(NFL linebacker) Porter now says he won't diss President Bush

[quaoar]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12839528/

Steelers' LB had said, 'I don’t like the way things are running right now'

PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter is backing off tongue-in-cheek comments that he plans to tell President Bush next month that he dislikes how the country is being run.

During the Steelers’ minicamp last weekend, Porter was smiling and laughing when he told reporters he had “something to say to Bush” during the Super Bowl champions’ June 2 visit to the White House.

“I’m going to have a swagger when I walk in there, too,” Porter said. “I’m looking forward to it but, like I said, I have something to tell him, too. I don’t like the way things are running right now. I feel like he’s got to give me some of my money back, so I got something to tell to Bush.”

The Pro Bowl linebacker issued a statement Wednesday saying he regrets making comments that some apparently construed as serious.

[babylonsister]

1. Who got to him? nt

[Teaser]

3. Paul Tagliabue

my guess.

[Mandate My Ass]

2. Bush to Porter: "Who cares what you think."

I think he should go for it.

[Bill McBlueState]

4. I'm not sure why the clarification was necessary

Like the article says, these were tongue-in-cheek comments. I don't think anyone was really expecting him to tell Bush off to his face. So I don't know why he felt the need to issue a statement. His or the NFL's lawyers probably thought it was the safe thing to do.

Notice that in none of his direct quotes does Porter actually retreat from his claim that he doesn't "like the way things are running right now."

[Beware the Beast Man]

5. Aw, come on, Joey!

Since when have you backed down from a good trash talking???

[tanyev]

6. If you get a chance to meet Bush face-to-face,

don't announce your plans to diss him in advance.