Mavericks' Howard insults national anthem
Troubled player says he doesn't celebrate the song because he's black
 | Josh Howard was told by Mavericks owner Mark Cuban that he and other players should be careful of what they say around cellphone cameras. |
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DALLAS - The battered reputation of Josh Howard took another hit this week when an online video surfaced showing the Dallas Mavericks forward disrespecting the national anthem.
In a video posted on YouTube, Howard is shown on a football field at a charity flag football game. As the national anthem plays in the background, Howard approaches a camera and says: "'The Star Spangled Banner' is going on right now. I don't even celebrate that (expletive). I'm black."
Howard's agent, Jeff Schwartz, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said the team dealt with Howard's flag football episode after it happened in July.
"That said, we will be going through some advanced communication-skill sessions together this training camp," Cuban told the Dallas Morning News. "I have explained to him that cellphone cameras are not your friend and that what you think you said on camera is never what people will hear when it shows up on YouTube or TV."
The incident is the latest off-court problem for Howard, a fifth-year pro from Wake Forest who averaged 19.9 points and seven rebounds last season. He was arrested in July when police said he was drag racing at 94 mph in a 55 zone. A court appearance was scheduled for next week.
Howard was criticized last season for saying in a radio interview during a first-round playoff series against New Orleans that he occasionally smokes marijuana. Later that same series, he angered coach Avery Johnson by throwing himself a birthday bash after a Game 4 loss to the Hornets.
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