Lurie(Eagles) says ESPN to blame for negative portrayal of NFL

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/football/6916872.htm

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."

<snip>

"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."

[demdave]

1. NFL's negative image goes alot further back than ESPN.

I remember a movie called "North Dallas Forty". I remember drug use and womanizing being the main themes in the movie.

[FuseONE]

2. wow

Who knew Jeff Lurie had some cojonas?

[billbuckhead]

4. "When you hire somebody like that, this is what you're going to get."

"When you hire somebody like that, this is what you're going to get. It wasn't a surprise. You get what you hire."
Ironically, this new ESPN fictional drama about pro-football dwells on black players behaving badly, smoking crack and such, but on a reality show ESPN hired a RepuKKKe luminarie and gets a guy who almost immediately reveals himself to be a racist junkie.

[demdave]

5. I cannot address particular aspects of the show, having never seen it.

I think it would be difficult to have a show about NFL players without there being a majority of them being black. As for drug use, it knows no cultural or racial boundaries.

[Zerex71]

9. Romo

Bill Romanowski: Enough said.

[Desperadoe]

3. Way to go, Jeff

As a long time Eagles fan I didn't like Lurie when he first bought the team. I thought he was a pompous little ass but I have gradually learned to respect this man. He's a damn good owner and a fine person and he's a great example for the other owners and executives in the league.

ESPN has been going downhill ever since it was taken over by ABC and it's become a pitiful example of bad television sports. It's about time that the NFL steps up and kicks them in the ass.

[Eloriel]

6. FINALLY, an appropriate response

Take that, Jerry Nachman, racist enabler.

Eloriel

[Pale Blue Dot]

7. The best thing that could happen would be if

players, coaches and owners stopped doing interviews for ESPN until they get an apology from the network.

[soupkitchen]

8. Good idea

Make Espn start relying on tractor pulls for programming again

[GalleryGod]

10. All Black Players Should Boycott ESPN-Now That's POWER

:grouphug:

[Hawkeye-X]

11. NFLTV!

Break away from ESPN and start NFL-TV!

While the season is in effect, they should do programming and off-season, show old football games for nostalgia purposes...

Hawkeye-X