The opening ceremony for the Summer Olympics will be this Friday, August 5, 2016 in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Does anybody remember where the summer games were held in 1996? They were right here in Atlanta, Georgia. Last week, the TV newscasts were interviewing several of those involved with getting the games here, lauding the fact that it was 20 years ago. You know how it goes, quite a lot of praise and accolades for them all. I have nothing against the Olympics or those who were able to pull this off for the city of Atlanta but I couldn't help but notice that there was very little mention of the bombing in Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. One woman died when the pipebomb went off and a reporter died from a heart attack. There were 111 injuries. Much was made of the fact that the head of the Olympic Committee did not call the Atlanta games, "the best ever", which he would usually say after the end of the Olympics. I remember that someone wrote to the newspaper, "In the best ever Olympics, no one would die."
Not only was very little said about the bombing but I also did not hear one word about Richard Jewell. (I have written of him before, if you remember.) Richard Jewell was the security guard who observed the pipebomb under a bench and alerted the authorities and steered people away from the area, most certainly saving many lives. At first, he was proclaimed a hero but after three days, he was then suspected as being the bomber. Later, it was proven that it was an anti-government miltant who had planted the bomb but by that time, Mr. Jewell's life was never the same. He was hounded by the press and was a running joke on The Tonight Show, among others. The Atlanta Journal/Constitution ran a headline saying that he "fit the profile" of a lone bomber. Investigated by the FBI, he was finally cleared. There were lawsuits filed and I believe that he had several settlements from several news agencies but I can tell you , his life was never the same. I met Richard Jewell and his lawyer, Lin Wood in the late 1990's. They both spoke at a Rotary meeting that I was invited to attend. I said to Mr. Jewell that I was sorry for all that he had gone through. When I looked into his eyes, I could see the great pain that was there. He died in 2007. He was only 44 years old.
It seems to me that the news reports from last week could have mentioned the name "Richard Jewell". Shame on them. They did not, so I am saying it to you here. He was at least called a hero in the obituaries that I have read about him. The New York Times had a nice one and you may read it here.
That was so sad. Unfortunately, that's the nature of the news media....trying to make something out of nothing, twisting words so that it brings suspicion on the innocent all in the name of 'the big story'.
ReplyDeleteWhen the media is proven to be wrong and in error, I also think it is their job to say so and to make it right. His name could have been mentioned last week when talking of the 20th anniversary of the Atlanta Olympics, but I didn't see it on one single channel.
DeleteI recall you mentioning Richard Jewell before - well dpne for reminding us of him and his all too short life.
ReplyDeleteI went back and read my post from four years ago and it was very similar to this one! Oh well! Thanks very much John for reading my blog and for your great help to me over these writing years!
DeleteThat's a really thoughtful post, and so sad. I confess I can't remember Richard Jewell. It is appalling that a decent man's life can be ruined in that way. The press over here has a shocking reputation - as you probably know. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteI doubt many people would even remember his name, including a great many who live in Georgia. The "gutter" press exists because they find that is what sells!
DeleteThanks for your comment, Mike.
I have never heard of Richard Jewell, and thank you for telling this sad story. It is a good example of what the media can do to ruin someone's reputation, a totally innocent man. I do remember the Olympics being in Atlanta - was that the time they had a piano in the Opening Ceremony?
ReplyDeleteHope that others will see his name here too and honor him. I just read that Leonardo Dacaprio will make a movie of his story and that he will play Lin Wood, Richard Jewell's lawyer. Of course, this might take years but look out for it.
DeleteOh! I looked it up, it was the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles that had the 84 grand pianos! Louis Zamperini was one of the torch bearers and you should know his name if you have read my blog, he is one of my heroes.
Living only an hour south of Atlanta,I do remember Richard Jewell and the Olympics. I never felt like he was guilty and felt sorry for all he went through. Thanks for this sharing this again,Kay.
ReplyDeleteI just felt as if I had to write about him again, after all the talk of the 20th anniversary of the Olympics in Atlanta. One channel did mention the bombing but not Richard Jewell. When the news gets it wrong, they should put it right.
DeleteIt's a crying shame how the media can hound and convict innocent people. He died so young and yes, he was a hero and the people in Georgia know it.
ReplyDeleteDo they? I remember that Lin Wood (his lawyer) said that many people would shake his hand but then say, "come on, he really did it, didn't he?". So, I think it goes to show how powerful the media truly is and we must be very careful in how it influences us.
DeleteHi Kay, I applaud you for bringing Richard Jewell's name into the light. He was a brave man and did not deserve the dreadful treatment he had after that tragic event. I know the authorities have to investigate each and every person but people are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, not hounded as he was by the media to sell newspapers. Mr. Jewell was a hero and it is a dreadful oversight for him not to be mentioned. I also will remember him.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such heartwarming comments on my father-in-law's passing. They were very much appreciated and as I know his family reads my blog, they will bring great comfort.
I loved your post about your great father-in-law, such a nice tribute. Thank YOU for your kind words, if my few words can bring comfort to someone, you have made my day.
DeleteAs I said, I had written a post about Richard Jewell before (four years ago!) but still, thought it was right to do so again. xx
A sad story of injustice, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteHey Debra, look out for a movie to be made about this. Leonardo DiCaprio is supposed to make a movie about this. (I mentioned this above but managed to spell DiCaprio incorrectly, that is how I roll! LOL)
DeleteYes, i remember how quick they were to accuse and how silent when it came time to take it all back.
ReplyDeleteQuick to accuse but silent when it came time to take it back, yes indeed!
DeleteI remember reading about him again when he died. He saved a lot of people from injury and death that day. It is a sad commentary that we remember Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and John Hinckley but not a hero like Richard ewell.
ReplyDeleteGood point.
DeleteI think I remember your other post about Richard Jewell. It was all extremely unfair.
ReplyDeleteYes, I looked it up and it was almost four years ago to the day that I wrote that post.
DeleteThat's news to me Kay but there have been many instances of the media jumping the gun with inaccurate information and once it's in the spotlight, true or false, its recycled endlessly giving the person no rest. There have been several high profile cases here of that happening but unfortunately it's the sensational lurid headlines everyone remembers, not the small retraction or apology paragraph afterwards so it's good you have told his story again here.
ReplyDeleteMemory is a strange thing. I'd struggle to remember what I had for dinner three days ago yet do recall most of the details of big headlines 30 years ago and they seem like yesterday. I suppose we are programmed that way.
It's sad too that as Emma as said above, we well remember the names of the infamous. And sad to say, very often the name "Richard Jewell" was followed by "former bombing suspect".
DeleteTo be honest this is the first time I've heard about Richard Jewell. That's a real shame the way he was treated. Without his intervention many more may have died and then the media went and treated him like that. I can't imagine how he must have felt. I assume that either the media forgot he existed or they didn't want to bring up their own shameful past. To be honest I'm not sure which one is more likely. I wouldn't put it past them to have forgotten.
ReplyDeleteIf you read my comments above, there should be a movie made about his story. Of course, that will make it real, because after all, nothing is real in this world until a film is made about it, right? (Gee, do I sound cynical?)
DeleteYou know- I actually remember when this happened and that they had blamed it on someone who was not guilty. I am glad you met him and gave him a kind word. 44 is way too young to die and I am sure he died with a still broken heart. Another unsung hero- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI will never forget looking into his eyes. I also noticed that there were others there who looked at him askance, influenced by the media, I suppose.
DeleteRichard Jewell you are a hero!
ReplyDeleteWell done you!
Media people never talk about their failures or lies.
The media should feel real shame in not admitting mistakes and we should call them out on it!
DeleteI certainly do...I remember them well and where I was living and working at the time. I was managing a motel in Cardwell in north Queensland.
ReplyDelete