Cris Collinsworth | Being Patriotic is Uncool

After watching Michael Phelps win the gold medal over Serbian Milorad Cavic by .01 in the 100 Meter Butterfly about an hour ago, which was absolutely AMAZING!, NBC took it quickly back to the studio with Bob Costas and Cris Collinsworth.

Costas and Collinsworth did the back and forth about Phelps' win and then segued into a taped interview Collinsworth had done with Kobe Bryant, NBC amazed Kobe Bryant is more popular in China than Chinese NBA star Yao Ming.

A little background on Collinsworth:

Cris Collinsworth: The most honored studio analyst in sports television, Collinsworth, who is a co-host with Costas on NBC's "Football Night in America" will serve as an Olympic correspondent, providing on the scene reports throughout Beijing. This will be his second Olympic assignment having reported from the track & field venue in Atlanta in 1996.

Most honored? Unbelievable.

Collinsworth began his affable interview with Bryant, the regular chit chat ensuing, smiles and subdued laughter the order of the first two or three minutes. Collinsworth then asked Bryant to relay the story about receiving his Olympic USA uniform.

Bryant smiled quietly and a pride shown on his face. Something I was not expecting. He said he laid the uniform out on his bed and just looked at it for awhile, pride swelling within him, honored to be representing his country, the best country in the world, in the most prestigious way an American athlete can be lauded - at the Olympics.

Collinsworth wrinkled up his nose, shook his head a little, and said with the smarmiest and most disgusting and patronizing tone of voice with complete incredulity to Bryant:

Where does this "patriotism" come from in you? Historically? Isn't it pretty uncool to say you're proud of your country, that you're even an American? Isn't that pretty much something of the days gone by?

Bryant was stunned to silence for a moment. He simply and clearly replied with even greater incredulity,

Not for me. I'm very proud of my country. It's the best country in the world. It's a country that gives opportunity to everyone. No. I'm very proud of my country.

I, too, was stunned. And angered. This is a world-wide broadcast and Collinsworth blatantly admitted he is not proud to be an American, nor does Collinsworth believe it's cool to be patriotic. Collinsworth's remarks are so dyed-in-the-wool NBC-extremist-leftism and THIS is who NBC chooses to represent America for their television station.

Collinsworth is a despicable American and a liberal tool.

Unbelievable.

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UPDATE: Sunday, 17 Aug 08

NewsBusters and Ms Underestimated offer the transcript and video today.

Transcript:

Collinsworth: Where does the patriotism come from inside of you? Historically, what is it?

Kobe: Well, you know it’s just our country, it’s… we believe is the greatest country in the world. It has given us so many great opportunities, and it’s just a sense of pride that you have; that you say ‘You know what? Our country is the best!’

Collinsworth: Is that a ‘cool’ thing to say, in this day and age? That you love your country, and that you’re fighting for the red, white and blue? It seems sort of like a day gone by.

Kobe: No, it’s a cool thing for me to say. I feel great about it, and I’m not ashamed to say it. I mean, this is a tremendous honor.

Link to Video