CBS president and announcer apologize for 'tough monkey' comment about Georgetown's Iverson

Jet, March 25, 1996

CBS Sports President David Kenin and CBS basketball analyst Billy Packer issued an apology for comments Packer made describing Georgetown basketball star Allen Iverson as a "tough monkey."

Packer apologized on the air during the Georgetown vs. Villanova game for making the comment. Packer was actually attempting to praise Iverson's relentless play.

Following the game Georgetown coach John Thompson, who is one of the country's most outspoken Black coaches, said in the USA Today he doesn't "have to explain to anybody about Billy being a racist because he's not."

Iverson, a sophomore guard, said he didn't think the remarks were racist.

"I've never heard him say something offensive," said Iverson, who added he has watched Packer do his TV analysis "all my life."

* Kentucky Salutes Ali: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali receives a proclamation from Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton during a ceremony in Frankfort, KY, declaring March 6, 1996, as Muhammad Ali Day in the state. Ali, 54, is a former heavyweight and Olympic boxing champion. He is also a native of Louisville.

* Count On Robinson:

San Antonio Spurs' David Robinson hangs out with The Count on "Sesame Street" during a recent episode of the children's show. Robinson dribbled his basketball as The Count and children on the show counted the number of dribbles. The 7-foot-1 center said doing the show was one of the highlights of his career. "`Sesame Street' is something I grew up with," Robinson said. "It ranks right up there... Let me see, I've got the Olympics up there, getting MVP, but `Sesame Street' ranks up there in the top five."

* Announcing New Inductees:

Bill White, former National League president and acting Commissioner of the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee, meets the press in Tampa, FL, after announcing inductees into baseball's Hall of Fame. Negro League pitcher Bill Foster was the only Black inducted this season into the Cooperstown, NY, shrine. Former managers Earl Weaver and Ned Hanlon, and ex-Philadelphia Phillies' hurler Jim Bunning were also inducted. For the first time in 25 years, the baseball writers did not elect anyone to the Hall. When the baseball writers fail to make a selection, then the Veterans Committee takes it upon itself to vote on players who in the past did not qualify for induction. The Veterans Committee consists of former players and officials.

* Patton Becomes Permanent:

Ricardo Patton holds hands with his wife, Jennifer, after he was named the permanent head coach of the men's basketball team at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Patton, 38, served as interim head coach since Joe Harrington resigned earlier this season (Jet, Feb. 5). At Jet press time, the Buffaloes were participating in the Big Eight Conference tournament, with a 9-17 record.

Bears Sign Curtis Conway To $10 million Contract

The Chicago Bears recently managed to keep their standout wide receiver Curtis Conway in town by signing him to a four-year, $10 million deal.

Conway, who turned 25 a week after signing the deal, received a $3 million signing bonus.

Conway, the Bears' 1993 first-round draft pick from the University of Southern California (USC), caught 62 passes last season for 1,037 yards and 12 touchdowns--one shy of the team record.

During his three-year National Football League (NFL) career, Conway has 120 receptions for a total of 1,814 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Conway also tied a 48-year-old team record for catching touchdown passes in seven consecutive games last season.