You Might Want to Rethink

Hartley Sawyer just lost his TV job in a flash, after a collection of tweets in which he made racist comments and joked about sexually assaulting women surfaced this past week.

The actor -- who played Ralph Dibny, AKA Elongated Man on "The Flash" for the past 3 seasons -- has been fired by the show over the years-old tweets, which included racist and misogynist language in what appears to a be a poor attempt at humor.

Sawyer's Twitter account has been deleted, but his old tweets began to circulate at the end of May. In one from 2012, Sawyer says ... "The only thing stopping me from doing mildly racist tweets is the knowledge that Al Sharpton would never stop complaining about me."

In another from 2014, he tweets ... "Out at dinner and just exposed myself as a racist, AGAIN."

Many of his former tweets seem to also center around sexual assault and violence toward women, including this in 2012 -- "If I had a wife I would beat the hell out of her tonight lol."

A few more horrific examples, "Ice Breakers: all women should be in sex farms" and "Outside of the 7-11 where I assaulted my ex-girlfriend lol."

This gem, from 2014, had to make his coworkers feel great ... "Enjoyed a secret boob viewing at an audition today."

You get the point ... he HAD to go. The CW and the production companies for the series say they've parted ways with Sawyer for season 7, saying ... "we do not tolerate derogatory remarks that target any race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation. Such remarks are antithetical to our values and polices, which strive and evolve to promote a safe, inclusive and productive environment for our workforce."

Hartley's issued an apology, saying ... "My words, irrelevant of being meant with an intent of humor, were hurtful, and unacceptable. I am ashamed I was capable of these really horrible attempts to get attention at that time. I regret them deeply." He added, "I am incredibly sorry, ashamed and disappointed in myself for my ignorance back then."

Reebok is officially DONE with CrossFit ... the apparel giant announced it's cutting ties with the workout company after the org.'s CEO posted an incredibly insensitive tweet in the wake of George Floyd's death.

Here's the deal ... Gregg Glassman -- the man credited with creating the super popular CrossFit weight-lifting program -- responded to a tweet from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation on Saturday.

IHME wrote, "Racism and discrimination are critical public health issues that demand an urgent response. #BlackLivesMatter"

Glassman commented on the tweet just a few minutes later ... posting, "It's FLOYD-19." He later tried to explain the comment, saying, "Your failed model quarantined us and now you're going to model a solution to racism?"

The tweets were hit swiftly with backlash from just about EVERYONE in the CrossFit community -- huge stars ripped the CEO, and multiple gyms pledged to sever affiliations with the brand.

In fact, one of CrossFit's top athletes, Noah Ohlsen, even pulled out of the company's Super Bowl, the "CrossFit Games," over it all, saying, "I'm out."

And, it didn't take long for Reebok to follow suit ... the apparel company announced in a statement over the weekend it would not go forward as a CrossFit sponsor, despite being the main one for the last 10 YEARS.

"Our partnership with CrossFit HQ comes to an end later this year," the company said. "Recently, we have been in discussions regarding a new agreement, however, in light of recent events, we have made the decision to end our partnership with CrossFit HQ."

"We will fulfill our remaining contractual obligations in 2020. We owe this to the CrossFit Games competitors, fans and the community."

For his part, Glassman did end up apologizing over the tweets late Sunday evening ... writing, "I, CrossFit HQ, and the CrossFit community will not stand for racism. I made a mistake by the words I chose yesterday."

"My heart is deeply saddened by the pain it has caused. It was a mistake, not racist but a mistake."

Glassman continued, "Floyd is a hero in the black community and not just a victim. I should have been sensitive to that and wasn't. I apologize for that. I was trying to stick it to the @IHME_UW for their invalidated models resulting in needless, economy-wrecking, life-wrecking lockdown, and when I saw they were announcing modeling a solution to our racial crisis, I was incredulous, angry, and overly emotional. Involving George Floyd's name in that effort was wrong."

We have a new "Karen" -- this one is in Arizona -- and this time she didn't walk away clean ... instead, she got handled with a slap to the face.

This went down Saturday at a Phoenix gas station, where a middle-aged white woman stormed inside demanding to be helped after her pump outside was apparently not working. An argument ensued between her and a younger woman who was being helped at the counter.

While you don't hear it initially, the guy recording says he just heard "Karen" tell the other woman she needs to go back to her country. She also tells the clerk -- on camera -- not to serve the woman.

Eventually, both women got in each other's faces, and after "Karen" got handsy, the other woman slapped her square on the jaw. "Karen" stormed out in a huff.

The overreacting, racist behavior we've seen plenty of lately -- but this outcome was much different. Maybe even ... refreshing? Sure, let's go with that.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey had to make a "Game of Thrones"-style walk of shame when protesters turned on him for refusing to defund the police department.

Mayor Frey was right in the thick of a Saturday demonstration when a protest organizer demanded a "yes or no" answer to this question: "Will you commit to defunding Minneapolis Police Dept.?"

He responded, "I do not support the full abolition of the police," and that's when it got ugly. The organizer said, "Get the f**k outta here" ... and chants of "Go home Jacob" went up from the crowd, and that he did.

Taking a long, loud walk through a sea of protesters.

It's a stunning turn for Mayor Frey who almost immediately called for the firing and prosecution of the 4 officers involved in killing George Floyd.

He was also kneeling and weeping next to George's casket during Thursday's emotional funeral service.

Defunding police departments has now become a flashpoint during many protests across the country, and nowhere is that more evident than in this video.

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge sounds like a nonstop Halloween attraction right about now -- because it keeps on howling anytime there's a breeze ... and it's freaking people out.

The iconic structure has been making A LOT of noise lately, and Twitter took notice Friday ... with Bay Area residents filming a drive/ride-through along the bike paths. Basically, there's a constant loud humming sound emanating throughout -- which can be heard for miles.

No, it's not ghosts or spirits that have been conjured up from the waters below ... it's just the wind making contact with some fancy new devices local engineers just put in. They're new railing slats covering the edges of the bridge -- to help fight off wind resistance -- and when gusty air rolls through (which is pretty much always there) ... this is the end result.

So, yeah ... the bridge is plagued by this eerie singing/siren calling for the time being. Doesn't look like city officials have addressed a fix for now -- but something tells us if enough people complain, they'll have to do something.

Cops in Maryland are on the hunt for a man some are calling a male 'Karen' -- video shows him swiping signs from a kid trying to honor George Floyd.

Here's the deal ... the Maryland-National Capital Park Police are searching for a guy they say was involved in an assault Monday morning on the Capital Crescent Trail near Bethesda.

One alleged victim shot video of the enraged mystery man -- decked out like he's prepping for the Tour De France -- approaching a young girl and ripping something out of her hand while bystanders scream and watch in horror, pleading with him to leave her alone.

The girl was reportedly putting up signs in the park commemorating Floyd, but, for some reason, the guy wasn't having it.

After scaring the girl, he turned on the person shooting video and bum-rushed them with his bike ... until someone went down hard. Now, cops want the public's help tracking down this jerk.

President Trump invoked the name of George Floyd while touting America's economic comeback, and praising police response to looting and protests ... by suggesting George would approve of all of the above.

After POTUS gave proud shout-outs to the National Guard, Secret Service and Washington, D.C. cops for keeping the White House safe all week ... he recommended certain Governors -- particularly New York's -- call him to get help squashing looters and rioters.

He repeated the phrase he used all week, saying law enforcement and the military need to "dominate the streets" -- but then quickly pivoted to calling for equal justice for all Americans "in every encounter with law enforcement regardless of race, color, gender or creed."

To that ideal, Trump said he hoped George is looking down right now, saying, "This is a great thing that's happening for our country. It's a great day for him. It's a great day for everybody ... in terms of equality."

What's odd is ... the President was in the Rose Garden to sign a bill devoted to small business loan flexibility, and not anything to do with justice reform.

Justifiably, Trump's comments have been met with backlash from some public officials who saw the speech as a gross attempt to politicize George Floyd's name. Especially, because we've seen multiple incidents of police brutality with peaceful protesters this week

Joe Biden called Trump's words "despicable," and Sen. Kamala Harris tweeted ... "keep George Floyd’s name out of your mouth until you can say Black Lives Matter."

While millions protest for justice across the country, some hateful, disgusting person set fire to a cross on a bridge in Alabama ... and police are now investigating.

The cross burning was reported Thursday night around 9:30 PM in Macon County, when several motorists on I-85 saw a fire on an overpass.

A driver named John Bolton was reportedly one of the first to see the blaze and called 911. Bolton says he pulled over, and 2 men he was with rushed toward the fire and one of them climbed up the bridge to knock down the burning cross.

Bolton says he saw a shadowy figure running away from the scene as they approached. Once the fire was out, he says the burnt cross, a burning tire and a fuel canister were found.

Sheriff Andre Brunson confirms his officers helped extinguish a makeshift cross set on fire on the bridge -- first reported by WRBL. Brunson says the incident is under investigation, but there are no suspects so far. He's urging anyone with info to contact the Macon County Sheriff's Office.

Burning crosses are one of the most notorious hate symbols in U.S. history, synonymous with the KKK and the hate organization's method of terrorizing black people.

A Chicago PD officer charged at a protester, shoved him to the ground and started attempting to pummel him ... and it was all caught on video.

The attack went down Thursday night as demonstrators took to the streets again to protest the killing of George Floyd and police brutality ... the latter of which was on full display.

Take a look -- as cops appear to be trying to clear protesters from the area, one of them snaps and bum-rushes a guy and throws him down ... then starts delivering violent left hooks to his head.

The officer's so unhinged, he even strikes his own guy as he turns around to go at more protesters, before seeking out his original target for more action.

Chicago PD tells us they've opened an investigation into the incident. CPD adds it "strives to treat all individuals our officers encounter with respect. We do not tolerate misconduct of any kind and if any wrongdoing is discovered, officers will be held accountable."

This incident came just hours after one in Buffalo, where cops pushed an elderly man to the ground, causing him to hit his head and bleed -- and the day after NYPD officers assaulted a man they said was violating curfew.

Some cops in Buffalo shoved an elderly man, who lost his balance and hit his head on the concrete ... laying motionless and bleeding from his ear.

Protesters filled Niagara Square Thursday night to protest the death of George Floyd and injustices in our legal system. Officers, dressed in heavy gear, started to move in on the crowd while the elderly man approached and started a non-physical confrontation with some of the cops.

An officer from the group shouts "Move!" at the man and then proceeded to push him, causing him to stumble back and fall over.

In the video, captured by WBFO's Mike Desmond, you can see blood surround the man's head almost immediately as he lay motionless ... and officers call for a medic.

A rep for the Buffalo Police Department allegedly told a local reporter the man was injured when he "tripped and fell." His condition is currently unknown.

The protests of the last week have remained mostly peaceful until intervention. As we reported, President Trump fired rubber bullets and tear gas into peaceful protestors so he could make his way for a photo-op at a local church that had been damaged the night before.

Charles Barkley says the last 24 hours of hate that Drew Brees has received for his anthem comments are straight-up "overkill" ... and now, he's calling for people to back off the NFL star.

"This level of, 'we've got to kill everybody who says something we don't agree with,'" Barkley said on "NBA on TNT" Thursday, "I am never going with the mob."

Don't get it twisted ... Chuck said Brees' comments were "insensitive," and the NBA Hall of Famer wishes the QB hadn't said them -- but he believes the backlash is too much.

"I want to make it clear: I did not like what he said right away, but the vitriol and animosity and hatred he just got for the last 24 hours, I thought it was overkill," Barkley said. "That's just my personal opinion."

Brees was ripped apart by just about EVERY notable athlete in the country after he said on Wednesday he believed kneeling protests during NFL anthems were disrespectful to the flag.

LeBron James slammed him on Twitter, NFL Hall of Famer, Shannon Sharpe said the guy should retire ... and his teammate, Malcolm Jenkins, even told him to "shut the f*ck up."

Drew has since issued TWO apologies ... and while some -- including Saints stars Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara and Demario Davis -- accepted it, the QB was still getting blasted for the comments all day Thursday.

Chuck says that needs to end now ... adding, "I have never heard a bad word about Drew Brees in my life."

"He made a mistake. But, we've gotten to the point in society where everybody on social media thinks they are God, judge and jury."

Drew Brees is begging for forgiveness over his comments about the NFL kneeling protest ... saying, "it breaks my heart to know the pain I have caused."

The New Orleans Saints QB has been under heavy attack from teammates and even LeBron James -- claiming his condemnation Tuesday of NFL kneelers is misguided and wrong.

In fact, people chanted "F**k Drew Brees" in New Orleans -- and some people set Drew's jersey on fire in the streets.

Here's Drew's statement in full.

"I would like to apologize to my friends, teammates, the City of New Orleans, the black community, NFL community and anyone I hurt with my comments yesterday."

"In speaking with some of you, it breaks my heart to know the pain I have caused."

"In an attempt to talk about respect, unity, and solidarity centered around the American flag and the national anthem, I made comments that were insensitive and completely missed the mark on the issues we are facing right now as a country."

"They lacked awareness and any type of compassion or empathy. Instead, those words have become divisive and hurtful and have misled people into believing that somehow I am an enemy. This could not be further from the truth, and is not an accurate reflection of my heart or my character."

"This is where I stand ... "

"I stand with the black community in the fight against systemic racial injustice and police brutality and support the creation of real policy change that will make a difference."

"I condemn the years of oppression that have taken place throughout our black communities and still exists today.

I acknowledge that we as Americans, including myself, have not done enough to fight for that equality or to truly understand the struggles and plight of the black community.

"I recognize that I am part of the solution and can be a leader for the black community in this movement."

"I will never know what it’s like to be a black man or raise black children in America but I will work every day to put myself in those shoes and fight for what is right."

"I have ALWAYS been an ally, never an enemy."

"I am sick about the way my comments were perceived yesterday, but I take full responsibility and accountability."

"I recognize that I should do less talking and more listening...and when the black community is talking about their pain, we all need to listen."

"For that, I am very sorry and I ask your forgiveness."

Of course, Brees had said Tuesday -- "I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America."

It seemed Brees missed the point of the kneeling protest -- which is to put a spotlight on police brutality and racial injustice.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed scolded Brees on Wednesday night for his comments ... repeatedly calling the QB a "straight sucka."

But, the most emotional backlash came from his Saints teammate and friend, Malcolm Jenkins ... who told Drew point-blank to "shut the f*ck up."

FSU star Marvin Wilson -- a projected 1st-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft -- says he's boycotting team workouts after he claims his coach lied about individually speaking with players in the wake of George Floyd's death.

"Me and my teammates as a whole are outraged and we will not be working out until further notice," the defensive lineman said Wednesday night.

Here's the backstory ... FSU head coach Mike Norvell was asked by The Athletic's Tashan Reed about how he's handling the unrest in America over Floyd's tragic death with his Seminoles team.

In his answer, Norvell was quoted as saying, "We've had a lot of open communication with our team, our players and our coaches. I went back and forth individually with every player this weekend."

"And that was something that was important to me because this is a heartbreaking time in our country."

But, shortly after the coach's comments were posted on social media ... Wilson called BS.

"Man this [crap] did not happen mane," 21-year-old Wilson wrote. "We got a generated text that was sent to everybody. There was no one on one talk between us and coach."

Several current FSU players -- many of whom returned to campus this week after COVID-19 closures -- backed Wilson's response with retweets and emoji quote tweets.

In another part of the statement attributed to 38-year-old Norvell, he added, "I told these guys just how grateful I am to be a part of this journey with them because they are the future."

The coach has not yet publicly commented on his star player's allegations.

As for Wilson, a boycott of FSU is serious business ... the team leader has a chance to be a top-10 pick in next April's NFL draft -- and is expected to be one of the best college football players in the country in 2020.

LeBron James is weighing in on that new viral video of Laura Ingraham ... questioning why she didn't tell Drew Brees to "shut up and dribble" the way she told LeBron back in 2018.

The clip shows the way Ingraham went after LeBron for criticizing Donald Trump back in the day ... when she told the NBA star, "Keep the political commentary to yourself, or as someone once said, 'Shut up and dribble.'"

Fast-forward to June 2020 ... when Ingraham defended Brees on her show, saying, "He's allowed to have his view about what kneeling and the flag means to him."

Enter, LeBron ... who says, "If you still haven’t figured out why the protesting is going on. Why we’re acting as we are is because we are simply F-N tired of this treatment right here! Can we break it down for you any simpler than this right here????"

He added, "And to my people don’t worry I won’t stop until I see CHANGE!!! #ShutUpAndDribbleThisPowerfulBlackManComingFullSteam"

Other superstar athletes across the country weighed in on the clip as well ... with L.A. Chargers receiver Keenan Allen saying, "Wow ... so Bron and KD need to shut up and dribble... but DREW BREES (white man) can have opinions ... RACISM!!!"

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans added, "People like her are f*cking disgusting."

Jake Paul's taking a legal hit after he was spotted on scene of an AZ mall as it was being looted over the weekend in the midst of the George Floyd protests ... he's been charged.

The Scottsdale Police Department announced Thursday the YouTube star has been charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly, both misdemeanor charges. Cops say they "received hundreds of tips and videos identifying Jake Paul as a participant in the riot."

Cops went on to say, "Our investigation has revealed that Paul was present after the protest was declared an unlawful assembly and the rioters were ordered to leave the area by the police. Paul also unlawfully entered and remained inside of the mall when it was closed."

As we reported ... Jake was at Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Arizona and video showed him and others causing a ruckus at the mall. The video shows people looting ... stealing tennis shoes and pretty much everything that isn't nailed down.

Amy Cooper -- infamously dubbed Central Park "Karen" after calling the police to lie and say a black man was attacking her -- now has her dog back ... just 10 days after her phony call.

The animal rescue, Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel Rescue Inc., announced a vet determined the dog was perfectly healthy and -- after law enforcement refused to take the dog in their custody -- decided to return the dog at the owner's request.

You'll recall, action was swift back on Memorial Day after Amy retaliated against a black man in the harshest way possible after the man, a bird watcher, complained her dog was off-leash despite a law requiring dogs to be on-leash in Central Park from 9 AM to 9 PM.

As we reported ... what happened next is one of the most disgusting acts you'll see after she asks the man to stop recording her. He didn't. She then threatened to call NYPD and "tell them there's an African-American man threatening my life."