You guys probably think I'm going to side with the writer here. In principle, I do, but The Oklahoman columnist Jenni Carlson went a few places I wouldn't go to form an opinion questioning Okie State quarterback Bobby Reid's toughness and character.
"If you believe the rumors and the rumblings . . ." I'm going to trust the editors here. The Oklahoman is a trusted newspaper that wouldn't let me in the door. This is the same as citing "sources," so you have to trust that the editors knew and were satisfied with the sources.
"Tile up the back stories told on the sly over the past few years, and you see a pattern that hasn't always been pretty." Again, trust the editors. "Stories on the sly" would be a tough sell at a lot of newspapers. So, the Oklahoman editors probably knew where those stories came from and were satisified with the credibility.
"Word is that Reid has considered transferring a couple different times . . ." I'm sure this is true. Again, a columnist or reporter doesn't go there without something solid to back it up. But this type of language leaves the column open to the kind of tirade Mike Gundy laid down. A cited source would've given Gundy no leg to stand on.
Gundy obviously had an agenda. And "the fat kid" reference was way over the top. Will Jim Carrey play Mike Gundy in the movie? I wonder if Bobby Knight called with a congratulations? I think Gundy did a disservice to his team and Okie State's fans by ranting and leaving without a word on what probably was his biggest win at OSU. It was quintessential grandstanding.
Yesterday, Carlson asked Gundy what was wrong and what were his specific beefs with the column, which he said was "three-fourths inaccurate." Yeah, no answer was forthcoming. Way to back it up, Mike. You register very high on the boob-o-meter.
I've been on the receiving end of a few of these. A couple of times, I've deserved it. I talked to the party and we resolved it, mostly gentlemanly and never in front of cameras. Well, once in front of the cameras. The college football attitude toward the press is "necessary evil." I'm OK with that. We're never going to be drinking buddies but as long as there is respect, that's fine. But darn it, Kirk, can you give us a redshirt freshman or two?
OK, I'm probably universally hated for breaking down that column. The sports journalist creedo is very protective. We all have each others' backs. I'm just coming at you with what goes into my thinking, not questioning theirs. I don't know what went into the planning. Like I said, I'm sure the editors knew about and were satisfied with the sources. I just don't like to leave myself open.