Sorry for the tardiness of this post but as Zohn readers know I was away the past two days. This post is about Al Davis and poor taste.

After George Steinbrenner died Davis issued a statement about him. I, of course, never got the statement because the Raiders don’t send me statements. I am in select company along with T. Kawakami and M. Poole, also on the non-person Raiders’ list.

This is what Davis said re: Steinbrenner, a statement I read in the paper: “I judge sports figures based on individual achievement, team achievement and contributions to the game. George was right up there with me at No. 1.”

Why is this statement in poor taste?

1. Steinbrenner died. If Al really thinks a lot of the guy he should have spoken exclusively about Steinbrenner and not horned in on the spotlight. He made his statement as much about himself as Steinbrenner. Poor taste.

2. Someone who accomplished a lot doesn’t brag about himself. He lets other people brag about him.  By bragging about himself Al showed poor taste.

3. He also showed — maybe — he’s not as secure as we think. This statement seems like the statement of a man who fears people don’t value him and will forget about him unless he toots his own horn. Sad.