Gunzlingr
04-25-2003, 02:34 PM
CINCINNATI (AP) -- The first black head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals says he and his players probably will be highly visible in the community. But his top priority is a winning record, not solving the city's race relations problems.
Marvin Lewis told about 70 people at a meeting of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP on Wednesday night that although his main focus must be on the Bengals, he will encourage community involvement.
"My job is to win football games," Lewis said. "I believe that when you have something, you should focus and do the best with what you have and good things will happen for you down the road."
Some community leaders said his hiring in January was a coup for a city that has struggled with race relations, including an economic boycott of downtown by some black activists
more (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2003/04/23/lewis_naacp_ap/)
Marvin Lewis told about 70 people at a meeting of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP on Wednesday night that although his main focus must be on the Bengals, he will encourage community involvement.
"My job is to win football games," Lewis said. "I believe that when you have something, you should focus and do the best with what you have and good things will happen for you down the road."
Some community leaders said his hiring in January was a coup for a city that has struggled with race relations, including an economic boycott of downtown by some black activists
more (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2003/04/23/lewis_naacp_ap/)