November 20, 2008, - 11:41 am
ESPN Wimps Out on Chris Fowler Comments: No Rush Limbaugh-style Apology; Just a Slap on the Hand
by Debbie Schlussel
After I wrote about ESPN’s Chris Fowler and his comments on the air, calling non-Obama voters–55 million-plus Americans–racist, many readers complained to ESPN.
Well, after several days of silence, ESPN finally responded. Here’s the wimpy response ESPN gave:
Thank you for writing, [insert first name].
We understand your concerns. The political reference was an unnecessary addition to the valid point he was making about the lack of diversity in college football coaching. We have spoken with Chris about it. We appreciate you contacting us.
Sincerely,
ESPN Viewer Response Team
Hmmm, let’s guess how the “we have spoken with Chris about it” part went:
Hey, Chris, a bunch of those 55 million racists you exposed on Saturday are angry. Can you believe these right-wing wackos? Anyway, we’re just letting you know. You were sooo right. But it was, ya know, “unnecessary.” Next time, be a little more cryptic so we don’t have to read all of their crazy e-mails.
Love,
the drooling ESPN apologists forced to answer e-mails from the little people
P.S. Chris, You are sooo hot, especially like when you get all political and stuff.
Bottom line. ESPN is not disciplining Fowler, nor are they asking him to make an apology to all the non-Obama voters throughout America, whom Fowler blatantly slandered. Yup, at ESPN, forced apologies are only limited to Rush Limbaugh.
And the network apparently takes the official position that–while over 75% of the positions on the college football field are held by Blacks, and over 80% of college football scholarships are taken by Blacks–the real discrimination is in the head-coaching position.
Here are some of the great letters readers sent to ESPN.
Steve:
By irresponsibly allowing and endorsing Chris Fowler to call me and 55 million other Americans who did not vote for obama, racist as his reasoning and ludicrous claims we would not hire a black coach, is so outrageous, slanderous and defaming.
I DEMAND AN APOLOGY FROM CHRIS FOWLER AND ESPN. MAYBE IT IS ESPN WHO IS RACIST?
How about 55 million Americans slap you with a class-action lawsuit for slander and defamation?
Stick to sports because you all suck at preaching politics!
***
Timothy:
I was offended that your host made the comment that certain people that didn’t vote for Obama are somehow less likely to hire African Americans. He is way out of line. I own a business have great African American employees and would never vote for Obama. Not because of his color, because of his views. Fowler made his own point. People like him judge based on stereotyping people not looking at credentials. Could that be why there are less African American coaches?
***
Leah:
A football game commentator should not dispense political diatribe. Especially when it is ignorant. Chris Fowler’s comments yesterday are beyond ridiculous. Since he is representing your station, can you please tell me if you agree with the comment that 55 million people in this country are racist? Do you really mean to alienate anyone who disagrees with your commentators comments?
In this day and age of easy access, I will no longer be supporting your station. I can watch elsewhere.
Good that you pushed this matter, Debbie. Ultimately, we have to insist that there is not one code of conduct for leftists (or non-whites) and another for everyone else. Maybe if the leftists have to live by the rules that everyone else does, they will be a little less eager to defame us.
skZion on November 20, 2008 at 12:24 pm