11-30-2006, 04:28 PM
An industry insider tells us that the powers-that-be at ESPN currently are "scared sh-tless" about the growing firestorm of criticism regarding Michael Irvin's recent genetics lecture on The Dan Patrick Show.
On Monday, Irvin suggested that the athletic prowess of quarterback Tony Romo of the Cowboys (who by all appearances is a half-shade lighter than Jim Nabors) might be attributable to some African-American ancestry.
Said Irvin of Romo, "He doesn't look like he's that type of an athlete. But he is. He is, man. I don't know . . . some brother down in that line somewhere. . . . I don't know who saw what or where, his great-great-great-great-grandma ran over in the 'hood or something went down."
Recognizing the idiocy of Irvin's comments, Dan Patrick said, "Oh, that's the only way he can be a great athlete?"
"That's not the only way, but it's certainly one way," Irvin said. "If great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandma pulled one of them studs up out of the barn [and said], 'Come on in here for a second,' you know, and they go out and work in the yard. You know, back in the day."
As of Wednesday morning, there was quiet outrage in league and media circles regarding Irvin's comments. But now the poop is hitting the propeller, and it's going to be very hard for ESPN to ignore this one.
Mike Freeman of CBSSportsline.com, who latest book is advertised on this site, has made Irvin's comments the subject of an entire column.
"I don't call for firings much," Freeman writes. "Not my style. But if racial bomb throwers like Rush Limbaugh are penalized for their insensitive remarks, shouldn't Irvin be?"
Jason Whitlock of AOL has sounded off as well. As have our friends at Deadspin.com, TheBigLead.com, and AOL's Fanhouse.
We know that the looming Thanksgiving holiday could take some of the steam out of this one. But with prominent commentators like Freeman and Whitlock calling Irvin out for his comments, it could be that the time has come to dump the double standard that metes out punishment for racially discriminatory speech in a manner that discriminates on the basis of race.
The guy has gotten away with plenty during his tenure in Bristol, and it's possible that one of the terms of his suspension from last year (when he failed to disclose an arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia) was that his next mistake would be his last.
On Monday, Irvin suggested that the athletic prowess of quarterback Tony Romo of the Cowboys (who by all appearances is a half-shade lighter than Jim Nabors) might be attributable to some African-American ancestry.
Said Irvin of Romo, "He doesn't look like he's that type of an athlete. But he is. He is, man. I don't know . . . some brother down in that line somewhere. . . . I don't know who saw what or where, his great-great-great-great-grandma ran over in the 'hood or something went down."
Recognizing the idiocy of Irvin's comments, Dan Patrick said, "Oh, that's the only way he can be a great athlete?"
"That's not the only way, but it's certainly one way," Irvin said. "If great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandma pulled one of them studs up out of the barn [and said], 'Come on in here for a second,' you know, and they go out and work in the yard. You know, back in the day."
As of Wednesday morning, there was quiet outrage in league and media circles regarding Irvin's comments. But now the poop is hitting the propeller, and it's going to be very hard for ESPN to ignore this one.
Mike Freeman of CBSSportsline.com, who latest book is advertised on this site, has made Irvin's comments the subject of an entire column.
"I don't call for firings much," Freeman writes. "Not my style. But if racial bomb throwers like Rush Limbaugh are penalized for their insensitive remarks, shouldn't Irvin be?"
Jason Whitlock of AOL has sounded off as well. As have our friends at Deadspin.com, TheBigLead.com, and AOL's Fanhouse.
We know that the looming Thanksgiving holiday could take some of the steam out of this one. But with prominent commentators like Freeman and Whitlock calling Irvin out for his comments, it could be that the time has come to dump the double standard that metes out punishment for racially discriminatory speech in a manner that discriminates on the basis of race.
The guy has gotten away with plenty during his tenure in Bristol, and it's possible that one of the terms of his suspension from last year (when he failed to disclose an arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia) was that his next mistake would be his last.
