The Saints won a rather thrilling Super Bowl last night, and the majority of the East Coast got to drink themselves to sleep after learning of most business calling an audible day-off for workers because of snow. Now that the haze has worn off, there are three rather interesting stories that happened over the Super Bowl weekend that I'm looking at today. In order they are Michael Irvin's rape allegation and firing from ESPN Radio, Warren Sapp getting arrested and being dropped from NFL Network's coverage and Steve Phillips sitting down with Matt Lauer this morning. First up....Michael Irvin....
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On the same day that his former teammate Emmitt Smith was getting into the Hall of Fame, Michael Irvin was getting fired from his ESPN Radio job after another alleged rape charge was levied against him Dallas. Not only that but ESPN decided to fire the former Cowboy WR from his gig at 103.3 FM even though Irvin's contract was set to expire at the end of the week. There were reportedly no plans to renew it, but ESPN opted to fire him anyway. Irvin (unlike Sapp) made his appearances on NFL Network over the weekend, spoke briefly about the allegation to reporters, and then filed a $100 Million counter suit against his alleged victim. Via ESPN....

Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin made his first public appearance since he was accused in a civil suit of rape. He filed a $100 million countersuit against his accuser.

Irvin worked the Hall of Fame ceremonies for the NFL Network on Saturday. He was subdued at times but also emotional, especially when former teammate, running back Emmitt Smith, was selected for induction.

"It's not about me, but that's it," Irvin told a small group of reporters before they had a chance to ask questions. Irvin said he would only talk about the Hall of Fame.

Irvin's suit, filed in Dallas County, Texas, asks for $100 million in damages for allegations filed in a lawsuit that claim Irvin raped a woman identified as "Jane Doe" at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., in 2007.

The countersuit claims that the civil suit filed by the woman caused him to be fired from his radio job.

It's interesting that ESPN decided to follow up with the story after taking no time in firing Irvin. Like the story said, no charges were filed against him and his contract was set to run out, so it really makes no sense as to why ESPN Radio decided to fire him right away.
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The day after Michael Irvin got his walking papers, another analyst in Miami spent the night in jail. A crazy story came out of South Beach that NFL Network Analyst Warren Sapp had been dropped from the network's coverage of the Super Bowl, and after NFL-N confirmed the claims, Sapp spent the night in jail on a domestic abuse charge. Via the Sun Sentinel....

Police arrested Sapp on Saturday on one charge of misdemeanor domestic battery. An arrest affidavit says the incident happened around 5 a.m. Saturday in the former defensive tackle's hotel room at the Shore Club on Miami Beach.

Sapp's attorney said the former player is taking the matter seriously and will cooperate with authorities.

"He sincerely apologizes to the NFL family and fans for taking away any distraction from today's big game," Christopher Lyons said. "We ask that everyone reserve judgment on the matter until all the facts come out in a court of law."

The woman said she had been dating Sapp about two years. She told officers the two were partying with a large group of friends when she got tired and went to lay down.

Sapp entered hours later, pulled her out of bed and tried to get her out of the room, according to the complaint. The complaint says he yelled at the woman about men she had been hanging out with and men listed in her cell phone. The woman told police Sapp choked her, threw her down on a couch, then picked her up by her shirt and neck and threw her down again — injuring her leg. The victim had a swollen knee and bruises on her neck, the affidavit says. She was taken to the hospital.

Just a messy situation all around. According to Sports by Brooks, Sapp had been seen around Miami with a certain lady friend, but as of now the accuser wants to remain anonymous.
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As far as Steve Phillips, the former ESPN Baseball analyst made an appearance on the Today Show this morning to talk about his sexual addiction. Phillips, who is giving his first public interview since leaving the same rehab clinic Tiger Woods reportedly has been staying at, told Matt Lauer that he, "I couldn't stop myself from doing the things I was doing, even knowing the consequences." Here's the clip....


Man, what a weekend!

As much fun as I poke at ESPN, I always contended that I could not survive without it. Especially this time of year, when I finally decide to catch up on College Basketball. Well apparently a lot of men feel the same way that I do, including one guy that almost murdered his wife because she canceled the channel without telling him. Via The Hour....

Police arrested a Norwalk man on Saturday who allegedly threatened his wife at knife-point for canceling ESPN a few weeks before the Super Bowl, a department spokesperson said.

Jerome Smalls, 43, was charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree threatening.

Officers responded to Smalls' home on West Main Street on a call of an armed subject shortly before midnight on Saturday, Norwalk police Sgt. Lisa Cotto said.

At the residence, police interviewed a woman who alleged her husband threatened her with a kitchen knife after he learned that she had recently canceled the family's cable package, Cotto said.

Smalls was most upset for having lost his favorite sports channels, specifically the 24-hour sports network ESPN, she said.

Smalls admitted to grabbing his wife and screaming at her while their three children were sleeping, but denied ever threatening the woman with a knife, she said.

The wife told police that she canceled her husband's favorite programs because the family could no longer afford it, Cotto said. The husband told officers that he was upset because he believed the luxury of cable was well within the household budget, she said.

Well then. I would probably be ultra depressed for a few weeks, but I don't think I would ever turn to violence. Actually I take that back. When ESPN fired Emmitt Smith, I went outside and just started flipping cars. Who knows what I would do if the whole channel was taken from me. ESPN should really hire this guy for their next set of commercials.

Oh and look for "ESPN the Murder Weapon" at a store near you this Summer!

Dispute erupts when wife cancels ESPN, cable TV (The Hour)

God I hate to have to write stories like this, and this one could be the worst announcer arrest in quite some time. We've had drunk driving, drug addiction and tax evasion, but possessing and receiving child porn is just about as low as you can go. University of Florida announcer Steven Michael Babik (left) has been picked up for just that, and here are your details. Via The Gainesville Sun....

Steven Michael Babik, host of the "TailGator Pre-game Show" and the "Urban Meyer Post-Game Show," was charged Tuesday in federal court with receipt and distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

Babik also reported from the sidelines during game broadcasts and was the longtime network coordinator for University of Florida athletics.

Investigators said he was arrested as part of an ongoing global effort to find and prosecute those who share child pornography online.

Babik, 50, of 3501 N.W. 75th Terrace in Gainesville, has been fired from his UF job. He made his first court appearance at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Gainesville, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida, Babik "knowingly received, distributed and possessed materials depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct" on several occasions from Nov. 2 to Nov. 30.

Obviously Babik is innocent until proven guilty, but no one should have tolerance of people with any possession of children in compromising positions. It's just downright sick.

Broadcaster for Gators faces child porn charges (Gainesville Sun)

I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to see someone who had violated me, in person, but that's just what Erin Andrews had to do yesterday. And according to a transcript that SbB pulled from TMZ, she admitted to "losing it" when seeing him....

“I wanted to go right in and get it over with. To see him (Barrett) face-to-face. The first couple minutes were very difficult. I lost it. My Dad was trying to help me keep it together. I looked at him a few times to see what his reaction was. Now that I’ve been thrust into this role, I want to the judge to see me and how emotional I was.

“I believe he should be classified as a sexual predator. I want him to stay in jail as long as possible. He’s a threat to all women. I dont want somone else’s career to be ruined like this. It wont come off the internet. Still to this day every time I check into a hotel room, I’m constantly looking around to see if he’s there. I wanted (today) to give the judge a sense of what he’s done.”

“People bring it up. They think it’s funny. I’m embarrassed and humiliated. I’m still scared to stay in hotels and my house.”

Andrews' lawyer went on to say that he and Erin are disappointed in the plea deal agreed upon for Barrett, and given the fact the Andrews was one of twelve (alleged) victims, I would have to agree. He is only going to be sentence on one count of stalking, will not have to register as a sex offender, and the maximum sentence it carries is 5 years. Hopefully EA can finally get closure, but I don't think justice has been served in this matter.

Erin Andrews Sees ‘Predator’ In Person: ‘I Lost It’ (Sports by Brooks)

Chris Johnson is undoubtedly very fast, but when describing his prowess in that department, you probably shouldn't call it "get away from the cops speed". That's what Gus Johnson said during the Titans romp over the Jags yesterday, and it brings up a lot of questions. First the video....

"First down and ten. Johnson ... gets his shoulders square! Watch out! He's got gettin' away from the cops speed. Touchdown."- Gus Johnson

I know that this is just another attempt at making a clever comment, that went wrong, but an ESPN commenter just got suspended for a similar line of thinking recently. What would happen if Jim Nantz blurted that line out instead of Gujo?

Exciting calls like these are made on the fly, but every announcer should seriously just stick to the gameplan and not try to be so clever.

Press Coverage (The Sporting Blog)

Well it took the weekend for a decision, but late Sunday night, ESPN officially fired Steve Phillips citing his inability to be an effective representative for the network. VP Mike Soltys has the announcement on his Twitter page....

I really hope they didn't feel pressure from Deadspin's stunt near the end of last week, but there was really no other choice for the "Leader". You would think this line of reasoning would be used more often by ESPN. (More tomorrow when the full release comes out)

ESPN MikeS (Twitter)

(Top image via WEEI)

Say what you will about ESPN's 60 Minutes copy, E:60, but they certainly are getting some high profile interviews as of late. It was Donte Stallworth last week, and this week Jeremy Schapp will be sitting down with recently sentenced, Plaxico Burress. Via ESPN PR....

Former N.Y. Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress, will talk in detail with correspondent Jeremy Schaap in an exclusive E:60 interview, Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m. ET, about the early morning hours of Nov. 29, when he accidentally shot himself in the leg with his own gun at the Latin Quarter nightclub in Midtown N.Y., and about the two-year jail sentence he now faces.

Burress pleaded guilty Thursday, Aug. 20, to the weapons charge and avoided what would have been a mandatory minimum sentence of three years for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He will head to prison when he is officially sentenced Sept. 22, and will be eligible for release after serving a little more than 20 months. The NFL has suspended Burress but will reinstate him once he completes his sentence.

Excerpts from the interview will debut Monday, Aug. 24, on SportsCenter at 6 p.m. ET and in subsequent editions of the show. The interview will air in full on E:60.

Another interesting get for ESPN, and the fact that they are choosing to air it on E:60 is even more interesting. I don't know if they're trying to improve ratings on the show, but given the show's actually numbers, it's probably not going to hurt. If there's anything exciting said, I will be sure to have the video up.

I honestly haven't watched an episode of E:60 in over a year, but this might get me to actually tune in. Michael Smith will be interviewing Donte Stallworth, on the heels of his recent jailing, as a part of tonight's airing of the news show on ESPN....

Suspended Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth, in an exclusive E:60 interview, will talk in detail with correspondent Michael Smith on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. ET, about the early morning hours of March 14, when Stallworth killed a man while driving under the influence in Miami.

A plea deal was reached in June, and Stallworth was sentenced to 30 days in jail for DUI manslaughter. After serving 24 days of his sentence, Stallworth was released and is under an indefinite suspension from the NFL after meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Aug. 5. It is not known when Goodell will rule on Stallworth’s request to return to the NFL.

Critics have expressed outrage that Stallworth is just another example of a rich athlete buying his way out of hard time. E:60 will air the complete interview with Smith on Tuesday. Stallworth talks for the first time about the morning he killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes, lessons learned while in jail and how he hopes to make a positive impact in the future, on and off the football field.

Outside of Mike Vick, there hasn't been a case that has stirred up more controversy than this one, and it will be interesting to see the angle ESPN takes. Do they go the easy route, or do they go straight to Stallworth and ask him if a man's life is worth 30 days in jail? Tune in tonight at 7pm to find out.

See what happens when you take a few days off? Apparently some hotel employee takes a peephole video of America's favorite sideline reporter, and said sideline reporter has since threatened a lawsuit against the maker of the video. Both the lawyer and ESPN have made statements, and here they are....

LOS ANGELES, Calif., July 17 /PRNewswire/ — With respect to recent Internet postings of Erin Andrews, she has authorized her attorney, Marshall B. Grossman of Bingham McCutchen LLP, to issue the following statement:

“While alone in the privacy of her hotel room, Erin Andrews was surreptitiously videotaped without her knowledge or consent. She was the victim of a crime and is taking action to protect herself and help ensure that others are not similary violated in the future. Although the perpetrator or perpetrators of this criminal act have not yet been identified, when they are identified she intends to bring both civil and criminal charges against them and against anyone who has published the material. We request respect of Erin’s privacy at this time, while she and her representatives are working with the authorities.”

ESPN's statement: "Erin has been grievously wronged here. Our people and resources are in full support of her as she deals with this abhorrent act."

Obviously there's a way to download the video, but there's not a chance in hell that I'm going to promote a criminal act like this on this site. It's a flat out violation of a persons rights, and the person who filmed it should definitely be charged with assault. I hope this goes away quickly for Andrews, and hopefully anyone who gets their hands on such filth, has the decency to not give it any play.

You knew that the story was coming out one way or another, and today we all learned where. Tony Dungy's talk with Mike Vick, during his last days in prison, will be presented as an article in this week's SI. In fact, it's already online and here's a brief snippet....

Then I went to see Michael. As I sat down with him at the table in the visitors' room, he looked just like many of the young men I have talked with in other prisons. I couldn't get over how young he still looked. I hadn't seen him in person since 2005, but his face looked the same. The Falcons' number 7 jersey, though, had been replaced by a tan jumpsuit with his inmate number on it. We talked for about two hours, and my message was the same one I've given hundreds of other inmates I've visited. "What you learn in life is the same thing you learn in football," I told Michael, who was scheduled to be released from prison this Wednesday to serve the final two months of his 23-month sentence in home confinement. "You have losses, and you have to rebound from them. The key thing is, How do you bounce back from a defeat?"

In the two hours we spent together, Michael and I learned a lot about each other, and we made a commitment to stay in touch after he is released. When I left the prison, I found myself thinking: What if Michael, who says his father was not a positive influence on his household when he grew up, had had the same family support system that Josh [Freeman] had? Would he have ended up in this situation? I really don't think so.

That's really just the surface of the article, as it delves into how Dungy helps a lot of inmates, so you should definitely check out the rest. I've noticed over the past few days that rarely has anything bad been said about Vick, and I'm beginning to understand why. It's human nature to want to forgive and forget, and that's what the media seems to already be doing with Vick. Either that, or they want to be the first to score an interview (*ahem* ESPN!).

Guidance With A Fatherly Touch (SI)

I mentioned last week that ESPN planned to stalk Michael Vick as he left Leavenworth today. Well apparently Vick used his once elusive Football skills, to escape the "Leader's" (and every other media outlet) cameras. Here is Hannah Storm talking about just that with on-site reporter Kelly Naqi. Via Fang's Bites....

How funny is that? On the surface you would think it'd be virtually impossible to leave undetected, but that's obviously not the case. All that work for a shot of a random reporter standing in the wind outside of a prison. Good times.

In Case You Missed Vick's Release (Fangs Bites)

Michael Vick is being released from Levanworth on May 20th, and ESPN has released the details about who they are sending and where. Three reporters will be spread out from Leavenworth, Kan, to Hampton, Va, and Atlanta, and the network will air specials throughout the day. There will even be a one hour special that Tuesday. Via ESPN PR....

Michael Vick to be Released From Prison

Michael Vick will be released from Leavenworth Federal Prison in Kansas on May 20, then head to Hampton, Va. where he will be under home confinement. ESPN will provide live coverage from Kansas, Virginia and Atlanta, detail NFL reaction, and present a one-hour special Tuesday night.

On-site coverage (Tuesday, Wednesday)
In Leavenworth, Kan: Kelly Naqi
In Hampton, Va.: George Smith
In Atlanta: Darren Lyn

NFL Reaction (debut on Tuesday SportsCenters)
Reporter Ed Werder’s piece with reaction from a variety of NFL-related personalities speculating on Vick’s NFL future.

SportsCenter Special (ESPN2, Tuesday, 7 p.m.)
Bob Ley will anchor a one-hour SportsCenter special with Mark Schlereth, Trent Dilfer, Herm Edwards, and Chris Mortensen.

ESPN.com’s Lester Munson will take an in-depth look at Michael Vick’s depleting finances and the people that targeted them, and interview Tony “Dogman” Taylor, one of the dogfighting associates who pleaded guilty and served time for the incident. John Clayton will also take a look at the five most likely landing spots for Vick when he returns to the NFL. The NFL Blog Network will also open up a discussion for debate on whether Vick should keep an open mind to switching positions. Additional columns and reactions from Len Pasquarelli and Pat Yasinskas will also be available on ESPN.com.

I guess the situation warrants the special, but to follow the guy halfway across the country is a little much. I also wonder exactly many people care that he's getting released. I'm guessing it's not as many as ESPN thinks.

You Thought Brett Favre Coverage was Overboard? Wait for Michael Vick... (Fang's Bites)

Tony Dungy is still planning on talking with Mike Vick soon, and today he went on the Dan Patrick Show, to explain why he's doing so and that he believes the former NFL QB is remorseful. He even went so far as to compare him to players that have actually murdered someone, and are still in the league....

Dungy is going to visit with Michael Vick before he leaves jail. Dungy says he heard Vick has found God and wants to talk to him about that and other things. Dungy said he's given other players second chances and it's worked out well. He pointed to kicker Mike Vanderjagt.

Dungy said that someone should give Vick a second chance because "it's the right thing to do." Dan and Tony pointed out that there are players in the NFL who have killed people and are still playing.

While he's certainly right about the current state of the NFL, everyone even said it at the time, that killing dogs is/was worse than killing a human. While, I may not necessarily agree with that stance, I can definitely understand that point of view. I still believe he deserves a second chance, but only if he truly understands what he did was wrong.

The big meet and greet is set for May 5th, and I'll keep you posted.

Tony Dungy comments on Favre, plans to meet with Vick (Sports Illustrated)

Please, please, please let this happen! The Cincy Enquirer, via First Cuts, is reporting that the producers of HBO's Hard Knocks are seriously considering following the Bengals for the show this Summer....

The Bengals are being considered to be the featured team on this year's Hard Knocks:Training Camp series, which is aired on HBO in late July and August. No final decision has been made though by HBO or NFL Films, which produces the series. Both HBO and NFL Films like teams that train away from their home complexes during training camp, which makes the Bengals a fit. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis also has experience with what the series entails. He was the defensive coordinator at Baltimore during the first year the series ran in 2000. There is one factor though that would make this seem like a weird arrangement -- team owner Mike Brown rarely gives interviews anymore (and he would have to be on TV plenty for this series).

What a great idea, HBO! This will bring an entirely new meaning to the term "Hard Knocks", especially when you consider that they just brought in head case Andre Smith into the fold. This better happen!

HBO Considers Bengals For 'Hard Knocks' (First Cuts)

I haven't figured out if this is for an interview that the network will air on NBC, but Tony Dungy will be heading to Leavenworth to talk with Michael Vick. The former coach broke the news during the Draft on Saturday, and will try to avoid any talk about Football when he meets with Vick. Via ESPN....

Former Colts and Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy said Saturday he plans to visit Michael Vick in a federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan., on May 5.

Dungy said he does not plan to talk to Vick about football, but about life.

Vick is serving a 23-month sentence for his role in a dogfighting operation and has a team of lawyers trying to settle his finances in bankruptcy court.

A major component of the bankruptcy lawyers' efforts to find a way for Vick to satisfy his creditors is based on his ability to again earn millions in pro football.

Last week, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Vick has paid a significant price for doing an "egregious thing" and will have to show genuine remorse and that the experience has changed him in order to get a chance at resuming his career in the league.

If this is an interview for NBC then it is a huge get. Of course, it would still be commendable for Dungy to go and talk to him on his own, but I think a ton of people would like to hear what Vick has to say.

I never heard about this when it happened (January), but apparently ESPN play-by-play man Jon Sciambi was held at gunpoint while covering a highschool game in Birmingham, Alabama. Well the case has gone to trial and has been sent to a grand jury for review (Via the Associated Press)....

A district judge ruled Thursday there was sufficient evidence to seek an indictment against 35-year-old Willie Frank Watkins.

Watkins is charged in the Jan. 15 holdup of Jon Sciambi. Police said the robbery occurred outside Bartow Arena on the Univ. of Alabama-Birmingham campus.

Authorities said Sciambi was in Birmingham to cover a high school basketball tournament.

Watkins has been jailed since his arrest Feb. 19 and was being held on $60,000 bond.

Man, that doesn't sound like fun. I think the rule to follow is never go to Alabama....ever.

With nothing else really going on today, I decided to post the full video of the Ryan Moats hospital exchange with Dallas Police Officer, Robert Powell (no relation). Sure it's going to upset you, but I know some people were looking for it, so here it is in two parts (discussion after the clip)....

This whole thing is obviously terrible, and beyond maddening, but hopefully it sheds some light on some of the attitude that some people in authority roles carry. Obviously one bad apple spoils the bunch, and I can understand the officer's trepidation at first, but have some common sense and compassion, for christsakes.

The Full Ryan Moats Dashcam Video (Pro Football Talk)

Last year, the only scary thing about Dancing With The Stars, was Warren Sapp "matrixing" it up in a giant leather coat. Today, comes the news that a stalker of found his way through security and was trying to get to U.S. Gymnast Shawn Johnson. That's not the scary part though. The man was armed with a loaded .45 handgun and a loaded shotgun, and was also carrying duct tape, arm ties and a map on how to get to Johnson. Via Mavrix Online....

Shawn Johnson, the former olympian and current Dancing With the Stars contestant, jetted out of her trailer right before she was set to appear on the show.

It’s being reported that earlier today, a man who claimed he was “meant to be” with Johnson was arrested for trying to sneak onto the set. According to police, the man had two loaded guns ( a .45 handgun and a shotgun), duct tape, zip ties and a map to the victim in his car - items typically associated with a kidnapping - along with love letters, clippings and other information on the victim. Johnson’s mother, Teri, has filed a petition for a restraining order against the 34-year-old Robert O’Ryan seeking protection for Shawn, 17, her mother and father and dancing partner Mark Ballas.

Wow....just wow. I don't even have a follow up for that one. Thank goodness that security handled everything before it got worse.

Horror On The Set of DWTS!!! (Mavrix Online)

I don't think I could ever see Gus Johnson getting mad at anyone, but maybe all of those MMA fights he covered recently have made him a little testy. According to a police report, found by Deadspin, the March Madness staple got into it with a Restaurateur in Memphis before calling the opening round action in Minneapolis, and was even handcuffed and detained by an officer. Here's the tale of the tap via the Memphis Commercial Appeal....

According to the report, officers were called at 2 a.m. Saturday to the bar at 138 Beale, where Reed told them Johnson refused to leave after complaining about the service.

While officers questioned the two men, a disturbance in another part of the restaurant distracted them.

They then heard a "loud crash" and returned to find Johnson and Reed grappling on the floor.

Police detained Johnson when he refused to let go of Reed as the officers tried to break up the scrum.

Reed told them Johnson had pushed him and that he'd grabbed the play-by-play man when he thought Johnson was about to deliver a punch. A waitress, Milly Dalbey, 35, told police Johnson had indeed pushed Reed.

Johnson, however, said he'd been pushed first.

Officers didn't arrest anybody, the report states, because they didn't see what started the tussle.

Well that's certainly not a story CBS wanted to have out there at the start of the Tournament. It's obviously a few days old, and neither man was charged, but it would interesting to hear someone's account of the scuffle, who was at the cafe.

Police Report: Gus Johnson Fought With Restaurant Manager (Deadspin)
CBS announcer Gus Johnson was in scuffle at Blues City Cafe (Commercial Appeal)

Charles Barkley got his sentenced reduced last week, but still had to head to "Tent City" for a three day period. That time began on Saturday, and Barkely decided to hold a press conference before he entered the facility. Here's the clip....

So you're not going to kill yourself? That's definitely a good thing. I also hope that Barkley doesn't go back into his mode of blaming the media for everything, but it looks like that won't be the case. Oh and why CNN would not air the parts when he talked about Barack Obama and Chris Brown, is beyond me.