Comments on: ESPN explains position on Roethlisberger

By: DonkeyRider

DonkeyRider — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:06:59 +0000

I am sitting here suffering through “The Herd” on espn and Colin Cowherd is pissing all over himself explaining how he and espn are held to a higher standard, and have a higher burden of obligation to make sure a story is true before they air it.
What a crock of shit! He goes on to say that all those local radio guys and bloggers talk about the Rothlisberger story because they have a lower journalistic standard.
Cowherd is a damned hack. He concluded with two thoughts. First all the internet bloggers and local radio guys are jealous because they don’t work at espn. Second, espn has a long history of doing “it” the best and will be around long after the “other places” close up.
After the break he came back and said how they played a clip of the LeBron dunk that they found on Ebaumsworld.com Ha Ha!! What an asshat.

By: jsdavis48076

jsdavis48076 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:45:15 +0000

Why not report the facts and let viewers make up their minds? I was if ESPN is kind of gunshy due to the Duke rape case. They went nuts with that story and it blew up in everybody’s face. I think that most folks who heard the story made up their minds that the suit has issues.

By: RAPERBERGER

RAPERBERGER — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:44:02 +0000

Let’s cut to the chase–Ben laid the pipe to a humanoid that most of us wouldn’t touch with a fishing pole. It is widely known that Ben is not a smart feller–if there is any doubt look at this undermencshen Ben popped!!!
To me, this is less about “he said, it said…” than it is further confirmation that Ben is as dumb as the sod in Heinz Field. Nail her again ketchup brain!!!!!

By: winkel33

winkel33 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:23:04 +0000

This is the same thing ESPN did with the story from last year about Favre talking to the Lions – they ignored it for days until finally they could spin it in a way that was favorable to the player.
Here, it looks like there is a lot of credibility issues with the woman’s complaint against Roethlisberger. That doesn’t mean when the story broke, they couldn’t print the story and highlight these issues, and even highlight Roethlisberger’s denials. But to ignore it for days, makes me wonder what other stories does ESPN sit on that maybe we don’t know about, and why?
And of course, if that had been T.O. or Chad Johnson being accused, do you think ESPN shows such restraint? Absolutely not.

By: TasteTheSteel

TasteTheSteel — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:02:24 +0000

News flash!!! I was sexually assaulted by every athlete on the planet. I have no physical evidence, just my story that I’ve had a year to come up with. I’m not all there mentally, but hey maybe this can get me some money. If only all of you morons were athletes I would accuse you too just b/c I can. I’m so crazy that instead of screaming for help, I warned all of my rapists that I wasn’t on birth control because I was concerned that they were not wearing a condom. That being the case I had all of the DNA evidence I would need to have a criminal case, but hey I’m a moron just like all of you.

By: PirateFreedom

PirateFreedom — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:54:59 +0000

A different standard for super bowl winning quarterbacks that will be very useful to your business in the future is sensible.

By: GarthBrooks

GarthBrooks — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:49:57 +0000

It would have been better if they said nothing at all. For one, they cut off the quote from the lawyer, where he says “Ben did not sexually assault anyone, especially McNaulty” Yea, when you throw in the “especially” part, it is an odd quote. Secondly, they say no criminal investigation is going to happen, but omit the fact that SHE has to initiate it for it to happen, not merely that the police don’t think it is worth investigating.
The lawsuit cites many times in which this woman was basically told to shut up because no one would believe her over Big Ben. ESPN is actually doing this woman a favor by showing even an entire network is willing to come to his side before all the facts are out.

By: Whododrums

Whododrums — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:35:15 +0000

Why don’t ESPN go show some spelling bee, dog show or something and leave the sports up to everyone else.

By: HailtotheRedskins

HailtotheRedskins — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:10:18 +0000

Amazing…I dont recall ESPN using this type of discretion in cases before. I love you Big Ben but ESPN needs to treat you the way they treat the rest of the athletes in the world.

By: empty13

empty13 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:05:13 +0000

espIn

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:02:09 +0000

Like when Wilson hit his girlfriend and it was definitely on ESPN (as it should have been)? Or when Holmes and his weed charge got covered (as it should have been)?
The only reason that a Bengals player would be any bit more likely to get coverage on such behavior is because it would be the only thing related to the Bengals actually worth talking about. Not a good way to sell your point, pal.
“ESPN is ridiculous.. I can only imagine the headlines if theis were happening to a Bengals player. They would be making jokes calling the whole team criminals (when they havent had anyone in trouble for almost 2 years) and only becuase its the Steelers they dont’ want to make anyone on certain teams look bad. If your on the PAts, Steelers or Cowboys you can basically do what you want. It is ridiculous and they need to start punishing players on these teams like they do the Bengals or any of the smaller market teams. “

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:48:37 +0000

By the by, Florio …
Next time you go to a GREEN DAY concert, probably just want to keep that one to yourself, pal. It’s embarrassing. Keep up the sensationalist garbage.

By: Poo Flinging Monkey

Poo Flinging Monkey — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:44:27 +0000

I have to wonder how many posters on this thread are shills for ESPN? Protect your baby, boys.

By: FootballGiant

FootballGiant — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:43:32 +0000

I will say this, Had it been Tony Romo it would have been the lead story for ESPN. They would be questioning his committment to the Dallas Cowboys. They lead with Romo and his vacation to Mexico, but don’t even report a rape allegation against a two time superbowl champion.

By: Raiders757

Raiders757 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:43:15 +0000

@ tt0074958
“You’ve been successful in siccing your flying monkeys after ESPN. It’s a good thing you’re not real journalists, otherwise we might be concerned about your ethics, or lack thereof.”
The sad part about all of this, is that Mike and company are better than what ESPN considers “real journalists”. That’s not saying much, but it damn sure says a lot about how sad ESPN has become. They have been dumbing down their viewers for ages now with their unprofessionaly biased bullshit.

By: dawgpound

dawgpound — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:31:20 +0000

Hilarious. Quick blurb about the case on a Sportscenter break from Mike and Mike on espn2. Followed immediately by a Dick’s Sporting Goods commercial starring none other than: Ben Roethlisberger. Beating up a bunch of guys nonetheless. ha

By: matttheweiss

matttheweiss — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:22:12 +0000

ESPN is ridiculous.. I can only imagine the headlines if theis were happening to a Bengals player. They would be making jokes calling the whole team criminals (when they havent had anyone in trouble for almost 2 years) and only becuase its the Steelers they dont’ want to make anyone on certain teams look bad. If your on the PAts, Steelers or Cowboys you can basically do what you want. It is ridiculous and they need to start punishing players on these teams like they do the Bengals or any of the smaller market teams.

By: tt0074958

tt0074958 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:45:15 +0000

“The hot button issue has inspired more than 850 comments in less than three hours on ESPN’s AP article about Roethlisberger, most of which aren’t worldwide leader friendly.”
Congratulations, PFT. You’ve been successful in siccing your flying monkeys after ESPN. It’s a good thing you’re not real journalists, otherwise we might be concerned about your ethics, or lack thereof.

By: LuvThatDirtyWatah

LuvThatDirtyWatah — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:18:31 +0000

I’m not one to play the race card seeing I’m a WASP, but did ESPN give the same leeway to the Kobe Bryant story a few years ago? Now that should be investigated…….now if only investigative journalism was alive and well.

By: gwinn1952

gwinn1952 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:00:21 +0000

First of all: I as a sports fan am tired of reading about athletes getting into trouble or even allegations of trouble. It seems to me that there has to be more to the sports world than what appears on PFT or ESPN etc. Whatever happened to the good stories…the guys who are the role models in what they accomplish each day…the ones who live life by the book.
It seems to me it shouldn’t have been a story until he is actually charged or the girl is charged for false story….then it should be one story not a different article every hour that says pretty much what all the other previous articles stated. (ex McNair).
To tell you the truth…..give me all the Brett Farve stories over any athlete getting into trouble or preceived trouble.

By: ernie cohen

ernie cohen — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:58:13 +0000

I was of two minds about the ESPN noncoverage until I realized that there is a simple test of whether something should be covered by ESPN: they should cover anything that is likely to change the outcome of athletic contests. This obviously qualifies.

By: EdgarSnyder

EdgarSnyder — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:35:46 +0000

espn is 600 lb gorilla, they do what they want.
a stupid smelly gorilla that dumb people stare at for hours a day.

By: The People's DJ

The People's DJ — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:33:08 +0000

Well its 6:30 AM and nothing so far on ESPN Radio.
Oh wait. Mike and Mike are talking about it. Lets see how long that goes.
Well that didn’t last long. Maybe minute and a haft. Guess its not a big deal. Bunch of asshats.

By: Benny

Benny — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:25:19 +0000

I think it’s funny that they’ve almost written as many articles explaining themselves than of the actual story itself.

By: promichael

promichael — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:20:13 +0000

Ms. McNulty and her attorney are pleased that
ESPN has decided to make them more credible
by reporting the story. There is a story here but
it should be to all star athletes. Beware of the
Gold Diggers. To wait a year for allegations to
be formerly reported is not credible. Getting
statements from the Harrah’s Las Vegas
personnel would make waiting a year easier
to comprehend. However the police did that
already. I don’t think a civil suit will allow for
a second criminal invesigation based on the
hearsay in the civil suit. Once again the story
here is that star athletes need to watch out
for Gold Diggers.

By: The Wishbone

The Wishbone — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:18:11 +0000

“They are twisting the facts,” Florio writes. “The story is not that there will be no investigation. It’s that there won’t be one absent a criminal complaint.”
Apparently in Florio’s world of hairsplitting rhetoric he thinks this is “twisting the facts”. But it’s simple. There is no criminal investigation. PERIOD. When a woman is raped by a pro athlete there is a criminal investigation. Nobody waits a year and then decides to press the issue. She’s using a civil court because you don’t need much proof there, just some emotion.
Case in point: Orenthal James Simpson. No proof in criminal trial: Not Guilty. No proof in civil trial: guilty.

By: BP

BP — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:50:01 +0000

Keepdoinwork, you’re pulling our leg right?
Getting sued for rape is news! It should be reported day one. And if it is found frivolous that should be reported as well. Whatever the conclusion it should be reported. Calling espn’s stonewalling it good journalism is crazy talk.
And espn headlining that it is not being investigated is pure bias. The news is, a lawsuit was filed. The news is not, that a criminal complaint was not filed. That is a detail of the story. The FCC should take away espn’s license for being anal.

By: maddencurse2010

maddencurse2010 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:26:44 +0000

Ironically I saw a Roethlisberger Fat Head commercial on ESPN2. Good job ESPN.

By: Poo Flinging Monkey

Poo Flinging Monkey — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:26:32 +0000

I think ESPN’s attempts to protect Roethlisberger have less to do with race, and more to do with culture. After all, Ben is the biggest Jewish name in sports.

By: syge

syge — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:51:28 +0000

I agree with Keepdoinwork.
I also think it’s pretty obvious Florio is doing his best to blow this up and get as much attention as he can…it has little to do with any honorable journalistic principles.
Sensationalist garbage.
Mainstream news might as well be tabloids at this point…that’s pretty much the quality of Florio’s reporting.
I’m no conservative, but Florio is also a liberal douchebag who probably wants to defame a QB who campaigned for McCain.