Josh Howard apparently doesn't think that he should show respect for the United States National Anthem because he's black. During a charity football game a couple of months ago he was recorded saying "The Star-Spangled Banner' is going on. I don't celebrate this [expletive]. I'm black." on someone's cell phone and it was placed on youtube. 

Being that this is America, Josh Howard is entitled to his opinion. I wouldn't consider myself to be overly patriotic but when I think about how my parents left Egypt to come to the United States so that I could have a better life and live with greater freedom, I have learned to respect this country and what it has given me. 

If you think about Josh Howard and how he has become a multi-millionaire based on his ability to play basketball, you would think that he would have more respect for this country. Yes, history has shown that the US has not always been friendly to black people but Josh Howard isn't a slave. He is a star who has more than most people could ever dream of. 

Fairly recently, during the NBA playoffs, Josh Howard admitted to "occaisionally" smoking marijuana which is in violation of the NBA's drug policy. He wasn't caught in a drug test so the league didn't do anything in reaction. It was a very bad time to be saying that since his team was in the middle of the playoff hunt. 

Later during the offseason, Josh was arrested for drag racing in his hometown in North Carolina. And now, he says something like this about one of the strongest symbols of America. 

I don't really care if Josh Howard loves this country or hates this country. That is entirely up to him and he has the right to his opinion and the right to express his opinion. That is part of what makes this country so great. But I can't help but think that he doesn't think things through before he speaks. He has to feel that he is in the spotlight being that he is an NBA athlete. He knows that people are going to scrutinize everything that he does or says. He is from North Carolina and plays basketball in Dallas, Texas. If he was in New York or California, he might not have offended many of his fans by saying these sort of things. But considering the type of people that live in those areas, he probably pissed off a bunch of "Real Americans". 

My biggest problem isn't that he said or did any of the things that he has done recently. If he want's to do drugs, street race his car, and disrespect the national anthem, that is fine with me. But I can't help but think that he is squandering the gifts that he has been given. To be able to get paid to play basketball would be a dream come true for me. To get paid millions of dollars and have fans wearing your jersey and kids looking up to you would be more than I could ask for. Josh Howard has that and the potential to be even more but his actions lately have really soured his prospects. Ten years from now, I expect people to look back at Josh Howard and think, "What a waste."