Posted on 01/26/2008 4:08:59 AM PST by Man50D
A dozen protesters marched in front of ESPN headquarters in Bristol today, calling for the firing of on-air personality Dana Jacobson for comments she made at a recent roast.
Jacobson, co-host of the "ESPN First Take" morning show, was disciplined by her employer after an expletive-laden speech. She was suspended one week.
The protesters, some from local churches, carried placards with messages that read: "ESPN , Say No to Hate Speech," and "Fairness in the Media."
Robert Muckle, 77, drove from Waterbury to Bristol to take part in the protest after reading about Jacobson's remarks in the newspaper.
"It's such a shame to disgrace Jesus and to take his name in vain," Muckle said.
ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys confirmed Friday that Jacobson was suspended for a week. He said ESPN will not fire her.
"What she said was wrong and her comments were inappropriate, but we don't believe she should be fired," Soltys said. Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, the director of the Christian Defense Coaltion, said that doesn't go far enough.
"Hate speech and religious bigotry should have no place in the workpace," said Mahoney, as he held a "Dana, We Forgive You" poster. Mahoney agrued that if Jacobson had offended Jews, African Americans, or homosexuals, ESPN would have fired her immediately. "ESPN is not using the same standard for religious hate," Mahoney said.
ESPN commentators shared the stage with actors and athletes Jan. 11 in Atlantic City to celebrate the eighth anniversary of "Mike & Mike in the Morning" co-hosts Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg. The point was to spout off edgy jokes.
Asked whether the network planned to rethink its policy regarding employees taking part in such events, Soltys said, "We won't be participating in another roast anytime soon."
Jacobson's speech included obscenities aimed at Notre Dame, with Irish football coach Charlie Weis in attendance.
An article in The Press of Atlantic City the next day said that Jacobson "made an absolute fool of herself, swilling vodka from a Belvedere bottle, mumbling along and cursing like a sailor as Mike & Mike rested their heads in their hands in embarrassment." She was booed off the stage.
In a statement released through ESPN, Jacobson called her comments about Notre Dame "foolish and insensitive."
"My actions at the roast were inappropriate and in no way represent who I really am," she said. "I have personally apologized to many of the people involved. I won't make excuses for my behavior but do hope that I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment."
ESPN released a statement calling her actions and comments inappropriate. Soltys said the network doesn't comment on personnel matters beyond saying she was disciplined.
Notre Dame spokesman Dennis Brown said, "While we in no way condone Ms. Jacobson's comments, we're aware of the circumstances in which they occurred, and, in the interest of forgiveness, trust that she and ESPN have addressed the matter in an appropriate way."
Jacobson's remarks came just two days after another TV anchor was suspended for offensive language. Golf Channel suspended Kelly Tilghman for two weeks for saying on air that young players who wanted to challenge Tiger Woods should "lynch him in a back alley."
Ya think? I don’t. Funny your so arrogant and immature to not even discuss it. Idiot!
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Freppers?
Let the Muslims protest, let Christians forgive.
So when is it actually ok to turn the other cheek? I'm confused.
Sounds to me she had too much to drink and said stupid things. That’s never happened to me.
The thing about us Freppers, as you call us, is that we reject double standards and hypocrisy. Your post betrays your ignorance in failing to grasp that simple point.
Personally, I don’t want to see her fired. She acted like a drunk, bigotted lush—but it was at a roast. I am an ND grad, and I thought the University’s response was terrific. Sometimes my school can come off as “holier than thou” and I am glad they did not take that approach here. Go Irish.
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I believe that should be you're, which is a shorter version, or contraction of the words you are.
Example: If you're going to call someone an idiot, try not to sound like one.
“My actions at the roast were inappropriate and in no way represent who I really am,” she said. “I have personally apologized to many of the people involved. I won’t make excuses for my behavior but do hope that I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment.”
I my opinion its a chance for people to be as they should be, forgiving. Not like the Sharptons and Jacksons of the world. She apologized, and thats good enough. We can be better, everyone makes mistakes.
Ya I've heard that was called "witnessing".
I don’t want her fired. He that is without sin can cast the first stone. This is the kind of thing we supposedly abhor. Rush should not have been fired and neither should she.
Grammar police on a website...how proud you must be. Instead of talking serious issues you resort to that due ot your incompetance. It is ok but at least be honest about it.
Political correctness is disgusting no matter what side of the political fence it comes from.
The woman said something offensive... on HER OWN TIME, *AND* she apologized. Get it over it, people, and stop playing victim. We have free speech here, and that includes people who want to make an ass of themselves.
You can forgive someone but still point out the fact that what they did was wrong. Forgiveness is turning the other cheek.
Go back to DU.
Good point, to a point. Usually when people are drunk and say stupid things—they are things that the person really feels. Like you, I speak from (long past) experience. If F-Jesus is what this woman is really thinking, well that’s a little worse than “Did you know I’ve liked you [hiccup] since the third grade” or “I am going to go to astronaut school” or some stupid crap like that. Stupid, and stupid and bigotted, are a little different.
Ah ok. Another theologian with multiple interpretations. Thanx.
She was mouthing Notre Dame at a roast, she was drunk and she said “F touchdown Jesus” so what touchdown Jesus is a mockery. She then said it again and I could see her not adding touchdown on accident. Either way Christians need to get their house in order.
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