Footage Released Of Tennis Star James Blake Being Wrongly Tackled And Body Slammed By New York Police Before Being Arrested For Crime He Did Not Commit (Video)

Video footage from security cameras has been released of retired tennis star, James Blake, being tackled and slammed to the ground by a plain clothes New York Police Department officer, in a case of what they are labeling mistaken identity. Blake was waiting outside an upscale New York hotel for a car to take him to the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows, New York, when he was attacked by the NYPD officers shown on the video and five others in the undercover unit.

The New York Police Department has revealed a witness allegedly identified Blake as a perpetrator buying phones with a stolen credit card. However, they had the wrong man. While the actual suspect does bear a bit of a resemblance to Blake, many including the tennis star, want to know why such force was used in arresting him for a non-violent crime (and one he did not commit).

James Blake

Blake could have hit his head on the concrete or damaged his spine when the officer charged at him, then slammed the tennis player on the ground. That was very dangerous. Blake escaped with bruises and scratches, but things could have turned out much worse. If he was the type of man to become easily enraged, like rapper Kanye West, he probably would have been killed for resisting arrest. There is no necessity for such force. This is how Eric Garner died in what became a global scandal the NYPD still has not recovered from.

Police do have a difficult job, where they put their lives on the line each time they go on duty. However, there needs to be a proper balance. Excessive force and police brutality has killed so many people, particularly minorities. Look what happened to Blake. It is a prime example of what black people in America have been complaining about for years. He did nothing wrong in the incident and was treated terribly, physically injured and could have been killed. There has to be a better way to go about confronting and questioning suspects. The officers knew they were wrong, as they tried to cover up the incident by violating police rules in not filing an incident report. It took Blake to go public with the offense for it to be addressed. 

Twitter Blames Drake For Serena Williams Losing The U.S. Open But Is It His Fault

 

Serena Williams

People on the social networking website Twitter have launched a hashtag titled #BlameDrake, regarding the rapper Drake and his girlfriend, the top female tennis player in the world, Serena Williams, losing the U.S. Open in the semi-finals to Roberta Vinci, who went on to win the tournament. Williams was attempting to become the first woman since Steffi Graff to win all the Grand Slam tournaments in one calendar year. Williams was so close, just a couple matches away from said feat. However, it was derailed in her match against Vinci, who won 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

As a joke, Twitter users blamed Drake for Williams' defeat, labeling him everything from a jinx to a bad luck charm. Some clearly view him as a distraction. However, to be fair, there were no reports of Williams and Drake partying or getting drunk. The two were spotted together once having dinner a few weeks ago. Since that time Drake  has been in her box at matches.

Drake (top right)

There are other distractions certain types of relationships can create to sports stars, when one dates someone who is promiscuous, a gold digger or has lecherous friends. But by all accounts, Drake has been trying to clean up his act regarding women and spending his time with Williams instead. Days prior to her loss on the court, Williams had a tough match against her sister, fellow champion, Venus Williams and was clearly still mentally and physically exhausted from the game.

Drake was visibly saddened by Williams' defeat. The two left the venue immediately after her post match interviews. That's how it goes in sports. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. However, as emotionally painful as it can be, it's not the end of the world.  

STORY SOURCE

Serena Williams just endured the biggest upset of her career — and everyone's blaming Drake

Tennis Pro Serena Williams lost the most heartbreaking match of her career Friday. Williams is the No. 1 player in the world, had won the last four Grand Slam tournaments, and was an enormous favorite against her opponent, Italian Roberta Vinci, ranked No. 43. After crushing Vinci in the first set 6-2, Williams went on to lose the next two sets 6-4, 6-4...

But the world isn't blaming Williams or Vinci for the loss. It's blaming Williams' love interest, hip-hop mogul Drake — basically insinuating that the rapper/singer is Williams' bad-luck charm...
Following the loss, people on Twitter were ruthless:

THIS IS WHY WE DON'T LET DRAKE HAVE NICE THINGS
— kylie (@kyliemcconv) September 11, 2015
I blame Drake.
— Hunter Walker (@hunterw) September 11, 2015

I TOLD YALL DRAKE AINT NO GOOD FOR SERENA, I TOLD YALL
— Tracy LaFway Clayton (@brokeymcpoverty) September 11, 2015

Drake is the Jessica Simpson to Serena's Tony Romo. #BlameDrake
— Madelyn Burke (@MadelynBurke) September 11, 2015

Drake jinxed Serena man
— b (@brandynmarshall) September 11, 2015

WE ALL KNEW THAT DRAKE/SERENA WAS GOING TO BE A MESS. LOOK WHAT HE DID.
— Andrei Damane (@AndreiDamane) September 11, 2015

Wherever drake cheers, losing follows. The curse continues. #SerenaWilliams pic.twitter.com/ecQ5M3QU6q
— tᕼe ᒪᑌᑕᗩᔕ ᗷᖇOᔕ (@lucasbros) September 11, 2015

Drake strikes again. #Serena #upset #USOpen pic.twitter.com/rQ6PAcmdyv
— Steve Gorman SPORTS! (@SGSFOX) September 11, 2015

Hey, @Drake #Serena #USOpen pic.twitter.com/CmLJfzDki4
— ANDILE NDLOVU (@Vida15) September 11, 2015

YOU CAN’T GET MARRIED IN AIR DRAKE’S, IZZY. DIDN’T YOU SEE WHAT HE DID TO SERENA??? https://t.co/Gy9v9jz5jQ
— El Flaco (@bomani_jones) September 11, 2015

i think drake regrets his new haircut tbh pic.twitter.com/zScqiU12Kh
— L.A.S (@SartoriallyInc) September 11, 2015

Drake: "So cry if you need to, but I..." Serena: "STOP SINGING."
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) September 11, 2015

.@Drake Kentucky in the Final Four, Raptors in the playoffs, Serena going for the Slam. Doing well, fella. Doing well.
— SportsPickle (@sportspickle) September 11, 2015...

 

http://uk.businessinsider.com

Tennis Player James Blake Tackled, Slammed To The Ground And Arrested By New York Police Department In A Case Of Mistaken Identity (Video)

The frequently sued New York Police Department (NYPD) is in the middle of another scandal, as 5 white officers tackled and body slammed Harvard educated, award winning former professional tennis player, James Blake, mistaking him for a man who had purchased a phone with a stolen credit card.

The 35-year-old tennis star was standing outside a swanky hotel in New York City, whilst waiting for a car he hired to take him to a Time Warner assignment at the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows, New York. One of the five officers, who were dressed in plain clothes, lifted Blake in the air and slammed him on the concrete. They all swarmed and held him down, despite the fact he didn't resist arrest and kept asking what's going on. Blake was later released when a retired police officer recognized him and apprized the arresting officers of the tennis star's identity.   

Blake stated to the press after the incident, "To me it's as simple as unnecessary police force, no matter what my race is. In my mind there's probably a race factor involved, but no matter what there's no reason for anybody to do that to anybody." Indeed, as many online are questioning why it required such spontaneous force to detain someone for the non-violent crime of credit card theft.

 

James Blake

The New York Police Department issued a statement on the incident, "Once Blake was properly identified and found to have no connection to the investigation, he was released from police custody immediately. In regards to the alleged improper use of force, the Police Commissioner directed the internal affairs bureau to investigate."

Blake is demanding an apology. However, it would be surprising if one was issued by the NYPD, as that would be admitting liability and can be used against the New York Police Department in court during civil litigation for wrongful arrest and physical injury. The police officers in question did not even report the incident, in violation of department rules. It took Blake going public to bring attention to the issue. The officer that body slammed Blake has been stripped of his gun and badge, pending an internal affairs investigation. 

The NYPD has a well documented history of racism in meting out rough treatment to blacks and Hispanics that white people do not face. Black pregnant women have been manhandled and tossed to the floor during improper arrests. Black men have been killed by the New York Police Department in acts of police brutality and excessive force.

James Blake

It's been a rough year for Blake. Last summer an executive Blake rented his Florida home to set it on fire, after killing his wife, son. The man also killed himself. It was discovered the executive was having financial problems and sadly chose the wrong answer to his problems, via murder suicide.

RELATED ARTICLES

 

Arson Based Murder Suicide At Tennis Star James Blake’s Florida Mansion Highlights The Strains Financial Trouble Places On People

 

New York Police Officers Put Pregnant Black Woman In A Chokehold And Called Her Husband A 'Nig*er' (Videos Of NYPD Attacks On Pregnant Women Of Color)

 

Protests Erupt Over New York Grand Jury's Decision Not To Indict Police In The Choking Death Of Black Man Eric Garner (Video)

 

Man And His Wife Arrested In Separate Incidents After Filming The Killing Of Eric Garner By New York Police Officer (Video)

Serena Williams Goes Compton On Lineswoman

Serena Was Not Serene After Shoddy Call

Serena Williams' book is titled "On The Line" which is ironic, as she faced trouble for her foot allegedly being on the line at the U.S. Open

Tennis player, Serena Williams, had a Joe Wilson "You Lie" moment at the U.S. Open on Saturday, September 12, 2009, when a lineswoman called a foot-fault at a crucial moment, the Compton, California native believed to be inaccurate.

Serena blew a gasket and went Joe Wilson on the lineswoman, believing she cheated her out of a vital point. Words were exchanged and things went downhill from there, costing Williams another point for "unsportsmanlike conduct."

Radar Online accused Serena Williams of telling a lineswoman, "If I could I would shove this f****** ball down your f****** throat and kill you."

Said penalty just happened to be match point. Kim Clijsters, who was in the lead and playing quite well, won the match as a result. She went out onto the court looking troubled, clearly with something on her mind, which the calls exacerbated.

Williams has since apologized, but no official clarification has been furnished by the USTA for the debated foot fault that triggered the incident. That needs to be addressed. Serena was fined $10,000. She face a possible suspension and an additional $250,000 fine.

Serena Williams fined, faces possible suspension for tirade

September 13, 2009 - Serena Williams' tirade against a lineswoman who called her for a foot fault Saturday night in her semifinal match against Kim Clijsters may have gotten her into deep trouble beyond the penalty point assessed that cost her the match.

Early last evening the USTA announced that it had fined Williams the maximum $10,000 for a profane tirade. But that wasn't the end of it.

According to a news release, the USTA said: "The Grand Slam Rule Book also allows for an investigation to be conducted by the Grand Slam Committee Investigator if the behavior of Ms. Williams warrants consideration as a Major Offense for which additional penalties can be imposed. This investigation has now begun."

This opens the way for a possible suspension after the Open and a potential fine of $250,000 by the Grand Slam Committee.

The women's tour also issued a statement condemning Williams' actions. "Serena Williams' conduct last night was inappropriate and unprofessional,'' WTA chairman Stacy Allaster said. "No matter what the circumstances, no player should be allowed to engage in such behavior without suffering consequences. I have spoken to the USTA about this matter and I agree with the action they have taken."

Williams also issued a statement that said in part: "Last night everyone could truly see the passion I have for my job. Now that I have had time to gain my composure, I can see that while I don't agree with the unfair line call, in the heat of battle I let my passion and emotion get the better of me and as a result handled the situation poorly. I would like to thank my fans and supporters for understanding that I am human..." ...

http://www.newsday.com