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Mendenhall To Sue Over Lost Endorsement Deal

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Reporting Ken Rice

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall isn’t happy with losing an endorsement deal.

KDKA-TV’s Ken Rice has learned that Mendenhall will sue Champion Athletic’s parent company, Hanesbrands, for ending his endorsement deal.

Champion cut ties with Mendenhall because of his controversial tweets that questioned the celebration of Osama bin Laden’s death in May.

On his official Twitter page, Mendenhall posted:

“What kind of person celebrates death? It’s amazing how people hate a man they never even heard speak. We’ve only heard one side.”

“I’m not convinced he was even behind the attacks. We have really seen no evidence to prove it other than the government telling us.”

At the time of the termination, Champion released a statement, saying in part:

“While we respect Mr. Mendenhall’s right to express sincere thoughts regarding potentially controversial topics, we no longer believe that Mr. Mendenhall can appropriately represent Champion and we have notified Mr. Mendenhall that we are ending our business relationship.”

A day after the controversial tweets, Mendenhall posted a blog explaining what he was trying to say.

In it, Mendenhall said he does not support Osama bin Laden and is not against the United States.

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View Comments
  • g

    He should be fired

  • Kurt

    You’d think a guy as wise and insightful as #34 – or, at least, who thinks he’s wise and insightful – would realize that there are consequences that follow from his actions.

    I wonder how he could have missed that during the time he spent in his deep, philisophical degree program (in “Sports Management”) at Illinois…?

  • The Truth

    The sense of entitlement has no bounds. Rashard, your free speech changed the way you’re peceived by Champion. They no longer feel you represent them. Move on….

  • Joe Boxer

    I want to sue Rashard for fumbling away what would have been a touchdown drive in the superbowl……twit that

  • Kris

    I said it before – when you’re a professional, you have to conduct yourself in a professional manner at ALL times. Whether you like it or not, your in a position where you are looked up to, and your remarks, positive or negative, reflect not only on you, but on your coach, team owner, organization, and most of all, the fans. Whether you meant anything by it or not, people could still perceive your comments in a negative manner, and that is not good marketing for Champion. I understand why they are doing this. Next time, keep your comments to yourself!

  • Nicole

    He should spend more time learning to hold the god damn football instead of sending tweets about somehting that happened 10 years ago.

  • CHUTE PAGLIONI

    Mendenthal thinks Champion owes him something. I got news for you Mendenthal, I wouldn’t want you endorsing any of my products neither. Shut up and take your firing like a man. No one owes you nothing. Why would an American company want an Individual like yourself with an anti-American view endorsing there products. It’s the kiss of death. Unless Al QUeida wheres Champion Sneakers.

  • CHUTE PAGLIONI

    TRADE HIM TO THE JET’S.

    • TheTruth

      The team you are referring to is the Jets, not the “Jet’s.” I don’t know why any Steelers fans would want to get rid of this guy. Judging by the amount of comments I heard about 9/11 at the AFC Championship game in January, I think there are many anti-American people in Pittsburgh.

  • bruceUSA

    What happened to the gridiron icons of years gone by that stood up for their spiritual beliefs and not their political ones. We need the role models of yesteryear ’cause the one’s of today are just “dropping the ball”.

    • bologna

      LOL!!

  • bologna

    mendenhall is the man. it doesnt matter what he says as long as he scores TD’s for my fantasy team. football is a dopes sport. I only watch to collect $$$ from my league. seriously, who gives a ______!???

  • GoSteelers

    Is Mendenhall giving a tugjob in that photo??

  • http://tedwilliamshead.com/2011/07/19/links-edition-4/ On The Links – Nipple Foot Edition | Ted Williams Head

    [...] Rashard Mendenhall Sues Champion For Losing Endorsement Deal Over Osama bin Laden Tweets – CBS [...]

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