Colin Cowherd on Sean Taylor

"Herd" = independent thinking, yeah?
One of the dominant questions sports opinion types have grappled with this week is this: Was Sean Taylor's death a surprise. Famously, Michael Wilbon and Len Shapiro both said no. This struck me as a needlessly provocative and confrontational way to approach the story in its opening days, and frankly, I don't believe that they weren't at all surprised. I mean, really, someone told them that the day after a big Redskins loss in Tampa their best player had been critically shot in his bedroom in an upper-class neighborhood Miami, and they weren't at all taken aback? They weren't at all like, "Whoa!," not even for a few seconds? I knew Sean Taylor's history, and when I got off that plane from Tampa and this Skins fan named Robert came up to me and told me what happened, I was damn sure like, "Whoa!" I know there's violence in Iraq, but if I learned that a high-ranking administration official had secretly traveled to Baghdad and been killed, I'd be like, "Whoa!" at least for a few seconds.
The counter argument goes, if you were told a Redskins player would be shot last weekend, wouldn't your first guess be Sean Taylor? Yeah, I guess. How about this, though: if you were told a Washington Wizards player was going to quit basketball next week, renounce all his material possessions, dress in rags, become a raw-food vegan, join the Peace Corps and move to Tanzania, 100 percent of you would guess it would be Etan Thomas, right? That wouldn't mean the action itself wouldn't be shocking and surprising.
And now people are firing back at the initial round of "not-a-surprise" columns: read, for example, Mike Freeman, who writes "can we all take a breath, remove our CSI badges, and see Taylor as he is: someone who suffered a horrible death? Can we all be human beings for just one second? A second. That's not so much to ask, is it?" Or read David Steele. Or check out this City Paper blog, which quotes Wash Times beat guy John Mitchell calling Shapiro "a racist conniving dog of a skunk."
Fun stuff. Anyhow, not surprisingly, ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd has been far ahead of the pack in stomach-turning 'baggery. From the beginning, he argued that this could not be a random act, which is fine, but he insisted on doing so in the most obnoxious, self-serving and ruthless manner possible. The audio clips of his Sean Taylor stuff are prominently sprinkled about his page, allowing him hopefully to at least make some coin off of throwing barbs at a dead guy. From yesterday's show:
Serious grown-up talk here. If you can't handle grown-up stuff, then turn the radio to another channel right now, give you about five seconds. We're going to talk about Sean Taylor's death...If you can't deal with that, I have no problem with that at all, none. Right now turn the radio to Oldies 107.8 or another station....All right, now it's just grown-ups, we've gotten the kids out of the room, let's proceed.
If you actually want to have a serious discussion, this has immediately disqualified you. This is pure drivel, meant to do nothing but incite.
Sean Taylor, great player has a history of really really bad judgment, really really bad judgment. Cops, assault, spitting, DUI. I'm supposed to believe his judgment got significantly better in two years, from horrible to fantastic? 'But Colin he cleaned up his act.' Well yeah, just because you clean the rug doesn't mean you got everything out. Sometimes you've got stains, stuff so deep it never ever leaves.Stains? Spitting and a DUI arrest that was thrown out are stains so deep they never leave? T.O. has spit. LenDale White has spit. Chris Samuels claimed that Antonio Smith spit. Charles Barkley spit on a young girl. Roberto Alomar spit at an umpire. Lot of people have stains, I guess. Wouldn't be surprised if any of them die, I guess. Seriously, there is one prior public incident in Sean Taylor's life that causes serious concern in this case, the one involving guns. It sure isn't the fact that he spit on a player or had a DUI charge that was dismissed.
My gut feeling with this story, and we said yesterday, yesterday was not really a day to go out, yesterday was sort of a day, you know, grieving, but we're past the memorial part. It's grown-up time, ask yourself realistic questions....Just because somebody cleans the rugs doesn't mean there aren't stains. No matter what those commercials, OxiClean, tell you on cable TV, some stains you can't get out. And if you have bad judgment for 23 years of your life, even if you clean it up, your judgment doesn't get great over night.
I suppose this is true enough, in general. How it relates to this case, neither I nor Colin Cowherd has any idea, since we have absolutely no idea how Taylor's judgment related to what happened to him. Cowherd is just throwing stuff like that out there to stir passions among his listeners. It's nasty stuff. There is no possible justification for using "stains you can't get out" in what you're claiming is "serious, grown-up talk." That's media jackal talk.
I want to know the truth. I want to know the details. It's not pretty? I don't care, I'm a grown-up. I can handle not pretty. A lot of people can't in the media, a lot of people can't, 'Oh, wah wah wah, sensitivity, he's a great person, wah wah wah.' Hey, I don't care, that's fine, he died, let's get to the truth. We're all about the truth. We always say on this show, we're not always good, we're always honest. Just give me honesty.
Colin, you're a brave soldier for journalistic freedom and investigative verve. All of us innocent souls who chose not to use the phrase "stains you can't get out" in the first few days are, as you said, "sheep...like 95 percent of the media." But you're a grown-up. You can launch random, loaded phrases from the truth-seeking depth of your soul, because you, my journalistic hero, can handle it.
So that was yesterday. And then I'm listening today, and Cowherd quotes Antrel Rolle's remarks and then, I swear, gloats over the fact that his "gut feeling" has been proven correct, that Taylor's death was surely not a random act. It's hard for me even to know how to respond to someone who would publicly gloat over something like this, and my attempted tape recording of the program didn't come out well, but I can tell you that he talked about CIA profiling and diversity and, well, this:
I didn't grow up African American. I grew up middle class. I wanted Stephen A.'s perspective on the story. And during this story I leaned on Stephen A., Michael Wilbon and Jason Whitlock for a perspective I don't have. You walk around ESPN, it's in the halls, on the posters, Diversity, Capital D, big letter. You know why Diversity's really important at ESPN, a big company? Because it gives you more people with unique perspectives. And if you're a growing company, you want to stay fresh, you need to have a 23-year old Hispanic gal or guy tell us what's going on in your community. Asian, white, black, Hispanic, everybody, new voices, young voices, old voices. You walk the halls of ESPN, it's the United Nations. It's great. Canadians, Hispanics, Europeans. They give us a perspective we don't have.
Ok. Awesome. And then he concludes:
No, all the information's not in. But I feel pretty confident that my gut feeling, like any of yours, by the way, is right and was right.
Well, again, congratulations Colin. You, indeed, are the big winner this week. Enjoy your success.
[Awful Announcing has more on Cowherd.]
By Dan Steinberg |
November 29, 2007; 11:39 AM ET
| Category:
Redskins
Previous: Chris Paul: We Stand Together |
Next: Sean Taylor and Eastern Motors

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Posted by: Smith | November 29, 2007 11:53 AM
Schrutebag
Posted by: smperk | November 29, 2007 12:06 PM
He is a hack from the West Coast without a reason for his ignorance other than up privileged upbringing. Wilbon has earned the right to orate strong opinions and take big risks in columns. He is now a Washingtonian--he knows this area, its people, its teams. Cowherd should be the go-to-guy if we are talking about Oregon Ducks or Portland, OR relocation plans.
Posted by: Cowherd Blows | November 29, 2007 12:06 PM
He is a hack from the West Coast without a reason for his ignorance other than his privileged upbringing. Wilbon has earned the right to orate strong opinions and take big risks in columns. He is now a Washingtonian--he knows this area, its people, its teams. Cowherd should be the go-to-guy if we are talking about Oregon Ducks or Portland, OR relocation plans.
Posted by: Cowherd Blows | November 29, 2007 12:07 PM
You don't get to be Glen Beck or Rita Cosby or O'Reilly unless you start with this type of trash. Cowherd is gunning for the big leagues of corporate-sponsored fear mongering and will eventually outgrow ESPN with his brand of crap.
The worst part of his coverage as a former fan of sports talk radio is that he was the replacement for Tony. Mr. Tony who would have given this event its due and took the approach from a thoughtful perspective and in asking questions, wouldn't be looking to cement his nebulous concepts.
Remember, Cowherd steals from blogs, craps on the intelligence of his audience and brings nothing valuable to the arena. Chalk him up to be a dumbass that probably worked hard and unfortunately go this as his break.
Posted by: evan | November 29, 2007 12:08 PM
always did find cowherd to be a dog. he's just one of those guys that thinks he's always right and gets too full of himself, but this is just sick. Using a player's death as his pedestal to talk about how he's right and this is all somehow what Sean Taylor had coming is sick. He always did have a problem with any athlete that didn't conform to the way he thought should behave. He always talks about what's wrong with the "Hop-hop culture" of the nba and the nfl as if that's everything that's wrong with the leagues now days. Narrow minded sick dog of a guy.
Posted by: Nara | November 29, 2007 12:11 PM
From the beginning, he argued that this could not be a random act, which is fine, but he insisted on doing so in the most obnoxious, self-serving and ruthless manner possible.
By Dan Steinberg | November 29, 2007; 11:39 AM ET
---
Cowherd only has that one gear.
Posted by: prophet | November 29, 2007 12:12 PM
Good for you for calling out the douchebag, Dan, but I hope we all knew that already. The guy is a scumbag (I personally like the phrase media jackal). I hope everyone will just stop listening to him. He needs us a lot more than we need him.
Posted by: bryc3 | November 29, 2007 12:16 PM
Dan,
Thank you for addressing this! I pray that next time we meet, I'll never have to give you news like that again. Keep up the great coverage, lay 'em out like ST!
Posted by: Rob H | November 29, 2007 12:23 PM
(censoring all the things I first thought of - only left with...)
Disgusting
Posted by: Kev | November 29, 2007 12:42 PM
Maybe he should spend less time watching the OxyClean commercial and learn how to be a real human and journalist.. and i use that term loosely. He has no compassion or anything, just gloating that hes right. Its okay though, little men have to use the spotlight anyway they can. Come see me Colin Cowherd. Ill diversify some things for you. :-)
Posted by: Kenny | November 29, 2007 12:50 PM
what an assclown ...
Posted by: littles | November 29, 2007 12:50 PM
Cowherd is a shock jock who just happens to talk about sports most of the time. He doesn't care what he says, as long as people are talking about him being controversial instead of how much he sucks as a radio host. Usually I let stuff like this roll off my back, but I am offended by him gloating about "being right". Colin, when you die, I promise you that I will not be happy if I guess why you died correctly, you being dead will give me enough joy.
Posted by: CurtisLee | November 29, 2007 12:53 PM
I hate him.
Posted by: 6-1, 180 | November 29, 2007 12:58 PM
Mr. Steinberg,
Thanks for putting into words what all of us are feeling in regards to some in the media, and in a far more public manner than any of us would be capable. RIP#21
Posted by: Cole Cameron | November 29, 2007 01:05 PM
Does anyone actually like that guy?
I wonder how he does in the ratings...because I honestly cannot find a single person in my 5000 employee office that likes this toolbox.
Posted by: strungout | November 29, 2007 01:06 PM
I've never seen a picture of him before. Now I know he also looks like a douchebag (besides actually being one).
Posted by: Andy | November 29, 2007 01:23 PM
Don't you love having comments on the Bog, Dan? We can call Cowturd a douchebag so you don't have to. (Though "'baggery" *was* a good start.)
Posted by: EdTheRed | November 29, 2007 01:37 PM
Your points on Cowherd are exactly right.
What I think Wilbon was saying was not that he wasn't surprised that Taylor was killed, but rather that he's never suprised to hear a young black man has been killed. And that's his problem.
Posted by: indy | November 29, 2007 01:38 PM
Colin Cowherd is still bitter about getting divorced and he wants to make everyone who listens to him just as pitiful and unhappy as him. From his petty attack on thebiglead website to stealing info from ESPN writer Bill Simmons, and now this latest incident. I doubt ESPN will ever do anything to get rid of him, but I plan to send an e-mail to the radio station where I live in Charlotte to get his show off the air.
Posted by: Brian | November 29, 2007 01:38 PM
Thanks for this, Dan.
I'm not sure what Cowherd considers "adult conversation," but I would consider it mature, well thought-out discussion. Instead he's spewing crap and making himself feel superior to a dead man and the people mourning him.
Besides, what Rolle said wasn't "Sean was a thug and it got him killed". What Rolle DID say was "Sean was trying to grow-up and succeed and someone didn't like it."
If Rolle is right it's people with a mentality like Cowherd who can't accept or appreciate a person changing and growing that cost Sean his life.
Posted by: | November 29, 2007 01:46 PM
Thank you!!!
I was outraged yesterday listening to the radio. I wrote an email to Triple X radio asking them to drop "The Herd" from their line-up. I doubt it will happen, but it was the least I could do in the face of such arrogant and self-righteous BS. I hope blogs like this will help Cowherd be held accountable for his words, but let's be real, he never will be.
Great article Dan, I applaud you.
Posted by: Kevin | November 29, 2007 01:53 PM
Dan,
As someone who's read your stuff here since about the beginning, let me just say that this was a great piece. Arguably, "your finest hour". I think your words summed up how alot of folks feel on those articles.
Posted by: robine | November 29, 2007 01:58 PM
Cowherd is an idiot. I don't usually toss that word around, but he really is. And not just because of this Sean Taylor flap, but because of his whole body of work. He spouts off at the mouth, and most of what he says is generally steeped in ignorance.
Earlier this year, he and Kirk Herbstreit referred to Elon University, where I work and teach, as Elon College when they were talking about South Florida's juggernaut of a schedule. Then Cowherd said something to the effect of, "I thought Elon was a hand lotion." Nice. It's not like some simple research could've been done to ascertain some information about Elon UNIVERSITY.
The guy's a joke and a hack.
Posted by: Colin | November 29, 2007 02:03 PM
Cowherd's style is what it is - whether its the BCS or a tragedy he brings his personality and editorial to the liseners. If you don't like it - turn it off. If Dan Steinberg want to bring a fresh perspective to the story do it. Perhaps in all the time he took listening to Cowherds show he could have instead written something of value. And if he really wants us to be "human beings for just one second" then why is he adding fuel to this story int the bloggosphere with this whining?
Posted by: Tony | November 29, 2007 02:05 PM
The cowherder is a schmuck. End of story.
Posted by: tafka | November 29, 2007 02:06 PM
I'm not sure he ground that weak carpet cleaning metaphor into the smallest particles possible. Hopefully he will continue.
What a container of vinegar and water that guy is.
Posted by: Eric in Baltimore | November 29, 2007 02:13 PM
Good try, Tony.
Posted by: | November 29, 2007 02:18 PM
I have found my new favorite journalist/blogger and his name is Dan Steinberg. I heard the same Cowherd program both yesterday and today and my reaction was identical to Steinberg's. Identical.
One of the problems with the way certain media types operate is that they always feel they need to come up with a different angle to a story, and this leads to a lot of silly and downright nonsensical reporting.
Wilbon, who often does great work in his columns, is actually one of the first people who comes to mind when I'm thinking of media types who are always looking for a new angle to a story. He NEVER can just keep it simple and state the facts. NEVER. Sometimes that's a good thing, but often it's not.
Steinberg, you seem like a normal person, unlike those you are surrounded by at the Post. You seem like someone without an agenda, unlike those you are surrounded by at the post. And for that, I applaud you for your very well reasoned, very rational reporting.
Posted by: Barno | November 29, 2007 02:31 PM
This is a problem. On one hand, you can't let a disgrace like Cowherd use a tragedy like this to grandstand. On the other hand, by talking about him, we are all giving him exactly what he wants.
Surely there has to be some other sports talk idiot blowhard that actually isn't soulless and can take his place.
Posted by: Chest Rockwell | November 29, 2007 02:44 PM
Burn with Cowherd Tony.
Posted by: | November 29, 2007 02:57 PM
Well done... Dan. I ceratinly was skeptical on your views of BLloyd, but you are right now here. Thanks for telling it like it is...
Cowterd is a douchbagg!
Posted by: EinVB | November 29, 2007 03:38 PM
Dan seems to want to stay on the high road. Interesting to read much of the bile coming from his 'fans' who support his view. Criticizing Cowherd as "obnoxious" while calling him names? Wonder what Dan would think of that....
Posted by: Tino | November 29, 2007 03:46 PM
ESPN is like the United Nations? Give me a break.
Posted by: gidge | November 29, 2007 03:46 PM
Colin is speaking the truth about Taylor and all of you know it. There is a whole lot more to the story than what has been released to the media. Taylor was "asking for it." Everyone knows it, why would you shoot someone in the groin if you were trying to break into their house? You wouldn't, you would aim at center of mass (chest). Wake up people don't be mad because Colin Cowherd isn't afraid to give his opinion on real and serious events. Like Colin said, you don't have to listen to him, you don't have to read about him so if you can't handle it, avoid it and shut up.
Posted by: | November 29, 2007 04:02 PM
This is what I just sent to ESPN on Colin Cowterd... I guess I feel a little better, but truely wonder how seriously they take their audiences comments. One way or another he will be served what he dishes out...
"The almighty Colin Cowherd
It's hard to put my feelings on this guy in a civil fasion, because he is incredibly awful.
Colin Cowherd should not be tolerated with his know-it-all egotistical comments and opinions. The Sean Taylor story is just another perfect example of how way off base he is on his show. I guess he knows all he has to do is... Just come out with some extremely obnoxious, righteous jump-the-gun dramatic stance that will stun the listeners for his own righteous self-serving cause... Exude the utmost fake overconfidence in your opinions and comments without the slightest bit of humility. Is he that jaded or inhumane that he has to attack people (especially those that have passed) in such a demeaning manner. Why must he rip a player for what he thinks he knows in what did or didn't lead to his death. So off-base and uncalled for... Or is he simply insecure in his ability to create a sportstalk show that is decent and not full of journalistic sensationalism. His perspective is ignorant, degrading and inaccurate without the proper and decent reasoning your audience deserves... Does he know what he is really talking about half the time with Sean Taylor other than what he believes or heard...
It is a shame to see ESPN be represented by an ignorant, self-serving, arrogant, conceited, degrading know-it-all. Is there an ounce of humility in this guy...? I really don't know.
I'm sure you can do better than Colin Cowherd. If not, I pity you and your increasingly indecent and improper corporation. I know this is not what Mr. Walt Disney had envisioned in the future for his enterprise.
The word disgrace comes to my mind."
Posted by: EinVB | November 29, 2007 04:04 PM
Anonymous...
nobody said there wasn't more to the story... Most of us feel like it was random and his past or prior acquaintances may play the killer's role, but to say Taylor was "asking for it" is incredible.
I truely do pity you, and I hope God does as well.
May God Bless you soul...
Posted by: EinVB | November 29, 2007 04:09 PM
The killer meant to hit Taylor in the groin? He must have shot the wall on purpose with the second shot.
Posted by: | November 29, 2007 04:12 PM
EinVB,
I'm sorry that you don't like to deal with reality. He was shot in the "groin." You would have to really piss someone off in order to get shot in the groin. I'm sorry, maybe you're too sensitive to handle reality and the real world because that's what Colin gives you with his ideas and opinions.
Posted by: | November 29, 2007 04:14 PM
Re: Shapiro's "column" on Sean Taylor's death and the verbal diarrhea of Cowherd, I can only quote the lyrics of Graham Parker:
Some people are in charge of pens
That shouldn't be in charge of brooms.
They have the nerve to rip up a man's life
In a paragraph or two.
"Don't Let It Break You Down"
Posted by: Bob | November 29, 2007 04:28 PM
Wilbon, Cowherd and Stephen A. Smith were completely correct, justified and fair. This columnist is an idiot.
Posted by: Kerks | November 29, 2007 04:29 PM
The sad fact is that whenever someone like Steinberg points out that Cowherd is, indeed, a moron, two things happen:
1. It gives him press, which he doesn't deserve or need.
2. It gives his idiot listeners the opportunity to say Cowherd "speaks the truth."
So, you get a ton of comments from these jerks and idiots about how Cowherd is anything but a bottom-feeding idiot.
No is saying there isn't more to be learned in Taylor's death. Wilbon has an interesting perspective, certainly, even if I don't agree with him totally. But, this idea that Sean Taylor was asking for it... Come on. No one is asking to be shot to death.
Posted by: R.J. | November 29, 2007 04:55 PM
So the completely correct and fair justification in this "column" would mean your what, Kerks?
Posted by: sitruc | November 29, 2007 04:59 PM
If you have a problem with his comments, then tell him how you feel. That is what I did. Go to his home page and e-mail the clown. You will feel much better when you are done. There is power in numbers.
Posted by: Mike V | November 29, 2007 04:59 PM
Dear Anonymous:
You have pissed me off. I'm not going to shoot you in the groin. I love how Cowherd first claims that he's being an "adult," and then spews childish shock-jock crap.
Posted by: EdTheRed | November 29, 2007 05:05 PM
Is there a support group that we can join for not liking reality and being to sensitive to handle the real world? Or is all you need an ice pick lobotomy and a radio that plays nothing but Colin Cowherd?
Posted by: CurtisLee | November 29, 2007 05:30 PM
what a disgusting, vile individual. he's taking the howard stern schtick and applying it to sports.
thank you, dan, for carefuly refuting as much of his stupidity as possible. the fact that he can so conclusively declare himself "right" after a random, off-the-wall comment by rolle and after doing ZERO investigation into who sean taylor was or what he was doing the last two years is despicable.
Posted by: AA | November 29, 2007 05:45 PM
So, if the people who drool all over Rush Limbaugh are called Dittoheads, what do you call the morons who hang on the 'Herd's every word and then troll the Internet defending their idol?
Sheep?
Posted by: RIP Reaper | November 29, 2007 06:21 PM
If someone put a cap into Colin Cowherd as he was leaving the studio one day, leaving him to bleed to death on the street, my gut feeling would be that the loss of his life would not be a big loss for society. Hey, I'm just being honest. I thought we are all about honesty.
Posted by: AP | November 29, 2007 06:22 PM
Cowherd is the least interesting of the ESPN radio guys. Even Tirico can let others do the philosophical heavy lifting.
But Wilbon's take is similiar to many from a certain era. I'm not shocked when a black man is arrested, let alone murdered. That is a problem, only in that we've grown complacent in letting our anger turn into apathy.
Posted by: Moonshine Mike | November 29, 2007 06:43 PM
Tell Colin Cownerd how you feel about him. You can email him on this page:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/news/story?page=herdmail
Posted by: Barno | November 29, 2007 06:56 PM
I don't even listen to Cowherd...haven't for a couple of years...the only reason why I know what he said was because of what I heard on a message board and in this article...and unfortunately these radio guys are so used to, "I'm never listening to your show again" from people that inevitably come back anyway, that they get numb to it, the only way to fix the problem is through arbitron ratings...if his show becomes the lowest rated sports show in the District, it might shake a few trees, unfortunately the other big markets like LA and New York could care less, so he'll probably stay on.
My suggestion would be to flood Redskins radio with calls asking them to switch over thier programming from ESPN to FoxSports...they already have a Redskins guy in Steve Czaban on in the mornings anyway, of course he's been awfully critical of Dan Synder so that might hurt the cause.
Then again, the Red Zebra affiliate here in Hampton Roads runs Fox Sports since ESPN is already taken by another network in the area. So despite Czaban's harsh words they might make the switch.
Posted by: Rob in Norfolk | November 29, 2007 10:42 PM
"I didn't grow up African American. I grew up middle class. "
Apparently these are meant to be mutually exclusive?
Posted by: Unsilent Majority | November 30, 2007 12:16 AM
Rob- Czaban is on 980
Posted by: Unsilent Majority | November 30, 2007 12:27 AM
The best way to express yourself about this guy is to contact his sponsors. Just like Don Imus, the station will only respond when the sponsors start pulling their ads.
Anyone know who the advertisers are on this show? Let the dealerships, restaurants, etc know that you'll take your business elsewhere. I'm sure they will be more responsive to a dozen calls/emails than the station will.
Posted by: Joe in Raleigh | November 30, 2007 09:42 AM
Anonymous,
first of all, let's talk about reality... The reality is most people don't shoot someone where they are really aiming unless they are well trained and experienced in shooting. It's not that easy... If this was a typical low-life scum of a criminal chances are he could bearly shoot the side of a barn from the inside. Wake up and smell what you're shoveling.
Second of all, if the killer can really shoot a gun worth a damn and was aiming for his groin.... what's makes you think Sean did anything wrong to piss this guy off to begin with... If you're crazy enough to break into someone's house (probasbly twice); then you're likely crazy enough to become jealous or jaded or pissed off enough to do something stupid for no justifiable reason. It just amazes me that people can jump-the-gun and try to rationalize why he deserved this with no groudn to stand on... I find it hillarious, yet utterly disgusting and pathetic all at the same time.
Rob in Norfolk... I hear ya... I don't listen to 1310 and that idiot anymore. It would be nice if the red zebra affiliates picked up DocWalker's show. That man tells it like it is... and he's a former Redskin that only wants what is best and right for his team.
Posted by: EinVB | November 30, 2007 10:21 AM
Unsilent Majority
I know Czabe is on 980 in DC...I live in Norfolk though, down here he's on the Red Zebra affiliates 102.1FM and 1490AM because ESPN is already on a competitor station in this area 1310AM. My point was, if Red Zebra and Redskins Radio was willing to go with Fox Sports down here despite Czabe's criticism of Dan Snyder, they might look at doing the same across all RR networks.
Posted by: Rob in Norfolk | November 30, 2007 10:49 AM
Dude, you blew right by Mitchell's comments about Shapiro. Why is Shapiro "racist" for his views, but not Wilbon, who said the exact same thing? Seems like the only racist here is this Mitchell clown.
Posted by: Joe | November 30, 2007 11:17 AM
It's time to email the ESPN Ombudsman and any other "adult" you may be able to get to about this jerk. His 15 minutes were over long ago and ESPN insults it's audience by continuing to offer this clown. It's been quite a while since 10-1pm Eastern on ESPN Radio has existed in my world.....
Posted by: CW | November 30, 2007 04:12 PM
This is the best sports blog entry I've read in a long time. Thanks for posting.
Colin Cowherd is an idiot that paints pictures with fat brushes using black and white paint. He doesn't care about facts, emotions, or reality. He cares about the outrageous comment at the inappropriate time.
The sports media has become so bloated with these caricatures that one-upping is now the top priority for any radio/tv show. Cowherd can't react in a human way to tragic events because that would make him the same as most of his listeners.
The sad thing is that we let it affect us. Turn off ESPN radio and turn on some Bach or Ellington. Your stress will go down and your intelligence will go up.
Posted by: Josh | November 30, 2007 10:13 PM
Sat.Morning.
I'm coming out of Retirement!
If I cannot get to these four punks,
I will get to their Families.Death
would be too good for them.I will make
sure they know the pain they have caused .
Nobody is innocent,not them,not their
families.Guilty by association.
It will be my Honor!!!!!!!
Posted by: juicee169 | December 1, 2007 09:08 AM
Come on guys lets be serious. Sean Taylor could have easily avoided being shot by MOVING OUT OF MIAMI, just like Cowherd said. I've been to Miami, and it's one of the most dangerous cities I've ever been to. I don't feel comfortable walking by myself in that city, and I'm in my 20's. Sean Taylor was told to get out of Miami, but he never did. He wanted to prove how hard he is and stay in the hood. Plus, he has a wife and kid, and Miami is a bad place to start a family.
I actually like to listen to Cowherd because he has the balls to speak his mind, unlike all these local HOMERS who think there home town team is the best thing since slice bread. He was right about Eddie Guerrero's death, and he's right about this. He can also talk about both sports and every day issues at the same time. Now don't get me wrong. I disagree with some stuff he says,but I still listen because he has the balls to say these things like Eminem when he was at the top of his game (look at the album sales). I also like to listen to Stephen A. and John Kincade cause their CONTROVERSIAL.
And stop sending e-mails for ESPN to fire Cowherd. If ESPN wanted to fire him, they would've done it a LOOOOOOOOONG time ago, IDIOTS!!!!! U guys who keep complaining about Cowherd probably have been made fun of since u were a little kid, still live in your mom's basement, read comic books, and still have your V card. LOL!!!!!
Posted by: theBIGguy | December 1, 2007 07:03 PM
If you read those Cowherd quotes using Stephen Colbert's voice, they're HILARIOUS.
Posted by: Big Daddy Drew | December 3, 2007 04:58 PM
TheBigGUY you have got to be kidding me with your remarks. Living in an affluent suburb of Miami has nothing to do with wanting to be hard, or tough and could have everything to do with Miami being home for Sean and his Fiance Jackie! Miami is no different than any major US city in that it does have crime. The thing is that Sean's neighborhood down there was upscale in Old Cutler. I lived in Coral Gables for 7 years and know the area very well. There have been a rash of robberies against athletes this year. Think Eddie Curry in a Chicago suburb. Antoine Walker in the downtown Chicago Gold Coast neighborhood, Dunta Robinson in his Houston Texas Gated community. Robberies happen, and these guys were obviously targeted because of their wealth and status. Each of those other guys named could have been shot.
Again, Sean did not live anywhere near "The Hood." He lived in a great are and was a victim here.
Posted by: Greg (Chicago) | December 3, 2007 05:03 PM
Told you guys he wasn't worth listening to ... 8 months ago when he blew us up.
www.thebiglead.com
Posted by: The Big Lead | December 3, 2007 05:19 PM
As a Canadian, i am offended that you compare all of us to Hispanics.
Posted by: KD | December 3, 2007 05:20 PM
Hey Dan, thanks for writing this. These guys need to be called out on this stuff - especially those like Cowherd that start to get a big head about their work and start to think they can just say whatever they want, just days after a man's death. Good work.
Posted by: Jesse (St. Paul) | December 3, 2007 05:27 PM
the whole country is upset because we lost a guy who tackles another guy who is holding a ball....in the immortal words of bill hicks "i dont think we lost a cancer cure here." if the guy cant get his head out his rear when he is making millions to catch a ball then he is an a-hole. if its a random act of violence.. it is what it is....ooooh the pats are on!
Posted by: ty | December 3, 2007 08:14 PM
I love how he demands all this "grown-up" talk when he's the most immature prick in the land. He's the same 'bag that said he knew the coroner in the Benoit case was wrong that roid rage wasn't a factor because he gets horny when he works out so it HAD to be roid rage and nothing else.
Posted by: Brian | December 3, 2007 08:17 PM
""I didn't grow up African American. I grew up middle class. "
Apparently these are meant to be mutually exclusive?
Posted by: Unsilent Majority"
Thank you, Unsilent Majority; I'm surprised it took someone this long to note this.
And it's of course entirely beside the point that Sean Taylor *himself* grew up African-American and middle class. Well, except to underscore that Colin Cowherd is a racist schmuck.
oh, and ty?
"the whole country is upset because we lost a guy who tackles another guy who is holding a ball... if its a random act of violence.. it is what it is..."
I'm upset because this crap happens all the time in this country, to lots of different people, most of whom we'll never hear about. "It" is pretty upsetting.
Posted by: jkd | December 3, 2007 09:00 PM
The utter BS that spews from Colin's mouth never ceases to amaze me. Luckily, ESPNRadio 1000 does not air his show in the morning. I suggest listening to Silvy & Waddle from 9-Noon (CST). It's highly entertaining if you give it a day. Well, anything is better than the Herd.
Posted by: Greg S | December 3, 2007 09:08 PM
No problem with what the herd said, the guy is there for ratings not friendships...Based on everyone posting comments getting all pissed about his rant he is nothing but smiles...Also Silvey and Waddle blow so Chicago should get the herd.
Posted by: KNN | December 3, 2007 10:45 PM
I am horrified at Cowherd's comments. There is not one shred of evidence to even imply that Taylor's past had anything to do with him being murdered in his own bedroom. For Cowherd to villify Taylor in this manner is shameful. Cowherd seems to neglect the fact that this is a very real tragedy that has caused unbearable pain and hardship to very real people. My sister is friends with Jackie Garcia (Taylor's fiance) and attended today's funeral to support Jackie. Today, Jackie is (for all intents and purposes) a widow and the single mother of an 18 month old baby. She is in this position because some thugs decided to break into a home and shoot her fiance to death in front of her and her baby. And what did Sean Taylor do during the burglary? Well, he grabbed a machete to protect his home and his family, and he told Jackie to hide. It is unimaginable to think that Cowherd could speculate to the world without any foundation or supporting evidence that Taylor brought this upon himself.
Posted by: Telisman | December 4, 2007 01:00 AM
the truth hurts
Posted by: | December 4, 2007 10:19 AM
Dan, thanks for writing this. I had a lot of the same sentiments while listening to Cowherd last week. This was before any arrests were made in this case. I found it very contradictory that Cowherd used the term "Well yeah, just because you clean the rug doesn't mean you got everything out." and was then following that up by saying "I'm not saying that he had this coming to him" and "I'm not saying he got what he deserved". I'm pretty sure that is what the rug analogy is referring to. If you have not heard these segments, I encourage everyone to go to the ESPN archives and listen to last weeks segments on Taylor.
I find his delivery to be far more disparaging than Whitlock or Wilbons take. This is a simple case of piling on a bad situation to make Cowherd look smart. My real question is regarding whether or not he will actually address the situation when he returns tomorrow (He supposedly waited until Wednesday to talk about it out of "respect" for the situation, he may have taken Monday of for the same). If not,I would also encourage everybody who does not approve of Cowherds behavior to email ESPNs Ombudsman, Le Anne Schreiber (who is supposed to be the publics representative to ESPN, you can find her link on the ESPN home page), and express your opinion. Wilbon, Whitlock and other sports writers are expected to have an immediate opinion on this issue which may have led them slightly astray on their assumptions. Cowherd is an entertainer who took these opinions and used them to further leverage his agenda regarding listeners. I wonder if Cowherd/ESPN will attempt to sweep this issue under the rug by never speaking of it again.
Posted by: Duder | December 4, 2007 06:37 PM
Hey, thanks for your thoughts, but really, who cares? The guy has a radio show and he's supposed to talk about whatever he wants. You have a blog...
A weak blog at that.
But if you spend your time listening to talk radio for material, then you're just as pathetic as you claim Cowherd to be.
Get a life.
Posted by: Brian | December 4, 2007 07:22 PM
Great post, Brian. Apparently, if a national talk show host implies something very negative about you to his audience, you wouldn't care. So much for requiring anybody to have accountability.
By the way, anybody not named Brian who might still care about national figures and accountability, Cowherd is currently admitting that he was wrong in his assumptions about Taylor. Not apologizing but explaining the path that lead to his broadcast.
Posted by: Duder | December 5, 2007 11:14 AM
Beyond Colin's "crow eating words" is how NOW all of the sudden that he stands behind his belief because a few black reporters believed the same that he did. Really comical, because just two months ago, he was totally against the belief of black reporters that backed up McNabb's claim that black QB's are scrutinized more than white QB's. I guess Black reporters became worthy of all opinion within the last two months.
Posted by: P.J. | December 5, 2007 04:58 PM
I have to laugh at people who are 'horrified' at Cowherd's take on this. Others had the same take and he agreed with it. The poster 'duder' claims there wasn't a shred of evidence to support the thought that Taylor's past had anything to do with this, how wrong is that? A knife on a bed 8 days earlier? His lifelong friend SAYING this wasn't random? Friends telling him to leave Miami? Sounds like you're being naive. Let's also remind ourselves that all the facts of this case are STILL not in. It looks like Taylor did know at least one of the defendants, so don't discount some other motives just yet. Also, anyone going to talk about the topic being addressed today? It probably didn't go far enough for you, but I'm guessing it never would.
Posted by: Chuck | December 5, 2007 05:26 PM
Geez, Chuck, It really sounds like you took what you wanted out of my post and didn't pay attention to the rest (I don't think that I ever said that Cowherd never did his homework in this matter or cited former incidents correctly or what you call "a shred of evidence", but you can reread my post to make sure). The point of this article is in regards to Cowherds behavior last week in jumping to conclusions about Sean Taylor's death (and the way he presented it). I never said that his assumptions were based on nothing. It was the manner in which he presented them. The assumption that the facts (which he knew at the time) drew the conclusion that Taylor's former lifestyle discrepencies led to his demise. And please note that Cowherd said on the air that he was wrong in this matter, spent 20 minutes today explaining how he came to his conclusions. All I hoped for was that he would address the remarks he made on his program (one way or the other) regarding this matter and he did. I would say that he came cleaner than other media figures who drew the same conclusions and refuse to back away even when all signs point to the contrary.
Posted by: duder | December 5, 2007 06:18 PM
What a bunch of absolute crybaby's. Would you like someone to hold you next time they have an opinion that you don't agree with? Jesus Christ. You couldn't carry Cowherd's jockstrap.
Posted by: | December 7, 2007 09:21 PM
Thanks for destroying Cowherd. That guy is the most worthless talking head in years...maybe ever.
Posted by: Blake | December 22, 2007 02:59 PM
Cowherd was right. People inside the D.C. bubble can't see past their own noses. What happened was a tragedy, but it wasn't surprising. The man slept with guns and knives always near by.
You live by the gun, you die by the gun.
Posted by: Jon | December 30, 2007 09:40 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
What a jerk.