Demonstrators gather at ESPN headquarters today
Michigan
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Christian groups will gather Friday afternoon for a demonstration and prayer vigil outside the headquarters of ESPN over their disapproval with how the television network has responded to the anti-Jesus remarks made recently by one of their anchorwomen.
Though news anchor Dana Jacobson has been temporally suspended for one week for her Jan. 11 tirade – which reportedly included “F*** Jesus” – many Christian groups feel that ESPN has been slow and reluctant to claim responsibility.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue noted that when late sportscaster Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder made disparaging remarks about blacks during a 1988 interview, he was immediately fired by CBS.
"It is obvious, then, that neither Jacobson nor ESPN is dealing with this matter in a professional way," Donohue said in a released statement.
The Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition, which plans to lead Friday’s demonstration, also holds a similar view and believes that there is a double standard in the media towards Christians.
"Imagine the outrage if Ms. Jacobson said, 'F*** Mohammed,' 'F*** Jews,' or 'F*** African Americans,'” he said in a released statement. “We would simply ask that the parent company of ESPN, ABC, treat this incident the same way they did when Isaiah Washington publicly used the word [deleted] when referring to a cast member. A week suspension is simply not enough and sends a message that ESPN tolerates this kind of behavior and speech."
Jacobson made her anti-Jesus remarks during a Jan. 11 roast in Atlantic City.
She was reportedly intoxicated during the incident, talking vulgarly about Jesus and a colleague’s alma mater, Notre Dame.
The Press of Atlantic City described Jacobson during the incident as “… swilling vodka from a Belvedere bottle, mumbling along and cursing like a sailor.”
Both ESPN and Jacobson have apologized for the incident.
“Her actions and comments were inappropriate and we've dealt with it," ESPN spokesman Josh Drulewitz said.
Jacobson also released her own statement.
"My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words," she explained.
Despite the apologies, some Christians are not yet ready to put the incident behind them.
“Although the faith community can forgive and extend mercy to Ms. Jacobson, she still must assume full responsibility and accept the consequences for her hate-filled rhetoric," Mahoney stated.
Jacobson, a graduate of the University of Michigan and co-host of ESPN's “First Take,” joined ESPN as a regular news anchor in 2002. Per her suspension, she has not appeared on TV this week.
Friday’s demonstration outside the ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., was scheduled to begin at noon.
Though news anchor Dana Jacobson has been temporally suspended for one week for her Jan. 11 tirade – which reportedly included “F*** Jesus” – many Christian groups feel that ESPN has been slow and reluctant to claim responsibility.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue noted that when late sportscaster Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder made disparaging remarks about blacks during a 1988 interview, he was immediately fired by CBS.
"It is obvious, then, that neither Jacobson nor ESPN is dealing with this matter in a professional way," Donohue said in a released statement.
The Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition, which plans to lead Friday’s demonstration, also holds a similar view and believes that there is a double standard in the media towards Christians.
"Imagine the outrage if Ms. Jacobson said, 'F*** Mohammed,' 'F*** Jews,' or 'F*** African Americans,'” he said in a released statement. “We would simply ask that the parent company of ESPN, ABC, treat this incident the same way they did when Isaiah Washington publicly used the word [deleted] when referring to a cast member. A week suspension is simply not enough and sends a message that ESPN tolerates this kind of behavior and speech."
Jacobson made her anti-Jesus remarks during a Jan. 11 roast in Atlantic City.
She was reportedly intoxicated during the incident, talking vulgarly about Jesus and a colleague’s alma mater, Notre Dame.
The Press of Atlantic City described Jacobson during the incident as “… swilling vodka from a Belvedere bottle, mumbling along and cursing like a sailor.”
Both ESPN and Jacobson have apologized for the incident.
“Her actions and comments were inappropriate and we've dealt with it," ESPN spokesman Josh Drulewitz said.
Jacobson also released her own statement.
"My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words," she explained.
Despite the apologies, some Christians are not yet ready to put the incident behind them.
“Although the faith community can forgive and extend mercy to Ms. Jacobson, she still must assume full responsibility and accept the consequences for her hate-filled rhetoric," Mahoney stated.
Jacobson, a graduate of the University of Michigan and co-host of ESPN's “First Take,” joined ESPN as a regular news anchor in 2002. Per her suspension, she has not appeared on TV this week.
Friday’s demonstration outside the ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., was scheduled to begin at noon.
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Comments
Idiots, one and all.
<< <i>Is this the same "Christian" groups that protest at soldiers funerals?
Idiots, one and all. >>
No, this is a different group of people.
Sincerely,
Moses
<< <i>Dana Jocobson has the face of a horse!
Sincerely,
Moses >>
Linda Cohn has her beat in that category.
Sincerely,
Mr. Ed
Sincerely,
Abraham
<< <i>Is this the same "Christian" groups that protest at soldiers funerals?
Idiots, one and all. >>
Dont get me started on those dirtbags....
<< <i>Is this the same "Christian" groups that protest at soldiers funerals?
Idiots, one and all. >>
No, they're busy getting ready to protest Heath Ledger's funeral because he played a gay cowboy.
utterly ridiculous. Protesting funerals is outrageous... I might pay the hearse driver to run down a few protesters! heck, we're already at the cemetary... would be awfully convenient for those bastiges.
Ron
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
http://sportsfansnews.com/author/andy-fischer/
<< <i>I have no problem with this. It is a complete double standard being employed by the media nabobs........they are exactly right, if that horse Jacobson had said F (insert Muslim or other minority group here), she would've been canned faster than Imus.
Ron >>
My thoughts exactly.
<< <i>Whatever happened to the hot girl that used to be on cold pizza? Kit maybe? >>
Kit Hoover!
Thea Andrews was the other host. They were replaced by horse face Jacobson.
<< <i>
<< <i>Whatever happened to the hot girl that used to be on cold pizza? Kit maybe? >>
Kit Hoover! >>
<< <i>Is this the same "Christian" groups that protest at soldiers funerals?
Idiots, one and all. >>
no, not the same group at all.. they shouldn't be categorized with most Christians.. in fact, that group should be publicly executed.
<< <i>because he played a gay cowboy. >>
that movie was total fiction, there's no such thing as a gay cowboy.
<< <i>if that horse Jacobson had said F (insert Muslim or other minority group here), she would've been canned faster than Imus.
Ron >>
and muslims would be rioting and calling for her beheading..
<< <i>I have no problem with this. It is a complete double standard being employed by the media nabobs........they are exactly right, if that horse Jacobson had said F (insert Muslim or other minority group here), she would've been canned faster than Imus.
Ron >>
I'm pretty sure Jacobson is Jewish. Had someone like her said "F the Jews", there would have been a brief uproar from some Jewish activists, an appology, and it would have been put behind everyone in my opinion. Let it go.
Ron, this isn't directed to you, your post just summed up well how to compare it to offending other groups of people, such as Muslims.
being a Catholic i am hardly offended by her remarks.
Steve
That said, there is undoubtedly a double standard at play here. Some groups are more favored than others by the MSM.
Ron
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
Reminds me of when Rush made his comments about McNabb and the 4 (a-holes) sitting next to him all agreed, until a week later all the flap began..........only then did they start to distance themselves.........and become politicly correct......
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Whatever happened to the hot girl that used to be on cold pizza? Kit maybe? >>
Kit Hoover! >>
WHOA, nice legs! Can I get a pair of those for the ark?
Sincerely,
Noah