Closet Racists Shouldn't Email Mark Cuban

A lot of people had strong reactions to Josh Howard's national anthem diss. And a lot of people had violent, hateful and unabashedly racist reactions that were far more offensive than anything Howard said.

Star-Spangled Banner' Blunders

A camera at a celebrity flag-football game became Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard's worst nightmare. Howard turned to the camera and said, "'The Star-Spangled Banner' is going on right now and I don't even celebrate that s--t. I'm black, goddamnit." Click through the gallery to see other anthem blunders.

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Pop singing "sensation" Kat DeLuna bombed before a national audience on Monday Night football this week. Her horrendous rendition of the national anthem made Americans laugh and cringe simultaneously.
See for Yourself

ESPN / YouTube=

Singer Caroline Marcil forgot the words twice at a 2005 Canada-U.S. hockey game. With fans booing, she left the ice to get the lyrics, only to fall on her butt. See for Yourself

Leopold Rousseau, Le Journal de Quebec / AP

Toni Smith would conduct her own silent protest before each Manhattanville basketball game in 2003. Smith would turn her back on the American flag during the playing of the national anthem in protest of the impending war in Iraq.

Stuart Ramson, AP

Mo Cheeks came to the aid of young Natalie Gilbert who panicked while singing the national anthem before a 2003 Western Conference Quarterfinals playoff game. Cheeks, who was the Portland Trail Blazers head coach at the time, actions inspired an arena-wide sing-a-long. See for Yourself

Jon Ferrey, Getty Images

Macy Gray kicked off her version at the 2001 Pro Football Hall of Fame game by singing, "Oh say, can you see, by the twilight's gleaming."

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

At the 2001 Indianapolis 500, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler famously switched the words to say " ... and the home of the Indianapolis 500."

Tom Strattman, AP

Before Janet Jackson, there was Lucy Lawless. The 'Xena' star busted out of her bustier while singing the high note at a hockey game in 1997.

Universal International Television / Getty Images

Michael Bolton didn't endear himself to fans at Fenway Park before Game 4 of American League Championship Series. The American singer-songwriter forgot the words to the national anthem resulting in a hail of boos. See for Yourself

Ezra Shaw, Getty Images

Denver Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf Abdul-Rauf refused to stand for "The Star-Spangled Banner" before games, stating that the flag was a "symbol of oppression" and that the United States had a long "history of tyranny".

Michael S. Green, AP

I know this first-hand because I've already written two posts about Howard this week (here and here), which means I've been tasked with trying to moderate the hundreds of comments left behind by readers. It's been the worst part of my day -- it's absolutely disgusting the things people will say when hiding behind a curtain of anonymity, things that would almost certainly get a person fired if they said them aloud in their workplace instead of typing them on a computer.

Of course, I wasn't the only person who's had to read all of these comments. Mark Cuban, Howard's employer as well as the most accessible owner in professional sports, received countless "suggestions" by email, but instead of doing what I did (ie, quietly deleting them while lamenting the fate of humanity), he took a more satisfying approach -- sharing them on his blog:

I wanted to thank all of you who took the time to email me with your comments on how best to deal with Josh. They were so good, I thought I would share a few of them with everyone. Including the email addresses of those who were bold enough to use real email addresses.

I won't re-print any of the messages he posted (it'd defeat all the hard work I did trying to keep that stuff off the site, no?), but I absolutely applaud him for doing what he did. Howard's comments were offensive to many Americans, but when it comes to social ills plaguing this country, racism and intolerance trump lack of patriotism any day of the week. (Update: Cuban took the post down, explaining his decision here.)

Outspoken Owner

If you thought Mark Cuban saves his wrath for NBA officials, you're wrong. The fiery owner posted some of the racist e-mails he got regarding the Josh Howard incident on his blog, being sure to add in the sender's e-mail address. See some more of Cuban's colorful tenure in sports.

Roy Dabner, AP

Cuban, who became a billionaire by selling his company to Yahoo! in 1999, purchased the Dallas Mavericks in 2000 for $285 million from H. Ross Perot Jr. The Mavericks were a floundering NBA franchise, having a small following and struggling on the court.

Paul Buck, AFP / Getty Images

Cuban became a very hands-on owner, spending his time on the court rather than up in the owner's box, and not afraid to celebrate or scream at officials or players.

Ronald Martinez, Getty Images

Cuban has had his share of spats with NBA commissioner David Stern, as the league has fined the owner more than $1.6 million for various comments and actions.

Bill Janscha, AP

After saying "I wouldn't hire him to manage a Dairy Queen" about the NBA's head of officiating in 2002, the company challenged Cuban to work in one of its stores for a day. Cuban accepted, and served frozen treats at a Texas location.

LM Otero, AP

Even Cuban's ex-players aren't spared wrath, as after the former Maverick returned to Dallas in the 2005-06 season, the owner encouraged fans to shower him with boos.

Douglas C. Pizac, AP

Even one of his own players thought Cuban should take a lesser role one the sideline. Saying it was a "bit much" for him to be next to the bench, Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki said "he's got to learn how to control himself as well as the players do."

J. Pat Carter, AP

Cuban's biggest fine came after the 2006 NBA Finals, as he was fined a quarter-million dollars for various transgressions during Game 5 as the Mavericks fell behind in a series they led 2-0 and eventually lost to Miami.

Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

In 2007, Cuban competed with Kym Johnson on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," and lasted five episodes before he was voted off the program.

Carol Kaelson, ABC

Cuban's latest sports venture could include one of baseball's storied franchises, as he's in the running to buy the Chicago Cubs from Tribune Company.

Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images