During a radio blitz aimed at promoting an upcoming bowling event for charity, Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips showed up at XX 1090 in San Diego for a segment with Darren Smith.
And it got a little awkward.
Smith had the nerve to ask about something other than the upcoming bowling event for charity, such as the January playoff loss to the Jets. Specifically, Smith asked about a personal-foul penalty arising from a head butt deep in San Diego’s end of the field.
Phillips explained the events that led to the penalty, and then he pointed out that the good things he and his teammates had done easily get forgotten when something bad happens. Eventually, he offered up a blunt point.
“If someone can do better, they should try out for the team,” Phillips said. “If they can’t do better, then they should shut their mouth.”
The discussion continued regarding the concept of whether folks should express opinions unless they believe they can do a better job. It seemed to be a thinly-veiled shot at Smith and other journalists and broadcasters who criticize Phillips and other football players for their periodic blunders.
Through it all, the discussion never got heated or ugly. Phillips didn’t raise his voice, and Smith never seemed to be intimidated in any way.
But Phillips emerged from the interview with a new resolve. He said on his Twitter page that he’ll never do another interview on XX 1090.
Maybe Phillips simply thinks he can’t do a better job than other guys who do radio interviews.