net
Cheesehead
Wilde with another piece of first-rate journalism. The guy has guts.
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Packers: Race concerns could be factor for Barnett
JASON WILDE
608-252-6176
[email protected]
GREEN BAY - Nick Barnett sat in his locker and pondered the question. After what he has learned the past few weeks, the Green Bay Packers linebacker wanted to choose his words carefully.
Last September, Barnett, the Packers' 2003 first-round draft pick, opened FiveSix Ultra Lounge - named for his jersey number - in the former Historic West Theatre building in Green Bay's Broadway district.
Initially billed as a restaurant and nightclub, critics say FiveSix evolved instead into a bar that happened to serve food, which goes against why the city granted Barnett a license in the first place.
Neighbors from one of the few residential sites near the club also complained recently about bar-time noise, drunkenness, fights and littering, and one person turned a videotape of the area over to a local TV station and the City Council.
According to police records obtained by the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the club had 22 police calls in the first five months of 2006.
So when Barnett's liquor license came up for renewal May 31, the city's Protection and Welfare Committee voted 3-1 to deny his application. At the City Council's June 6 meeting, the vote was 8-4 to uphold the committee's recommendation.
Those are the facts. What Barnett can't help but wonder is whether race played a role in the city's decision. Not necessarily his race, but that of his patrons, many of whom are black.
"I was born in an interracial couple. My mom is black, my dad was white," said Barnett, whose club remains open as he appeals the decision. "So I don't have a problem with (being black in Green Bay).
"I'm not saying the whole city is racist - that's not what I'm saying. But we do get stereotyped here. Like, when (the members of the council) were watching the video of my club. They looked at the way people were dressed and said, 'How do you get that element in your club?' Well, what do you mean by 'element?' Just because they're black? Is that the 'element' you're talking about?"
When Barnett raised the race issue shortly before the vote, alderman Guy Zima told the Press-Gazette that such an assertion was "make believe." But given the long-standing perception throughout the NFL that Green Bay isn't a place where black players enjoy playing, Barnett's situation probably won't help matters.
"I haven't had any direct problems, but maybe it's because of the way I carry myself. If you're out there doing the whole gangsta thing or the thug thing, then I think people will have a problem with it - here, Milwaukee, Sheboygan, wherever," said veteran long snapper Rob Davis, who joined the Packers in 1997 and lives in Green Bay year-round.
"In the 10 years that I've been here, five minority-run bars have closed. I don't know if it's bad management, the 'element,' the clientele or what. I don't know. I do know that the diversity of this city is changing, and not all the change has been positive.
"Before, if you saw a black man, you could identify them pretty easily - a few guys from town, and the rest were players. But over the years, there's been more and more minorities here, and I anticipate it to continue to grow."
Davis pointed out that few current players pursue business interests in the area, and the best-known ex-player to own a bar here is glory-days offensive lineman Fuzzy Thurston.
"It's discouraging that instead of working with me, they're trying to put me out of business," said Barnett, who also lives in Green Bay full-time and is moving his mother and sister here this week. "Do you expect any of these guys in this locker room to invest in this community now? I wouldn't suggest for them to do that."
Coach Mike McCarthy, whose parents owned a bar in Pittsburgh while he was growing up, said the situation "hasn't hurt (Barnett's) performance professionally" during the team's organized team activity practices, which end today. Still, Barnett's contract expires after the 2007 season, and he admitted his experience of the last few weeks will factor into his decision whether to re-sign with the team.
"I want to play here, I do. I want to be part of this organization. But it is one of the things I will be thinking about when I'm making my decision," Barnett said. "I mean, who wants to be in a city that doesn't want you to invest in the community?"
Extra points
Quarterback Brett Favre left town after practice and has been excused from today's final OTA, McCarthy said. ... Starting center Scott Wells was missing from practice, so rookie Jason Spitz moved over from right guard while Junius Coston, whom Spitz overtook at right guard earlier in camp, worked there. ... Also among the missing: linebacker Tracy White, center Wayne Lucier and cornerback Jerron Wishom, one of eight defensive backs who did not practice Tuesday, leaving only three cornerbacks: Ahmad Carroll, Patrick Dendy and Therrian Fontenot.
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Packers: Race concerns could be factor for Barnett
JASON WILDE
608-252-6176
[email protected]
GREEN BAY - Nick Barnett sat in his locker and pondered the question. After what he has learned the past few weeks, the Green Bay Packers linebacker wanted to choose his words carefully.
Last September, Barnett, the Packers' 2003 first-round draft pick, opened FiveSix Ultra Lounge - named for his jersey number - in the former Historic West Theatre building in Green Bay's Broadway district.
Initially billed as a restaurant and nightclub, critics say FiveSix evolved instead into a bar that happened to serve food, which goes against why the city granted Barnett a license in the first place.
Neighbors from one of the few residential sites near the club also complained recently about bar-time noise, drunkenness, fights and littering, and one person turned a videotape of the area over to a local TV station and the City Council.
According to police records obtained by the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the club had 22 police calls in the first five months of 2006.
So when Barnett's liquor license came up for renewal May 31, the city's Protection and Welfare Committee voted 3-1 to deny his application. At the City Council's June 6 meeting, the vote was 8-4 to uphold the committee's recommendation.
Those are the facts. What Barnett can't help but wonder is whether race played a role in the city's decision. Not necessarily his race, but that of his patrons, many of whom are black.
"I was born in an interracial couple. My mom is black, my dad was white," said Barnett, whose club remains open as he appeals the decision. "So I don't have a problem with (being black in Green Bay).
"I'm not saying the whole city is racist - that's not what I'm saying. But we do get stereotyped here. Like, when (the members of the council) were watching the video of my club. They looked at the way people were dressed and said, 'How do you get that element in your club?' Well, what do you mean by 'element?' Just because they're black? Is that the 'element' you're talking about?"
When Barnett raised the race issue shortly before the vote, alderman Guy Zima told the Press-Gazette that such an assertion was "make believe." But given the long-standing perception throughout the NFL that Green Bay isn't a place where black players enjoy playing, Barnett's situation probably won't help matters.
"I haven't had any direct problems, but maybe it's because of the way I carry myself. If you're out there doing the whole gangsta thing or the thug thing, then I think people will have a problem with it - here, Milwaukee, Sheboygan, wherever," said veteran long snapper Rob Davis, who joined the Packers in 1997 and lives in Green Bay year-round.
"In the 10 years that I've been here, five minority-run bars have closed. I don't know if it's bad management, the 'element,' the clientele or what. I don't know. I do know that the diversity of this city is changing, and not all the change has been positive.
"Before, if you saw a black man, you could identify them pretty easily - a few guys from town, and the rest were players. But over the years, there's been more and more minorities here, and I anticipate it to continue to grow."
Davis pointed out that few current players pursue business interests in the area, and the best-known ex-player to own a bar here is glory-days offensive lineman Fuzzy Thurston.
"It's discouraging that instead of working with me, they're trying to put me out of business," said Barnett, who also lives in Green Bay full-time and is moving his mother and sister here this week. "Do you expect any of these guys in this locker room to invest in this community now? I wouldn't suggest for them to do that."
Coach Mike McCarthy, whose parents owned a bar in Pittsburgh while he was growing up, said the situation "hasn't hurt (Barnett's) performance professionally" during the team's organized team activity practices, which end today. Still, Barnett's contract expires after the 2007 season, and he admitted his experience of the last few weeks will factor into his decision whether to re-sign with the team.
"I want to play here, I do. I want to be part of this organization. But it is one of the things I will be thinking about when I'm making my decision," Barnett said. "I mean, who wants to be in a city that doesn't want you to invest in the community?"
Extra points
Quarterback Brett Favre left town after practice and has been excused from today's final OTA, McCarthy said. ... Starting center Scott Wells was missing from practice, so rookie Jason Spitz moved over from right guard while Junius Coston, whom Spitz overtook at right guard earlier in camp, worked there. ... Also among the missing: linebacker Tracy White, center Wayne Lucier and cornerback Jerron Wishom, one of eight defensive backs who did not practice Tuesday, leaving only three cornerbacks: Ahmad Carroll, Patrick Dendy and Therrian Fontenot.
