Here’s the exchange on First Take that is causing a commotion.
Here’s Stephen A. trying to clarify things on a post on Youtube.
People aren’t buying. The Big Lead’s Jason McIntyre wrote the word was “scrubbed out” in subsequent airings on the show.
“His non-apology denial is laughable,” McIntyre wrote.
In the comments section at Big Lead, somebody wrote, “I heard Knickerbocker, please.”
What did I just see?
While watching a screening of ESPN’s new 30 for 30 Benji (Tuesday, 8 p.m. ET), I nearly fell out of my seat about 2/3s into the film.
The documentary recalls the tragic story of Ben Wilson, the No. 1 ranked high school player in the country who was shot down outside his Chicago high school prior to the start of the 1984 season. A 6-8 guard, Wilson drew comparisons to Magic Johnson.
It was a senseless act of violence that rocked Chicago and became a huge national story (opening from the film, below). More than 10,000 people attended Wilson’s funeral.
I covered the story for the Chicago Tribune. While the film was powerful and extremely moving, much of the content was familiar territory for me.
And then appeared the last person I expected to see.
Suddenly, there was Billy Moore, the high school boy who killed Ben Wilson. The kid who broke so many hearts and caused so much pain.
I had to do a double-take. Was it really him? Why was Moore dressed in civilian clothes? Was Moore speaking from prison?
It turns out Moore served 20 years in prison and now works as a youth counselor. He even was cited in a White House ceremony in 2009 as an example of rehabilitation.
In the film, Moore tells his version of what happened on that tragic day. He claims it was an altercation that got out of hand and that Wilson was more of the protagonist.
Whatever, Moore had a gun and used it to kill an innocent person.
Moore said he regrets what happened and how he wasn’t that kind of person. Clearly, he has turned his life around.
Yet I couldn’t help feel the anger about the life Ben Wilson never got to live. I’m sure many people will feel the same way watching the film tonight.
I had a chance to talk with Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah, co-directors of the film. Simmons grew up on those rough Chicago streets and was 13 when Wilson died.
I wanted to know about the film, but first I had to ask him about the interview with Moore.
Here’s my Q/A:
How did you land that interview with Moore?
Simmons: One of Ben’s friends, Mike Walton, knew somebody who knew Billy. Billy called and said OK.
Really, one of Wilson’s best friends helped set you up with the interview?
Simmons: Yes, they understand what happened. They forgave him.
(Note: I am told Wilson’s friends hugged him after a screening in Chicago.)
How did the interview go?
Simmons: We just related. We’re both from the streets of Chicago. There’s a certain way you move around. He felt comfortable because of the things I went through.
Did you feel any anger in talking to Moore? What he did devastated the lives of a lot of people.
Simmons: I didn’t feel any anger towards him. He never wanted to shoot anybody. He destroyed his life. He said, ‘That wasn’t me.’
I know people who have been shot. I know people who actually have shot people.
When I was that age, we had guns. You felt like you needed one. You felt safe with it. I thought it was natural. This is what it was like in the inner-city. You’ve got to protect yourself.
I understand that could have been me.
It’s been 28 years since Wilson died. Why does his story still resonate today?
Simmons: It hit me a like a family member. I used to sneak in to watch him play. He was this great basketball player who was going to make it.
This was like Superman getting shot. ‘Wait a minute, This isn’t supposed to happen.’
When it happened, everyone came together. He actually changed lives in 1984. For this film, we thought we could bring that same kind of peace by telling his story.
How good was he? Has his legend been exaggerated in death?
Simmons: Everyone said he was Magic Johnson with a jump shot.
Ozah: The one thing that seemed constant from talking to everyone was how good he was. The kid was something special.
Wilson’s girlfriend and mother of his son and his son weren’t in the film. Why?
Ozah: We had some ups and downs with them. The final decision was they didn’t want to do it.
What do you hope people take from this film?
Ozah: I hope these young kids who are carrying guns look at the consequences of what could happen. Hopefully, they’ll step back and see that it isn’t cool.
Simmons: Usually you hear about the person who got killed. You don’t usually hear from the person (who committed the murder). What did he go through? What did he put his family through?
That’s why it was so important to have him in the story. Billy is the one who is going to reach those kids. He’s going to be the one who has the impact.
You just knew Jeff Van Gundy wouldn’t be able to keep his mouth shut about ESPN’s decision not to hire his brother, Stan. In an interview with Michael Hiestand of USA Today, Jeff calls out the NBA:
Jeff, who hadn’t previously spoken publicly on the issue until an interview with USA TODAY Sports, says his brother “had a basic agreement” to become an ESPN/ABC analyst in the marquee studio shows that wrap around game coverage: “And then something changed. There’s certainly circumstantial evidence that something from the outside — presumably the NBA — changed (ESPN’s) thinking. … I was happy when they came to an agreement and shocked when they pulled their offer.”
Later, Jeff said:
“As a broadcaster of the NBA, it give you pause,” Jeff says. “How forthcoming can you be? You don’t want your honesty to cost you a chance at employment.This is a shot across the bow.”
Jeff’s big picture: “This is an organization that’s treated me great. But this raises interesting questions about what a (league-network) partnership means. You have to realize, as a fan, you’re not getting the whole truth. … It seems like there are certain people in each sport that (TV) can’t criticize, or you can’t criticize the league itself. That’s what impressed me when (ESPN’s) Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden criticized the NFL over replacement refs. That (Commissioner) Roger Goodell didn’t throw a hissy fit at ESPN was impressive.”
The bottom line: The NBA, and other sports leagues, do have a say over who gets hired. Stan Van Gundy has been a vocal critic of NBA Commissioner David Stern. Did he go too far on occasion? Once, he compared Stern to Moammar Gadhafi in terms of free speech in the league.
Perhaps that comment came back to bite to Stan Van Gundy.
As for Jeff? He probably has a point. However, I don’t think the NBA will have a problem if it thinks the criticism is fair. The problems occur when analysts go over the line.
Just to be safe, Jeff, don’t compare Stern to anyone.
The upcoming 30 for 30 documentary on Ben Wilson brings me back to a horrible night in 1984.
The powerful film (ESPN, Tuesday, 8 p.m.) tells the tragic story of a Chicago phenom, who was ranked as the top high school recruit in the country. A 6-8 guard, Wilson was drawing comparisons to Magic Johnson as he was about to begin his senior season at Simeon High School.
Then it all ended when Wilson was shot down in a senseless act of violence. His death rocked Chicago and became a national story.
Here’s a link to the trailer.
I wasn’t much older than Wilson, having just turned 25. I was looking forward to covering Wilson during my first year on the boy’s basketball beat for the Chicago Tribune. I never got to see him play.
Wilson died on Friday morning. Simeon made the decision it still would play that night against Evanston in a game at Rockford. I was assigned to cover that game. Of course, there would be no game detail in my story.
My friend and former colleague, K.C. Johnson, now the Bulls beat writer for the Tribune, also was there that night as a player for Evanston. He appears in the film.
I just remember the whole evening being surreal. There was the scene of the players coming out to the court just hours after their good friend was slain. Nobody knew how to react. Then during the moment of silence for Wilson, there was the unforgettable image of Simeon coach Bob Hambric, who rarely showed emotion, wiping a tear away from his eye. That picture ran across the entire country.
Everything else was a blur. I didn’t have time to write a conventional story. I quickly pieced the story from one deadline to the next.
Coming off Simeon’s victory for their friend, my story began: “The healing process has begun for the Simeon basketball team.”
It probably was a bit too optimistic. Simeon had many painful days ahead.
I didn’t know it back then, but the Tribune editors submitted my story from that night into the Associated Press Sports Editors contest. I won second for best news story.
The award helped my career. The following year, I was assigned to be one of the beat writers for the 1985 Bears.
My family and friends were excited about the award. They framed the story along with the blurb about my second-place finish in the APSE contest.
I had it on my wall for a while, but then took it down. The story was about a young boy dying. I just saw sadness every time I looked at it.
Looking back, I wasn’t out to win an award during that night in Rockford. I did what I had do. Like everyone else, I wish I was just there to cover a normal basketball game.
I would have given anything to have seen Wilson flying across the floor, making us wonder if he was another Magic Johnson.
Tuesday: I speak to the directors of the film and discuss the stunning interview that occurs at the end.
Bill Simmons’ dream continues to get better. The NBA junkie now will be talking hoops with Magic Johnson as part of ESPN’s revamped NBA Countdown.
In are Simmons and Jalen Rose. Out are Jon Barry and Chris Broussard. Remaining are Johnson and Michael Wilbon.
ESPN felt like the show needed some tweaks. Simmons, who has his hands on pretty much everything at ESPN, obviously is seen as an upgrade with his unique perspective.
Thanks to the magic of video, here are Simmons and Rose talking about being “teammates.”
For those who prefer reading, here are some quotes:
“I think the four of us will be able to have good conversations,” Simmons said. “We’re all going to say what we’re thinking. I’m better playing off other people and I think Jalen is the same way and I know Magic is the same way — all four of us can do that. At the same time we want the show to have a level of sophistication.”
Mark Gross, ESPN senior vice-president and executive producer for content said:
“The unique, diverse perspectives of our new commentator team fit perfectly with the show’s free-flowing format. Bill brings a deep knowledge of the league past and present, an entertaining style and an ability to articulate his inventive thoughts from a fan’s point of view. Jalen’s lengthy playing experience and his strong, informed opinions will give fans great insight into how and why things happen on the court. They join a team that includes one of the greatest players of all time and one of our most versatile and engaging commentators.”
He was a favorite.
From ESPN:
Longtime ESPN college football commentator Carroll H. “Beano” Cook – known as much for his caustic wit as for his encyclopedic knowledge of college football history – passed away in his sleep overnight at the age of 81 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
One of the sport’s most memorable commentators, Cook had appeared on ESPN as a college football studio analyst since 1985 after four years at ABC Sports. In addition to college football programming, SportsCenter and ESPNEWS on television, Cook was a fixture as a guest on ESPN Radio and had a popular podcast on ESPN.com.
“He was one of a kind,” said George Bodenheimer, ESPN executive chairman. “There never was and never will be another Beano. His combination of humor, passion, love of college football and his engaging personality left an indelible mark on the sport and touched anyone who knew him.”
Prior to ABC, Cook worked in public relations for CBS Sports from 1977-82. From 1974-77, he worked as sportswriter for the St. Petersburg Times, the director of public relations for the Miami Dolphins, public relations director for Mutual Radio Network, and toured with VISTA. From 1966-74, Cook served as ABC Sports NCAA press director.
Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Ivan Maisel – three ESPN personalities who worked closely with Cook over his career at ESPN – provided the following memories:
Fowler: “Cook was an American original. His passion, depth and breadth of knowledge, and humor were unique. He was an invaluable early mentor to me and friend. His imprint can still be seen on GameDay each week.”
Corso: “Beano was a unique human being and he was college football at ESPN. I am indebted to him. Beano was a tremendous help at the start of my television career and I would not be where I am today without him. I am forever grateful to Beano and the time we spent behind the GameDay desk.”
Maisel: “Beano loved college football, and he had the encyclopedic memory to prove it. More than that, he loved people. He collected friends like some people collect stamps. People would say they don’t make them like Beano, because of his ability to be so quotable. But Beano was one-of-a-kind in his friendship. I think all of us who valued that quality in him are very, very sad.”
Cook will always be remembered for his sense of humor. Over his ESPN years, he gave many memorable quips, such as:
Cook was graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1954 with a bachelor of arts degree. He also served 21 months in the Army, and upon his return, became his alma mater’s sports information director from 1956-1966.
Born September 1, 1931, Cook’s family moved from Boston to Pittsburgh when he was seven. One of his new friends gave him his nickname, “Beano.” Never married, he resided in Pittsburgh the rest of his life.
Frank Caliendo wasn’t on the NFL sidelines for long. I would love to see him do Ditka in front of Ditka.
From ESPN:
With a single move, ESPN has added more than 100 new voices to its roster.
Comedian and impressionist Frank Caliendo is joining ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown as a contributor.
His first appearance is this Sunday, Oct. 14 (10 a.m. ET) when he joins Chris Berman and company at the ESPN studios in Bristol, Conn.
“As a sports fan, ESPN has always been the place to be,” Caliendo said. “This network is why I graduated (from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) with a broadcasting degree in the first place — and now I finally get to use my degree!”
Caliendo will make a handful of other appearances on the three-hour pregame show during the regular season and playoffs, primarily in taped comedy segments.
“We have always admired Frank’s comedy, impressions and his NFL-centric humor,” said ESPN’s Seth Markman, senior coordinating producer who oversees the network’s NFL studio shows. “He’s been working on some new material in anticipation of this opportunity which promises to be a great addition to Countdown and to our overall NFL presentation on ESPN.”
Is it time to starting sipping that Irish Kool-Aid? You bet if you’re a TV executive at NBC and ESPN.
A 5-0 start has ratings soaring for Notre Dame’s games on NBC. And with the Irish suddenly relevant, ESPN isn’t wasting any time.The network is hustling Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and the rest of the GameDay crew to South Bend Saturday.
Herbstreit can’t believe it has been seven years since GameDay did a show from Notre Dame.
“It’s been way, way too long since we’ve been there,” Herbstreit said.
NBC also is bulking up. For the first time, NBC Sports’ college football studio show featuring Liam McHugh, Doug Flutie and Hines Ward will go on the road and broadcast on-site from Notre Dame Stadium. Prior to the game, a special NFL Films- produced behind-the-scenes look at Notre Dame Football, Onward Notre Dame: South Bend to Soldier Field, will air at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
With all the pregame build-up, NBC should generate another strong rating for the Irish’s game against Stanford.
Through three games, NBC’s rating is up 45% vs. last year (4.2 million vs. 2.9 million). Primetime coverage of the Miami-Notre Dame from Soldier Field last Saturday night was watched by 3.7 million viewers, up 131% vs. last year’s third game on NBC (Air Force, 1.6 million) and up 76% vs. last year’s second Notre Dame primetime game on NBC (Maryland at FedExField, 2.1 million).
All in all, it’s a huge jump from what NBC faced last fall. Home games against Air Force and Navy only generated a 1.1 rating, a record low for Irish games on the network.
How long has Notre Dame been a relative non-factor? Saturday’s trip will mark GameDay’s first to the Domers since Charlie Weis’ first year in 2005. That’s incredible considering the Irish’s stature in college football.
Naturally, Herbstreit is excited about returning to South Bend.
“It’s awesome,” Herbstreit said. “Any time, Notre Dame is up there in the rankings, it’s good for the sport. They are a polarizing team. You either love them or hate them. For us, for people who love the sport, when you have teams like Notre Dame and USC, Texas, the high profile schools out there that have great years, it makes it a lot of fun.
“Selfishly, to have GameDay back in South Bend, it’s great. It’s nice to see that they have a high-profile game at home. It’ll add to the atmosphere on Saturday. They are very deserving.”
I know it’s early, but I asked Herbstreit if Irish fans can start dreaming about a BCS bowl?
“They took the nation by storm (with the win over Michigan State),” Herbstreit said. “A lot of people walked away from that game saying, ‘Notre Dame is one of the top defenses in the country.’ To follow it up with the way they corraled Denard Robinson, and the way they played against Miami…Their front seven might be playing as well as anyone in the country.
“Without a doubt they will be in discussion for the BCS. Brian Kelly, though, will be the first one to tell you there’s still a long way to go. When you look at who they still have to play, beginning with Stanford….They’re on the road against Oklahoma and USC. Their fans are pointing to those games as three of the most challenging. If they’re able to get able through Stanford, it’s time to start bracing yourself if you’re a Notre Dame fan. Then you’re just a couple games away.”
Of course, it all could slip away with a loss to Stanford Saturday. But who wants to ruin a good story on Wednesday?
Keep sipping that Kool-Aid.
Another promising 30 for 30 on tap for tonight (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET). It’ll be interesting to hear Ben Johnson’s version.
From ESPN:
ESPN Films’ 30 for 30, presented by Buick Verano, will premiere 9.79*on ESPN/ESPN HD on Tuesday, October 9, at 8 p.m. ET. A selection at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, 9.79* is directed by Daniel Gordon and examines the unforgettable showdown between Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis in the men’s 100m final at the 1988 Olympic games as well as the steroids scandal that followed. Grantland.com will debut two features related to 9.79* including a Bill Simmons’ “The B.S. Report” podcast with Malcolm Gladwell, and a first-hand account of the event by Grantland writer Charlie Pierce who attended the race in Seoul. The trailer for 9.79* can be viewed at the newly redesigned 30 for 30 site (espn.com/30for30/).
******
Also, Newsday’s Neil Best writes about the strange day he had following Johnson in the aftermath of the scandal.
I was assigned to meet his plane at LaGuardia, which I did, along with many other journalists. I then was assigned to follow him to JFK for his flight home to Canada, which I did, along with many other journalists. At JFK we weren’t sure whether he was going home to suburban Toronto or first flying to Montreal. The two departing gates were next to each other, and the flight times were within a few minutes of each other.
Some reporters guessed one, some the other. I followed most of the Canadian journalists and guessed Toronto and had no idea whether I was right until I was seated and the plane was about to pull away from the gate. At the last possible minute, Johnson came on board, accompanied by security guards, and sat in the front row.When we arrived in Toronto, the customs agent inquired as to my purpose in visiting Canada. “I’m following Ben Johnson,” I said. “How long do you expect to be here?” he said. “I’m not sure; maybe 10 or 15 minutes,” I said.
Looking forward to the return of a favorite series tonight. ESPN kicks off a new run of six documentaries with Broke (8 p.m.).
As the title suggests, the film examines athletes who somehow manage to squander the big money. Here’s a clip.
Below is a behind-the-scenes clip of Alabama’s Keith McCants, who I covered in college. He talks about earning $75,000 in one day for a Coke ad. That’s $75,000 in one day.
The film is directed by Billy Corben, who previously did one of my favorites, The U, the tale of the Miami football program. Besides McCants, among the athletes featured are Bernie Kosar, Curt Schilling, Jamal Mashburn, and Andre Rison.
During a teleconference last week, he discussed how he got athletes to open up about the stupidity of blowing millions.
“It’s a really sensitive issue, obviously,” Corben said. “We were very frank and up front with all the potential interview subjects and said this is what it is about. We didn’t want to sandbag them and tell them it was about one thing and then they are sitting down in the chair and going, ‘Why do they keep asking me about money?’ Everybody knew that was what it was going to be about from the beginning, which is why we got a lot of nos along the way.”
Later, he said: “They have a tremendous pride and ego that is fueled by a fan base that reveres them as these indestructible heroes and icons. That feeds their hubris in business, when they are making investments and they think they are going to successful in areas most people tend to fail. . . . They think they are going to be the exception to the rule when they put their name and their brand and their personae behind these projects where they have no business experience or specific knowledge of the particular industry they are getting involved in. They just think the same way they were able to pitch a no-hitter or get a Super Bowl ring, that was going to make the difference in the restaurant business.”
Corben talked more about the film at ESPN.com.
Corben: In June 2009, we interviewed quarterback Bernie Kosar for the ESPN 30 for 30, The U. Anyone who knows Bernie will tell you, he’s as kind and generous a guy you could ever meet. In fact, he was extremely generous with his time that morning; he talked with us for several hours and, afterwards, took pictures and signed autographs for the crew.
A few weeks later, Dan LeBatard broke the news: Following a series of bad investments and a costly divorce, Kosar had filed for bankruptcy. It was a shock. Beyond football, Kosar was renowned for his business savvy and known to have been even more financially successful after his decade-long NFL career than during it.
Personally, it broke my heart. Other than appearing tired at times, there was little or no indication during the hours Bernie spent with us that he was in the midst of this ordeal.
In the early part of the millennium, you’d occasionally hear about a high profile athlete suffering financial difficulties, but Pablo Torre’s article, ‘How (and Why) Athletes Go Broke,’ in the March 2009 Sports Illustrated, cast a spotlight on what seemed to be an emerging epidemic in the wake of the 2008 economic meltdown.
These days, it seems there’s a new story every week and we felt these stories were worth exploring. Not everyone was so enthusiastic about it, though.
They say the most uncouth subjects for dinner conversation are politics and religion. I gotta add money to that list. Athletes, a famously proud group, were not particularly anxious to discuss the state of their finances, so getting interviews for this project, not surprisingly, proved to be a challenge. I really admire the people who agreed to speak with us because they sincerely felt like they have something to offer the next generation and hope that others will learn from their experience.
The way “Broke” is structured, it’s not about people, per se, but the problem, told by the people who experience(d) it. It’s essentially a step-by-step guide, How To Lose Millions of Dollars Without Breaking a Sweat.
Conventional wisdom is that professional athletes blow a lot of money on useless crap. Spoiler alert: professional athletes blow a lot of money on useless crap. But that’s barely the tip of the iceberg. I was surprised to discover — and I think others will be, too — how easy it is to go broke.