Arrest makes Gasbag hypocrite
NO MATTER what the subject, Craig Carton was never big on presuming anyone innocent. In his world, pedal-to-themouth opinions were what counted. WFAN’s morning Gasbag was not big on cutting anyone slack. It was all part of his edgy attitude. As Carton himself might say: “That’s how we roll.”
Yet we must presume Carton innocent of charges of securities fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit these offenses, which he allegedly undertook to raise about $5.6 million to cover his gambling debts. Carton was arrested by the FBI Wednesday morning.
Wonder if any of the Feds who cuffed him ever played in one of his charity softball games?
See, if you follow the “Boomer (Esiason) and Carton” show, WFAN’s highly successful morning-drive offering, you already know both mouths are big law and order guys. If the police say it’s right it must be RIGHT. Carton always seconds that emotion. Anyone who disagrees is either a “putz” or, according to both mouths, “not true Americans.”
Remember Carton ripped Colin Kaepernick for taking a knee during the national anthem to protest, among other things, police brutality? Will Carton now be joining Kap in protest, saying he was railroaded by the Feds? And what about Esiason? At some point he will have to say something about the charges filed against his partner. That’s what any guy who is billed as an outspoken Gasbag should do, right?
Esiason spends plenty of time with Carton, or so they both say. Did he have any clue what was going down?
Yes, we must presume Carton is innocent but we are also entitled to presume he is a stone hypocrite and damaged goods when it comes to working in sports talk radio. That doesn’t mean he won’t work again. Fortunately, for him and others, the suits running TV and radio outlets have a history of hiring all kinds of miscreants who, among other things, have been in trouble with the law.
Now, it’s probably the least of his concerns, but unless the suits at FAN are totally desperate and decide to put him back on the air, Carton won’t be seeing a microphone for quite awhile. He’s reportedly already been suspended. His credibility is shot. With this mess hanging over his head how can he continue to profess his love and support of law and order?
How can Carton, as is his style, call some NFL player a “moron” for getting in off-thefield trouble? How can he accuse LeBron James of “making up” that gate-painting incident at his Los Angeles home? How can he criticize anyone in the sports world for poor judgment? How can he tell callers what teams to pick when they ask him who to bet?
We actually assume Carton would not disagree with any of this. For if someone in the sports world landed in the same spot he has, he would not hold back. See, if you play that game you better make sure you 1) Know the rules and 2) Make sure your nose is clean. And if the charges are correct, and he knew he was knee-deep in deceit, bleep him for making other people’s life miserable. es, again, Carton must be presumed innocent until proven guilty. But the court of public opinion deals mostly in perceptions. As his case plays out, Carton will have to deal a terrible one. Now his hypocrisy is off the charts. The perception we are left with is this: He let everyone around him down. His family. His co-workers. His fans. And even the police he always cherished and defended.
Now for Craig Carton there can be no laughter.
Only sadness. Only questions left to be answered.
Y