Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Go, Bob Harris, Go

For thirty years sportscaster Bob Harris has been the familiar “Voice of the Duke Blue Devils.” He broadcasts both football and basketball games. Last year Bob broadcast his 1000th Duke basketball game. He was recently inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Bob’s also a good neighbor and friend to many in Durham. I couldn’t tell you the number of times Bob has helped sports youth groups find speakers for their awards dinners or agreed to serve as MC at a function at a retirement home.

Bob’s Hall of Fame citation includes this:

”[He’s] been extremely involved in community service, with countless celebrity appearances as well as behind-the-scenes work for a host of charitable causes.”
So yesterday morning, Election Day, DA Mike Nifong knew exactly what he was doing when, with TV camera’s rolling, he approached Bob "for a handshake."

"The handshake" was sure to be on the local Noon Hour and Five and Six O’clock news programs.

Nifong no doubt was inwardly salivating at the thought of viewers who hadn’t yet voted watching and hearing about “a smiling DA Mke Nifong shaking hands this morning outside a polling station with Bob Harris, the very popular ‘Voice of the Duke Blue Devils.’”

But Harris knew what Nifong’s game was and he called it (from WTVD):
Eyewitness News cameras were rolling when Nifong tried to shake hands and say hello to Bob Harris, the voice of Duke sports. Harris was in his car as Nifong walked up.

"You've got to be nicer than that," Nifong said.

"Get out of here," Harris said. "Don't pull this crap."

"This isn't about Duke," Nifong said. "This isn't about Duke at all."

"No," Harris said. "It's about honesty. You're not honest."
Wasn't that wonderful, what Harris did?

I’m sending him the email below.

KC Johnson and Johnsville News also posted on Harris’ truth telling.

You can read more about Bob here.

*********************************************************
Dear Bob:

Thirty great years as the “Voice of the Blue Devils!”

And then yesterday morning, with “Don’t pull that crap” and “It’s all about honesty. You’re not honest,” you were “the voice” of all of us who want a Durham DA who’s fair and seeks justice for all.

Yesterday was one of your most memorable and important “broadcasts.” It’s heartened those of us in the Durham and Duke communities and elsewhere who are pressing on in the fight to right wrongs.

And as we all know, your words will be special to those who've suffered most because of Nifong's travesties: the players and their families.

I posted on your remarks at my blog. Here’s the link.

Best,

John
www.johnincarolina.com

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Bob,
I admire you so much for the stance you took yesterday with Nifong. You displayed integrity when faced with this dishonest man looking for a photo op for the evening news. Thank you so much for representing Duke University.

Anonymous said...

Hear, hear, Mr. Harris. You stood up for the evils that Nifong is perpretrating on three young men, Duke and Durham. Thank you for being my "voice" too.
Texas Mom

Anonymous said...

Mr. Harris--- Thank you so much!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Harris---You really brightened my day! I am so concerned for these boys and for Duke, I have trouble sleeping at night.

Anonymous said...

bob,

Thanks for standing up for what is right.

Anonymous said...

Too bad Dick Brodhead does not have the same level of passion for Duke students!

Anonymous said...

Bob,
Thanks for standing up for truth and honesty!!!

A fan in California

Anonymous said...

Bravo Bob !!

You sent the message that this Duke Alum has been waiting to hear from "somebody/anybody" from the Duke Administration to say -

- I applaud your candid and genuine disdain for Nifong's deceit and dishonesty.


Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Hooray for Bob Harris. This little stunt by Nifong shows what a pompous blowhard he has proven to be. Sure, grab the cameras and greet a known Duke University figure on election day. Not so fast, there Mikey! Think how awkward it was for Mr. Harris to be put in that situation, and you KNOW Nifong was aware of that. Good for Bob for telling Nifong in no uncertain terms to buzz off. "This isn't about Duke University." He is pathetic. Thank you, Bob Harris. As for the D.A., realize you received fewer votes than a guy who refused to campaign or serve and a nobody (no offense to Mr. Monks) Republican.

It's an amazing feat to turn Duke University scholarship athletes into sympathethic figures, but Mr. Nifong has done it.

Anonymous said...

Dear Bob,

Bob and I are so proud of you and the stance you took yesterday. Nice to know you as our "friend."

Anonymous said...

Nifong tried to trap Harris in his car as he arrived to exercise his right to vote. He also knew he was putting Harris in an uncomfortable situation. "Oh Bob" indeed. It takes a small man to act like that and DA Nifong has lived up to that in a big way...kudos to Bob Harris. Now we know who should've run against Mr. Nifong.

Anonymous said...

Dear Bob, I know your actions yesterday were indicative of your own honesty and your loyalty to Duke University. I support your comments fully and wish Icould have been there myself.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I tell you baby this increases my paranoia
Yeah, like looking in my mirror and seeing a police car
Well, well, I'm not, I'm not giving in an inch to fear
Well, you know I've promised myself this year
Well, I feel oh, like I owe it, I owe, I owe it to someone
Oh ... like I owe it to someone

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1735116/posts

Anonymous said...

Dear Bob:

Nifong knew good and well what he was doing and hats off to you for dusting him off.He is a disgrace to his profession and shame on him for delaying this thing beyond reason. He is such a fake and you are the man for standing up to him. THANKS.

Anonymous said...

Jack Lynch, Nifong is a disgrace to his race.... the human race.

Anonymous said...

A "family" member said to me why are the people down there so different than us? I said there are good and bad people everywhere. I reminded them of good people of North Carolina like Beth Brewer, Professor Coleman and John in Carolina. Now I can add Bob Harris to the list. Bless you Bob.

Anonymous said...

Bob,
Maybe YOU should run for President! Thanks for having the #%6@^ to stand up for people everywhere, not just the young men at Duke! While some will certainly object, the masses will appreciate your actions. We need more people like you Mr Harris!