Aikman Pleads Ignorance In U.S. Marshals Incident
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I don't know how you could possibly think that there was nothing wrong in using the nation's resources to get an escort to and from a sporting event, but that's exactly what FOX analyst is claiming today. Neil Best transcribed a brief interview with Aikman, and here's what was said....
“No, no. I just got knowledge of the whole thing today, as a matter of fact, and whatever has been reported. We show up outside of our hotel, we’re told what cars to get in and we go. When the game’s over, we’re directed as to where our cars that are taking us to the airport or back to the hotel and we get in those vehicles and we go.Oh Michael! You crazy guy. Actually now that I think about it, not knowing who is driving you right before you're going on air is definitely a possibility. I think the attention needs to be diverted away from Aikman, Buck and McCarver in this matter, and directed to the brass at FOX Sports.
“None of us certainly had any idea that anything was going on that shouldn’t have been going on or that there were people involved with escorts that were supposed to be doing other jobs or anything like that. That was news to me.”
This was at the tail end of a Fox conference call to preview the NFC Championship Game. After Aikman answered, Michael Strahan interjected (good-naturedly, I think):
“Neil! You mean to tell me, Neil Best, you got on here and asked that question? All these years of knowing you and that’s all you got, a damn police escort?’’
Fox' Troy Aikman was unaware of escort impropriety (Watchdog)
8 Comments:
I don't think Aikman or Buck should be blamed for tthis US Marshal thing. The person that should be blamed is the one that allowed it to happen in the first palce.
Blaming any of the on-air people is silly, at least in this case. The way Troy described it, is exactly how it happens. The transportation is handled by a travel secretary or production assistant, and people just get in the cars they are assigned to on their schedules. All of the blame falls on Fox Sports, the production team, and whomever their stat guy/contact guy was that arraigned this.
If people feel the need to protest and boycott a broadcast or network over something, I really wish they would pick a more worthy issue. Take, DUI and crusing for a BJ in public, for instance. I haven't heard any calls for people to block TNT for not firing Sir Charles, but Fox gets taken to task for this? Really, now?
I could not agree more. I don't understand why AA, its going nuts on thsi issue and balmeing Aikman and Buck for something that they didn't have any control over it. I know AA, doesn't liek Buck, but lets be fair to the guy here, he is preparing to do a game not who's taking him to the games. Again Fox excs should be blamed for this not the on air talent.
Everything that is wrong in our lives is likely Joe Buck's fault.
Yep, the fault lies with either Joe Buck or possibly Colin Cowherd.
I guess ESPN doesn't think its getting a high enough return its investment with SAS and Reilly. The ESPN execs probably thought: Hell, let's just throw the two of them into this cluster%&#$ of a show.
By the way, I think I'll nominate myself. I made a significant contribution to the NBA and my offspring will likely do so as well in the next 10-15 years.
Sincerely,
Shawn Kemp
drew, wrong topic?
Yep...having some "technical issues" last night. Should have put that comment in the Mt. Rushmore story. Sorry for the operator error...
Drew/Shawn
Fox Sports must think that they are above the law.