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Bengals
Mark Curnutte offers the latest on the Cincinnati Bengals


Mark Curnutte started covering the Bengals and the NFL for The Enquirer in 2000. He previously wrote about urban affairs and other social issues for the Enquirer. He won the prestigious 1994 Unity Award from Lincoln University (Missouri) for "A Polite Silence," a seven-day series about race relations in Greater Cincinnati. He also has worked as an assistant features editor and features writer at The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C. Curnutte is second vice president and a three-year board member of the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA). He is a 1984 Miami University graduate.

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Sunday, November 04, 2007

Chad hurt, taken off field

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson is being taken off the field after getting hit by two Bills defenders on an incomplete pass with 1:53 left in the game.

Buffalo leads 33-21, scoring its most recent touchdown on a 56-yard run by tailback Marshawn Lynch.

Medical personnel from both teams were on the field with Johnson, who was moving his legs and both feet. Johnson was face-down on the field.

Buffalo safeties Coy Wire and Donte Whitner hit Johnson, who was out-stretched for the ball.

Wire called the Bills players together on the field, and they knelt in prayer while Johnson was being cared for.

Teammate T.J. Houshmandzadeh was the first Bengals player to get to Johnson. As Johnson was taken off the field, players from both teams were around him.

Johnson's head, neck and body were completed immobilized when he was taken off the field on a stretcher.


47 Comments:

at 11/04/2007 4:08 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

While I hope he's okay, you have to wonder if this is another marketing ploy by him. Think about it, he's been sub par this year and is getting less camera time.

 
at 11/04/2007 4:15 PM Blogger Lisa said...

Is the field cleared yet?

 
at 11/04/2007 4:16 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am donating every Bengals shirt I own (I have three) to Goodwill tomorrow.

 
at 11/04/2007 4:23 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am huge Johnson fan - I love his style of entertaining. My prayers are with him. He's a passionate and talented athelete.

 
at 11/04/2007 4:38 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Talk about fair weather fans! I admit Chads playing this year has not been great but to suggest that he would fake an injury to get more camera time is ridiculous and cold! I would love to see how well you fare after a hit like that as well! Chad is not the only reason why the Bengals have not done well! My thoughts and prayers go out to Chad and his family!

 
at 11/04/2007 4:43 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

You just know it in your gut that this injury is all drama. Pathetic.

 
at 11/04/2007 4:53 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think its crazy for any fan to think that he wants camera time. I think he gets enough attention. If anyone get hit like him they won't be able to get up for days.
I think true fans will stick with him until he gets better. I will pray for him. To me he is the same Chad Johnson and I will always be his fan.
If you are going to donate you shirts then you should not be wearing it in a first place.

 
at 11/04/2007 4:57 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Man, I cannot believe some of the comments about this injury. Do you people REALLY think he would fake an injury? That's absurb. I hope he's okay. I like Chad. He brings energy and enthusiasm to a franchise that really needed the boost. So he's having a bad season? So the whole team is having a bad season? So what. I still support my team.

NO MATTER WHAT.

 
at 11/04/2007 5:04 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

You who think he faked injury are absolutely pathetic!!!!

 
at 11/04/2007 5:07 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Corey Dillon got it right - get the hell out of this racist hick town. White people in Cincinnati, as reflected by the comments below, are nothing but pure idiotic racists! We should send ya'll racists asses to go fight in IRAQ!

Too bad the team cannot win wihout Chad. If Carson's so damn great, why can't he win unless Ocho Cinco is HOT!

White Cincinnatians are an embarrassment to your race! Get some dignity PLS

 
at 11/04/2007 5:09 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FUCKING BLOG ABOUT MARK AND PAUL - THE TWO RACIST!!! WHO'S CENSORING THIS BOARD. FUNNY YOU CAN POST A MSG CHALLENGING THE EFFICACY OF THE INJURY...BUT CANNOT POST A MSG ABOUT WHITE RACISM!!!

 
at 11/04/2007 5:11 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

The only credibility that should be in question is that of white people... you stole this land, stole black people to build it up, George Bush, not Chad Johnson, lied about killing innocent people in IRAQ in order to steal OIL...In other words, GO TO HELL

 
at 11/04/2007 5:12 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Does this team have a defense? What a bunch of losers...

 
at 11/04/2007 5:15 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

How absurd - I would never question an injury in the NFL it is a physically demanding sport. Carson Palmer is notorious for putting both CJ and TJ in some precarious positions. Why even send CJ over the middle in game we're losing. Who's grand idea was that? The dumb as quarterback. Did he do it on purpose?

 
at 11/04/2007 5:15 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

wearing the shirts is an embarrassment.
See the q&a with Mike Brown.
Nothing will ever change.
Tired of being part of the Brown family getting richer and richer with the worst product in the NFL, year in and year out.

 
at 11/04/2007 5:26 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

WHO IS CENSORING THIS SITE? ARE YOU DENYING EQUAL ACCESS BASED ON RACE? I WANT TO SEE MY COMMENTS POSTED!

 
at 11/04/2007 5:31 PM Blogger JerBear said...

He hit the ground hard early in the game and never really seemed to recover.

I hope he's okay.

 
at 11/04/2007 5:40 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

How in the world can you make a comparison of Chad Johnson with George Bush and Iraq?

White racism?

Get a grip!

 
at 11/04/2007 5:45 PM Blogger Mark said...

This is the comment from the reader who has accused Mark Curnutte and Paul Daugherty of being racists and censoring this blog. For the record, his comment was never posted to the blog. It was sent to me via e-mail. I am posting it because I don't censor this blog. -- Mark Curnutte

WOW! I am sure this must be the best day of your lives... You finally got that black man to shut up! (Maybe black folk better learn to listen to the massa!) I hope your wicked evil hearts are finally satisfied. As much as my prayers and thoughts are with Chad Johnson and his family, I continue to pray that God relieve you (and other mainstream Cincinnatians) of your wicked evil racist ideology! God bless,
-- Tee Sundae


Mark & Paul:

On behalf of those who are offended and embarrassed by your racist views, would you please be so kind as to discontinue the lynching of Chad Johnson. I know this is Cincinnati and that means that lynching of blacks is still acceptable. But perhaps the media could help to play a positive role, for a change, in helping to bring a racially divided city together rather than to continue to tear it further apart. I read a piece my Mark recently in which he indicated that Chad Johnson was "minding his manners". What does that mean?

I am currently working on my own piece, which includes both a qualitative and quantitative content analysis of sports news reporting. Much like Donovan McNabb, I believe that white sports writers are unable to communicate without the racist slant that is so deeply embedded within their worldview. It spills over in every article the two of you have written. Ironically, it also spills over into that piece of crap so-called book that Paul wrote about Chad Johnson! While on one hand it is pathological, on the other I am saddened for you. You seem to suffer from an inferiority complex. And, Chad reminds me of this great poem entitled, "Still I Rise"!

I am sure that Chad Johnson, like many other blacks in the community who have identified the real source of your anger, deeply regrets that Carson Palmer cannot live to the media hype! Yet, I have never seen one article by either of you raising the question about his abilities. His record is the same as Jon Kitna's. There's nothing special or gifted about him. The average "great white hope"! Don't use Chad Johnson as the scapegoat for your error in over stating the talents of Carson Palmer. That's pathological! It's actually worse - it's wicked! It's pure unadulterated racism. STOP, Please!

For once, help Cincinnati to appear as a beacon of hope... a city that can rise above race riots... a city with dignity. We are not a hick town, please stop presenting us such. Chad Johnson neither needs nor deserves your racist paternalism. You have lynched him enough. And, for what reason? Because he actually has talent, skills and abilities. That's sick!

Once I have finished my analysis of your work, I will ask the editor of the Enquirer to publish the conclusion. In a way, I certainly understand you inability to write in an unbiased manner. You are who you are - and, so is Chad Johnson. And, if it is ok for you to be a racist, then it is certainly more than ok for him to be an entertainer. Let's face the real facts - the Bengals were nothing (and will be nothing) without him. He gave the team and the city a personality! While I do not think that an astute business man like Mike Brown would trade trade Chad Johnson, I wonder if all this lynching will cause Chad Johnson to demand a trade. Oh, by the way, Chad has absolutely nothing to lose in a trade! The City of Cincinnati and the Bengals would suffer the loss. No more prime time games, for sure!

I am sure that Carson Palmer hates playing in the shadow of a black man. I am sure the media has continually helped to reinforce that the "great white hope" should not have to play in the shadow of a black person. That's sad. But, if Carson Palmer had the talent, personality, and most importantly, the grace of God, then he would not be playing in the shadow of Chad Johnson. Personally, I pray that Chad Johnson gets traded to a team who has real talent (not media hype) at the quarterback position - so that he can win a super bowl ring. I also believe that with him out of the picture the media will need to find another scapegoat for the inferior performance of the great white hope... perhaps you can blame the defense, TJ, Willie Anderson... you'll have many other black players to choose from.

In the end, the Bible states it best, "He who dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty". I believe Chad Johnson dwells in the Secret Place. God will protect him from this persecution and lynching. He will reveal the true deficiencies of this football team. I only hope and pray that God can remove the hate and wickedness from each of you so that one day you can write professional articles motivated by actual events rather than by the color of player's skin. You are an embarrassment to your race and to the City. God bless,

 
at 11/04/2007 5:48 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I guarantee that Chad is alright. The hit on him was not that bad or they would have showed it in slow motion over and over, like Tim Krumrie's leg. He is a drama queen and the team was taking every precaution. He seemed to lay on the field for 10 minutes before they got him off. Channel 12 just said that he has movement in all extrememties and is on the way to the team plane right now. What a drama queen. Future H.O.F. my as, why doesn't he ever talk about the drops in the open field, all he cares about are his celebrations which if he didn't do, hardly anyone would hear about him outside of Cincinnati.

 
at 11/04/2007 5:50 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

This town is pathetic. Just a bunch of spiteful, nasty, mean spirited monsters.

"Oh, he faked the injury!" "Fire Marvin the Affirmative Action hire!" "Trade Chad!"

Pa-the-tic.

You're not true fans. True fans hate to lose, but they don't talk about their team like you people do. What a hateful and angry city.

 
at 11/04/2007 5:51 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I read that on an internet blog yesterday. I hope no one feels that way about Chad Johnson or any other player or person.

 
at 11/04/2007 5:54 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Criticizing someone of a different race doesn't automatically equate to racism. Many white fans have been bashing Adam Dunn for the last couple of years - Dunn is as about as white as they come!

 
at 11/04/2007 5:57 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Interesting that the first and ONLY person to bring up race in any way is this lone idiot who goes on this rant about a racist city and goes on to criticize an NFL Franchise, the President of the United States, Mark Curnette, Paul Daughtery and the white race in general.

No one else was talking about race--they were discussing football, and one individual personality on the team.

You, sir, are the racist, because you cannot see past your own bias and bigotry when reading this blog.

 
at 11/04/2007 5:58 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tee Sundae,

Are you smart enough to realize that an email to Mark doesn't automatically post to his blog? There is a difference between posting on a blog and sending an email, and it isn't quite rocket science to figure that out!

 
at 11/04/2007 6:03 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tee Sundae,

I think that you owe Mark an apology for accusing him of censoring "your post" when in actuality, you sent him an e-mail, not a post!

 
at 11/04/2007 6:06 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, I am smart enough to know racism when I see it. Hey Mark, you conveniently forgot to include the title of email "The LYNCHING of Chad Johnson". I am sure that was an oversight on your part, right? Hey, as for affirmative action, I think we all know that in this country if you're white we AFFIRM you will get a job - with or without talent, primarily without. Mark, I'm glad you finally decided to stop censoring comments as you've done historically.

 
at 11/04/2007 6:09 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't owe Mark shit. I actually have a page print out of the comment that has yet to make its way onto this site! If anything, I think Mark owes Chad Johnson an apology for the unwarranted attempted lynch...

 
at 11/04/2007 6:09 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Really?!? The writer of that article is clearly bitter about something that is out of the control of a writer. Dude, or chick, needs to take a shower, get a beer, and smile. It would do a world of good for you.


I do not know where and why you think of all this stuff but seriously, please quit. Its stupid!

You speak of god often, but I really do not think your god would want you to address your problem in that manor. But I don't know, maybe he/she/it does. Whatever, but really, your story is old and unneeded. The writers aren't racist. They really aren't. Get over it.

White-Male-Amelia-24 Years Old

 
at 11/04/2007 6:11 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow! Such hate...such vitrol!

I agree with the assessment on Carson Palmer about passes to the open field. TJ and Chad are getting KILLED! I believe somewhat in the Cincinnati racist sports fans angle. There was Frank Robinson, Eric Davis, Dave Parker, and now Chad getting criticised by the fans. That being said, Chad dropped his share of easy passes today and this season. Some of the culpability DOES lie with him.
He DOES need to step up his game in order for the Bengals to be good. Trade him? No way!

 
at 11/04/2007 6:36 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tee Sundae refuses to eat vanilla ice cream.

 
at 11/04/2007 6:45 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is hilarious. Chad Johnson has the grace of God but Carson Palmer doesn't? What puts Chad above Carson? Chad's personality has been questioned at times, but we all still love him. Accusing everyone of racism accomplishes nothing and only furthers the complications.

To say Carson doesn't have talent is asinine. He's a multi-probowler (including MVP) and is at the top of the league year in and year out in all the QB statistical categories. When did this turn into a Carson bash?

The people we should be mad at are Mike Brown, Marvin Lewis, Bob Bratkowski and Chuck Breshnanhan. In that order. In case you can't read that, it goes: Old white guy, black coach, white coach, white coach. Since you can only see in black and white....

 
at 11/04/2007 6:55 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I did not speak of God at all. Mark posted that comment. I know there's nothing serious to berating a black man publicly? I am only a social scientist studying the role of the media in spreading racism...it turns out that after reviewing newspapers all across the country...Mark Curnette and Paul Daugherty seemed to be the best source to prove my theory...if my study proves that there is no racial bias in their reporting patterns, I'll gladly advise (somehow I doubt). Don't blame the messenger, you have Paul and Mark's bias so-called news reporting to blame for this...

 
at 11/04/2007 7:00 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

As long as Mike Brown is head of the Bengals they will never be good. I hope that Chad is alright but if we could get a defensive game changer for him I would trade him in a heartbeat. We will never win the big game with Chad self promoting and yelling at Carson. I didn't see Carson go out and yell at Chad after he dropped a pass that could have been a gain of over 50 yards and a possible td. What a drama queen

 
at 11/04/2007 7:01 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

WTF? What is all this stuff about racism? Are you people retarded? Racism is like when you say black players aren't smart enough to learn the plays, or they all smell bad or whatever.

Not supporting a phony like Chad Johnson who happens to be black is not racist. It might not be correct, but its not racist.

 
at 11/04/2007 7:08 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is not about anger or Mike Brown or Marvin Lewis. This is not about the team's poor performance. In fact, I began my study nearly 18 months ago. This is about the way in which the media covers and disseminates news... and nothing more.

 
at 11/04/2007 7:16 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't believe we got to Bush, America and racism. The bengals lost. Their defense has more holes than Swiss cheese and they can't stop anyone.

As a fan I'll take a bad season and have hope for next year. Some of you take things too seriously. Its a GAME and its ENTERTAINMENT! Here's hope for 10-6.

 
at 11/04/2007 7:18 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't believe we got to Bush, America and racism. The bengals lost. Their defense has more holes than Swiss cheese and they can't stop anyone.

As a fan I'll take a bad season and have hope for next year. Some of you take things too seriously. Its a GAME and its ENTERTAINMENT! Here's hope for 10-6.

 
at 11/04/2007 7:28 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you think that the Bengals will go 10-6 this year I have some ocean front property in Hyde Park to sell you

 
at 11/04/2007 8:05 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hyde Park is really not my taste....You are right, 10-6 is a bit of a fairy tale. At the rate the bengals are going, they are in the hunt for the #1 pick. Anyone marking draft day on the calendar yet????

 
at 11/04/2007 8:34 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

It does not matter where they draft or who they draft, they will still be a losing team next year. 5 wins is a fairy tale for this year which is saying something because the rest of their schedule is against weak teams. They will not be good until mike brown is gone or people stop supporting the team and force Mikey to make a change. BTW Mikey said in an interview in the Enquirer today Marvin is safe, boy I was worried we would get rid of the best time management coach who wins every play he challenges and the best motivator and the best PR coach we have had EVER.

 
at 11/04/2007 8:41 PM Blogger Unknown said...

Last week after play we had the #8 pick in the draft, we could move to #7 or even #6 this week!!!!

YES!!!!!!!

 
at 11/04/2007 10:39 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, we can draft another hopeful rookie and ruin his career like we have to so many players, Klingler, Smith, Palmer, Levi etc... Boy I can not wait for that one.

 
at 11/05/2007 12:03 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tee Sundae

I've done these studies for school as well...it really just doesn't matter. They are not racist. I hope in your "conclusion" you make sure you state that you are though.

Come on, these guys that do the reporting do not care what color Chad is. They report what he does, Paul gives his opinion and if you don't like it don't read it. Please quit telling us that our city is racist. Racism is everywhere. Its apart of life, don't just think it is in Cincinnati.

Really get a life, get over it, and smile. Its that simple.

Its idiotic to think that two reporters write a story based on the color of someones skin. Its stupid. It really is. Seriously, stupid. Give it up!

 
at 11/05/2007 9:47 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Personally, I think they all should be carted off the field and given x-rays. Maybe they will find out what is wrong.

 
at 11/05/2007 12:19 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I suspect Tee Sundae is white wind-up-merchant.

The apparent opinions of this individual are so ridiculous that they simply can not be earnest.

 
at 11/05/2007 4:26 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tee Sundae and the others out there with their racist comments:

If Marvin was white, he'd still suck. If a white player "entertained" like Chad Johnson did, I fully believe he would be berated or "lynched" in the media. I would speak out against him as much as I would speak out about Chad or Marvin.

I find it interesting that Tea has the ability to conveniently overlook the fact that everyone is blasting Mike Brown and that joke of a defensive coordinator the Bungles have. They are both white, by the way.

On the other hand, those who said that Chad may have been faking his injury should have chosen to remain silent with those comments. No matter how much you dislike a person, it's not right to wish them to be hurt, or make fun of them if they are hurt. If someone is faking an injury, or whatever, the truth will eventually come out. What goes around, comes around.

Quit making this all about race. Its a football game! The comments should be (and I believe they are) based on the actions and results of the players, coaches, and others associated with the Bungles, unrelated to the color of their skin.

 
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