That's the earliest mention I can find, so I'd hang it tentatively around MacMullen's neck. Though it was repeated in print by others, including Reiss.
Doesn't matter, she was wrong not to verify the information if she got it second hand, especially since that's the keynote of her story. Count me among those who thought lesser of Asante because of the "Get Paid" tattoo. I just sent MacMullen an e-mail:
It's truly unfortunate a journalist like yourself once again reinforces the stereotype of a lazy Globe staffer who can write well and not report with integrity. If you have any class, you'll correct this in print and issue an apology to Asante Samuel. I'd appreciate a response as well, but am not holding my breath.
Payment due
With 10 interceptions, Asante Samuel believes he has proven his worth, and he wants to be rewarded for all his hard work
By Jackie MacMullan, Globe Staff | January 7, 2007
FOXBOROUGH -- Tattoos are permanent. If you choose to have a message drilled onto your arm with a needle, then you must really mean what you say.
Check out Asante Samuel's tattoo: Get Paid.
Tattoo’s message lost in translation
By Karen Guregian
Thursday, October 11, 2007 - Updated 5m ago
Boston Herald General Sports Reporter and Columnist
FOXBORO -- When Asante Samuel [stats] was a sophomore in college at Central Florida, he was so taken by a Gnarls Barkley song that he decided to make it a permanent part of his body.
On Christmas break, he went to a tattoo parlor and braved the drill and needle. He had the name of the song etched on his left triceps. It’s called “Get Rich To This.” The words are spread top to bottom, encircling the visage of a building.
Before the playoffs last season, it was written - then followed up countless times - that the tattoo read, “Get Paid.”
“I don’t know who looked at it and said it was ‘Get Paid,’ but that’s what it is,” Samuel said, raising his left sleeve to show off the “Get Rich To This” tattoo. “Basically, it was a song by Gnarls Barkley when he was with Goodie Mob.”
Naturally, “Get Rich To This” can also be taken many ways. How does Samuel interpret the meaning as it relates to the song?
“It’s basically whatever you’re doing, you’re making the best of it,” he said. “If I’m writing a paper, I’m getting rich to this. I’m doing it my best, I’m putting my all into it. That’s basically what it is.”
It’s not quite the same as “Get Paid,” and it certainly doesn’t contain the same meaning. Samuel has taken a lot of heat for what many people thought was a tattoo that promoted greediness, selfishness, etc.
“You know how people are who want controversy,” Samuel said. “I don’t know how they got it mixed up, because it’s nowhere near, ‘Get Paid.’ Whoever did it just made a mistake, and it snowballed.”
