SIMMS AND DOGGIE
Removing voice Robert Lee is a disgrace!
When ESPN’s Charlotte, N.C. production team “consulted” with Robert Lee, the play-by-play voice, about calling the University of Virginia’s football opener, he “expressed some personal trepidation about the assignment.” And when offered the chance to call another tilt “he opted for that (other) game (Youngstown State-Pittsburgh).”
This information comes from a memo authored by ESPN boss John Skipper obtained by CNN. While the entire missive was a transparent attempt to deflect from poor decision-making on the Bristol Campus (remember the recent fantasy/slave auction?) it does confirm Lee was in favor of extracting himself from the Virginia game telecast. His decision came a few days after violent protests (resulting in three deaths) over the city of Charlottesville’s decision to remove a statue of confederate general Robert E. Lee.
Lee (the play-by-play voice) made a big mistake. One made by someone who apparently doesn’t know that when you rise to the level of an ESPN voice you accept certain terms, like growing thick skin.
Like ESPN, Lee was concerned his name would trigger over-the-top reaction on social media. Instead of yanking himself off the Sept. 2 UVA-William & Mary game his response should have been: “The mere threat of being ridiculed on social media is not stopping me from calling the game.”
The thought of any of the greats in the biz opting out of their assignment over an imaginary threat of verbal abuse is comical. Can you imagine how Howard Cosell, Jim McKay, Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth or Jim Nantz would respond if some suit said: “You might want to consider pulling yourself off Sunday’s telecast because @realdeal_numbnuts is going to poke fun at you.”
Unlike Lee, each of them would understand the significance of the moment in time. When outside forces can dictate assignments, and interfere with a broadcaster’s right to work, that’s not only dangerous but shows a weakness at the executive level. In this case it’s bowing to the mere POSSIBILITY of being mocked over the coincidence of a play-by-play voice having the same name as a confederate general who died 150 years ago.
That’s ridiculous. Even for the sports television business. Instead of choosing the path of least resistance, Lee, and those at ESPN who encouraged him to take it, should have recognized this jive for what it is. Now, they have set a horrible precedent. It’s not a reach to suggest that ESPN, even with the whiff of pressure, will take a broadcaster off a game. Instead of standing shoulder to shoulder, Lee and his bosses, ran. Over what? The threat of multiple morons tweaking them on Twitter? Shameful.
Chris (Mad Dog) Russo is not letting any grass grow under his paws while Gasbag Nation waits breathlessly for white smoke to rise from the FAN Cave signaling the selection of a new Sports Pope. Nope, Doggie has gone out and got himself a new partner: Phil Simms.
According to industry sources, the SiriusXM “Mad Dog Sports Radio” show will be called “Simms and the Mad Dog.” It will launch Sept. 8 and air every Friday from 4 p.m.- 5 p.m. It will run throughout the 2017 NFL season. This show has major potential. Both these Gasbags have the ability to yakk totally out of control. And we guarantee neither mouth will fall asleep at the microphone. The Friday sessions will give Russo a perfect platform to pressure Simms into dishing dirt on his new ‘mates on CBS’ “The NFL Today,” while also getting the former Giants QB to tell us how he REALLY feels about being replaced by Tony Romo. When asked about his new alliance with Russo, Simms said: “Simms and the Mad Dog ... it has a nice ring to it!”