A comparison that not only went too far, but beyond.

Way beyond.

It was from Rich Rodriguez's attorney, Marv Robon, outside of the Monongalia County courtroom where a contract dispute pitting the coach and WVU was heard.

"Slaves had the right to buy their freedom," Robon told WNPB. "And a penalty of $4 million is almost like a slave from Africa trying to buy his freedom in America.''

Insert a stunned silence here.

With no due respect, sir, it is nothing like that.

It's not in the same ballpark.

It's not in the same universe.

Here is what James Tolbert, the former president of West Virginia's NAACP, said after being read the comment:

"There is no comparison between [Rodriguez's] situation to the slaves that came over from Africa. Absolutely no comparison. It's ridiculous.''

We see stretches and spins all the time in and around lawsuits. We see them from those trying to change opinion, whether it's in regard to a jury, a judge or simply the population at large.

But comparing a buyout clause between a football coach and a university to slavery is beyond outrageous. It's beyond absurd.

It's unconscionable.

"[Rodriguez] had a choice all along," Tolbert said. "The people from Africa had no rights. The comparison here to Africans-made-Americans is ridiculous.''

We'll let the court decide the Rodriguez versus WVU case. But on that point, Tolbert is dead on.

Rodriguez didn't have to sign a contract that included the clause - and paid him millions of dollars. He could have walked away.

Slaves could not walk away.

The comment is a slap in the face of the heroes who helped end slavery in America. To Harriet Tubman and her Underground Railroad. To William Lloyd Garrison, who headed the American Anti-Slavery Society. To Frederick Douglass. To John Brown.

It's a slap to all who fought.

More so, however, it's a slap to those who suffered through slavery. Rodriguez and, I assume, Robon are living lifestyles of which most of us can only dream. The money. The fancy cars. The huge houses.

The slaves of our country were beaten. They were beaten down emotionally and physically.

They were whipped.

Many lived with welts on their back.

How anyone - especially a lawyer with extensive schooling - can compare Rodriguez's situation with that of our country's slaves is dizzying.

Oh yes, and he did so a day before the 40th anniversary of the assassination death of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Simply unconscionable.

To contact staff writer Mitch Vingle, send e-mail to mitchvin...@wvgazette.com or call 348-4827.