ESPN Hit Again: Negative Portrayal Of The NFL - GoFuckYourself.com

Greg B · 10-02-2003, 12:47 PM

Posted on Thu, Oct. 02, 2003

Lurie says ESPN to blame for negative portrayal of NFL
By Dan Gelston
Associated Press

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie today accused ESPN of "institutional racism" for its decision to hire Rush Limbaugh and for the portrayal of NFL players in the fictional series "Playmakers."

ESPN had tarnished its image of being one of the most respected media outlets for NFL coverage for the sake of ratings, Lurie said. The hiring of Limbaugh and the show are examples of "racist potshots" toward the league, he said.

"Some of the events of this week are built with institutional racism," Lurie said. "It exists. Let's not hide it. Let's not make us believe the problem is a single person. It's far from that."

A telephone message seeking comment from ESPN today was not immediately returned.

Limbaugh resigned from the sports network's "Sunday NFL Countdown" late yesterday, three days after saying on the show that McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.

"We thought we were long past this," Lurie said. "When you hire somebody like that, this is what you're going to get. It wasn't a surprise. You get what you hire."

Limbaugh today said he resigned as an ESPN sports analyst to protect network employees from the uproar over his remarks.

Lurie, however, said the sports network's problem wasn't solved with Limbaugh's resignation. He singled out "Playmakers," ESPN's new series about a fictional professional football team, as promoting racial stereotypes of the league.

ESPN insists the series is a drama. So far, the show has featured the star running back getting a quick cocaine fix 30 minutes before kickoff and outrageous depictions of day-to-day locker room scenarios.

Yesterday, McNabb said he had no ill will toward the network, and was even interested in appearing on "Playmakers."

"I'm still looking for my shot at 'Playmakers,"' he said.

Lurie declined to respond to McNabb's comments.

Some Eagles were upset over the way the professional team is portrayed.

"I'm not respecting ESPN right now as far as 'Playmakers' and the way they stereotype the NFL," said wide receiver Freddie Mitchell. "Eighty percent of the NFL players are African-Americans. It's not what we want for kids growing up to see. You have 12-year-olds watching and they see players doing drugs at halftime. It's not true."

Eagles defensive end Mark Simoneau said the show "doesn't give a good picture of the NFL."

Lurie said black children need to look at McNabb and Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair as role models, not the players depicted on the show.

"They don't deserve to be portrayed like this for quick ratings," Lurie said.

10-02-2003, 12:47 PM	#1
Greg B So Fucking Banned Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: EARTH (for the time being) Posts: 7,014	ESPN Hit Again: Negative Portrayal Of The NFL Posted on Thu, Oct. 02, 2003 Lurie says ESPN to blame for negative portrayal of NFL By Dan Gelston Associated Press Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie today accused ESPN of "institutional racism" for its decision to hire Rush Limbaugh and for the portrayal of NFL players in the fictional series "Playmakers." ESPN had tarnished its image of being one of the most respected media outlets for NFL coverage for the sake of ratings, Lurie said. The hiring of Limbaugh and the show are examples of "racist potshots" toward the league, he said. "Some of the events of this week are built with institutional racism," Lurie said. "It exists. Let's not hide it. Let's not make us believe the problem is a single person. It's far from that." A telephone message seeking comment from ESPN today was not immediately returned. Limbaugh resigned from the sports network's "Sunday NFL Countdown" late yesterday, three days after saying on the show that McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed. "We thought we were long past this," Lurie said. "When you hire somebody like that, this is what you're going to get. It wasn't a surprise. You get what you hire." Limbaugh today said he resigned as an ESPN sports analyst to protect network employees from the uproar over his remarks. Lurie, however, said the sports network's problem wasn't solved with Limbaugh's resignation. He singled out "Playmakers," ESPN's new series about a fictional professional football team, as promoting racial stereotypes of the league. ESPN insists the series is a drama. So far, the show has featured the star running back getting a quick cocaine fix 30 minutes before kickoff and outrageous depictions of day-to-day locker room scenarios. Yesterday, McNabb said he had no ill will toward the network, and was even interested in appearing on "Playmakers." "I'm still looking for my shot at 'Playmakers,"' he said. Lurie declined to respond to McNabb's comments. Some Eagles were upset over the way the professional team is portrayed. "I'm not respecting ESPN right now as far as 'Playmakers' and the way they stereotype the NFL," said wide receiver Freddie Mitchell. "Eighty percent of the NFL players are African-Americans. It's not what we want for kids growing up to see. You have 12-year-olds watching and they see players doing drugs at halftime. It's not true." Eagles defensive end Mark Simoneau said the show "doesn't give a good picture of the NFL." Lurie said black children need to look at McNabb and Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair as role models, not the players depicted on the show. "They don't deserve to be portrayed like this for quick ratings," Lurie said.