OT: ESPN Rob Parker on RG3

[ChrisPozz]

Rob Parker on RG3 comments: “I blew it and I’m sincerely sorry” | ProFootballTalk

Rob Parker suspended by ESPN for 30 days - ESPN

Rob Parker says people took his RG3 comments out of context | ProFootballTalk

Written beautifully, but wow, Rob.

Rob Parker's contract not renewed by ESPN - ESPN

This doesn't mention that his comments were taken "out of context" so I went and bumped that link up into this so people who didn't see that before can take that into account.

 

[MHSL82]

Agree!! And not just no, but hell no - fired and black-balled!

Racist!

 

[ChrisPozz]

Another announcement was made about this show that's so predictable based on what I believe they are trying to turn this show into. They announced today that EVERY Wednesday they will be bringing on a celebrity to the "debate desk" to "take on" Stephen and Skip.

Their first booking? Big Boi. Ha!!!!! More evidence of tailoring the show to the common, every day, generic fan.

 

[ChrisPozz]

ESPN fires Rob Parker | ProFootballTalk

 

[TobyTyler]

If that is his opinion, why shouldn't he be free to express it? We all don't have to agree on every topic. I guarantee you he isn't the only black person who feels that way.

 

[TobyTyler]

I'm surprised to hear that they fired him.

 

[MHSL82]

If that is his opinion, why shouldn't he be free to express it? We all don't have to agree on every topic. I guarantee you he isn't the only black person who feels that way.

Yeah, he's free to say it. ESPN is free to fire him, or not extend his contract. Fans are free to support or protest/criticize it.

 

[ChrisPozz]

ESPN cuts Rob Parker over RGIII commentary - More Sports - Richard Deitsch - SI.com

The comments, which came less than 72 hours after ESPN president John Skipper defended the program, produced a torrent of criticism. The network suspended Parker for 30 days as well as a First Take producer for a week. Sources said other First Take behind the scenes staffers were disciplined.

 

[TobyTyler]

Yeah, he's free to say it. ESPN is free to fire him, or not extend his contract. Fans are free to support or protest/criticize it.

Yep, but if he was free to say it then there would be no need to fire him. Way too many people looking for racism in every comment. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have made a living from it.

 

[MHSL82]

Yep, but if he was free to say it then there would be no need to fire him. Way too many people looking for racism in every comment. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have made a living from it.

There was no need to fire him, they decided to do it because they felt it was in their interests. Free to say something doesn't mean someone else isn't free to stop it. If he wants to say it, he can have his own blog or go to another network (in which he would have to follow their rules). If he wants to stay on ESPN, he has to conform to their sensitivities. ESPN is also free to accept or condone what he says if they wish and people are free to react to it accordingly.

However, I didn't like how they changed the Monday Night Football song because of what the guy said at a different place. He didn't say it on MNF air and he didn't link his comments to MNF. So that seemed unnecessary.

I don't care what Parker said. I'm not affected by it - maybe I should be, but I'm not. But I understand ESPN has that choice and I'm not second-guessing their decision as it pertains to him. If the government were fining him, then I'd be upset. Honestly, I would have more problem with suspension over not extending his contract, because that involves pay that he signed up for and was willing to serve. What he said could be argued to be not enough to revoke that.