Long before Newton’s nasty laugh, Olson forced to suffer NFL boors
PHILADELPHIA » When Cam Newton dropped his sexist remarks on an unsuspecting reporter last week, blurting out it was “funny” for a female to ask about pass routes, it brought back memories of a run-in that scarred another reporter.
Lisa Olson was a reporter for the Boston Herald when she was harassed by Patriots players in 1990 in the team’s locker room. Back then, women in NFL locker rooms was still a relatively new concept. Some players didn’t like it.
Let’s just say that Zeke Mowatt, a member of the Patriots, allegedly exposed himself in front of Ms. Olson, who was interviewing another player. And let’s say that Olson and the NFL didn’t think it was appropriate. Mowatt and a small handful of teammates were fined and Olson reportedly sued the Patriots.
Right after it happened, Olson, of all people, was attacked for somehow contributing to the event, twisted as that sounds. Then Patriots owner Victor Kiam reportedly called her “a classic bitch,” although he later denied it and apologized for the organization.
Olson was just doing her job and she became a target essentialy for being a woman.
We don’t expect Newton to remember that. He was all of one-year-old when it happened. We absolutely expect more of Newton and our public figures, however. After Newton came under national scrutiny, losing a yogurt sponsor, he apologized.
And stop me if you’ve heard this but the reporter, Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer, came under attack for demanding an apology from Newton, who sure took his time doing it.
Rodrigue wound up apologizing for tweets and retweets from five years ago that her attackers viewed as racist and offensive. The posts were made before she became a reporter.
So there you have it, two women reporters doing their jobs reporting in a game populated with males and getting attacked because they to sexist treatment.
To think that this is where we are as a society, all of these years later, is shameful.
Speaking of social media, Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson has a few tips for those wading into those often murky waters.
“It’s good to show your personality but as far as taking stances, you’re never going to win,” Johnson said. “Has there ever been a time in this world where everybody agrees with one person? No. That’s how it is in this world. If you want peace and quiet, stay off of it. You’ve got to watch what you say otherwise there are going to be consequences to pay.”
Eagles players certainly objected seemed skilled media. So, posters.
If anyone cares (insert negativity here), here are suggestions for social media participation during Eagles games:
1. Try to be edgy, even snarky. A lot of people culling Eagles posts don’t take cheerleaders seriously.
2. Avoid tweeting other people’s stats (OPS) unless the source is reputable like Elias or Twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo. When was the last time you checked OP exotic stats? Thought so.
3. Move on after you’ve made your snarky point. Almost nothing is worse than wasting an afternoon debating some dope who hates him or herself.
4. Don’t get personal or threatening. Whatever you post is on those servers forever. It can be Exhibit A in a courtroom.
5. Embrace your mistakes and allow others to laugh at in using social too, are a lot of theirs. Like Twitter.com/JimmyKempski posts when he notices errors, “I’m glad someone had the guts to say it.”
Also, if you’re constantly sharing your posts verbally after the fact, you’re probably full of yourself and should admit that to someone a little more grounded.
And if you’re constantly others’ posts, you probably have a disorder. (And don’t look remotely like the pic in your bio.) attacking
Is Saquon Barkley the best college player in the country? Our answer is yesssss. So we asked someone impartial. OK, someone a bit biased.
Penn State product Stefen Wisniewski, who has upgraded the Eagles’ offensive line, makes a pretty good Heisman Trophy case for Barkley.
“Yeah, I think he is,” Wisniewski said. “The best running back, for sure. It’s tough to compare a running back to a quarterback but he does things I haven’t seen too many guys ever do. Unbelievable talent. I love watching that guy. I mean the combination of strength and speed is ridiculous. Jumping over people and bouncing guys off of him, making people miss, tight-roping the sideline. He’s got that burst. And honestly he makes more people miss than anyone I’ve ever seen. He’ll make three people miss on a 70-yard run where most people would be tackled in the backfield. It’s really fun to watch that guy.”
Barkley checks all of the boxes, and thensome.
College football people are calling him the best running back since Adrian Peterson in 2006.
Make 1988. it Barry Sanders, in