I didn't write about Mike Gundy's tirade in The Sunday Oklahoman because I thought Oklahoma State football fans deserved better.
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They deserved to read about one of the wildest games in OSU history and certainly one of the most important wins in Gundy's three-year head-coaching career. But a day later, the outburst and what led to it demands discussion.
Gundy was enraged by Jenni Carlson's column on Bobby Reid in the Saturday Oklahoman.
We don't like to be the story. We hate to be the story. But we became the story.
Did Gundy make some good points? Absolutely. The manner in which collegiate athletes are covered in the media is an excellent topic, worthy of discussion.
I don't buy all of Gundy's argument that college athletes are immune from scrutiny. You can't on one hand treat football players like princes, with everything from opulent training tables to enrollment favors, then claim they're just regular students.
I didn't agree with all of Carlson's column about Reid's attitude and toughness, which is not particularly unique. A whole batch of people rarely agree with all of mine.
But Gundy holds some responsibility for the events that led to the volcano Saturday night. He has not been truthful about the quarterback situation, and that's led to confusion, questions and speculation. Being dishonest with us — which means being dishonest with his very own fans — is not the proper way to do business.
As for Gundy's method and timing, what was he thinking? Yes, he embarrassed Carlson and The Oklahoman, but he also embarrassed himself, taking away from a glorious victory. It was a PR blunder, and I think Gundy probably knows that.
Sunday, he said he regrets only shooting from the hip, instead of preparing a statement. Gundy said he didn't read the column until after the game, though he had heard about it because OSU personnel confiscated all the newspapers from their usual place at the team brunch Saturday morning.
"I wouldn't change a whole lot about it,” Gundy said.
That's unfortunate, because Gundy did not come off looking good.
Oklahoman sports editor Mike Sherman said Sunday he stands behind Carlson and said reasonable people can disagree about how this column was handled and how college athletes should be covered.
Carlson said Sunday: "I stand behind my column. Being questioned is part of being a columnist, but I am certain of the facts in this column.”
Much of this row stems from the growing divide between the public and college athletic programs. Truth is, it's probably a divide that's always been there for other newsmakers. Entertainers, politicians, whoever.
But sports and the media historically had a better relationship. Coaches and writers, athletes and broadcasters. The ultimate goal wasn't world peace or global domination. Some guys played ball, and a whole lot of people were interested in who won. That was the depth of the enterprise.
Of course, that's changed. I don't know if it was Watergate or high salaries or ESPN or the Internet or all of the above. But a growing wall now exists.
Media is more intrusive and analytical than ever before; coaches are more secretive and controlling than ever before, which frankly is at odds with fans being asked to pay prices exponentially higher than in decades past for the privilege of following their teams.
An hour after his meltdown, Gundy chatted with me, a good, cordial conversation in which his attitude hadn't changed but his demeanor had. He said he was through with our paper. I hope that's not true.
I've known Mike Gundy for 22 years. Known him since we both were kids. He was a Midwest City senior, trying to decide between OSU and OU, and I was a cub reporter at the Norman Transcript. I liked him then, I like him now, though it wasn't very easy Saturday night. If Gundy had shown the fire on the sidelines at Troy that he showed in dressing down Carlson, OSU football would be the better for it.
I know Jenni Carlson better. I hired her eight years ago when I was sports editor. She is a good person. A good journalist. Her work ethic would rival football coaches'.
Did her Reid column miss the mark? I doubt it. Could she have written it differently? No doubt.
We all regret when everyone is talking about a writer and a coach and a press conference, after a ballgame in which Brandon Pettigrew and Zac Robinson and Jacob Lacey and Nathan Peterson and Dantrell Savage and Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree and Danny Amendola made us stand up and cheer. Made us remember why we are so passionate about this thing called sport.
I hope we can restore our relationship with Gundy. Ironic thing is, if you chronicled the 100-plus years of Oklahoman sports pages, and ranked all the personalities on how well they've been treated, Mike Gundy would be in the top five.
He was sticking up for his player. I respect that. I think he erred in how he did it, but I don't begrudge that he did it.
But Gundy needs to know that building higher walls will not solve anything. Building higher walls creates, rather than reduces, problems. Building higher walls is not the answer in this new age of sport.
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Lets just face it BERRY YOU SHOULD TAKE THE SPORTS PAGE BACK OVER. AND YOU SHOULD ADMIT YOU MADE A MISTAKE PUTTING JENNI AS A COLUMNIST. REMEMBER THE HORRIBLE BASKETBALL ARTICLE? AMONG WITH THE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS? NOBODY LIKES HER ARTICLES HENCE WHY SO MANY PEOPLE INCLUDING "FAMOUS" PERSONALITIES SAID THE HAD TO BUY THE PAPER AGAIN BECAUSE THEY DIDNT READ HER DUMB ARTICLE THE FIRST TIME.
Berry, where is our 7 days after the rant story, Mrs Reids side etc, or are you the still one sided paper? Not building a wall are you.? Are you on paper recommended leave also?
"It's a lie, I'm like, no this didn't happen," Mrs. Reid told us. "It's not true what she said about me feeding my son chicken." Houston TV clip Wed night >>>> http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=sports&id=5677281
SAME AS BELOW. WHY OH WHY ARE YOU DELETING THINGS POSTED THAT DO NOT HAVE CURSE WORDS IN THEM. THIS WILL HELP EXPLAIN.
WHERE OH WHERE DID DOUGLAS FROM MERIDIANS POSTS GO OH HERE IS ONE. WE ARE VER
SAME AS BELOW. WHY OH WHY ARE YOU DELETING THINGS POSTED THAT DO NOT HAVE CURSE WORDS IN THEM. THIS WILL HELP EXPLAIN.
WHERE OH WHERE DID DOUGLAS FROM MERIDIANS POSTS GO OH HERE IS ONE. WE ARE VERY CLOSE FRIENDS. THE INTERNET IS SO WONDERFUL AS THIS WAS JUST E-MAILED A FEW MINUTES AGO. HAVE A GOOD DAY. NEWSOK where oh where are my previous posts. Don't worry I saved them for you. QUIT ERASING THEM AND ACCEPT YOUR FATE!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU AGREE READERS MIGHT I SUGGEST YOU DO THE SAME. Sorry for the inconvenience some of you are receiving this a second time. I mean who knew that yahoo would only let you send an e-mail to a limited number of people. To whom it may concern at NEWSOK.com, The Oklahoman, OPUBCO, NEWS 9: First, it saddens me as an Oklahoman that these news organizations listed above have taken the low road over these past few days concerning the Mike Gundy post game press conference. Admittedly I am very upset and have even at times almost sunk(not really that close) as low as your News Organizations have these past few days in vain hoping that the public sentiment would finally be heard. It has become painfully obvious that none of you care that Jenni Carlson personally attacked a young man (kid as Gundy referred to him). Mike Gundy, Jenni Carlson, and yes even Bobby Reid are not above scrutiny just as all of us are not above scrutiny. However, that being said what was done by Jenni Carlson and the OPUBCO family was a very personal and malicious attack against this young man. I have been critical of Bobby Reid’s and Mike Gundy’s performance in the past but I never and would never attack them personally to make myself feel better. There is a difference between criticizing a person’s performance and attacking them personally. The line was obviously crossed in this instance and this story, column, article; whatever you want to call it should have never been printed in the Oklahoman or posted on NEWSOK.com. It is trash that has caused an irreversible chain of events that has caused lots of damage to a lot of organizations and people. When simply if it had been edited properly and well thought out the subsequent and ongoing chain of events would not have ever happened. To name a few ESPN, FOX, MSN, CNN, Yahoo, You tube and many other media sources. Of course most of the reporters and news agencies have taken up sides with the OPUBCO family and supporters. No real shock there. However, none of you are listening to the majority of the American people who have clearly stated that what Jenni Carlson and the Oklahoman did was wrong and without their wrong the ensuring events would not have happened. Ed Kelley decided to take a very cheap shot at the people of this Great Nation, the Great State of Oklahoma and those of us who genuinely care about Oklahoma State University in saying that we have misplaced priorities and should be focusing our attention more on the education and Presidential status at Oklahoma State University . While I appreciate his report (somewhat) it was very distasteful distributing it at this time to try and take heat off of Jenni Carlson and the OPUBCO family for a very obvious mistake that they made. I have trust in Oklahoma State University and the people within it and outside of it within the State Government of Oklahoma to do their jobs to make sure that not only Oklahoma State University officials are doing their jobs but also for the University of Oklahoma and any other publicly funded schools, colleges, and University officials are also doing their jobs. If they are not then no doubt those of you within the media circle will be right there to make sure they do. I am sorry I may have missed it in his report but was the State of Oklahoma demanding that OSU find a new president and they have ignored those requests repeatedly? I didn’t think so. This was an obvious attempt by him and the OPUBCO family and supporters such as NEWS 9 and Griffin communications to somehow turn this football story into something so much more. SHAME ON YOU. I can assure you that my priorities are not misplaced as I set here in the middle of war in Iraq , serving as part of the greatest Nation and Navy in the World. It is people like me and the ones that I serve along side in all branches of the military that day after day put our lives on the line all around the world and we continue day in and day out to ensure that you, your families, friends, enemies and the organizations you serve can continue to have the rights that allow such mockery of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the United States of America. I am sure that our fore Fathers are not very proud of this display of unprofessional journalism. All who serve in the military are people just like you and we enjoy the same things as the next person. College Football, NFL, Golf, NASCAR, fishing, hunting, cards, polo, swimming, running, biking and so on. What I don’t enjoy is reading or watching such a debacle that has ensured from a post game press conference by Mike Gundy. Lastly, I am deeply concerned about how this out of control situation will continue to affect the Great the State of Oklahoma and the people who are a part of it. Although I no longer live and work there I continue to care and always will about the people, the communities, the farms, the businesses, the churches, the schools, the colleges, the Universities and so on. Because I am and always will be an Oklahoman no matter where I live and work. Yes, I am an Oklahoma State fan but this issue goes way deeper than allegiance to school lines and all of us would do well to remember that. Shortly I will make my last visit to the NEWSOK.com website and can assure you I will avoid your news organizations like the plague. Tulsa World, KOCO, KFOR, KC STAR I am a new customer. P.S. Cox Communications, Alan Gordon Jewelers, Bob Howard Auto Group, Reynolds Ford, Cosmetic Surgery Centers your companies have been included in this e-mail as your companies all advertise with NEWSOK.com. You may want to reconsider who you affiliate with. Sincerely, A concerned Oklahoman EMAILS FOR THOSE WHO IT WAS SENT TO.news@tulsaworld.com, wayne.greene@tulsaworld.com, mike.strain@tulsaworld.com, letters@tulsaworld.com, ggardenhire@kcstar.com, letters@kcstar.com, kcsfeedback@kansascity.com, mtully@kcstar.com, zieman@kcstar.com, Feedback@foxsports.com, Rush@eibnet.com, memberservice@rushlimbaugh.com, drbenien@drbenien.com, jessica@nuveencosmeticsurgery.com jcuccio@oklahoman.com, mogilvie@oklahoman.com, dfisk@oklahoman.com, afulton@oklahoman.com, bgollob@oklahoman.com, tgroover@oklahoman.com, jhooper@oklahoman.com, pisett@oklahoman.com, jmitrovgenis@oklahoman.com, fmurray@oklahoman.com, dparker@oklahoman.com, rponder@oklahoman.com, gpruitt@oklahoman.com, araymond@oklahoman.com, priedl@oklahoman.com, sschuldt@oklahoman.com, bbrus@oklahoman.com, gseeber@oklahoman.com, esmith@oklahoman.com, swong@oklahoman.com, kbyers@oklahoman.com, mcaban@oklahoman.com, scates@oklahoman.com, crabalais@oklahoman.com, dhoke@oklahoman.com, 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I wonder if you have reconsidered your opinion after 5 days of feedback from readers of your paper. In my opinion, the editor made a terrible mistake in letting an article like this onto a 100-plus year old sports page. He should be fired for the irreparable damage he has done to your paper. Football runs deep in the soul of Oklahomans and your paper is lucky that it was not Bob Stoops that delivered this “tirade” response to a fact free assault on a college athlete. That said, I am amazed at how many sooner fans I have talked to that are supporting Gundy.
I decided on Sunday that I would wait until this Friday to see if anyone in the Oklahoman would step up and admit that this article should have never made it into print. Instead, we hear that Jenni Carlson stands by the facts in her article. That is very easy to do because “Rumor has it”, there were no facts in her article. I was not in Oklahoma this week but I am certain the executive management of the Oklahoman were huddled around a bucket of KFC on their blackberries with their mommy.
I currently live in Colorado and have been keeping up with the state by reading your free on-line paper for the past few years. I have made my decision to pay for the Tulsa World on-line paper and discontinue reading this free publication.
Berry, will you do us the honor of a "week after the rant" story? Did you read the story written about what Mrs Reid said? What will be your build a wall slant now? I believe Jenni laid the foundation.How about a little truth this time? Your "reputation" is more in question than ever now.
Berry
Iappreciate your writing on Ms Carlson and Coach Gundy and you know over the last few yests we have shared anemail or two. I read you regularly and will continue. One thing Ido believe is that reporting has bevome too often a venue for writers too offer too much of their personal opions...so many go beyond the story and into conjecture about motives, personalities and "heart". The great writers, Edwin Pope, Furman Bisher, Kevin Sherrington etc. Know the difference and don't cross the line. One thing I do know for sure is people love college sports because its still somewhat about the gsme, school and state pride and seeing herod arise. When an article comes out like Ms. Carlson's it takes away from those core values and thus people are angry. Frankly I hope they always are. Your comment about walls is true and painfully obvious to those of us who read the psper. This time however its time to consider not so much about what coach Gundy said, but what written. It was too much. Remember what you all write is in many ways a one way voice..you talk we listen. What you are now hearing from your readers is what they would like to write in the paper themselves given an opportuniy. Coach Gundy, whether perfectly said or not, gave your readers a voice. It's worth listening to.
Cordially,
Chuck Tollefsen
Tulsa 918 743 3676
n.
For those who's still think Jenni Carlson is right, read this: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=sports&id=5677281
.Bobby Reid's mom said the chicken feeding thing never happened, and that Jenni Carlson wasn't even there in Troy to cover the game. Maybe Ms Carlson should become a fiction writer, instead of a "reporter" which she proudly claimed she is.
I realize that society in Oklahoma versus the east coast is different, but I would guess that people from Philadelphia would be a little more "in tune" with what the constitution states especially from a professor. There is no ammendment that protects the freedom of criticism! I imagine you are referring to the first ammendment which gives both Jenni and Gundy the right to make their points, as well as us to discuss the whole situation. You made some statements calling Gundy a Tyrant, and he can't have it both ways. I don't know if it is because we are slow down in Oklahoma, but you didn't explain yourself at all or make any points to back up your statement. Most educators thouroughly explain their points of view on a subject - called teaching. I am guessing that you are not a professor of political science or English, possibly journalism??? Finally, you are worried that a professor would be fired if he acted like Gundy, but I believe if more professors had the values and courage of Gundy, there would not be articles written with such GARBAGE as the one printed last Saturday or approved by an editor! Mike Gundy is a perfect example of USING the first ammendment - to fight back against people abusing their power. The internet is changing the tide as you can see the vast majority of people do not support the newspaper (Jenni), however fifteen years ago this altercation would have been swept under the carpet after a few hours.
Since bringing up the constitution, I found this in the First ammendment handbook, "Libel: Defamatory communication
A defamatory communication is one that exposes a person to hatred, ridicule, or contempt, lowers him in the esteem of his fellows, causes him to be shunned, or injures him in his business or calling. Defamation can take the form of libel (published or broadcast communication) or slander (oral communication). " I think Bobby has a case! Maybe Jenni ought to apologize on her own before a judge orders her to apologize?
At the very least, Ms. Carlson owes Reid, Gundy and the OSU football team a public apology. If you agree, please sign the petition - http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Carlson_public_apology/
the only reason the newsprint media is ticked off about this is because now other coaches who are tired of the same crap will start to respond the same way as GUNDY and that is the end of the free reign for you media jerks
has everyone at the DOK forgotten about the pro football players that did the soup commercials with there moms feeding them i didn't see jenni call them moma's boy's or how about joe nameth he shaved his legs and put on pantyhose guess he's not tough jenni the DOK should realy be called the sooner gazett since it is biased that way
where is bobby reid, why hasn't he had a response to the benching,the article,why has this question been asked.You may have a team that is divided and jenni carleson may have been used to destract the public from what is really happening at osu and the football team.Carleson was out of line bringing the young man's mom into the article,but asking questions about the demotion, after gundy said no player can lose a starting job while injured does need to be answered,is the coach lying to the public ,to writers or more importantly to the team,was the rant and failure to answer simple questions with I don't have to, covering up something else.
Berry: As a long-time Sooner based in D.C., I am inherently less attached to the fate of OSU football, its coach, and its quarterback. However, having read the Carlson piece, it struck me as rather shoddy stuff. Silly, gossipy pieces of evidence, like mother showing up for the team bus, laughing with a coach after an interception; really personal things. I think that is what set Gundy off and why the general response, including that by Bobby Stoops, was pretty hard on Carlson. I know you hired her and like her, but, having read her stuff over the years, it generally is pretty light. Not much football analysis; more fan response material. She just does not come across as much of a heavy, and thus her effort to trash Reid seemed even more like a cheap shot. I almost get the sense that all of the really cheap stuff flowed because OSU had not come clean as to why the guy was benched. But that is no reason to produce such a poorly reasoned column. Gundy's reaction was pure Aggie, something a Stoops would never have done. But basically Gundy had the better case: it was a lousy, smelly article. P.S. I love your blog and your analysis is always spot on. It's a pity the Big 12 has hit the skids. Perhaps it is all about trying to get a city kid to play at "pumpkin center". Dick Self
Please sign this petition. It would be good to be able to put a definitive count infront of her since she's probably having a hard time keeping the tally with all these comments.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Carlson_public_apology/
Hey Barry here is a direct quote from Jenni's column; "If you believe the rumors and the rumblings, Reid has been pushing coaches that way for quite some time." OK, she said it herself, RUMORS, nothing factual to base her opinions upon, nothing at all. Plus, she belitles the relationship of a son and his mother? No class.
BTW, your hire of Jenni X amount years ago was well, a poor move on your part. Jenni's columns have always shown that she is incapable of writing anything intelegent or informative about any sport. This conclussion is based soley on my opinion and rummors so it must be factual.
Carlson's column was terrible. Period. Her conclusions regarding Reid's relationship with his mom and the inference that he was less than tough was completely inappropriate. She was wrong. She should be called on the carpet by her editor for doing so.
Berry, Berry, Berry! Don't get caught up in this. I have respected your writing for a much longer time than Jenni's. She wrote a hit piece and Coach Gundy responded. Her column DID miss the mark. She didn't sound credible with her "facts". You talk about building walls, but she is the one who threw up the biggest and needs to apologize. This is not going to quiet down until she eats some crow.
I have not read or heard where the error really lies. College quarterbacks are fair game and columns are opinion pieces - not news stories. This was a poorly conceived column put together by an otherwise fine writer. But the real problem is that some editor decided to hype it up - to take up the entire front page of the Saturday sports section just before a big game for OSU. The content of the column smelled of tabloid journalism, but the emphasis and timing reeked of it. If it were written at all, it should have buried in Wednesday's edition. As it was, it screamed "GOTCHA" as if it were the Dallas Morning News exposing something about the Sooners. Jenni probably doesn't deserve all the heat she is getting, but her editor deserves far more.
Barry how does it feel to be a pawn with Jenny for the Gaylords? Pays well doesnt it? Im sure it does since you have no reputation to defend. But since YOU hired her that explains a lot. Thanks for showing us where you stand, right in the middle of it all, as if we didnt know already. Ps please dont build a wall,we sure hope you dont. Way to divert the stories that would have been about OU's golden boy, Bomar back in town this week.
Barry - I have read your column for a few years now, started before the Hornets came to OKC, and have continued since I moved to Chicago several months ago. I have to say it saddens me to see you put your name on this... I'm happy you acknowledged that she could have wrote this story differently - but nothing excuses the Oklahoman running a story based on gossip... It’s suppose to be a newspaper not a tabloid. I don't think this is going away, a lot of people – OU and OUS fans – are pretty upset right now and they aren't taking the Oklahoman’s side… You know Barry a newspaper really should have a “side” in any story.
I could be wrong, but I came away thinking that Gundy's ire stemmed from two things. First he claims that the coaches did not say that Reid was not tough or that he played scared. Second, he felt that sports writers ought to be reporting about the game not speculating about a young mans mental state, or more importantly what the coaches think regarding the players state of mind.
You can argue that you have the right to comment on anything you please, and you're right. In fact the practice of writing controversial articles to generate interest is not only common but well demonstrated in the article in question. My point is that maybe we should simply say his play, or Robinson's play, led to the change at quarterback. What is the point in dengrading the courage or mental toughness of the young man. I'm simply dissappionted in adults and how they treat young adults under pressure. Selling newspapers just isn't that important.
I could be wrong, but I came away thinking that Gundy's ire stemmed from two things. First he claims that the coaches did not say that Reid was not tough or that he played scared. Second, he felt that sports writers ought to be reporting about the game not speculating about a young mans mental state, or more importantly what the coaches think regarding the players state of mind.
You can argue that you have the right to comment on anything you please, and you're right. In fact the practice of writing controversial articles to generate interest is not only common but well demonstrated in the article in question. My point is that maybe we should simply say his play, or Robinson's play, led to the change at quarterback. What is the point in dengrading the courage or mental toughness of the young man. I'm simply dissappionted in adults and how they treat young adults under pressure. Selling newspapers just isn't that important.
I could be wrong, but I came away thinking that Gundy's ire stemmed from two things. First he claims that the coaches did not say that Reid was not tough or that he played scared. Second, he felt that sports writers ought to be reporting about the game not speculating about a young mans mental state, or more importantly what the coaches think regarding the players state of mind.
You can argue that you have the right to comment on anything you please, and you're right. In fact the practice of writing controversial articles to generate interest is not only common but well demonstrated in the article in question. My point is that maybe we should simply say his play, or Robinson's play, led to the change at quarterback. What is the point in dengrading the courage or mental toughness of the young man. I'm simply dissappionted in adults and how they treat young adults under pressure. Selling newspapers just isn't that important.
OSU is a pathetic excuse for a D-1 Football program, much less a "University", and Mike "Spike" Gundy is the best they could come up with to lead this passel of mouth-breathing, slack-jawed yokels. (Can I get a banjo riff, please!) The Daily Oklahoman is a pathetic excuse for a local "news"paper, much less a legitimate journalistic publication, and Jenni "Jowls" Carlson is the best they could come up with to pen sophomoric meanderings and musings. (See Norman High-"Tiger Tribune") Seems to me, in the wake of last weekends press conference that they are custom made for each other, and both have about the same understanding of the game of football, judging from Gundy's record, and Carlson's drivel. I spent years in Oklahoma, bracing against a seemingly endless deluge of embarrassing mediocrity from both sources, Gundy and Carlson. Looks like these days that the only thing that has changed is that Mike Gundy's head has gotten a lot bigger, and Jenny Carlson's... Well...
Why does the Daily Disgrace continue to support someone, who's articles are some of the worst published. Whether male or female her judge of others is out of line. Jenni is getting too much support for her lack of intelligence. Way to go coach Gundy, that is the fire we have been looking for.
Whether you agree with him or not, is was refreshing to see Mike Gundy open, honest, and uncontrived like so many politicians are today. His so-called rant was more honest than anything I've ever seen in media. In an age of Hillary Clintons, Katie Courics and so many other pivoting head/batting eye types, Gundy certainly made his point. I only wish we could have gotten the same reaction from Bob Stoops when the Sooners suffered that "loss" at Oregon. By the way, The Oklahoman has never been known to admit its mistakes and always opts to stand by their writers. Remember when the paper made the decision to assult the Feed-The-Children founder? Carlson should be honest enough to admit that her attempt at being cute ("...Momma feeding him chicken") wasn't very professional. She should apologize, and the longer she attempts to put it off, the smaller she looks.
How do you dig yourself out of a hole? I mean, if you're in a hole and you start digging don't you just make the hole deeper? Even if you are often wielding the biggest shovel? Just wondering...
Eric, Portland, Oregon
(GO DUCKS!!!)
Berry Trammel, I have always enjoyed your writing skills, but after this your judgment has to be held in a lower regard. It seems the entire Daily Oklahoman has embraced a bunker down attitude to mask the lack of any objectivity they might have once possessed. This is not about Jeni Carlson and Mike Gundy. This is not about the accuracy of facts. This is about a public trashing of a student that someone thinks is not giving 100 percent. If that is news, then The Daily Oklahoman will be filling its pages for years about college students who don't give 100 percent. All of this while in the same Saturday addition of The Daily Oklahoman it was reported that Barry Switzer was involved in promoting a tax credit scam. Now that is news about a potential "real wrong." A possible crime that has a huge impact on the public. The public should be aware. Real news your paper has ignored in favor of trash about a kid that has wronged no one! We are only left to believe that those who are popular and/or are friends of the media are off limits. A helpless college student is fair game for cheap shots. Is that the way professional journalist fulfill their hallowed duties to keep the public informed? For the record this commenter is an OU fan, but some things are above sports loyalties.
Thank you for the opportunity to read Jenni's column on the website. It seems that the column would have been better placed on the editorial page instead of the sports page since the writer indicated it was based on gossip. The only sentence of significance was that the quarterback who started had a better week at practice. While Gundy was over the top in his reaction, he was correct to take issue with the personal vendetta in the article. The reference to his "Momma feeding him chicken" was pretty low. I fed my college football playing son whatever he wanted after a game as we celebrated the victories and suffered the few defeats. I was proud to do so. Sounds like Jenni needs to concentrate on the game stats and forego her own opinions, just the facts please!!
Mike Gundy is a PERFECT example of why this nation has the First Amendment (yes, those five rights that few Americans know or understand), to protect the freedom of criticism that is intrinsic to a free and open society. Gundy's rant is much more than a coach "sticking up for a player" -- it is the rant of a would-be tyrant who likes his cake both ways. As a college professor, I would be emabarrassed to have a coach capable of such rants affiliated with my university (just like I am embarrassed with all the arrests coming out of Austin, where I went to school). Imagine if a college professor acted like Gundy in the classroon -- she or he would be fired immediately. Yet, would-be tyrants are tolerated at universities as long as they win football games. More than sad, it is tragic and a profound comment on American culture.
I can understand why she would write the piece (it sells papers and generates interest), but I cannot see how anyone, especially the newspaper, can condone it as good journalism. This is the stuff of fan bulletin boards, not serious journalism.
Barry - You should have left Jenni dangling in the wind. Was your defense of her supposed to give credibility to here gossip column ? ....NOT.
Someone said ( I'm not gonna say who )her mama said that you said that Jenni likes to hand feed you doughnuts ... a whole lot. I heard that you keep diggin' yourself deeper & deeper into a hole by defending her. Someone else said that your soon to be new boss ( thank goodness you're leaving OKC ) @ ESPN really thinks your cheap gossip will fit right in with their format. If you want to write a column, why don't you attack ESPN for their lousy game coverage. I knew OSU - TxTech was playing, but I kept hearing about Notre Dame & looking at Lou " Dead Man Walking " Holtz & wondering how the game was going. Oh, by the way, Coach is on the high ground. You guys at DOK's next move is to take your Krispy Kreme columnist & leave the state or give up your gossip sources - you loose.
Berry, I have enjoyed much of your work over the years because you look and think and share a unique perspective that I admire. However, in this case, take off the blinders, Ms. Carlson has done it again. It is really sad to see you, DOK management, and channel 9 all defending what should have never made it to press. Mr. Gundy spoke from the heart in defense of a STUDENT athlete and while a "prepared statement" might have been all and good, he spoke his mind and addressed this travesty head on-way to go Mike! The only other issue I have is with all the OU fans who jump on this as a way to slam OSU-get a life and grow up. It was not all that long ago (Scnellenberger era) that OU was a joke. Things have changed, and Stoops is a good coach. What is sad is the wanna be's who did not go to OU and probably not any college who parade around in OU garb slamming O-State. Again, get a life....
berry you are so full of yourself you make me sick. You are both pathetic sports writers. I have canceled my subscription and encourage others to do the same. Wether Gundy made himself look bad is debatable, but I have seen nothing that made you or the daily dissapointment look good. Just look at any poll. They are all in favor of the coach. Go ahead, keep trying to dig your way out of this hole by still trying to make Gundy look bad. Your'e only making yourself look worse and making Mike look good. Down with the gaylords and their poor excuse of a paper.
First I have to say I do not agree with Gundy's tirade on Saturday. It was unprofessional! No Jeni should not apologize she was doing her job. You cannot tell me that if you seen Reid being feed by his mother you would not comment about it. Don't you think it is funny that a 19 year old is being feed by his mother? I am a mother of three boys and they would never let me feed them not even at their young age. Jeni raised questions about the quarterback position that we all had and speculated about. What's wrong with that? If college athletes should be immune from scrutiny of the press then maybe we should stop televising the games and quit putting so much pressure on this players to perform on the field. Then maybe they would perform better in class which is why they are at college is the first place. What is Gundy's outburst teaching are children? That is ok to act like a fool and not control your anger? I have seen Gundy in action many times including high school which I attended at the same time. Yes he is a good person but I have seen that temper before. If you really were concern about Reid you would be concerned with all the players under Gundy. What is he teaching are children and oour young adults by not controlling his temper???
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot - the burden is on your Kristy Kreme Kolumnist to give up her sources, and continuing to destroy Coach to try to make her / you / dok look good ain't working. The burden is on you guys to reveal who in Norman is your cheap gossip source(s).
Quoting Tramel: "I don't buy all of Gundy's argument that college athletes are immune from scrutiny." This is NOT what Coach Gundy said (as ESPN has demonstrated many times over). Either Mr. Tramel suffers from an inability to read or listen accurately, or he is being disingenious. Against the extreme position he envisions for Coach Gundy, Mr. Tramel may now happily assume the pose of the wise man in the middle.
Jenni should have apologized to Bobby, but instead tried to instigate Gundy by asking him a very stupid question that she already knew the answer. I don't see any positive or entertaining value from her article, and thus it was GARBAGE. It should not have been printed even in the slightest chance that it was 100% factual. There is no need to personally criticize players and their parents in a newspaper especially by a "professional writer". Jenni overstepped her bounderies, and I beleive she should either apologize or be let go. I would be interested to hear how many DOK newspapers were sold in September 2007 versus October 2007 if there is no apology!
I'll take a guy who defends his player in the heat of the moment at a press conference any day over a newspaper reporter who has several hours to think of the exact words to defend a columnist he hired who also had many hours, if not days, to think about her words that started this whole mess!
Overall well written and balance column. Agree with most of it. However Jenni Carlson may well be a good person with a strong work ethic. But she is obviosly lacking talent in writing - and in particular it seems about sports but I suspect she would be mediocre at other topics as well. The Oklahoman needs to make changes and upgrade its sports columnist talent, and Ms. Carlson is just not good enough for a market the size of OKC. You can ignore us but I don't know a single person who thinks she is a good writer - even though she may be a good person who works hard.
For the last time, Mr. Gaylord is no longer living. His daughter now runs the Oklahoman.
For all of you journalistic experts, sports columns ARE opinion pieces, not "articles" per se. This is how it's always been.
Clearly, her article contained opinion, and she does not try to disguise them.
I'm not really defending her: she's a miserable writer. Then again, can you think of any great writers at the Oklahoman?
Ever read the book reviews? Food articles? News pieces? The paper is attrociously disappointing for a major city. Jenni is just a pimple on the face of a legacy of mediocre -- and often slanted -- journalism.
That being said, Gundy came off like a loon, a laughingstock, and he has garnered more publicity for Ms. Carlson than any of the tripe she has generated in her short career.
Berry, I have some points of contention with your unabashed support of your colleage and this article. I hoped you would be a better man, but I am not at all surpriaed. First, college athletes are not public figures, like entertainers and politicians, whose private lives are open to any and all media scrutiny. These kids are student athletes. The only scrutiny they deserve from you is their on field performance, unless they are involved in illegal activity or immoral behavior. These are kids, keep their personal, private behavior off the front sports page. Give them a chance to mature. Secondly, just because the athletic department is not totally forthcoming about every single thing that goes on within the department does not make them dishonest. Maybe a little wary about your reporting and rightfully so. I believe this episode only reinforces that line of thought. Thirdly, you say Gundy did not look good because he shot from the hip and did not prepare a statement. That's what happens when you speak from emotion and from the heart. Maybe it wasn't as articulate as the media would like, but it did play well with his team and the vast majority of OSU fans. Most of the comments I've read hear reinforce that opinion. Finally, the growing divide is not between the public and athletics, it's between the media and the public, including athletics. Jenni's work ethic does not make her a good sports journalist. Please reassign her to something more fitting her abilities.
I truly hope you will urge the Oklahoman and Jenni Carlson to stand up and do the right thing--apologize. How can Jenni stand by a story based on rumors? How can the staff stand up for a story that humiliates a young athlete for no reason? Berry mentions Carlson's work ethic. It seems to have faltered here. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, but a true judge of character is when you're willing to say you're sorry. So far, it seems that the only thing Carlson, Tramel, and the Oklahoman can come up with is excuses. I'm so tired of reporters thinking they can just rip someone to shreds and not be held accountable. Maybe this incident will show journalists something they should have learned in Journalism 101-words mean something!!!!
Jill, Oregon
I just saw Jenni Carlson's spot on KFOR from her radio show. She says she just wishes that Mike Gundy "would have confronted her in private"? Would that be the same consideration she offered Bobby Reid prior to writing and publishing her column, or does private mean that "confrontation" would occur in front of the entire Daily Oklahoman distribution base?
The Oklahoman got exactly what it wanted, attention. This website has received more hits than ever before. I hope the take home message isn't that sensationalism pays. All Gundy did was express what lots of Cowboy fans would love to do to a newspaper who sees the world through crimson glasses. I am not saying I condone it, but I understand it. I understand the Oklahoman is trotting Berry out here for PR and credibility, experience. The same goes for the media as well, you can't have it both ways either. There are some things you don't need to know. It is not your "right" to know tactical information. Was Gundy and staff misleading about who was to start at QB, yes. Did that deception make any difference, no. But it is part of the game. Have you watched an NFL injury report? Those are loaded with deception. Don't come off all high and righteous, you are hopefully not that naive to understand what was going on. That does not make it right for your paper to write a character assassination piece and then posture like your without fault.
As an OU fan I'm disappointed by all of the other OU fans using this as an opportunity to slam OSU. Grow up. It's college football. I spend a lot of money for tickets, travel, time etc etc and quite frankly I'm refreshed to see a coach stand up for a player with no regrets. Bravo Mike Gundy. Boomer Sooner.
isn't there a conflict of interest here. everyone that has ever read the Daily Oklahoman knows that Jenni Carlson is an OU fan. That's great, so am I, but should someone so passionate about one thing be writing an article about her teams biggest rival? Maybe that could have helped the situation. Fine that the article was written and great that Gundy stood up for his players. That's the kind of coach I want and that I want my children to play for.
Berry...you made a point upon which I cannot agree: stating the media is an extension of the fans. You could maybe say that if the media just stuck to the facts, but they usually also share their opinion. I am not against this. But saying the media is an extension of us is just like saying Hannity or Colmes is an extension of my political views. I stand by Gundy for setting a boundary with the media...if they treat him/the team well, he will treat them well. Furthermore, if he wishes to not let Ms. Carlson or any other reporters in on who is starting next week, who cares? I am an OSU donor, and I do not feel entitled to that type of information, so she should not either. The Oklahoman, like any business, is out to make a profit. Reporters like her try to help sell papers. If people do not like reading columns like this, they will not buy these papers. Hopefully she has learned to be very thorough in gathering facts and think twice about tactfully expressing her opinions.
Hey Berry--have some stones and critique the "facts" of Jenni's article. Be critical of both sides--not just the coach. Be specific. Be fair. Don't just blindly defend the so-called journalist you hired. Or is it suddenly acceptable to base opinions in columns off of pure rumor?
I have one question for Ms. Carlson. Did a football player stand you up? The comments about Reid and his mother was hitting below the belt. I think Mike lost his temper but he is a player's coach. The player's come first, so I can understand his point of view. But Ms Carlson came across as a catty and vindictive woman.
As a Tennessee fan, I can say that I side with Coach Gundy. When I saw the video of Gundy, I was admittedly embarrassed for OSU. After I read the article, I was more embarrassed by Ms. Carlson's lack of good judgment in writing articles that create doubt and question people in whom we place trust. Be supportive of your team, Ms. Carlson - don't go out trying to second guess everything that a coach does. Media people are all about hype and sturring up trouble...try being more positive.
Sports talk on the radio is much more critical OSU football than the Oklahoman has ever been. The only question I have would Mr. Gundy been as vocal toward a male sports writer?
I am a graduate of OU. I love the Sooners and don't particularly like OSU. Mike Gundy was 100% correct in his actions. He came off looking great. The article was pure tabloid. The "mama's boy" stuff in Jeni's article was offensive even to Sooner fans. Your paper's continued support of the article is beyond my understanding.
Jon in Shawnee--Your comment is worse than Gundy's and far less classy--at least he had some reasoning behind his. You are the perfect example of why lots of people don't like OU fans (and not just from the state of Oklahoma). For no reason you trash another man while praising your own. I agree that Bob Stoops is a standup guy, but what has that got to do with this? There is no doubt that OU has a better football program than OSU, no-one is disputing that either. We are trying to build a program at State, one that will make Oklahomans proud of both schools. We're not there yet...we know that, but you're just like the writer of the column in question--kicking folks when they're down. One day, Jon, you're gonna' be down, and you won't want to be kicked and made fun of. OU is on top now, and maybe they'll always be, but if your ox ever gets gored, you won't be so visible. This is and never was an OU/OSU issue, so don't make it one--all it does is show your ignorance. Thank the Lord there are some OU folks out there with brains to overcome those like you. Thanks to the standup Sooners who "get it."--sorry that both schools have some bottom feeders.
As far as I am concerned Mike Gundy was within his rights to defend his players from inuendo and conjecture. Yes, there may have been some truth to the article, but probably not wholly so. The writer of the story is entitled to his or her opinion, however, professional journalist keep opinions on the editorial pages, not the headlines. That being said, Mike Gundy could have handled the situation with a little more class. However, in my opinion, he was more right than the article.
Gundy needs to travel to Norman and borrow some professionalism, Stoops has plenty to spare. If he were really a forty year old "man" he would not act like a spoiled little two year old brat. Grow up.
Our state needs sports coaches like Stoops and Gundy and doesn't need sports columnists like you and Ms Carlson. I'm an avid sports news reader and The Oklahoman subscriber but always look to the Dallas Morning News or Denver Post for sports articles. Most columns by you and her are pure speculations and not truthful reporting. This recent event is very sad. It just re-enforces me to look where else for news and I'm ashamed to be a subscriber. I'm a die hard Sooner fan and WAY TO GO GUNDY!
Berry, I agree with your opinion that each of the participants in this episode deserve blame. But Gundy deserves more. There are infinitely better ways that he could have proved his point on Saturday. He did not think of his alma mater, of his team, or of his own personal reputation. He lost his cool and now tries to frame it as sticking up for his player. Will circling the wagons and pointing fingers (literally) help the Pokes at all? No. He ends up looking like a bully a la Bobby Knight.
Do I want journalists to fear the potential reaction of their subjects (or their coach) when they sit in front of their laptops? No.
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WHERE OH WHERE DID DOUGLAS FROM MERIDIANS POSTS GO OH HERE IS ONE. WE ARE VER
WHERE OH WHERE DID DOUGLAS FROM MERIDIANS POSTS GO OH HERE IS ONE. WE ARE VERY CLOSE FRIENDS. THE INTERNET IS SO WONDERFUL AS THIS WAS JUST E-MAILED A FEW MINUTES AGO. HAVE A GOOD DAY. NEWSOK where oh where are my previous posts. Don't worry I saved them for you. QUIT ERASING THEM AND ACCEPT YOUR FATE!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU AGREE READERS MIGHT I SUGGEST YOU DO THE SAME. Sorry for the inconvenience some of you are receiving this a second time. I mean who knew that yahoo would only let you send an e-mail to a limited number of people. To whom it may concern at NEWSOK.com, The Oklahoman, OPUBCO, NEWS 9: First, it saddens me as an Oklahoman that these news organizations listed above have taken the low road over these past few days concerning the Mike Gundy post game press conference. Admittedly I am very upset and have even at times almost sunk(not really that close) as low as your News Organizations have these past few days in vain hoping that the public sentiment would finally be heard. It has become painfully obvious that none of you care that Jenni Carlson personally attacked a young man (kid as Gundy referred to him). Mike Gundy, Jenni Carlson, and yes even Bobby Reid are not above scrutiny just as all of us are not above scrutiny. However, that being said what was done by Jenni Carlson and the OPUBCO family was a very personal and malicious attack against this young man. I have been critical of Bobby Reid’s and Mike Gundy’s performance in the past but I never and would never attack them personally to make myself feel better. There is a difference between criticizing a person’s performance and attacking them personally. The line was obviously crossed in this instance and this story, column, article; whatever you want to call it should have never been printed in the Oklahoman or posted on NEWSOK.com. It is trash that has caused an irreversible chain of events that has caused lots of damage to a lot of organizations and people. When simply if it had been edited properly and well thought out the subsequent and ongoing chain of events would not have ever happened. To name a few ESPN, FOX, MSN, CNN, Yahoo, You tube and many other media sources. Of course most of the reporters and news agencies have taken up sides with the OPUBCO family and supporters. No real shock there. However, none of you are listening to the majority of the American people who have clearly stated that what Jenni Carlson and the Oklahoman did was wrong and without their wrong the ensuring events would not have happened. Ed Kelley decided to take a very cheap shot at the people of this Great Nation, the Great State of Oklahoma and those of us who genuinely care about Oklahoma State University in saying that we have misplaced priorities and should be focusing our attention more on the education and Presidential status at Oklahoma State University . While I appreciate his report (somewhat) it was very distasteful distributing it at this time to try and take heat off of Jenni Carlson and the OPUBCO family for a very obvious mistake that they made. I have trust in Oklahoma State University and the people within it and outside of it within the State Government of Oklahoma to do their jobs to make sure that not only Oklahoma State University officials are doing their jobs but also for the University of Oklahoma and any other publicly funded schools, colleges, and University officials are also doing their jobs. If they are not then no doubt those of you within the media circle will be right there to make sure they do. I am sorry I may have missed it in his report but was the State of Oklahoma demanding that OSU find a new president and they have ignored those requests repeatedly? I didn’t think so. This was an obvious attempt by him and the OPUBCO family and supporters such as NEWS 9 and Griffin communications to somehow turn this football story into something so much more. SHAME ON YOU. I can assure you that my priorities are not misplaced as I set here in the middle of war in Iraq , serving as part of the greatest Nation and Navy in the World. It is people like me and the ones that I serve along side in all branches of the military that day after day put our lives on the line all around the world and we continue day in and day out to ensure that you, your families, friends, enemies and the organizations you serve can continue to have the rights that allow such mockery of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the United States of America. I am sure that our fore Fathers are not very proud of this display of unprofessional journalism. All who serve in the military are people just like you and we enjoy the same things as the next person. College Football, NFL, Golf, NASCAR, fishing, hunting, cards, polo, swimming, running, biking and so on. What I don’t enjoy is reading or watching such a debacle that has ensured from a post game press conference by Mike Gundy. Lastly, I am deeply concerned about how this out of control situation will continue to affect the Great the State of Oklahoma and the people who are a part of it. Although I no longer live and work there I continue to care and always will about the people, the communities, the farms, the businesses, the churches, the schools, the colleges, the Universities and so on. Because I am and always will be an Oklahoman no matter where I live and work. Yes, I am an Oklahoma State fan but this issue goes way deeper than allegiance to school lines and all of us would do well to remember that. Shortly I will make my last visit to the NEWSOK.com website and can assure you I will avoid your news organizations like the plague. Tulsa World, KOCO, KFOR, KC STAR I am a new customer. P.S. Cox Communications, Alan Gordon Jewelers, Bob Howard Auto Group, Reynolds Ford, Cosmetic Surgery Centers your companies have been included in this e-mail as your companies all advertise with NEWSOK.com. You may want to reconsider who you affiliate with. Sincerely, A concerned Oklahoman EMAILS FOR THOSE WHO IT WAS SENT TO.news@tulsaworld.com, wayne.greene@tulsaworld.com, mike.strain@tulsaworld.com, letters@tulsaworld.com, ggardenhire@kcstar.com, letters@kcstar.com, kcsfeedback@kansascity.com, mtully@kcstar.com, zieman@kcstar.com, Feedback@foxsports.com, Rush@eibnet.com, memberservice@rushlimbaugh.com, drbenien@drbenien.com, jessica@nuveencosmeticsurgery.com jcuccio@oklahoman.com, mogilvie@oklahoman.com, dfisk@oklahoman.com, afulton@oklahoman.com, bgollob@oklahoman.com, tgroover@oklahoman.com, jhooper@oklahoman.com, pisett@oklahoman.com, jmitrovgenis@oklahoman.com, fmurray@oklahoman.com, dparker@oklahoman.com, rponder@oklahoman.com, gpruitt@oklahoman.com, araymond@oklahoman.com, priedl@oklahoman.com, sschuldt@oklahoman.com, bbrus@oklahoman.com, gseeber@oklahoman.com, esmith@oklahoman.com, swong@oklahoman.com, kbyers@oklahoman.com, mcaban@oklahoman.com, scates@oklahoman.com, crabalais@oklahoman.com, dhoke@oklahoman.com, 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I wonder if you have reconsidered your opinion after 5 days of feedback from readers of your paper. In my opinion, the editor made a terrible mistake in letting an article like this onto a 100-plus year old sports page. He should be fired for the irreparable damage he has done to your paper. Football runs deep in the soul of Oklahomans and your paper is lucky that it was not Bob Stoops that delivered this “tirade” response to a fact free assault on a college athlete. That said, I am amazed at how many sooner fans I have talked to that are supporting Gundy.
I decided on Sunday that I would wait until this Friday to see if anyone in the Oklahoman would step up and admit that this article should have never made it into print. Instead, we hear that Jenni Carlson stands by the facts in her article. That is very easy to do because “Rumor has it”, there were no facts in her article. I was not in Oklahoma this week but I am certain the executive management of the Oklahoman were huddled around a bucket of KFC on their blackberries with their mommy.
I currently live in Colorado and have been keeping up with the state by reading your free on-line paper for the past few years. I have made my decision to pay for the Tulsa World on-line paper and discontinue reading this free publication.
You are a good writer. I will miss your articles.
John Patrick
Monument, Colorado
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=sports&id=5677281
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=sports&id=5677281
Iappreciate your writing on Ms Carlson and Coach Gundy and you know over the last few yests we have shared anemail or two. I read you regularly and will continue. One thing Ido believe is that reporting has bevome too often a venue for writers too offer too much of their personal opions...so many go beyond the story and into conjecture about motives, personalities and "heart". The great writers, Edwin Pope, Furman Bisher, Kevin Sherrington etc. Know the difference and don't cross the line. One thing I do know for sure is people love college sports because its still somewhat about the gsme, school and state pride and seeing herod arise. When an article comes out like Ms. Carlson's it takes away from those core values and thus people are angry. Frankly I hope they always are. Your comment about walls is true and painfully obvious to those of us who read the psper. This time however its time to consider not so much about what coach Gundy said, but what written. It was too much. Remember what you all write is in many ways a one way voice..you talk we listen. What you are now hearing from your readers is what they would like to write in the paper themselves given an opportuniy. Coach Gundy, whether perfectly said or not, gave your readers a voice. It's worth listening to.
Cordially,
Chuck Tollefsen
Tulsa 918 743 3676
n.
.Bobby Reid's mom said the chicken feeding thing never happened, and that Jenni Carlson wasn't even there in Troy to cover the game. Maybe Ms Carlson should become a fiction writer, instead of a "reporter" which she proudly claimed she is.
I realize that society in Oklahoma versus the east coast is different, but I would guess that people from Philadelphia would be a little more "in tune" with what the constitution states especially from a professor. There is no ammendment that protects the freedom of criticism! I imagine you are referring to the first ammendment which gives both Jenni and Gundy the right to make their points, as well as us to discuss the whole situation. You made some statements calling Gundy a Tyrant, and he can't have it both ways. I don't know if it is because we are slow down in Oklahoma, but you didn't explain yourself at all or make any points to back up your statement. Most educators thouroughly explain their points of view on a subject - called teaching. I am guessing that you are not a professor of political science or English, possibly journalism??? Finally, you are worried that a professor would be fired if he acted like Gundy, but I believe if more professors had the values and courage of Gundy, there would not be articles written with such GARBAGE as the one printed last Saturday or approved by an editor! Mike Gundy is a perfect example of USING the first ammendment - to fight back against people abusing their power. The internet is changing the tide as you can see the vast majority of people do not support the newspaper (Jenni), however fifteen years ago this altercation would have been swept under the carpet after a few hours.
A defamatory communication is one that exposes a person to hatred, ridicule, or contempt, lowers him in the esteem of his fellows, causes him to be shunned, or injures him in his business or calling. Defamation can take the form of libel (published or broadcast communication) or slander (oral communication). " I think Bobby has a case! Maybe Jenni ought to apologize on her own before a judge orders her to apologize?
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Carlson_public_apology/
BTW, your hire of Jenni X amount years ago was well, a poor move on your part. Jenni's columns have always shown that she is incapable of writing anything intelegent or informative about any sport. This conclussion is based soley on my opinion and rummors so it must be factual.
You can argue that you have the right to comment on anything you please, and you're right. In fact the practice of writing controversial articles to generate interest is not only common but well demonstrated in the article in question. My point is that maybe we should simply say his play, or Robinson's play, led to the change at quarterback. What is the point in dengrading the courage or mental toughness of the young man. I'm simply dissappionted in adults and how they treat young adults under pressure. Selling newspapers just isn't that important.
MW, Edmond
You can argue that you have the right to comment on anything you please, and you're right. In fact the practice of writing controversial articles to generate interest is not only common but well demonstrated in the article in question. My point is that maybe we should simply say his play, or Robinson's play, led to the change at quarterback. What is the point in dengrading the courage or mental toughness of the young man. I'm simply dissappionted in adults and how they treat young adults under pressure. Selling newspapers just isn't that important.
Mike, Edmond
You can argue that you have the right to comment on anything you please, and you're right. In fact the practice of writing controversial articles to generate interest is not only common but well demonstrated in the article in question. My point is that maybe we should simply say his play, or Robinson's play, led to the change at quarterback. What is the point in dengrading the courage or mental toughness of the young man. I'm simply dissappionted in adults and how they treat young adults under pressure. Selling newspapers just isn't that important.
Mike, Edmond
Cajun Sooner
Eric, Portland, Oregon
(GO DUCKS!!!)
Someone said ( I'm not gonna say who )her mama said that you said that Jenni likes to hand feed you doughnuts ... a whole lot. I heard that you keep diggin' yourself deeper & deeper into a hole by defending her. Someone else said that your soon to be new boss ( thank goodness you're leaving OKC ) @ ESPN really thinks your cheap gossip will fit right in with their format. If you want to write a column, why don't you attack ESPN for their lousy game coverage. I knew OSU - TxTech was playing, but I kept hearing about Notre Dame & looking at Lou " Dead Man Walking " Holtz & wondering how the game was going. Oh, by the way, Coach is on the high ground. You guys at DOK's next move is to take your Krispy Kreme columnist & leave the state or give up your gossip sources - you loose.
For all of you journalistic experts, sports columns ARE opinion pieces, not "articles" per se. This is how it's always been.
Clearly, her article contained opinion, and she does not try to disguise them.
I'm not really defending her: she's a miserable writer. Then again, can you think of any great writers at the Oklahoman?
Ever read the book reviews? Food articles? News pieces? The paper is attrociously disappointing for a major city. Jenni is just a pimple on the face of a legacy of mediocre -- and often slanted -- journalism.
That being said, Gundy came off like a loon, a laughingstock, and he has garnered more publicity for Ms. Carlson than any of the tripe she has generated in her short career.
Jill, Oregon
Joe Ramsey
Our state needs sports coaches like Stoops and Gundy and doesn't need sports columnists like you and Ms Carlson. I'm an avid sports news reader and The Oklahoman subscriber but always look to the Dallas Morning News or Denver Post for sports articles. Most columns by you and her are pure speculations and not truthful reporting. This recent event is very sad. It just re-enforces me to look where else for news and I'm ashamed to be a subscriber. I'm a die hard Sooner fan and WAY TO GO GUNDY!
Do I want journalists to fear the potential reaction of their subjects (or their coach) when they sit in front of their laptops? No.
Thanks, Mike. Boomer Sooner.