The keyword there is that it "used" to be the rule. You're not hiring someone out of college with a communication/journalism degree. You're hiring a personality.

The reason for that is he's not just an analyst. He's a "color" analyst meaning he is there to entertain as well as breakdown the game he played. ESPN fully understood they were getting a passionate and emotional personality when they hired Ray so you can't expect him not to be that now just because he's on the air in a suit. It's the same reason Michael Strahan, Shannon Sharpe, Deon Sanders, Michael Irvin, Charles Barkley and Shaq have jobs. They are not just there to inform you but inform you and entertain you. So in that regard, they are part of the news.

I kinda' get what you're saying and don't necessarily disagree, but I look at the list of guys you have and don't recall any of them ever saying anything as stupid as what Lewis said, thus becoming a segment on a show ... maybe Barkley has at one time or another (), but Strahan, Sharpe and even Sanders/Irvin pretty much keep their comments on a professional, non-personal level.

Now that Ray has said it, I just hope it's a substantial fine and maxes out that American Express card he was waving around, ... it's just 'bush league', IMO.

I think he said what he said moreso to make a statement and it was heard. Will it change anything? No not really. The 49ers can't have the play back and the nfl will still get their money regardless of where it comes from but it does bring more attention to how difficult it is to play defense these days. An inch lower on the hit and we wouldn't be having this discussion right now.

The one point I will agree with you on is that Ray picked the wrong play to make a statement on because the play was a violation at the end of the day.