Al Sharpton: new King

Plain Dealing, LA -- The Reverend Al Sharpton was caught red-faced today after he showed up to give a speech at what he thought was former NFL star Steve McNair's memorial service.

The deceased at the funeral ceremony turned out to be a namesake of the slain Tennessee Titans quarterback. He was a quiet former shoe salesman who died Saturday at age 58 after a long bout with foot cancer.

"I'm sorry, I thought this was Air McNair's memorial," Sharpton said after realizing the dead African-American in the casket was the wrong Steve McNair.

Sheila Tempest, McNair's wife, said she was "just plain dumbfounded" by the sight of one of the most influential, morally sound, selfless, integrative, and respectable black rights activists since Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sharpton briefly posed for pictures and signed autographs before making his way out of the small chapel at Plain Dealing Cemetery with his assistants in tow.

According to Tempest, she had asked Sharpton to say a few words at the gathering but was politely declined "due to a scheduling conflict."

"It was a long shot, but I understand he has a very busy schedule. But to have him here at Stevie's final gathering, just his very presence, even if it's a mistake, is an unforgettable experience that I will cherish forever," she said.

It is unclear how Sharpton ended up at the funeral in Plain Dealing, Louisiana, but witnesses say they saw Sharpton outside the chapel looking very upset and yelling at his assistants for the embarrassing snafu.

"How the hell you gon' mess up Whites Creek, Tennessee?" Sharpton was heard saying, referring to the town where a memorial is being held today for the former NFL quarterback.

McNair is scheduled to be buried in his native Mississippi Saturday.