip this year, spoke with great clarity and specificity about his issues with the Trump/Bannon axis — a remarkable move for a man who donated $1 million to Trump’s Inaugural Committee.
“You have to give Trump credit, people are confused on the First Amendment versus patriotism, that if you exercise your First Amendment, you’re not a patriot, which is crazy … People are confused on it, (Trump) knew he could hit on it and take advantage. I think what we’re seeing is the great divider overcoming the great uniter.” Khan said.
“What (Trump) has done is shown leadership as the great divider, not [a] uniter. We are used to being warm and fuzzy and cuddled. Well, it’s a different time,” Khan said.
That division is part of the Steve Bannon strategy, Khan offered.
“Steve Bannon or whoever is analyzing the data realizes, ‘How do I get elected?’ I get elected by dividing this person or this group against this group. What are the worst fears, phobias somebody has, how do I tap that button and get them with my people? There’s a lot of predictive behavior here,” Khan asserted.
Khan, as is widely known, is a frequent contributor to Republican pols such as Gov. Rick Scott and Mayor Lenny Curry.
Yet even before his comments on Trump, Khan has played a unique role in social commentary in Jacksonville — providing a centrist perspective on hot-button issues.
There are those in Khan’s orbit who say that a key factor toward Jacksonville expanding the Human Rights Ordinance to include LGBT people was Khan deciding to weigh in on the issue in an unambiguous way in 2017.
In fact, Khan’s position was consistent with the one he had expressed in 2016.
“It’s like civil rights,” Khan said. “It’s so late that it’s not even worth talking about.”
Khan is noted, likewise, for pithy quotes that seem to enrage people.
“A homeless guy in Detroit has more mojo than a millionaire in Jacksonville,” Khan said in 2014.
13 comments
Frankie M.
October 13, 2017 at 4:52 pm
It’s like gays marriage & Bush-Rove in 2004. Can you get Mayor Curry’s thoughts on these comments AG? Now that would be interesting. I want to hear what the company man has to say when Shad bashes his benefactor. It’s like choosing between 2 dads.
Seber Newsome III
October 13, 2017 at 5:04 pm
Mr. Khan has made a big mistake here in Jacksonville, with his views on players not standing for the National Anthem. Even though the fans are hungry for a team to win, they are patriotic and respect the flag, the military and their families. Jacksonville, proclaims to be the most military and veteran friendly city in the nation, does Mr. Khan know that, probably not. But, he will find out. So go ahead and kneel and disrespect the flag or whatever the reason is your kneeling. I think it is for your brothers who are in prison. The players who are 75% black, think white people are the blame for them being in prison. White supremacy or some crap like that. So, go ahead and do what you want.
Rhonda
October 16, 2017 at 8:11 am
It appears that you like a number of others are attacking the protestors in your usual rants on not being patriots. Repeatedly they have expressed their reasons for protesting while repeatedly you and others have taken it out of context. Which explains why there is such a divide. America finds excuses for everything, it’s the other guys’ fault. The institution of racism is the reason for the minorities being arrested and convicted at an alarming rate when you view law enforcement history and statistics. The persons participating in the racist practices can be any race. It so happens that the majority of cases against folk are performed by whites. The protests are because they are loyal Americans exercising their right to peacefully protest. They are protesting because all is not well in America. Everything that has been done to bring the country’s attention to the problems of race executed in recent times have been ignored, mocked even. I believe that the idea and actual initial act was a stroke of genius. Seeking the consult of military personnel on what actions would be considered respectful by their standards demonstrates an even higher level of thought. The people, like you, that are offended by the protests should take what you are feeling and multiply it exponentially. At that point you would be at the beginning of what minorities are experiencing oppressively in our America. America has plenty to learn about equality, especially that inequality only leads to destruction, in the end no one wins. Believe me, prison population is only a part of the equation. Go deeper.
Seber Newsome III
October 16, 2017 at 9:30 am
My mistake, your right, the reason they are protesting is because they are mad that their black brothers are in jail. They blame “Whitey” for this. It is all the white people’s fault for them committing crimes and going to jail. They take no responsibility for their actions whatsoever. Well, us white people are sick and tired of blacks claiming white supremacy. You have started something that you are not going to win. So, keep on kneeling, and keep committing crimes, you will go to jail!!
Frankie M.
October 13, 2017 at 5:08 pm
Players can do backflips into the pools during the NA for all I care. Just win baby!
Marc cooper
October 13, 2017 at 6:36 pm
Freedom requires bravery. Bravo Khan! Speak your mind despite the threats. Otherwise we are slaves to our money status.
Karen Olson
October 13, 2017 at 11:14 pm
Mr. Kahn should go back to Pakistan and take the Jaguars with him!!
Chris
October 15, 2017 at 12:40 pm
You must be one angry person, and I’m sorry that you feel that someone else has wronged you, but America is the land of the immigrant. If we forget our history, we are doomed to repeat it.
Karen Olson
October 13, 2017 at 11:14 pm
Mr. Kahn should go back to Pakistan and take the Jaguars with him!!
Phil Morton
October 14, 2017 at 7:30 am
Love the Jaguars. Proud of the great job you’re doing representing Jacksonville on the world stage. Keep it up!
Mitch
October 14, 2017 at 7:49 am
Khan speaks one line and then acts another. He claims to deplore racism but then he financially supports the most powerful racists in our political system.
Khan’s actions are completely hypocritical and if he meant half of what he claims heat of hired Kaepernick a month ago. The billionaire BS’er.
Frankie M.
October 14, 2017 at 5:07 pm
Khan gave $$ to Alvin Brown. He gives $$ to Curry. It doesn’t matter whether they have a D or an R next to their name. It’s about the $$.
Frankie M.
October 15, 2017 at 7:49 pm
People don’t go to jags games bc of the NA. It’s because they’re terrible at home. Check the record.
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