Finebaum may get fired by ESPN before SEC Network gets started

[thatsbaseball]

"This has nothing to do with two men," Finebaum said. "If this had been Tom Brady and Gisele I would have been just as offended. This was just too much."
Finebaum said he "appreciated the moment" and has "been a Michael Sam fan for a very long time." He said it was his personal opinion that "he went too far." He said he could understand kissing his significant other in public once but "sharing cake and the icing was too much."
Finebaum felt perhaps Sam was "not mature enough to handle the moment or someone was orchestrating the moment, which bothers me more than the first part." He said though it "pains me to say that," his natural reaction was that the kiss had "been scripted to take advantage of that moment" and was "part of some agenda."

note: the only "someone" there "orchestrating the moment" was the ESPN crew on the scene

 

[AlSwearengen]

I agree with him that it seemed scripted. I could give a **** about what people do to or with other people, but this force feeding (by several groups, not just gay) that is taking place in the country right now is going to end up hurting a lot of people and their causes.

 

[patdog]

He may get fired for it, but he's right.

 

[thf24]

It would be in the best interests of anyone with anything less than glowing praise for Sam and this event to refrain from saying anything about it. Those pushing the issue are looking for absolutely anything they can to spin against the detractors. There's already another shitstorm brewing on the horizon about a year and a half or two from now when Sam hasn't played a down in a real game and people want to make it about something other than the fact that he simply isn't an NFL-caliber football player; no need to give them any ammo at least until then.

 

[tcdog70]

PF finally said something I like.

 

[Hanmudog]

I think in some ways Michael Sam and the NFL are hurting their cause. I have zero issue with Sam being gay and playing football. I am rooting for him to do well. However, there is such a thing as too much too soon and there is something to be said for being low key and letting things work themselves out naturally.

The NFL is going way overboard with their discipline of tweets they deem unacceptable and it is only going to create resentment among players.

 

[thatsbaseball]

Honest question. Do NFL players`s contracts restrict what they can say and not say in public ?

 

[HD6]

Assuming you aren't self employed, are you allowed to say things in public that your superiors might consider damaging to your company's image?

 

[Philly Dawg]

You can say whatever you want, but you can sometimes lose your job as a result.

 

[Philly Dawg]

Deleted.

 

[HD6]

Exactly.

 

[Dawgtini]

He may get fired for it, but he's right.

+1

 

[thatsbaseball]

I`m asking if there is specific language in an NFL player`s contract that addresses personal behavior in the off season or away from his workplace. I`ve never seen an NFL contract and am just curious.

 

[msstate7]

I`m asking if there is specific language in an NFL player`s contract that addresses personal behavior in the off season or away from his workplace. I`ve never seen an NFL contract and am just curious.

Ask tsunbearhunter to look at townsends

 

[HD6]

I would assume its no different than any other workplace on earth, and yes, you can't make statements that damage the image of your company publically.

 

[msstate7]

Did AP's comment on gay marriage get him in trouble with the nfl?

 

[msstate7]

Did AP's comment on gay marriage get him in trouble with the nfl?

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3342763/

 

[thatsbaseball]

Do you feel that the Miami player said anything that was more damaging to the Dolphins than what Finebaum said was to ESPN ?

 

[HD6]

First off, it's AD, not AP. Secondly, not that I can find. Reading those comments not, they don't seem particularly inflammatory. He didn't say anything beyond he doesn't support gay marriage.

The main point remains. Corporations can set work rules however they want. You choose to work there.

 

[msstate7]

First off, it's AD, not AP. Secondly, not that I can find. Reading those comments not, they don't seem particularly inflammatory. He didn't say anything beyond he doesn't support gay marriage.

The main point remains. Corporations can set work rules however they want. You choose to work there.

Funny all this time I thought he was Adrian Peterson. Dang... Didnt realize all day

 

[HD6]

Do I? No. Am I his employer? No aGAIN. We'll see if ESPN reacts. I'd be willing to be they will.

 

[HD6]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/sto...reddit-ama-minnesota-vikings-interview-update

 

[RocketDawg]

This is probably the first time I've ever agreed with Finebaum. He's absolutely correct.

 

[msstate7]

Reason I used AD is bc he's a star. Do you think the nfl would do anything to one of their money makers for a tweet that would get a roster filler in trouble? I doubt it...

 

[HD6]

My guess is that the stars have enough money to hire a PR staff that would eliminate that threat. If they did it though, I think the NFL would fine them.

 

[ckDOG]

There is some genius trolling going on at ESPN.

1) They really cut cake and shared it? That's hilariously over the top. I thought it was a joke the first time I read a reference to it. There's no way they took that seriously. I might have to go back and watch now.

2) Paul might be a jerk, but I don't take him for an idiot. He crapped on the situation without the crapping on the gay part. He incited emotional response without actually violating PC rules. He said he was okay with them being gay and kissing, but that they really didn't class up the joint by the cake stuff. He gets to put in a jab without actually saying anything that's truly offensive. In other words, he was able to continue his jerk role without saying or implying anything negative about their sexualty.

Make that money, WWL.

 

[thatsbaseball]

I agree.

 

[thatsbaseball]

Yeah but he vaguely accuses ESPN of orchestrating the scene as "part of some agenda". He`ll crawfish of course when cornered but it was their camera and their crew and he knew that. Old PF is about to be put on a short leash for offending someone when that`s exactly the way he`s made his living up to now. Ought to be pretty humbling for an egomaniac like himself.

 

[shannondawg]

I don't care what he does, I just don't care to watch it and haven't , but also haven't watched Broke Back Mountan and don't plan to. . I do think he had the whole thing scripted and the grand plan is to be able to lay groundwork to sue if he does not make the team.

 

[esplanade91]

Was it ESPN though? Some separate company was there to "document" and THEY provided footage to ABC (ESPN), CNN, and whoever. There were 2 or 3 guys there with the insignia on their shirts. I hate ESPN, so I'm not trying to defend them because telling a guy to rub cake all over his boyfriend is totally something they'd say to do, but I'm not convinced it was ESPN's call. And I think Finebaum is a smart guy and knows not to rant about something he knows his employer orchestrated.

I don't think anything will come of it. He's right. What he said seems to he the opinion of almost everyone.

 

[thatsbaseball]

Lifted from iSports Times

"Nobody cares about Kiero Small, the seventh round pick of the Seattle Seahawks. ESPN didn't have a camera in Small's living room. They did, however, send an entire production team to Sam's living room."

I have no way to verify this but I`ll bet is was an ESPN crew.

 

[DerHntr]

I'd be very surprised if PF comes out of this unscathed. His employer won't be happy about it, other than it will create a little buzz at their expense.

 

[THE Bruce Dickinson]

What bugs me is the NFL's hypocrisy with the whole situation. All I heard 2 years ago in the off season was about how "No NFL team wants Tim Tebow because of the media circus he brings with him." Well nobody seems to have that problem with Michael Sam, and his media circus will make Tim Tebow's look like nothing. It is ALL agenda driven, and I completely agree with Paul Finebaum. ESPN has daily columns on the guy, and he was a 7th round pick. Give me a break.

 

[esplanade91]

What bugs me is the NFL's hypocrisy with the whole situation. All I heard 2 years ago in the off season was about how "No NFL team wants Tim Tebow because of the media circus he brings with him." Well nobody seems to have that problem with Michael Sam, and his media circus will make Tim Tebow's look like nothing. It is ALL agenda driven, and I completely agree with Paul Finebaum. ESPN has daily columns on the guy, and he was a 7th round pick. Give me a break.

I said Sam's media circus is a bigger deal than him being a gay man in a locker room and someone on here told me I was ridiculous.

It's a story. He's not good. He has a shot in the dark making the 53 man this year, but he's not going to be a career football player.

It's exactly like the Tebow situation. The only difference is outside media are the ones creating buzz about Sam and it was evangelical southern football fans who ruined 50% of Tebow's chances (other 50% being that he also sucks).

 

[THE Bruce Dickinson]

I said Sam's media circus is a bigger deal than him being a gay man in a locker room and someone on here told me I was ridiculous.

It's a story. He's not good. He has a shot in the dark making the 53 man this year, but he's not going to be a career football player.

It's exactly like the Tebow situation. The only difference is outside media are the ones creating buzz about Sam and it was evangelical southern football fans who ruined 50% of Tebow's chances (other 50% being that he also sucks).

And I totally agree with you. What makes me mad is that the southern evangelicals are made out to be stupid backwoods hicks while the outside media are enlightened new age thinkers that are leading this country into an age of unity and tolerance. Like I said before- Hypocrisy.

On a side note, You are right about Tebow. He just had too many bad habits to be a serious NFL QB.

 

[Rayburn8]

So they as cake or something that is not a guarantee?

It is a little fishy they had a cake there seeing as it was a sure fire thing he would be drafted.

 

[esplanade91]

And I totally agree with you. What makes me mad is that the southern evangelicals are made out to be stupid backwoods hicks while the outside media are enlightened new age thinkers that are leading this country into an age of unity and tolerance. Like I said before- Hypocrisy.

On a side note, You are right about Tebow. He just had too many bad habits to be a serious NFL QB.

The only thing that has me mad about this whole ordeal are the tweets people keep retweeting about how Sam is being congratulated for being brave while Tebow was told to shut up about his beliefs. People love to cookie cut everything and act like they're **** on constantly. Tebow made some ridiculous comments, ones even I as a Christian shake my head at... Like his unprovoked rant about how he loves Jesus more than ____ (can't remember who) loves their wife. WTF?

Tebow could have been a good NFL QB, but that would have required an NFL team to completely rebuild their roster and coaching staffs. There are maybe 5 people on the face of the planet that any of the 32 teams would be willing to do that for, and Tebow was not one of them. It's unfortunate, but he can find comfort in knowing he paved the way for guys like RGIII and Cam to come into the league. Those guys' teams had no other options than to be "all in." Jets, Patriots, and Broncos had options.

Sam can find solace in knowing some gay guy deserving of a day 1 or 2 pick will find success in the NFL in the future. And that guy will know not to pretend like he just got married and shove cake all over his boyfriend's face too, and that's if he even gets cameras in his face.

 

[mcdawg22]

What bugs me is the NFL's hypocrisy with the whole situation. All I heard 2 years ago in the off season was about how "No NFL team wants Tim Tebow because of the media circus he brings with him." Well nobody seems to have that problem with Michael Sam, and his media circus will make Tim Tebow's look like nothing. It is ALL agenda driven, and I completely agree with Paul Finebaum. ESPN has daily columns on the guy, and he was a 7th round pick. Give me a break.

Funny, I thought the reason teams didn't want Tim Tebow is because he couldn't throw a football very well.

 

[THE Bruce Dickinson]

The only thing that has me mad about this whole ordeal are the tweets people keep retweeting about how Sam is being congratulated for being brave while Tebow was told to shut up about his beliefs. People love to cookie cut everything and act like they're **** on constantly. Tebow made some ridiculous comments, ones even I as a Christian shake my head at... Like his unprovoked rant about how he loves Jesus more than ____ (can't remember who) loves their wife. WTF?

Tebow could have been a good NFL QB, but that would have required an NFL team to completely rebuild their roster and coaching staffs. There are maybe 5 people on the face of the planet that any of the 32 teams would be willing to do that for, and Tebow was not one of them. It's unfortunate, but he can find comfort in knowing he paved the way for guys like RGIII and Cam to come into the league. Those guys' teams had no other options than to be "all in." Jets, Patriots, and Broncos had options.

Sam can find solace in knowing some gay guy deserving of a day 1 or 2 pick will find success in the NFL in the future. And that guy will know not to pretend like he just got married and shove cake all over his boyfriend's face too, and that's if he even gets cameras in his face.

I just have a problem with how each are treated. The NFL had no problem whatsoever when some ******* DB from Detroit "Tebowed" in the endzone when Tebow threw a pick six, but I guaran 17 tee they will have a problem when a reciever from the opposing team does a gay hand gesture when he scores a touchdown against the Rams next season. There is a double standard and the situations are not exact, but they are comparable. It just depends which side of the line you fall on.

 

[o_1984Dawg]

Really? Tebow is your example? The dude who was never going to be a real NFL QB yet got drafted in the 1st round? How many teams gave him a shot? How many teams are STILL willing to give him a shot anywhere but QB? Every team in the NFL passed on Sam until conveniently enough the local team scooped him up with their last pick, encouraged by Roger Goodell I'm sure.

And for the record I agree with Finebaum. As for ESPN... if they had anything to do with cake gate, they kept the studio guys in the dark. They bungled their way through the 10 minutes after the pick.