{"id":2244,"date":"2008-01-23T17:06:00","date_gmt":"2008-01-23T17:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/deaconsbench\/2008\/01\/espn-host-opens-mouth-swallows-foot-nearly-chokes.html"},"modified":"2008-01-23T17:06:00","modified_gmt":"2008-01-23T17:06:00","slug":"espn-host-opens-mouth-swallows-foot-nearly-chokes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/deaconsbench\/2008\/01\/espn-host-opens-mouth-swallows-foot-nearly-chokes.html","title":{"rendered":"ESPN host opens mouth, swallows foot, nearly chokes"},"content":{"rendered":"

This outrageous incident<\/a> is starting to get more and more attention — and deservedly so: <\/p>\n

<\/a> According to some news and sports websites, ESPN anchorwoman Dana Jacobson graphically attacked Jesus Christ at a recent roast of her colleagues; she was reportedly intoxicated. At the January 11 event, Jacobson roared from the podium, \u201cF*** Notre Dame,\u201d \u201cF*** Touchdown Jesus,\u201d and finally \u201cF*** Jesus.\u201d <\/p>\n

Commenting on this is Catholic League president Bill Donohue:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen pressed on this issue, ESPN\u2019s response is to e-mail a statement by Jacobson, which includes the following: \u2018My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words.\u2019 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis response fails on several counts. First, there is no evidence that ESPN is taking this matter seriously. Are we to believe that her hate speech is of no consequence? Her comments were not made at a private function, rather they were made at a public event where she represented ESPN. Second, it is worth recalling that it was during a luncheon interview that Jimmy \u2018The Greek\u2019 Snyder made his racist remarks about blacks, and CBS Sports promptly fired him anyway. Third, it is also important to note that being drunk didn\u2019t help Mel Gibson\u2019s case when he made bigoted remarks about Jews.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen there is the matter of Jacobson\u2019s so-called apology. By far the most offensive thing she said, \u2018F*** Jesus,\u2019 isn\u2019t even addressed! It is obvious, then, that neither Jacobson nor ESPN is dealing with this matter in a professional way. To put this issue behind them, ESPN must deal with this issue quickly, publicly and fairly, something it has yet to do. After all, most Christians are yet unaware of this event, but once they learn of it, they are sure to demand accountability.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

ESPN’s reaction is right here<\/a>: <\/p>\n

Sources have confirmed that Jacobson, a co-host of “First Take” on ESPN2, currently is serving a one-week suspension because of her behavior at a Jan. 11 roast for ESPN Radio personalities Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic at Atlantic City, N.J.<\/p>\n

While declining to confirm Jacobson had been suspended, ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said, “Her actions and comments were inappropriate and we’ve dealt with it.”<\/p>\n

At the roast, Jacobson made a rambling speech that included vulgar references about Notre Dame. Jacobson is a Michigan graduate, and she and Golic, a former Irish defensive lineman, often have exchanged barbs about the rivalry between the schools.<\/p>\n

One eyewitness labeled it an “embarrassing display,” and a newspaper account said the crowd booed Jacobson. Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis also was in attendance.<\/p>\n

Jacobson reportedly made a number of personal apologies the following day, including to Greenberg and Golic.<\/p>\n

In a statement, Jacobson said, “I am sorry. My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words. I also deeply regret the embarrassment I’ve caused ESPN and Mike and Mike.<\/p>\n

“My actions at the roast were inappropriate and in no way represent who I am. I won’t make excuses for my behavior, but I do hope I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment.”<\/p>\n

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 will address the matter in an appropriate way.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This outrageous incident is starting to get more and more attention — and deservedly so: According to some news and sports websites, ESPN anchorwoman Dana Jacobson graphically attacked Jesus Christ at a recent roast of her colleagues; she was reportedly intoxicated. At the January 11 event, Jacobson roared from the podium, \u201cF*** Notre Dame,\u201d \u201cF***…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":365,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ripped-from-the-headlines"],"yoast_head":"\nESPN host opens mouth, swallows foot, nearly chokes - The Deacon's Bench<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/deaconsbench\/2008\/01\/espn-host-opens-mouth-swallows-foot-nearly-chokes.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"ESPN host opens mouth, swallows foot, nearly chokes - The Deacon's Bench\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This outrageous incident is starting to get more and more attention — and deservedly so: According to some news and sports websites, ESPN anchorwoman Dana Jacobson graphically attacked Jesus Christ at a recent roast of her colleagues; she was reportedly intoxicated. 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