Rashad Evans Blasted By ESPN's Jim Rome For Penn State Comment
by Josh Nason on Dec 9, 2011 12:47 PM EST
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Traditionally, ESPN personality/national radio host Jim Rome is very pro-UFC and often has UFC President Dana White and fighters on his show like Tito Ortiz, who appeared earlier this week.
But when you want your sport to be recognized by the mainstream, you have to accept the criticism from those same outlets. Rome did just that Thursday, blasting former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans on ESPN's Rome Is Burning.
After saying that he was surprised that an athlete's comments can still shock him, Rome led into a clip of Evans making the infamous comment about Penn State to Phil Davis from Wednesday's UFC On Fox 2 press conference and then unleashed the following. Thanks to Fight Opinion for the assist on transcription from the audio available here (6:00 mark in):
"Rashad, you’ve got to be kidding me. What is that, other than totally insensitive and just dumb? Guys have run regrettable smack before. David Haye saying that his fight with Audley Harrison was going to be ‘as one-sided as gang rape’ immediately comes to mind but you, my man, might be the new standard bearer.
Look, I get that these guys are in hype mode and the blood starts to flow at these pressers. I just don’t care. You can’t say you’re going to do to your opponent what Jerry Sandusky allegedly did to these kids. Not that I haven’t done this 100 times already before but memo to all athletes — there’s certain things you cannot ever talk junk about. Ever. Keep all references to 9/11 and Hitler out of your mouths and, I never thought I’d have to say it, but you can officially add Jerry Sandusky to that list as well.
Look, I work in smack for a living. I put food on my family’s table with smack. Smack is the family business, so I know smack and that’s some of the worst smack I’ve ever heard."
White said that he spoke with Evans, calling the remark "one of the dumbest things you can say" but had no plans to further reprimand him. With the Thursday release of Miguel Torres for an ill-conceived tweet, it's been quite a week for fighters saying the wrong things.
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I read all that in Jim Rome’s voice.
I hope he was talking about smack-talk because after reading that I think he is peddling smack as a side gig.
by IRodC on Dec 9, 2011 12:03 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
spoken like someone...
who had never done smack.
If your wife owes money to Jackie Treehorn... that means you owe money to Jackie Treehorn.
by John Danaher's Hair on Dec 9, 2011 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
Ballsy move by Rome...
to reveal his second career like that.
If your wife owes money to Jackie Treehorn... that means you owe money to Jackie Treehorn.
by John Danaher's Hair on Dec 9, 2011 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
Heyyyyyyyyyyyyy good on Rome
Wonder if he’ll touch on Torres today. Keep highlighting the hypocrisy, fellas. Normally I dislike Rome a lot, but he’s right so far in this case.
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Dec 9, 2011 12:04 PM EST reply actions
Thanks for your opinion, Rome
Without it, we wouldn’t know what to think.
Come on, Rebel, we gonna bust him up tonight!
Bust his chops! Oh, that hurts my parts!
by Uncle Red on Dec 9, 2011 12:09 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
The problem
with Rome is that he isn’t wrong, it’s just hard to take one minute diatribes seriously.
by butt.bar.bandit on Dec 9, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
Hey, a man can do a lot in one minute
Just ask my first girlfriend
Come on, Rebel, we gonna bust him up tonight!
Bust his chops! Oh, that hurts my parts!
by Uncle Red on Dec 9, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions 8 recs
This shit is fuckin gold.
KEMvP
"You know Joe, if Keith Jardines last name was Johnson, the nickname 'The Dean of Mean' wouldn't work at all."
I should add that I felt much like Matt Hughes afterwards
In that she essentially told me that she was not impressed by my performance
Come on, Rebel, we gonna bust him up tonight!
Bust his chops! Oh, that hurts my parts!
Whatabitch.
KEMvP
"You know Joe, if Keith Jardines last name was Johnson, the nickname 'The Dean of Mean' wouldn't work at all."
*pregnant silence.....THEN:
If your wife owes money to Jackie Treehorn... that means you owe money to Jackie Treehorn.
by John Danaher's Hair on Dec 9, 2011 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Seems pretty simple.
Avoid jokes about abortions, race, sexism, sexual abuse, and child abuse. Am I forgetting anything?
Japanese Tsunamis, vans with no windows, priests, female iron workers, and jet ski accidents. I’d like to add toe fungus… because mine is brutal and I do not find people’s jokes about it amusing in the least.
Getting bent out of shape over a fight promoter lying is like getting upset that a hooker won't kiss you. It betrays a deep lack of understanding of the nature of the profession.
I forgot suicide. I’d also say spousal abuse, but I got lambasted pretty hard when I expressed some sympathy for Brett Rogers’ wife. That was a sad day for my experience on BE.
unless it’s wife-on-husband spousal abuse, then it’s primetime sitcom material. same thing with rape really, prison rape jokes are ok, but outside of prison it’s deplorable.
Getting bent out of shape over a fight promoter lying is like getting upset that a hooker won't kiss you. It betrays a deep lack of understanding of the nature of the profession.
by Stanlee on Dec 9, 2011 12:27 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
I got over it. I just had to realize I might be a bit more tightly wound than a lot of BE members. I’m gradually loosening up though.
Maybe this glass of cognac and a little Barry White will help
Come on, Rebel, we gonna bust him up tonight!
Bust his chops! Oh, that hurts my parts!
I thought it was marvin gaye and chardonnay
Visit fiveouncesofpain.com
by RECE ROCK on Dec 9, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Good suggestions.
Hmm… think I’ll have to go with Scotch and Al Green. It’ll be smooth, but not TOO smooth…
I just bought a new truck, so I'm broke
I’ll probably have to settle for a six pack of Natural Light and whatever is on the easy listening station.
Come on, Rebel, we gonna bust him up tonight!
Bust his chops! Oh, that hurts my parts!
Personally, I'd go with:
When you saw only one set of footprints, it was Herb Dean who carried you -- Mike Fagan
by hardlyworking on Dec 9, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
Link
When you saw only one set of footprints, it was Herb Dean who carried you -- Mike Fagan
by hardlyworking on Dec 9, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
So much YES happening there!
"The fact that society may find speech offensive is not a sufficient reason for suppressing it. Indeed, if it is the speaker's opinion that gives offense, that consequence is a reason for according it constitutional protection."
what about the Pepsi cola rapist
Rome wasn't built in a day, but the backyards of Sodom were destroyed in a night
I have an advanced theological doctorate from the university of Bill O'Reilly technology institute, I can say whatever I want
by liptondrift on Dec 9, 2011 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
WKUK is the best eva!!
I’M gonna grape you in the mouth!! hahaha
No, your dumb
by RashadsLeftNipple on Dec 9, 2011 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
Well, he's dead, so...
Even still, I believe stand-up comedians get a pass for this kind of stuff. Not always (see: Michael Richards), but if you plan on watching a stand-up comedian, you have to realize they could say anything. It’s like you sign an implicit contract to not be too offended.
maybe the “eat your children” comment was early enough that no one cared. In the end all this hoopla is senseless & a witchhunt. It’s like politicians attacking each other for the same behavior they hide. A bunch of media hypers acting like polluting companies complaining about pollution.
redonkulous
Rome wasn't built in a day, but the backyards of Sodom were destroyed in a night
I have an advanced theological doctorate from the university of Bill O'Reilly technology institute, I can say whatever I want
It seems simple
But everyone and their mother thinks they are professional jokesmiths who can handle these hot button topics and fail miserably.
The problem is two fold, some peoples inability to both make and take jokes.
That and most people not worrying about the repercussions of such jokes.
People do not like to think. If one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant.
- Helen Keller
MMA is stepping on other people's dreams to reach your own.
- Roxanne Modafferi
by The Blackula on Dec 9, 2011 12:21 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I half agree
It is never the audience fault when a joke bombs, dont blame the room for bad jokes.
Also if you want to make these kind of jokes on tv you better be a master.
by ConspiracyBrother on Dec 9, 2011 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
can't tell other fighters your going to kill them in the octagon either... that was a no no.
Visit fiveouncesofpain.com
and Cerrone.
"Men like us... we never get back the things we love."
- Jaron Namir
by Victor Rodriguez on Dec 9, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
i think it was last year. now i don’t remember if it was him or his opponent, but it was a lame statement that fell flat. it’s obvious he didn’t mean it. but personally, i don’t like hearing that kind of talk, although it’s far less bothersome than jokes about sexual abuse.
"Men like us... we never get back the things we love."
- Jaron Namir
by Victor Rodriguez on Dec 9, 2011 12:47 PM EST up reply actions
The death comments just come off as such cheap shtick. That probably bothers me more than the actual comments.
Agreed
I like very specifically violent comments that are realistic. Like threatening to break someone’s jaw or something.
Come on, Rebel, we gonna bust him up tonight!
Bust his chops! Oh, that hurts my parts!
I remember when Mir said "I want to rip the skin off his face."
And I face-palmed so hard I had a hand print on my face for like a week.
People can joke. It's just about setting up a proper context
Which is difficult with Twitter due to the small amount of characters. If you don’t set up a context and deliver just the punchline, you shouldn’t be surprised if people roast you for it. We can’t read minds.
"You've got Floyd Mayweather making $25 million. He can't stop a double-leg..." Nick Diaz.
Twitter - @pud333 Follow me and I shall lead you to the promised land!
by pud333 on Dec 9, 2011 1:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Hey Jim, haven’t you ever heard of Louis CK or George Carlin?
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Dec 9, 2011 12:23 PM EST via mobile reply actions 3 recs
I've heard of them
and Miguel Torres is no Louis CK or George Carlin or Bisping
by IRodC on Dec 9, 2011 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 8 recs
Only one is from Northern England
Bloody Elbow Grappling Editor.
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But, but the get to make distasteful jokes. Shouldn’t everyone who has a mic or a twitter account be able to.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Dec 9, 2011 1:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
No.
Writer for Blistered Thumbs
Fabricio Werdum is not my father.
Follow @TheCynicsCorner
by MicahtheCynic on Dec 9, 2011 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, they are professional comedians.
Are they also pro fighters? I hadn’t heard.
by bigstupidsmile on Dec 9, 2011 1:53 PM EST up reply actions
Look, I work in smack for a living. I put food on my family’s table with smack. Smack is the family business, so I know smack and that’s some of the worst smack I’ve ever heard
Who the hell talks like that?
" Rock crushes scissors! But paper covers rock. And scissors cuts paper! Kif, we have a conundrum. "
------ Zapp Brannigan
A smug douche
Who somehow, manages to draw a salary not for playing a sport, but for commenting on sports in a fashion that is supposed to be “family friendly edgy”, but is really just lame and annoying.
Come on, Rebel, we gonna bust him up tonight!
Bust his chops! Oh, that hurts my parts!
by Uncle Red on Dec 9, 2011 12:32 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I guess these rape events are going to spill over into the early parts of next week.
With that being said, check out this lil’ 2 minute bit from Chappelle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLWlBgj0uOc&feature=relmfu
Anderson Silva, Edson Barboza, Jose Aldo, Charles Oliveira, Thiago Alves = Muay Thai wrecking machines!
by SentientAndroid on Dec 9, 2011 12:23 PM EST reply actions 7 recs
caught me slippin
lol
My Blog on lifting, movies, fish, and some mma: www.themindofshadow.blogspot.com
by dbcb on Dec 9, 2011 12:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Lol just walk it off, either that or put a lil’ ’Tussin on it.
Anderson Silva, Edson Barboza, Jose Aldo, Charles Oliveira, Thiago Alves = Muay Thai wrecking machines!
by SentientAndroid on Dec 9, 2011 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
Am I a bad person for not caring about any of this?
I’m not offended by any of the recent jokes/statements/tweets. I also don’t care that Torres got cut and others didn’t. I don’t care if it seems like a hypocrisy. Life isn’t also fair. So as long as this doesn’t have an impact on the fights, I don’t give a fuck.
"You're... you're crazy man. I like you, but you're crazy."
You're not a bad person at all
you’re probably just not invested in MMA to an unhealthy extent, like most of us here :)
You missed his point. Not caring about all this stuff has nothing to do with whether you’re a hardcore fan or not.
I’m with Joben, i couldn’t care less either about offensive comments or Torres. I’d be pissed though if Evans got released because i wanna see Jones-Evans.
Uli Kunkel?
If your wife owes money to Jackie Treehorn... that means you owe money to Jackie Treehorn.
by John Danaher's Hair on Dec 9, 2011 12:40 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of.
"You're... you're crazy man. I like you, but you're crazy."
If it was WEC Miguel Torres
I to owould be pissed, now not so much.
by RoB_ex on Dec 9, 2011 12:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
I get what Rashad was doing here and know 100% it was just smack talk hyping the fight. In fact I can see the humor in it considering who he is fighting and the stupid things that Phil said supporting Penn State. Problem is that its just too serious a thing to joke about too soon. Rashad said something stupid hyping a fight, Im over it and hold nothing against him. I find it a lot worse that Davis thought Joe Pa did nothing wrong
too serious? yes.
too soon? fuck no.
i understand where Rashad thought it would be a cool or funny thing to say, but no. just no.
"Men like us... we never get back the things we love."
- Jaron Namir
by Victor Rodriguez on Dec 9, 2011 1:05 PM EST up reply actions
For a sport where the goal is to violently smash your opponent until they submit, the fans sure are sensitive.
Torres via submission due to butthurt
Come on, Rebel, we gonna bust him up tonight!
Bust his chops! Oh, that hurts my parts!
sensitive and cynical... they shake there heads and are butt hurt at the same time.
Visit fiveouncesofpain.com
Not to derail or go to meme-ville, but...
Did the UFC just fade Miguel Torres?
Come on, Rebel, we gonna bust him up tonight!
Bust his chops! Oh, that hurts my parts!
Sooo Evans comments during a UFC Press conference make it to the mainstream press and he gets a talking to and Torres gets released for tweeting on his personal time...?? Both guys are wrong but so is how this was dealt with.
Evans was on the clock he was technically at work making that comment… Torres was on a social network site and was on his personal time.
Over all what a waste of fucking time this all is.
Visit fiveouncesofpain.com
i certainly agree with your point
but i can see the reasoning for this. Torres had posted various tweets about rape. they were kind of brutal, too. i don’t think he should have been cut, but some sort of punishment has to come down for these two.
"Men like us... we never get back the things we love."
- Jaron Namir
by Victor Rodriguez on Dec 9, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
Torres should have gotten a fine .. at the most .. and maybe the ufc needs to get all these guys in a room and tell them to keep this tweeting shit to promotion only .. If Torres was cut .. then Rashad and Forrest should be gone as well ..
nah
not promotion only. they should be able to tweet about whatever they want. Zuffa should suggest, however, that they be mindful of what they say when it comes to matters that are sensitive, like murder, rape, etc.
besides, as i stated before, Torres didn’t just make one comment. he posted various unfunny rape jokes. i don’t know why the rape van one is the only one being talked about.
"Men like us... we never get back the things we love."
- Jaron Namir
by Victor Rodriguez on Dec 9, 2011 12:59 PM EST up reply actions
Rome shouldn't be talking about tasteless jokes
When in 2008 before Barry Bonds officially retired, he was considering signing with the then Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Rome read an email that said:
Dear Jim,
I ended my career with the Devil Rays. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Sincerely,
Steve Irwin
Ok, now that is my brand of humor
That is some funny shit right there
Come on, Rebel, we gonna bust him up tonight!
Bust his chops! Oh, that hurts my parts!
yeah lil bindi wasn't laughin' at that joke...that was a bit tasteless.
BUT Hey it’s all fun and games till somebody gets impaled by a sting ray.
Visit fiveouncesofpain.com
I can't help but think that context has to be taken into account not just words
I mean its not like torres or Evans were actually defending the actions of others that commit those sort of sickening crimes.
Personally even though im not condemning his words I found Phil Davis sticking up for that coach that knew child rape was going on around him and did next to nothing about it far more offensive.
true
yet Davis wasn’t making light of it either. sometimes it’s a cultural thing where you’re influenced by the culture of a University and such a paternal figure as Paterno was. i don’t find it more offensive, just different.
"Men like us... we never get back the things we love."
- Jaron Namir
by Victor Rodriguez on Dec 9, 2011 1:01 PM EST up reply actions
I do understand why Davis would have respect for the man and I personally dont have a major issue with him having his view on it but still for me it was worse than making a bad joke.
Evans is promoting a fight and sure he went too far. Also twitter is a place to shoot the shit its a little unfair for Torres to lose his job over anything said on twitter. I was on it yesterday and witnessed in real time someone that cant take a joke try and turn a comment rogan made into a news story by taking pictures and sending them to various news reporters. Its a twisted world we are in these days.
by Mustardfinger on Dec 9, 2011 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
whoever that dude was, he was a piece of shit that shouldn’t have the right to call himself a man. but that’s an active attempt to disparage someone by using a comedian’s musings to get said comedian in trouble.
the Davis deal is a little more complicated. i don’t want to say he was brainwashed by Penn State culture, but he was certainly influenced by it. it is not a coincidence that so many people have come out to defend him the way they have in light of his guilt through inaction. it becomes part of the culture when someone like Paterno is venerated to that point, and it’s not exclusive to university life. i’m not saying Davis was right, but i can’t really blame him for thinking the way he does when he made that statement. so i don’t see it as worse than Rashad’s lame attempt at humor. for a guy that’s actually pretty good at talking shit, this was a real failure. the worst part about it is that it’s one of those Mauro Ranallo nuggets that you can tell he’s been polishing for a few days before he drops it and it stinks up the fucking stratosphere. he even set it up with this ‘bet you can’t put hands on me…’ statement.
"Men like us... we never get back the things we love."
- Jaron Namir
by Victor Rodriguez on Dec 9, 2011 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
All your points are well put and cant disagree with any of them.
University culture here in the UK is vastly different to that of the US still I can see that Paterno was a father/elder figure for Davis so it would be hard for him to find fault.
lol Just half an hour ago I had a conversation with a friend about how obvious it was Evans had been working at that line for a while.
Above everything the thing that’s troubled me most is how bad I feel for Torres, sure he’s not been the Muguel we all loved in WEC for a while now but he’s a man and its going to be tough for him to make a living now, all because of one dumb throw away comment on twitter.
Also I cant help think long term things like this will drive MMA fighters who have always been very accessible to fans(compared to other sportsmen and women) to be more guarded.
by Mustardfinger on Dec 9, 2011 2:03 PM EST up reply actions
Only one man can solve all this.
"All noble things are as difficult as they are rare."
- Baruch Spinoza
The most classless fan in college football since 1984.
Isn’t Mike Tyson a convicted felon?
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Dec 9, 2011 1:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
this is a good one....
"[He] called me a ‘rapist’ and a ‘recluse.’ I’m not a recluse." – Mike Tyson
Visit fiveouncesofpain.com
I remember someone I knew met Tyson. He told them that he didn’t rape that girl, but he had done so much other illegal shit that he might as well of gone to jail and get it off his conscious.
It might have been bullshit, but whatever.
by discoandherpes on Dec 9, 2011 2:08 PM EST up reply actions
in the end he was raped financially, mentally and socially so he got his share of punishment whether he did it or not or whether he did so much other illegal shit or not at some point kharma kicked in.
I for one am glad he’s the person he is now though… who would have thought we would laugh at tyson in movie cameos and online skits… glad he’s a better man these days one way or the other.
Visit fiveouncesofpain.com
"The failure mode of clever is 'asshole.'"
Rashad didn’t mean to say something awful. He meant to sound clever and tough. In the minds of many people (myself included), he failed and came off looking like an asshole.
by bevedog on Dec 9, 2011 2:02 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
PC
I am PSU alum, what happened is horrendous, but South Park went after it, SNL went after it, and that is what happens on these kinds of things. No ones feelings were really hurt and everyone is acting upset because they think they should.
by RJK256 on Dec 9, 2011 2:40 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
DING DING DING
Give this man a prize, for actually seeing what is happening for what it is.
Faux outrage is tre chic.
As a Rashad fan I am more offended by how poor and dumb the joke was more than its actual content.
People do not like to think. If one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant.
- Helen Keller
MMA is stepping on other people's dreams to reach your own.
- Roxanne Modafferi
by The Blackula on Dec 9, 2011 3:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
No ones feelings were really hurt
How interesting, I haven’t met anyone who knows a survivor of Sandusky’s crimes before. I hope they’re okay, tell me, are they seeking counseling? I sure hope so. Please continue to let us know how they’re feeling about this issue, how lucky we are to have someone who can speak for the survivors!
They certainly seem to be holding up well anyway, if they’re able to shrug off a professional athlete saying “HAHA YOU GETTING RAPED WAS REAAAALLY FUNNY TO ME” at a press conference for an international sports organization and not have their feelings hurt. I imagine I’d be pretty fucking enraged if it were me.
Share for share, share alike, you'll get struck each time I strike.
Humor is a way for someone to deal with the fact we live in a society were fucked up shit happens all the time. Joking about it doesn’t diminish it or justify it, it just keeps us from being bummed out all the time.
by discoandherpes on Dec 9, 2011 7:22 PM EST up reply actions
How nice for you.
I suppose it makes no difference then, if the joke is incredibly disrespectful to and offensive towards the people who, y’know, were actually hurt by the abuse in the first place?
People need to understand this: This is not about you.
Share for share, share alike, you'll get struck each time I strike.
Why do I get the feeling that Rashad is actually gaining fans in the 'hardcore' category for this
Deviant population we are…Joe
Moisture is the essence of wetness....Joe
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