Leodis Speech issue...

[Lee_Evans_Fan]

Let me start by saying that the way someone speaks DOES NOT mean they are stupid and unintelligent.

I went to school at the Rochester Institute of Technology and I took a ton of advance mathematics and computer science courses. I say that because I was in classes with someone of the brightest kids in the world. And I understood Leodis McKelvin better than I did some of those kids.

If you look at the scouting reports throughout the website, you will see some state that he is EXTREMELY SHY. These kids at RIT, also have that quality about them. Shy people do not communicate openly to the world around them. Causing their verbal skills to never really develop like an extrovert would. My cousin is a speech pathologist, and most of her students have problems, because they are introverts.


His best friend had this quote in an article from PRW.com.
“the perception of McKelvin’s social skills might change once people in the league get to know him better”….“As far as meeting new people, I don’t think (Leodis will) have a problem with teammates or anybody,” he said. “If he feels like he has something in common with somebody, he’s not as shy. If he’s meeting somebody off the street, that’s a little different.”

You pair his introvertism with a southern accent, and you get what most on this board have been mocking him about. You then add that to a family who never even graduated from highschool… Leodis being the first. His environment also has held back his communication skills.

This kid is NOT dumb. He carried 14 credits this spring, and will be graduating this year. ( A feat that he wanted to prove to his nieces and nephews, so that they had a role model )
Now he went to Troy and not some Ivy league school, but balancing football and school is not an easy task even for the brightest people.

Plus from this small school he became the NCAAs BEST CB! And isn’t really that what we are all excited about anyway.

So please stop your ignorance on this hardworking and talented kid, and stop saying stuff about his ignorance because his speech is not like yours!!

Ps.. here is that article… http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/mckelvin2302.htm

[lynch2thehouse3]

great post, it's amazing how peoples perceptions of others can be changed just by the way they speak.

[BuckeyeBills]

Let me start by saying that the way someone speaks DOES NOT mean they are stupid and unintelligent.

I went to school at the Rochester Institute of Technology and I took a ton of advance mathematics and computer science courses. I say that because I was in classes with someone of the brightest kids in the world. And I understood Leodis McKelvin better than I did some of those kids.

If you look at the scouting reports throughout the website, you will see some state that he is EXTREMELY SHY. These kids at RIT, also have that quality about them. Shy people do not communicate openly to the world around them. Causing their verbal skills to never really develop like an extrovert would. My cousin is a speech pathologist, and most of her students have problems, because they are introverts.


His best friend had this quote in an article from PRW.com.
“the perception of McKelvin’s social skills might change once people in the league get to know him better”….“As far as meeting new people, I don’t think (Leodis will) have a problem with teammates or anybody,” he said. “If he feels like he has something in common with somebody, he’s not as shy. If he’s meeting somebody off the street, that’s a little different.”

You pair his introvertism with a southern accent, and you get what most on this board have been mocking him about. You then add that to a family who never even graduated from highschool… Leodis being the first. His environment also has held back his communication skills.

This kid is NOT dumb. He carried 14 credits this spring, and will be graduating this year. ( A feat that he wanted to prove to his nieces and nephews, so that they had a role model )
Now he went to Troy and not some Ivy league school, but balancing football and school is not an easy task even for the brightest people.

Plus from this small school he became the NCAAs BEST CB! And isn’t really that what we are all excited about anyway.

So please stop your ignorance on this hardworking and talented kid, and stop saying stuff about his ignorance because his speech is not like yours!!

Ps.. here is that article… http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/mckelvin2302.htm

Good post my man.

[cashdude]

Hey Leodis and I have something in common...I hate people too.

[billsfan1516]

Anyone who thinks someones intelligence is based on how they speak are unintelligent themselves. Some people have speaking disorders such as stuttering or are shy like you said.

I haven't seen anyone say that myself but if they did they themselves are dumb and very very ignorant.

[lynch2thehouse3]

As long as he produces on the field, he can speak any way he'd like!

[ase1981]

Great post man.

[DrizzyFiasco]

Leodis is awesome

i don't think he talks bad at all

he seems very bright

[cms2533]

Who cares if the guy can talk in front of camera's or infront of the press. All I want is a guy that can communicate with his teammates and play football. He is obviously smart enough to graduate from a large school, and be talented enough to be the first DB taken in the 2008 draft!!

[PsykoSockPuppet]

Very good post.

I'm a shy person myself and sometimes I deal with a little bit of studdering and mumbling because I don't talk very loud.

[Hurricane Marv]

Let me start by saying that the way someone speaks DOES NOT mean they are stupid and unintelligent.

I went to school at the Rochester Institute of Technology and I took a ton of advance mathematics and computer science courses. I say that because I was in classes with someone of the brightest kids in the world. And I understood Leodis McKelvin better than I did some of those kids.

If you look at the scouting reports throughout the website, you will see some state that he is EXTREMELY SHY. These kids at RIT, also have that quality about them. Shy people do not communicate openly to the world around them. Causing their verbal skills to never really develop like an extrovert would. My cousin is a speech pathologist, and most of her students have problems, because they are introverts.


His best friend had this quote in an article from PRW.com.
“the perception of McKelvin’s social skills might change once people in the league get to know him better”….“As far as meeting new people, I don’t think (Leodis will) have a problem with teammates or anybody,” he said. “If he feels like he has something in common with somebody, he’s not as shy. If he’s meeting somebody off the street, that’s a little different.”

You pair his introvertism with a southern accent, and you get what most on this board have been mocking him about. You then add that to a family who never even graduated from highschool… Leodis being the first. His environment also has held back his communication skills.

This kid is NOT dumb. He carried 14 credits this spring, and will be graduating this year. ( A feat that he wanted to prove to his nieces and nephews, so that they had a role model )
Now he went to Troy and not some Ivy league school, but balancing football and school is not an easy task even for the brightest people.

Plus from this small school he became the NCAAs BEST CB! And isn’t really that what we are all excited about anyway.

So please stop your ignorance on this hardworking and talented kid, and stop saying stuff about his ignorance because his speech is not like yours!!

Ps.. here is that article… http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/mckelvin2302.htm

great post, although you take away from it a bit with a bit of a backhand slam at the school being " troy and not some ivy league school ". being a college athlete is near impossible regardless of where you attend. hell i just worked and went to a SUNY school and that was tough enough. for this dude to graduate and make it to nfl, regardless of the school i take nothing away from him.

[OS Football]

Great Post. Who gives a **** how he speaks. If someone has an issue with it, they need to grow the hell up

[BillsCruiser]

great post, although you take away from it a bit with a bit of a backhand slam at the school being " troy and not some ivy league school ". being a college athlete is near impossible regardless of where you attend. hell i just worked and went to a SUNY school and that was tough enough. for this dude to graduate and make it to nfl, regardless of the school i take nothing away from him.

You should have read the rest of that sentence. The poster clearly stated that it was difficult to play sports and take on college classes regardless of school. I saw no "backhand slam", as you so eloquently slammed him.


GO BILLS!!!!

[chaunce54]

The fact that he is at school right now finishing his education says enough.

[MDBillz]

Great Post. Who gives a **** how he speaks. If someone has an issue with it, they need to grow the hell up

Agreed! I wasn't about to get into an argument with some posters on this board even though I wanted to. I could give a **** less how he talks, as long as he produces on the field. I love that deep south accent.

He and Hardy both bring a much needed edge and swagger to this franchise.

[Hurricane Marv]

You should have read the rest of that sentence. The poster clearly stated that it was difficult to play sports and take on college classes regardless of school. I saw no "backhand slam", as you so eloquently slammed him.


GO BILLS!!!!

said " troy but not an ivy league school ".

who pissed in your cheerios? i agree with the poster and you. my point was that attending a junior college and playing sports is even extremely difficult as i'm sure it was his, it was just worded strangely. calm down.

[SiC]

Great post!! so true!

Hey if Leodis doesnt want to get infront of the camera all the time and yap (like some players i know) and just concentrate on football then he's ok by me!!!

[BEASTMODE_23]

yeah i have a slow deep voice and people think im ignorant. I'm far from that, I currently hold a 3.25 GPA in college. I'm also street smart and knowledgable in many areas.

[BuffaloBound]

Great Post. Most of the people making fun of him will be on his wagon after he tears up the field. Not to mention most of them probably have something wrong with them. So shut it and hope he does well. He will probably do his talking on the field anyway.

[mckelvin2dahouse]

i think its pretty lame to bash this guy when hes a new member to the bills. imagine being in his position of trying to adjust to the team and hearing about the public ctriticizing you.

[8_moorman_8]

excellent post by the original poster.

i've heard far too many people getting on this kid because of his speech, it's about time someone explained the issue a little deeper.

good job.

[ImpactCorey]

I don't disagree with anything you've said but I don't put much stake in a degree earned by a top NFL draft pick. Everyone knows schools let these players slide. That being said, who cares? His job is to play football, not mix chemicals.

[Oblivion88]

I knew he wasn't stupid. I could tell it was a heavy accent......Plus if he was stupid, who cares? Just produce on the field.....I love how arrogant and ignorant people are on here.

[BillsCruiser]

i think its pretty lame to bash this guy when hes a new member to the bills. imagine being in his position of trying to adjust to the team and hearing about the public ctriticizing you.

Can you imagine if this young man was drafted by a "NY" team? That city would chew him up before his first team breakfast. Fans on this board need to back off this kid. He's a great pick-up and he needs our support.



GO BILLS!!!!

[robreg2]

Good post!

[CoastalRyan9]

Let me start by saying that the way someone speaks DOES NOT mean they are stupid and unintelligent.

I went to school at the Rochester Institute of Technology and I took a ton of advance mathematics and computer science courses. I say that because I was in classes with someone of the brightest kids in the world. And I understood Leodis McKelvin better than I did some of those kids.

If you look at the scouting reports throughout the website, you will see some state that he is EXTREMELY SHY. These kids at RIT, also have that quality about them. Shy people do not communicate openly to the world around them. Causing their verbal skills to never really develop like an extrovert would. My cousin is a speech pathologist, and most of her students have problems, because they are introverts.


His best friend had this quote in an article from PRW.com.
“the perception of McKelvin’s social skills might change once people in the league get to know him better”….“As far as meeting new people, I don’t think (Leodis will) have a problem with teammates or anybody,” he said. “If he feels like he has something in common with somebody, he’s not as shy. If he’s meeting somebody off the street, that’s a little different.”

You pair his introvertism with a southern accent, and you get what most on this board have been mocking him about. You then add that to a family who never even graduated from highschool… Leodis being the first. His environment also has held back his communication skills.

This kid is NOT dumb. He carried 14 credits this spring, and will be graduating this year. ( A feat that he wanted to prove to his nieces and nephews, so that they had a role model )
Now he went to Troy and not some Ivy league school, but balancing football and school is not an easy task even for the brightest people.

Plus from this small school he became the NCAAs BEST CB! And isn’t really that what we are all excited about anyway.

So please stop your ignorance on this hardworking and talented kid, and stop saying stuff about his ignorance because his speech is not like yours!!

Ps.. here is that article… http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/mckelvin2302.htm

Nice post, thank you.

[okbills]

Let me start by saying that the way someone speaks DOES NOT mean they are stupid and unintelligent.

I went to school at the Rochester Institute of Technology and I took a ton of advance mathematics and computer science courses. I say that because I was in classes with someone of the brightest kids in the world. And I understood Leodis McKelvin better than I did some of those kids.

If you look at the scouting reports throughout the website, you will see some state that he is EXTREMELY SHY. These kids at RIT, also have that quality about them. Shy people do not communicate openly to the world around them. Causing their verbal skills to never really develop like an extrovert would. My cousin is a speech pathologist, and most of her students have problems, because they are introverts.


His best friend had this quote in an article from PRW.com.
“the perception of McKelvin’s social skills might change once people in the league get to know him better”….“As far as meeting new people, I don’t think (Leodis will) have a problem with teammates or anybody,” he said. “If he feels like he has something in common with somebody, he’s not as shy. If he’s meeting somebody off the street, that’s a little different.”

You pair his introvertism with a southern accent, and you get what most on this board have been mocking him about. You then add that to a family who never even graduated from highschool… Leodis being the first. His environment also has held back his communication skills.

This kid is NOT dumb. He carried 14 credits this spring, and will be graduating this year. ( A feat that he wanted to prove to his nieces and nephews, so that they had a role model )
Now he went to Troy and not some Ivy league school, but balancing football and school is not an easy task even for the brightest people.

Plus from this small school he became the NCAAs BEST CB! And isn’t really that what we are all excited about anyway.

So please stop your ignorance on this hardworking and talented kid, and stop saying stuff about his ignorance because his speech is not like yours!!

Ps.. here is that article… http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/mckelvin2302.htm

Him and Parrish need translators.

[billyinthebuff]

I in NFL and make millions and millions of dollars. Futball bin berry berry gud to me.

[your climax]

I can care less the way he sounds. He talks how he feels comfortable and I will never judge him by the way he speaks.

[TBBills Fan]

Anyone who thinks someones intelligence is based on how they speak are unintelligent themselves. Some people have speaking disorders such as stuttering or are shy like you said.

I haven't seen anyone say that myself but if they did they themselves are dumb and very very ignorant.

or ignorant racist pigs!

[PA Bills Maniac]

I have to admit that when I first heard him speak, I was taken back a bit. Then I heard that he was from Waycross GA and that explained it all to me. I lived in GA for a while and found that the deeper south in the state, the stronger the accent and the harder to understand. This has nothing to do with intelligence or even social structure. It is a matter of geography.

Welcome to Buffalo, Leodis!

[BillsOnParade]

Let me start by saying that the way someone speaks DOES NOT mean they are stupid and unintelligent.

I went to school at the Rochester Institute of Technology and I took a ton of advance mathematics and computer science courses. I say that because I was in classes with someone of the brightest kids in the world. And I understood Leodis McKelvin better than I did some of those kids.

If you look at the scouting reports throughout the website, you will see some state that he is EXTREMELY SHY. These kids at RIT, also have that quality about them. Shy people do not communicate openly to the world around them. Causing their verbal skills to never really develop like an extrovert would. My cousin is a speech pathologist, and most of her students have problems, because they are introverts.


His best friend had this quote in an article from PRW.com.
“the perception of McKelvin’s social skills might change once people in the league get to know him better”….“As far as meeting new people, I don’t think (Leodis will) have a problem with teammates or anybody,” he said. “If he feels like he has something in common with somebody, he’s not as shy. If he’s meeting somebody off the street, that’s a little different.”

You pair his introvertism with a southern accent, and you get what most on this board have been mocking him about. You then add that to a family who never even graduated from highschool… Leodis being the first. His environment also has held back his communication skills.

This kid is NOT dumb. He carried 14 credits this spring, and will be graduating this year. ( A feat that he wanted to prove to his nieces and nephews, so that they had a role model )
Now he went to Troy and not some Ivy league school, but balancing football and school is not an easy task even for the brightest people.

Plus from this small school he became the NCAAs BEST CB! And isn’t really that what we are all excited about anyway.

So please stop your ignorance on this hardworking and talented kid, and stop saying stuff about his ignorance because his speech is not like yours!!

Ps.. here is that article… http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/mckelvin2302.htm



great post, i'll be honest i thought he sounded dumb, but after reading this my opinion changed quickly and i take back everything i have said.

GO LEODIS!
GO BILLS!!

[MassBillzPhreak]

Let me start by saying that the way someone speaks DOES NOT mean they are stupid and unintelligent.

I went to school at the Rochester Institute of Technology and I took a ton of advance mathematics and computer science courses. I say that because I was in classes with someone of the brightest kids in the world. And I understood Leodis McKelvin better than I did some of those kids.

If you look at the scouting reports throughout the website, you will see some state that he is EXTREMELY SHY. These kids at RIT, also have that quality about them. Shy people do not communicate openly to the world around them. Causing their verbal skills to never really develop like an extrovert would. My cousin is a speech pathologist, and most of her students have problems, because they are introverts.


His best friend had this quote in an article from PRW.com.
“the perception of McKelvin’s social skills might change once people in the league get to know him better”….“As far as meeting new people, I don’t think (Leodis will) have a problem with teammates or anybody,” he said. “If he feels like he has something in common with somebody, he’s not as shy. If he’s meeting somebody off the street, that’s a little different.”

You pair his introvertism with a southern accent, and you get what most on this board have been mocking him about. You then add that to a family who never even graduated from highschool… Leodis being the first. His environment also has held back his communication skills.

This kid is NOT dumb. He carried 14 credits this spring, and will be graduating this year. ( A feat that he wanted to prove to his nieces and nephews, so that they had a role model )
Now he went to Troy and not some Ivy league school, but balancing football and school is not an easy task even for the brightest people.

Plus from this small school he became the NCAAs BEST CB! And isn’t really that what we are all excited about anyway.

So please stop your ignorance on this hardworking and talented kid, and stop saying stuff about his ignorance because his speech is not like yours!!

Ps.. here is that article… http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/mckelvin2302.htm

fantastic post sir!

[stinkbmb]

In principal, I agree with the premise of the original post. Someone's ability to speak is not a sign of intelligence. However, someone's vocabulary and their grasp of language is an intelligence indicator. Leodis seems to use the correct words in the proper context but can be difficult to understand.

As for the RIT advanced mathematics students are difficult to understand argument, I think this is being used out of context. Often, in advanced mathematics classes throughout technical universities across this country, you will find students from all over the world. Speaking from experience, what makes them difficult to understand is the fact that they have accents or that English is their second or third language. I think the primary correlation of these students being difficult to understand is the fact that English is not their native language and not their shyness. Since Leodis is from the US and English is his first language, this argument doesn't fly.

But, like I said, I agree with the premise of the post. I just can’t causally accept the advanced students are difficult to understand argument used to support it.

[st0nefeet]

i heard them bashing someone about how they spoke on the whiner line and wondered what it was all about

then i saw this thread

WHO CARES?
good lord, this is about as petty as arguing about whether or not jeremiah wright loves america as a political issue

can the guy play
that's all that matters

[ObamaNation]

Let me start by saying that the way someone speaks DOES NOT mean they are stupid and unintelligent.

I went to school at the Rochester Institute of Technology and I took a ton of advance mathematics and computer science courses. I say that because I was in classes with someone of the brightest kids in the world. And I understood Leodis McKelvin better than I did some of those kids.

If you look at the scouting reports throughout the website, you will see some state that he is EXTREMELY SHY. These kids at RIT, also have that quality about them. Shy people do not communicate openly to the world around them. Causing their verbal skills to never really develop like an extrovert would. My cousin is a speech pathologist, and most of her students have problems, because they are introverts.


His best friend had this quote in an article from PRW.com.
“the perception of McKelvin’s social skills might change once people in the league get to know him better”….“As far as meeting new people, I don’t think (Leodis will) have a problem with teammates or anybody,” he said. “If he feels like he has something in common with somebody, he’s not as shy. If he’s meeting somebody off the street, that’s a little different.”

You pair his introvertism with a southern accent, and you get what most on this board have been mocking him about. You then add that to a family who never even graduated from highschool… Leodis being the first. His environment also has held back his communication skills.

This kid is NOT dumb. He carried 14 credits this spring, and will be graduating this year. ( A feat that he wanted to prove to his nieces and nephews, so that they had a role model )
Now he went to Troy and not some Ivy league school, but balancing football and school is not an easy task even for the brightest people.

Plus from this small school he became the NCAAs BEST CB! And isn’t really that what we are all excited about anyway.

So please stop your ignorance on this hardworking and talented kid, and stop saying stuff about his ignorance because his speech is not like yours!!

Ps.. here is that article… http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/mckelvin2302.htm

I don't know why anyone on here would be critical of someone by the way they talk. Marshawn Lynch and Roscoe Parrish aren't the most eloquent people.

These guys are young kids and are all off sudden swamped by reporters... they get nervous.

[xboomer]

Well said. We are paying him to play football not be our communications director. The fact he made it to the NFL given his background says more than words ever could so people need to back off and support him.

[JROCK2004]

I have no issues with his voice. I did post I hard a hard time understanding him but I think he is a great pick.

[jrober38]

i heard them bashing someone about how they spoke on the whiner line and wondered what it was all about

then i saw this thread

WHO CARES?
good lord, this is about as petty as arguing about whether or not jeremiah wright loves america as a political issue

can the guy play
that's all that matters

Exactly, the fact that this thread keeps going is rediculous. Who cares that he didn't perform well in his interview? I don't know him, I'm never going to meet him, and as a result I have no right to pass judgement on someone based on a person's first TV interview. Thats not fair for him.

I respect the author of this thread for defending him from the people who feel its neccessary to mock this man, but this topic needs to end. Leave the man alone!

[AnthonySOSB]

Let me start by saying that the way someone speaks DOES NOT mean they are stupid and unintelligent.

I went to school at the Rochester Institute of Technology and I took a ton of advance mathematics and computer science courses. I say that because I was in classes with someone of the brightest kids in the world. And I understood Leodis McKelvin better than I did some of those kids.

If you look at the scouting reports throughout the website, you will see some state that he is EXTREMELY SHY. These kids at RIT, also have that quality about them. Shy people do not communicate openly to the world around them. Causing their verbal skills to never really develop like an extrovert would. My cousin is a speech pathologist, and most of her students have problems, because they are introverts.


His best friend had this quote in an article from PRW.com.
“the perception of McKelvin’s social skills might change once people in the league get to know him better”….“As far as meeting new people, I don’t think (Leodis will) have a problem with teammates or anybody,” he said. “If he feels like he has something in common with somebody, he’s not as shy. If he’s meeting somebody off the street, that’s a little different.”

You pair his introvertism with a southern accent, and you get what most on this board have been mocking him about. You then add that to a family who never even graduated from highschool… Leodis being the first. His environment also has held back his communication skills.

This kid is NOT dumb. He carried 14 credits this spring, and will be graduating this year. ( A feat that he wanted to prove to his nieces and nephews, so that they had a role model )
Now he went to Troy and not some Ivy league school, but balancing football and school is not an easy task even for the brightest people.

Plus from this small school he became the NCAAs BEST CB! And isn’t really that what we are all excited about anyway.

So please stop your ignorance on this hardworking and talented kid, and stop saying stuff about his ignorance because his speech is not like yours!!

Ps.. here is that article… http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/mckelvin2302.htm


Thank you so much for posting this. He almost just seemed really nervous and words weren't coming out right rather than he's a ******. He's from the south, everything is slower and more drawn out. I hate the ignorant pricks on this board.

[streetkings01]

I see no problem with the way he talks.....he just has a very thick southern accent like my gramps!

[franchisedotcom]

Let me start by saying that the way someone speaks DOES NOT mean they are stupid and unintelligent.

I went to school at the Rochester Institute of Technology and I took a ton of advance mathematics and computer science courses. I say that because I was in classes with someone of the brightest kids in the world. And I understood Leodis McKelvin better than I did some of those kids.

I am currently attending RIT and I know what you mean. Plus, it isn't just the students, I have a really hard time understanding the professors. Each of the four professors I have this quarter are foreign.

[GottaBillieve]

I went to R.I.T. as well. Graduated last year.

I also lived in Savannah, GA for 3 years. Honestly, thats how a lot of people talk in the South. We displaced New Yorkers called it lazy lip at first. lol. Has nothing to do with intelligence. It's part of southern culture, everything is slower, people are more patient and blend words together while they talk.

Ask Liodis and other Southerners what they think of our New York/Yankee accents... Or Surfer Boy/California accents... There are two sides to every coin... Everybody's different...

Welcome Liodis. I don't care if you speak Yiddish. Your a Bill, and we accept you as one of us...

[st0nefeet]

I went to R.I.T. as well. Graduated last year.

I also lived in Savannah, GA for 3 years. Honestly, thats how a lot of people talk in the South. We displaced New Yorkers called it lazy lip at first. lol. Has nothing to do with intelligence. It's part of southern culture, everything is slower, people are more patient and blend words together while they talk.

Ask Liodis and other Southerners what they think of our New York/Yankee accents... Or Surfer Boy/California accents... There are two sides to every coin... Everybody's different...

Welcome Liodis. I don't care if you speak Yiddish. Your a Bill, and we accept you as one of us...

it's because of the heat
having lived down there i'm sure you know during the summer you know you have to move slower to minimize the sweating

[GottaBillieve]

it's because of the heat
having lived down there i'm sure you know during the summer you know you have to move slower to minimize the sweating

hahah... very true, that humidity makes my lips pretty heavy too... lol...

[standingbuffalo]

when michael strahan was first drafted he stuttered so badly he wouldn't even talk to the media. didn't seem to have any bearing on his on-field performance did it? over the years he got more comfortable, worked at it, and look at him now--guarantee he will be in broadcasting when he retires from playing.

[Marshawn-2-the-housee]

good post i hope people realize he is a good kid and smart. and will be a very good player for this young team

[sjhbillsfan]

Let me start by saying that the way someone speaks DOES NOT mean they are stupid and unintelligent.

I went to school at the Rochester Institute of Technology and I took a ton of advance mathematics and computer science courses. I say that because I was in classes with someone of the brightest kids in the world. And I understood Leodis McKelvin better than I did some of those kids.

If you look at the scouting reports throughout the website, you will see some state that he is EXTREMELY SHY. These kids at RIT, also have that quality about them. Shy people do not communicate openly to the world around them. Causing their verbal skills to never really develop like an extrovert would. My cousin is a speech pathologist, and most of her students have problems, because they are introverts.


His best friend had this quote in an article from PRW.com.
“the perception of McKelvin’s social skills might change once people in the league get to know him better”….“As far as meeting new people, I don’t think (Leodis will) have a problem with teammates or anybody,” he said. “If he feels like he has something in common with somebody, he’s not as shy. If he’s meeting somebody off the street, that’s a little different.”

You pair his introvertism with a southern accent, and you get what most on this board have been mocking him about. You then add that to a family who never even graduated from highschool… Leodis being the first. His environment also has held back his communication skills.

This kid is NOT dumb. He carried 14 credits this spring, and will be graduating this year. ( A feat that he wanted to prove to his nieces and nephews, so that they had a role model )
Now he went to Troy and not some Ivy league school, but balancing football and school is not an easy task even for the brightest people.

Plus from this small school he became the NCAAs BEST CB! And isn’t really that what we are all excited about anyway.

So please stop your ignorance on this hardworking and talented kid, and stop saying stuff about his ignorance because his speech is not like yours!!

Ps.. here is that article… http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/mckelvin2302.htm


He isn't dumb, I don't think, he just has a thick southern accent. For some reason, we equate Southern Accents with a lack of intelligance. None of us want to be in the OR about to get anethesia and hear the Dr say "Don't worry Y'all, tomorah y'all but be as fine as Daisey Duke on a Spring day". Doesn't mean he isn't a good doctor.

[SullyNc]

Good Post. Always remember to not judge a book by its cover. Besides the fact Mckelvin is a top notch Person. I don't think he much cares what people think. From the sounds of it...........He's made here against some big odds. And I don't think he considers this his greatest accomplishment! I'm glad for him and his family And I wish them the best. This dude is gonna be good! And he seems like a cool cat. I'm glad we have him!

[VirginiaTech Bills]

The kid has a very strong southern draw...and he has to be nervous...he wasn't in the national spotlight at Troy..and now he is drafted 11th, the first CB taken and talking on ESPN....has be a lot for him

[VaBillsFan]

As long as he produces on the field, he can speak any way he'd like!


His play will speak louder than his words.

Welcome aboard, Leodis!

[DenverBill]

Let me start by saying that the way someone speaks DOES NOT mean they are stupid and unintelligent.

I went to school at the Rochester Institute of Technology and I took a ton of advance mathematics and computer science courses. I say that because I was in classes with someone of the brightest kids in the world. And I understood Leodis McKelvin better than I did some of those kids.

If you look at the scouting reports throughout the website, you will see some state that he is EXTREMELY SHY. These kids at RIT, also have that quality about them. Shy people do not communicate openly to the world around them. Causing their verbal skills to never really develop like an extrovert would. My cousin is a speech pathologist, and most of her students have problems, because they are introverts.


His best friend had this quote in an article from PRW.com.
“the perception of McKelvin’s social skills might change once people in the league get to know him better”….“As far as meeting new people, I don’t think (Leodis will) have a problem with teammates or anybody,” he said. “If he feels like he has something in common with somebody, he’s not as shy. If he’s meeting somebody off the street, that’s a little different.”

You pair his introvertism with a southern accent, and you get what most on this board have been mocking him about. You then add that to a family who never even graduated from highschool… Leodis being the first. His environment also has held back his communication skills.

This kid is NOT dumb. He carried 14 credits this spring, and will be graduating this year. ( A feat that he wanted to prove to his nieces and nephews, so that they had a role model )
Now he went to Troy and not some Ivy league school, but balancing football and school is not an easy task even for the brightest people.

Plus from this small school he became the NCAAs BEST CB! And isn’t really that what we are all excited about anyway.

So please stop your ignorance on this hardworking and talented kid, and stop saying stuff about his ignorance because his speech is not like yours!!

Ps.. here is that article… http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/mckelvin2302.htm

He isn't harder to understand that McGahee ever was.

I don't care if you can speak english well while on the Bills. I just care that you can play the game well day in and out.

Now if he is to become the Bills spokes person, well...thats a different thing al together.

[luvthebills]

Let me start by saying that the way someone speaks DOES NOT mean they are stupid and unintelligent.

I went to school at the Rochester Institute of Technology and I took a ton of advance mathematics and computer science courses. I say that because I was in classes with someone of the brightest kids in the world. And I understood Leodis McKelvin better than I did some of those kids.

If you look at the scouting reports throughout the website, you will see some state that he is EXTREMELY SHY. These kids at RIT, also have that quality about them. Shy people do not communicate openly to the world around them. Causing their verbal skills to never really develop like an extrovert would. My cousin is a speech pathologist, and most of her students have problems, because they are introverts.

His best friend had this quote in an article from PRW.com.
“the perception of McKelvin’s social skills might change once people in the league get to know him better”….“As far as meeting new people, I don’t think (Leodis will) have a problem with teammates or anybody,” he said. “If he feels like he has something in common with somebody, he’s not as shy. If he’s meeting somebody off the street, that’s a little different.”

You pair his introvertism with a southern accent, and you get what most on this board have been mocking him about. You then add that to a family who never even graduated from highschool… Leodis being the first. His environment also has held back his communication skills.

This kid is NOT dumb. He carried 14 credits this spring, and will be graduating this year. ( A feat that he wanted to prove to his nieces and nephews, so that they had a role model )
Now he went to Troy and not some Ivy league school, but balancing football and school is not an easy task even for the brightest people.

Plus from this small school he became the NCAAs BEST CB! And isn’t really that what we are all excited about anyway.

So please stop your ignorance on this hardworking and talented kid, and stop saying stuff about his ignorance because his speech is not like yours!!

Ps.. here is that article… http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/mckelvin2302.htm

who said anything about how the kid talks?

[Ohiobillsguy]

great post, it's amazing how peoples perceptions of others can be changed just by the way they speak.

Exactly! Who would have thought Barack Obama would be considered an "elitiest" if you take into consideration the sterotypical opinions of people! I'm glad Leodis pushed himself! Both in the classroom and on the field! He's going to be a great addition to the Bills!

[TheBeastInTheEast]

I think a certain number 23 on our team doesn't speak perfect english. His blogs are hilarious if you ever read them you would think Marshawn is illiterate. But its not his job to speak or write perfect in casual or even football situations. He actually did very well at Cal in the years he was there. People often see color and an accent and attribute unintelligence. Not at all. I love both these guys, let go bills!!

[Half Note]

:clap: for the original poster. Welcome to Buffalo, Leodis!!!

[old school]

how you speak has everything to do with where u were raised...
bet he sounds like every kid in that area.

he's not an ivy leaguer, but if he has heart and determination and
plays hard he will be a hero in bflo.

[bumbles247]

Great post. When I first heard him speak I instantly thought of Lester Hayes.

Why Lester Hayes? Because I remember reading about him in John Madden's book (no, I can't stand Madden as an announcer but he was a helluva coach). Madden actually said Hayes slipped in the draft because people thought he wasn't very smart.

I couldn't find the actual book quote but here's the jist of it from Wikipedia:

Hayes was a lifelong stutterer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuttering) until well into his professional career. He tended to stay quiet, rather than draw attention to his condition. For this reason, he was often looked upon as not very smart, but after successful treatment, people "couldn't shut him up," according to former Raiders coach John Madden (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Madden_%28football%29), and it was revealed that Hayes was an articulate, intelligent man. At autograph signings, he maintains a constant flow of chatter, entertaining his fans with his wit and style.

I don't give a rat's patoot how Leodis talks. Sure it might matter if he's running for public office, but anybody who labels a person a stupid and thinks he can't play ball because he doesn't speak as well as you think he should needs to grow up.

Oh yeah, for all you youngsters out there, in 1980 Lester Hayes intercepted 13 passes in the regular season and 5 more in the playoffs as his Raiders team won the Super Bowl. Not bad for a guy who didn't speak well.

[old school]

bumbleiscious!

[jagd1305]

This the first time one of our players from TROY has had to face an issue about his accent from some fans of an NFL team that drafted him that I know of. It was my understanding that he is to play professional football, not participate in a spelling bee or a linguistics course. I'm quite certain that the the immediate exposure to the media there and all the hype is overwhelming considering where he has come from. Our southern accents shouldn't be the litmus tests for intellect. It never impaired the first president of the United States or the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence. Both of whom were Southerners. As for Leodis's education from TROY, many students from overseas (especially China) flock here to obtain their degrees. Our military is currently packed with TROY grads. He's a good kid and comes from a good family. You have Leodis McKelvin, not Pacman Jones.
Laissez les bon temps rouller, y'all!

[mnemonicus]

I went to RIT in 1999 before transferring to Brockport where I later got my BA and MA in history...

RIT students were wealthy.....

Not shy.

And they were douchebags.

And/or deaf.

:thumbsup:

[hutcht02]

There's no need for him to talk. He can let his sacking and intercepting do the communicating instead.

[Bruce Smith Eats Ya QB]

1 of the better post that I hve read on BILLS.COM in a longtime...... there is not 1 thing wrong wit he way he talks.... he doesnt need 2 speak correct and proper sentences 2 be smart 2 me....

[timmy14612]

Can you imagine if this young man was drafted by a "NY" team? That city would chew him up before his first team breakfast. Fans on this board need to back off this kid. He's a great pick-up and he needs our support.



GO BILLS!!!!



He actually was drafted by the only football team in NY lol

[Whitner]

Honestly, I didnt even see a issue with his speech. I live in NC down here in the south and there are alot of people who talk like that, you can clearly tell he is shy so im sure that is part of it. but to me I dont care how he talks as long as he is out there balling on sundays

[Armest07]

***? this is total bull****.The post was very good, but how is it that everyone is completely changing their opinions on his speech? I can't count how many times people were saying that they couldn't understand him. I WAS AND STILL AM ONE OF THEM!

You can't deny the fact that for a northerner, it is hard to decipher what he is saying in several cases. And you can't deny the fact that when someone has trouble articulating properly,most people assume they are unintelligent. Sad, maybe, but true. As the original post said, he comes from a poorly educated family, and his speech reflects it.

I do not have a problem with it! Everyone has their own quarks. Ex:JP kinda sounds like a chica. As he becomes more accustomed to the city, and Buffalo accepts him as family, his shyness will decrease, and he will slow down when he speaks.

My point is, it find it quite hypocritical that so many people here formerly criticized his speech, and now are saying, 'I KNOW! IT IS SOOOOO MEAN TO JUDGE SOMEONE BY THE WAY THEY SPEAK! I'VE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH HOW HE SPEAKS.'

idk. That just bothered me. I really did like this thread though.

[Wolf]

Good god I can't believe this is being discussed, after hearing him for 5 seconds and knowing he's from South Georgia come on. Those people just don't speak English. Leodis is not "slow" or have any legitimate speech problem... try and be positive he'll be a star.

[Raybone31]

Let me start by saying that the way someone speaks DOES NOT mean they are stupid and unintelligent.

I went to school at the Rochester Institute of Technology and I took a ton of advance mathematics and computer science courses. I say that because I was in classes with someone of the brightest kids in the world. And I understood Leodis McKelvin better than I did some of those kids.

If you look at the scouting reports throughout the website, you will see some state that he is EXTREMELY SHY. These kids at RIT, also have that quality about them. Shy people do not communicate openly to the world around them. Causing their verbal skills to never really develop like an extrovert would. My cousin is a speech pathologist, and most of her students have problems, because they are introverts.


His best friend had this quote in an article from PRW.com.
“the perception of McKelvin’s social skills might change once people in the league get to know him better”….“As far as meeting new people, I don’t think (Leodis will) have a problem with teammates or anybody,” he said. “If he feels like he has something in common with somebody, he’s not as shy. If he’s meeting somebody off the street, that’s a little different.”

You pair his introvertism with a southern accent, and you get what most on this board have been mocking him about. You then add that to a family who never even graduated from highschool… Leodis being the first. His environment also has held back his communication skills.

This kid is NOT dumb. He carried 14 credits this spring, and will be graduating this year. ( A feat that he wanted to prove to his nieces and nephews, so that they had a role model )
Now he went to Troy and not some Ivy league school, but balancing football and school is not an easy task even for the brightest people.

Plus from this small school he became the NCAAs BEST CB! And isn’t really that what we are all excited about anyway.

So please stop your ignorance on this hardworking and talented kid, and stop saying stuff about his ignorance because his speech is not like yours!!

Ps.. here is that article… http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/mckelvin2302.htm


Well said. I just posted something on this as well. Very well said.

[Bruce Smith Eats Ya QB]

***? this is total bull****.The post was very good, but how is it that everyone is completely changing their opinions on his speech? I can't count how many times people were saying that they couldn't understand him. I WAS AND STILL AM ONE OF THEM!

You can't deny the fact that for a northerner, it is hard to decipher what he is saying in several cases. And you can't deny the fact that when someone has trouble articulating properly,most people assume they are unintelligent. Sad, maybe, but true. As the original post said, he comes from a poorly educated family, and his speech reflects it.

I do not have a problem with it! Everyone has their own quarks. Ex:JP kinda sounds like a chica. As he becomes more accustomed to the city, and Buffalo accepts him as family, his shyness will decrease, and he will slow down when he speaks.

My point is, it find it quite hypocritical that so many people here formerly criticized his speech, and now are saying, 'I KNOW! IT IS SOOOOO MEAN TO JUDGE SOMEONE BY THE WAY THEY SPEAK! I'VE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH HOW HE SPEAKS.'

idk. That just bothered me. I really did like this thread though.

Those people need 2 diversify who they hang around wit and the at that time they can begin 2 follow the point heis tryin 2 make

Not every will choose or want 2 have the SAME DELIVERY when they pronounce the same dailly and basic word

2 ME the way he talk he is unique

[BBillinJVille]

***? this is total bull****.The post was very good, but how is it that everyone is completely changing their opinions on his speech? I can't count how many times people were saying that they couldn't understand him. I WAS AND STILL AM ONE OF THEM!

You can't deny the fact that for a northerner, it is hard to decipher what he is saying in several cases. And you can't deny the fact that when someone has trouble articulating properly,most people assume they are unintelligent. Sad, maybe, but true. As the original post said, he comes from a poorly educated family, and his speech reflects it.

I do not have a problem with it! Everyone has their own quarks. Ex:JP kinda sounds like a chica. As he becomes more accustomed to the city, and Buffalo accepts him as family, his shyness will decrease, and he will slow down when he speaks.

My point is, it find it quite hypocritical that so many people here formerly criticized his speech, and now are saying, 'I KNOW! IT IS SOOOOO MEAN TO JUDGE SOMEONE BY THE WAY THEY SPEAK! I'VE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH HOW HE SPEAKS.'

idk. That just bothered me. I really did like this thread though.

Leodis would be offended if anyone(FO, Agent, potential teammates, etc.) suggested Speech Therapy due to the strong possibility of him becoming one of the 'FACES' of this team; as well as being able to represent us proudly; particularly on TV or Radio. Not picking on the young man; just a thought.

Any feedback?

[ButchRolle4TheWall]

Are you talking about the deaf Rugby player on R.I.T. ?