Was Brett Musburger Wrong for his comments about QB's GF?

[The Voice of Reason]

Why are some people getting on Musburger's case for commenting that the girlfriend of a college football team's quarterback happens to be beautiful? I've seen pictures of the young lady and she is very beautiful.

But ESPN issued an apology for Musburger's remarks, which I do not feel were inappropriate and neither does the young lady in question.

I remember a few years ago a local male TV anchor got into hot water with the management at the station he worked for because he complimented his female co-anchor on her attire.

PC has gone overboard in my opinion. I guess its smart not to say anything nice about anyone else, especially of the opposite sex, that way one doesn't find themselves sitting in the HR office getting the riot act read to them.

 

[Mario500]

I guess many folks thought the announcer was rude and thought he should have focused on the game just as a news presenter in a local newscast should focus on presenting facts and not offer his or her personal feelings in between.

The reaction to the announcer makes me wonder how he would have felt if another sports announcer on television had commented on the body of a friend or a relative of his watching a public sporting event?

 

[w00t]

It was a little awkward how long he went on about her, but it wasn't really poor taste or anything. The girl herself said she was flattered by his remarks. ESPN is way overreacting on this.

Had he done it in the 3rd quarter no one would care. I don't think anyone was still left watching

 

[landtuna]

It was a little awkward how long he went on about her, but it wasn't really poor taste or anything. The girl herself said she was flattered by his remarks. ESPN is way overreacting on this.

Had he done it in the 3rd quarter no one would care. I don't think anyone was still left watching

You got it w00t! At the time I was wondering where he was going with his comments and it seemed to be becoming a bit embarrassing but he said nothing out of order. "The girl" BTW was Miss Alabama and I am pretty sure she is used to receiving compliments on her looks - and probably has come to expect them.

I wonder if those same comments were said by a 30-year old man whether any fuss would have been raised?

 

[FreddyE1977]

I would say they were tacky, creepy, and unbecoming of a 30+ year broadcast veteran.

In other words, you'd never hear Vin Scully say a thing like that.

There are ways to point out attractive ladies in the crowd who have a tie to one of the players
without looking like you are leading the whole world in leering at them. And for as long
as he's been in the business Musberger should certainly know how to do that.

 

[Mario500]

I wonder if those same comments were said by a 30-year old man whether any fuss would have been raised?

I believe there would have been great negative reaction no matter the age of the announcer.

 

[arnoldevns]

This is a trumped up controversy that has been used as an excuse by media outlets to run various pictures of this beauty queen in an attempt to turn heads and attract an audience. NBC's Today show interviewed this "poor victimized girl" and showed lots of clips of her swimsuit competition to tease the segment.

 

[Nate Wesley]

Why are some people getting on Musburger's case for commenting that the girlfriend of a college football team's quarterback happens to be beautiful? I've seen pictures of the young lady and she is very beautiful.

But ESPN issued an apology for Musburger's remarks, which I do not feel were inappropriate and neither does the young lady in question.

I remember a few years ago a local male TV anchor got into hot water with the management at the station he worked for because he complimented his female co-anchor on her attire.

PC has gone overboard in my opinion. I guess its smart not to say anything nice about anyone else, especially of the opposite sex, that way one doesn't find themselves sitting in the HR office getting the riot act read to them.

ESPN probably issued an apology because Disney corporate suits don't want their employees making the news like that again. Your quick trigger aimed toward the PC Police ignores the fact that ESPN has had previous problems before with on-air talent.

http://deadspin.com/5876113/espn-settles-wrongful-termination-suit-with-ron-franklin
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/sports/ncaafootball/05franklin.html?_r=0

 

[Tim from Springfield IL]

I posted this on the 2013 predictions thread but after this controversy and her newfound notoriety I would not be surprised if Miss Alabama is offered a spot on "Dancing with the Stars" either later this year or in another future season.

 

[mississippi fan]

Well considering the camera kept going back and forth to her and the other girl in the crowd, somebody had to say something. I had no problem with what he said. Especially when she had no problem with it. Political correctness is going to kill this country. :'(

 

[Mario500]

Well considering the camera kept going back and forth to her and the other girl in the crowd, somebody had to say something. I had no problem with what he said. Especially when she had no problem with it. Political correctness is going to kill this country.  :'(

The "other girl" identified during those camera shots was the mother of the quarterback for the Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama.

 

[DToTheJ]

So ESPN apologized for Musburger's "Webb gem," yet they still haven't said sorry for Stephen A. Smith saying "[expletive] please" on "First Take." Yeah, okay...