September 29th, 2010 
AT2W Staff 
UPDATE BELOW:
Now Bishop Long is getting some support since he has refuted the accusations against him for sexual coercion on four young men that were members of his Longfellow Youth Academy at New Birth.
An ex-NFL Player tells Fox News that Bishop Long was his spiritual father as well but he was never inappropriate with him. Anthony Cannon was an NFL player for the Detroit Lions for nearly three years and said that the bishop encouraged him to achieve his dreams.
The young man Cannon says that he lived in Lithonia where the New Birth Church resides and attended well know Stephenson High School while he attended the church. He says that Bishop Long took him under his wing and like he’s done for many other young men.
Anthony Cannon says:
“He just wanted to be that to me because I didn’t have my father in my life.”
Though Cannon claims that the bishop was never sexually inappropriate with him he says he was given many things from Bishop Long. He claims that the Bishop gave him cars, money, generous gifts and spiritual guidance.
He contends:
“I can’t speak on anyone else interaction all I know is what I’ve seen and what he presented to me and its been nothing like these allegations.”
As a free agent now, Cannon says when he was under Bishop Long’s ministry, Long would buy him cars in order for him to commute from Georgia state to Louisiana state and back again as well as receiving gifts of cash for so called expenses that he needed. He states that Long was very generous and personally gave these gifts our of his pocket.
The young man states:
“He would maybe just give me $100, $200 out of his pocket, never a check or anything like that. It was always money that was just in his pocket that he gave to me. I can’t name one spiritual son that hasn’t experienced that, because that’s not, I don’t feel like that was a ploy to pull people in, that’s his heart.”
In this interview, Anthony conclude by stating:
“I can’t say they’re lying, just don’t know if they’re telling the complete truth.”
That last statement really strikes a nerve. Though the young man may not know for sure if the allegations are true is correct but to mention that in an interview that is suppose to discredit the accusers and credit the bishop’s integrity, it sounds pretty sketchy. As well at that, the last statement, “…just don’t know if they’re telling the complete truth”, doesn’t sound like a sincere statement. Any allegations against some that a person can never say that they would commit, she sound truly convincing and this was not.
We checked some of the responses to this interview and its seems as though most people either don’t believe him, think that bishop wasn’t attracted to him, he wasn’t “pretty” enough for Long or he is flat out lying for his then bishop.
The young man Jamal Parris, one of Long’s accusers was truly convincing when he interviewed for Fox 5 News I-Team that was aired last yesterday.
UPDATE: We have a video below that reveals Anthony Cannon stating that the bishop had to cut him off because he would continue go come to him for assistance and was careless and reckless. It seems like Cannon wants people to think that these four accusers didn’t know how to deal with being cut off. Its pretty obvious that the bishop many not have been sexually attracted to him. I think this young man is brainwashed and is just trying to get in good with the bishop since he has no contract with any NFL team. Nice try Long.. but not convincing!
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It is very obvious that Bishop Eddie Long was “not” attracted to Anthony Cannon. He does not fit the physical profile. Compare his looks to the 4 young men. The young men that are accusing the Bishop are very handsome, good looking men with “swagger”… Cannon has none of that. While I can appreciate Cannon’s support for the Bishop, that does not mean the 4 young men were not molested. I believe every word Jamal Parrish spoke in his interview. He came across as sincere, strong, and honest. And he brought a tear to my eye. My heart and soul told me that this young man was telling the whole truth. My heart ache for all the young men. I have no sympathy at all for Eddie Long. He knew better. And he should step down immediately. Regarding Cannon, keep in mind that predators choose their victims wisely. Cannon would have whipped Eddie’s behind had he approached him for sexual favors! LOL…. after all, this was a big man, a future NFL players… definitely not the Bishop’s type! The Bishop like theh pretty boys… he went after the young, handsome ones, not the brute types….
Hi and thanks for visiting our blog. We agree with you. We think Cannon is being coached and paid by Bishop Eddie Long and no doubt, church officials told him what to say. He is very unattractive and looks very gullible. It is a shame people will speak up and lie just to be accepted, because he is not a pretty boy, so this shows he is just trying to get attention from Bishop Eddie Long.
Ant has a good head on his shoulders. As far as not denying that Bishop may have had a relationship with these young men. That is what the BIBLE demands. The only people who know what really happened are the BISHOP these young men and GOD.
Ant ain’t brainwashed The truth will come out in due time and on top of that all are innocent until proven Guilty in the court of LAW so all I see is an opportunity to pray for both sides.
Thanks for commenting Josh! Well, Bishop Long may deny any relationship with these young men all he wants, but one thing is for sure: We don’t believe these young men are telling lies on Long. Like we said in the post, Long allegedly had his picks and chooses and you can fill in the blanks. Yes the court of law can give both sides an opportunity to prove their cases but why is Long’s attorneys trying to settle out of court if HE says: “This thing I’m going to fight“? Check your facts because that’s going on right now in the ATL.