49ers suspend broadcaster over Lamar Jackson comments

burningmetal · 12-05-2019, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by vpheughan

Stupid statement but not as STUPID as Tom Brookshier's in 1983

Brookshier became the subject of controversy in 1983 because of a remark he made during an NFL broadcast of an Eagles–Saints game on December 11. After a program note for an upcoming telecast of an NCAA men's basketball game between North Carolina State and Louisville, Brookshier said that the players on the Louisville team had "a collective I.Q. of about 40, but they can play basketball." Given a chance to walk back the statement by partner Charlie Waters, Brookshier doubled down, saying "it's the truth."

That STUPID remark got him suspended for the last week of the 1983 season by CBS.

In 1983 the remark earned a one game suspension.
Today the remark would have ended his broadcasting career.

Have "WE" Progressed or Regressed?

That depends on what you mean. Are you asking if people have learned not to say stupid things, or are you asking if people have learned to be less offended by what people say?

If you're asking the former, I think examples like the one you gave have been the exception to the rule since well before 1983. For all I know, maybe the players on that basketball team WERE really dumb. But I have no particular reason to make that assumption, and neither did he. But some people don't know how to think before they speak.

In terms of how society has learned to deal with comments like that? We've CLEARLY regressed. People take everything personally, even if it isn't something stupid. They just find a way to be offended.

12-05-2019, 09:24 AM	#8
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,923 Blog Entries: 3	Re: 49ers suspend broadcaster over Lamar Jackson comments Originally Posted by vpheughan Stupid statement but not as STUPID as Tom Brookshier's in 1983 Brookshier became the subject of controversy in 1983 because of a remark he made during an NFL broadcast of an Eagles–Saints game on December 11. After a program note for an upcoming telecast of an NCAA men's basketball game between North Carolina State and Louisville, Brookshier said that the players on the Louisville team had "a collective I.Q. of about 40, but they can play basketball." Given a chance to walk back the statement by partner Charlie Waters, Brookshier doubled down, saying "it's the truth." That STUPID remark got him suspended for the last week of the 1983 season by CBS. In 1983 the remark earned a one game suspension. Today the remark would have ended his broadcasting career. Have "WE" Progressed or Regressed? That depends on what you mean. Are you asking if people have learned not to say stupid things, or are you asking if people have learned to be less offended by what people say? If you're asking the former, I think examples like the one you gave have been the exception to the rule since well before 1983. For all I know, maybe the players on that basketball team WERE really dumb. But I have no particular reason to make that assumption, and neither did he. But some people don't know how to think before they speak. In terms of how society has learned to deal with comments like that? We've CLEARLY regressed. People take everything personally, even if it isn't something stupid. They just find a way to be offended.
	If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.