Ikes apology

[Fishhead]

Hey you have to give this guy credit, he stood up, took the heat, said he was wrong, why he is wrong and asked forgiveness. I for one will allow him his indiscretion, fogive and move on.

What he did is a lot more than some of the other Pro's that have done things wrong in T and said nothing, nada! Arron Martens for instance winning the T without having a proper state license for one, he ws even ticketed by the DNR and he still kept the win and screwed Tim Horton out of the win. I won't even get into our elected politicians who screw up and then act as if its our fault.

I am not an Ike fan of his actions, I think he has great angling ability and fishing sense, but give credit where credit is deserved. He had the nads to admit his mistake and ask forgiveness.

Here is his PUBLIC apology below:


Ike apologizes 2/28/2006
Ranger Boats announced today that it had dropped its sponsorship of Mike Iaconelli due his actions on day 1 of the Bassmaster Classic (see the statement from Ranger president Randy Hopper below). BASS later issued the following statement from Iaconelli:

"I want to publicly apologize to anyone I have offended by my recent actions during the 2006 Bassmaster Classic. As you know, I am a very passionate person. Sometimes my emotions get the best of me and that is exactly what happened. After finding several of my fish dying, I handled this crisis in the wrong way. I wish I could take back my actions, but I am human and I made a mistake.

"I want to assure everyone that my frustrations and anger were in no way purposely directed toward damaging safety equipment or degrading the American flag. I love this country and I love everything that the flag stands for. I am very patriotic and totally support our troops. No group more than professional anglers should feel as fortunate to live in a country that provides opportunity for so many to chase their dream.

"By quoting the famous American President John F. Kennedy, 'When written in Chinese, the word 'crisis' is composed of two characters – one represents danger, and the other represents opportunity.' In the spirit of this statement, I ask for the forgiveness of my fans, peers, sponsors and all others who may have been offended by my actions.

"This has been an unfortunate incident and I regret what I did. When things like this happen, you have to learn from your mistakes, keep fishing and move forward. This is what I intend to do and hope you will move forward with me."

[peter]

Peter locked this thread upon the request of a board member. Did not have time to read it, sorry if this offends anyone.

Peter Maloney (fishin.com)

[bassin101]

Ok guys I'm done. You both make good points. And yes everyone is entitled to their opinion. Let's get off this subject and get back to talking fishing. Best of luck to you guys if you hit the water in the next couple of days.

[bassin101]

So what you guys are telling me is you have never done anything wrong. You have never gotten PO'd and done something you regret. I'm not saying he wasn't in the wrong for what he did but he is human. For so many guys to hate Ike so much and think he's bad for the sport you sure do chime in an awful lot on the discussions. I know if I didn't like someone I wouldn't be wasting my breath on them. So why don't you just accept his apology and drop it. He is obviously paying for his mistakes. You guys are relentless.

[chris20]

I think what Ike did in the classic wasn't as bad as Gerald Swindle last year, when he went all the way across the river to cuss out Nixon (I think it was), because he was fishing where he was fishing. What did they do about that nada. Don't get me wrong I like them both and what they bring to the tourney's but if you take action on one, you must be fair and treat everyone the same. I guarantee I would have probably cussed and raised all kinds of hell to if I messed up like Ike did and forget to turn on the aerator

[redneckshadrap]

I guess the flag means nothing to you guys..what a shame...

Redneckshadrap
www.thecreekbank.com
[email protected]

[HoosierDon]

AMEN Red.......

[bassin101]

> I guess the flag means
>nothing to you guys..what a
>shame...
>
>Redneckshadrap
>www.thecreekbank.com
>[email protected]


I don't remember mentioning anything about the flag. The American Flag means everything to me. The flag has nothing to do with the whole situation. It's just another thing critics like you guys want to hammer on him about. Flag or no flag he would have been DQ'd anyway. So this really doesn't have anything to do with the American Flag. I'm sure everyone on this board respects the American Flag. That comment was meant to stir up some stuff and you did a good job of it. Sorry to seem PO'd but to assume someone doesn't repect the flag kind of gets the best of me.

[BankBeater]

I for one would accept that apology as sincere, Until he gives me a reason to believe other wise...Time to move on.

[KYHorseflys]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Mar-01-06 AT 01:24AM (EST)[/font][p]He said: "This has been an unfortunate incident and I regret what I did. When things like this happen, you have to learn from your mistakes, keep fishing and move forward. This is what I intend to do and hope you will move forward with me."

He shoulda said: "This has been an unfortunate incident and I regret what I did. When things like this happen, you have to learn from your mistakes, get an anger management couselor, keep fishing and move forward. This is what I intend to do and hope you will move forward with me."

The good thing is America is the land of second chances, and if he proves good on his word, then good for him... if not, just another guy who took for granted the great situation he was in. Next time, laugh like a lunatic at finding dying fish instead of throwing a fit - it'll still turn the cameras your way! And take care of that mad feeling you have inside.

[redneckshadrap]

"Hey you have to give this guy credit, he stood up, took the heat, said he was wrong, why he is wrong and asked forgiveness. I for one will allow him his indiscretion, fogive and move on."

He had too....he didn't want to. He's a wuss...


Redneckshadrap
www.thecreekbank.com
[email protected]

[Fishhead]

I cannot believe how many of you guys out there are so narrow minded and unforgiving. We all know what this is about, the kid from the North East with the cocky attitude, then he backs up that cocky attitude with great ability, BUT he acts like an idiot sometimes. So all you Ike haters, remember I do not like his on air ACT either, can all sit back like little girls and go

"hee hee hee, look what happen to Mikey. Hee heee heee!"

Grow up already.

You don't have to like him, you can root against him, you can even jeer him. But you know what, sitting out there without knowing the man and calling him "wuss" (wuss huh Red, he put it all on the line as a teen ager and young man to go for something he believed in, that took a lot of guts. Who knows what else this man has been through in his life, you certainly don't!) "unpatriotic", whatever is just plain wrong, shame on you just like shame on him for what he did.

You know what I do stand up for him, not because I like his act, but because I too have met him and think he is a great guy. I met Jimmy Houston, Roland Martin and a few other big names and came away saying what a bunch of Azzoles. He left me feeling like I had met someone that truly wanted to talk to me. Yes I wish he would stop the "ACT", I hate it and think it makes T anglers look like clowns, BUT I will not stand back and throw bombs at this guy without knowing him. Who are you to do the same thing.

Oh wait a minute, all the Ike haters are going to come back and start whacking at me and him again, so here it is:

YOU WIN OK, HE IS A BIG BABY, UNPATRIOTIC AND SHOULD BE BANNED FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE. HE IS A WUSS, MORON, IDIOT AND WHATEVER I LEFT OUT. SO THERE YOU WIN!!!! NUFF SAID!

Stick a fork in me I'm done!