Pocky's Paddock
A NASCAR BLOG BY Bob Pockrass
Bob Griese needs to put money where mouth is
National Football League hall-of-famer Bob Griese made a dumb comment, I assume trying to be funny, when he said that Juan Pablo Montoya was out having a taco.
Griese, who made the comment while doing analysis on a college football game for ESPN, should know better. Anybody should know better.
Is his one-game suspension enough? That at least sends a message to Griese’s colleagues that they need to be careful about what they say and that ESPN understands the comments are controversial.
I’m not sure a suspension is warranted, but rather a different disciplinary route should have been taken: Bob Griese should take his salary from the Ohio State game last week and donate it to Montoya’s Formula Smiles charity. And ESPN should match it.
A suspension is a significant sanction. But this would put his money where his mouth is. Same for ESPN. If you’re sorry, then do something good for the subjects of your offensive comments. The Formula Smiles foundation aims to improve, through sports, the quality of life of Colombian children in vulnerable situations.
Yeah, it could be said that he would then be let off the hook by writing a check. But he’s already paying the price through his reputation.
Maybe something good can be made out of this sour situation.
Bob Pockrass
Bob Pockrass began covering NASCAR in 1992, primarily covering short-track racing and events. He has been an associate editor at NASCAR Scene since 2003.
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Comments
11 responses to "Bob Griese needs to put money where mouth is". Post a Comment.
Reedsgran said:
Oct 27, 2009 at 8:54 AMI agree. The suspension is "over-kill". It was not a mean malicious nor intentional slur. The fine, matched by ESPN, would have been a meaningful enough message.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportb48orr said:
Oct 27, 2009 at 11:38 AMExcellent point here! But all of this got me to thinking about the first amendment, american humor, and racism. And lets be on the real here. Have we all not laughed or chuckled at least once at this kind of humor in our lives? Or heaven forbid said something along this line ourselves at least once? Come on Bob, if it did not bother Juan, who is talented, rich and good looking, and I'm sure it did not. Who are we all to pass judgement on anyone. An ant hill out of a mole hill here!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportasanchez008 said:
Oct 27, 2009 at 12:23 PMNot bad but still not appropriate to say on TV.
Report as AbuseThis on the other hand was unacceptable.
http://www.scenedaily.com/news/articles/sprintcupseries/suspended_speed_reporter_apologizes_for_remarks.html
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdgriffin said:
Oct 27, 2009 at 1:51 PMThe link works fine for me
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSTP43FAN said:
Oct 27, 2009 at 5:05 PMGriese did not make a comment that was untoward. Given the ubiquitousness of tacos, the reaction to his comment is contemptible, not the comment itself. Griese should sue to get his money back.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjessydoyle49 said:
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:48 AMBob,..Maybe you could explain JUST WHAT IS SO BAD WITH THE COMMENT?.?.?.?...AND then take a year of YOUR salary and...BUY A LIFE.!.!.!.!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportexredneck said:
Oct 28, 2009 at 12:18 PMThe real damage has been to Bob Griese.
Report as AbuseA well respected football legend and honorable
professional with many talents.
Thinking well fast is just not at the top of his talents
I hope his "next" actions or words are taken with a bit more insight. I feel certain that they will.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSTP43FAN said:
Oct 29, 2009 at 10:02 AMEXREDNECK - he doesn't need to take his next words with more insight - ESPN had NO RIGHT to suspend him.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportcjackets said:
Nov 4, 2009 at 1:48 PMvisit www.cjackets.com to custom build jackets in any color in leather twill or wool with no minimums.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportannmyers said:
Nov 4, 2009 at 11:43 PMWhat do you expect? He went to Purdue. From an IU fan.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportOSUSam said:
Nov 5, 2009 at 1:10 PMI'm so sick of everyone having to be politically correct. It's easy for people to make a slip up like Bob. I'm sure he truly regrets it. At some point in everyone's life, they do the same thing, AT LEAST once. Do we suspend ourselves from life for one week? Move on Pocky. This is a non-story.
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