12/21/24
January 20, 2011
Tom Jackson Should Stop Talking Now: After being called out by New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott in an epic post-game rant for picking the New England Patriots to win 30-10 last weekend, ESPN analyst Tom Jackson claimed in a radio interview, "I played a bit of a psychological game with the Jets. ... I wanted to further fuel and cement them in that bunker mentality of us against the world." Then he said later that wasn't true either. "I was shocked and stunned by Bart's comments, that they were directed at me," Jackson said. "So in an effort to make an excuse for the comments, I made comments I shouldn't have."
Or, as Pee Wee Herman said it much better, "I meant to do that."
posted by lil_brown_bat at 02:09 PM on January 20, 2011
It's been a while since I've watched ESPN, but I always used to like Tom Jackson, mainly because if he was talking, Berman wasn't. I guess even if this is kind of a jackass move, I'd still rather hear him than Berman.
posted by cobra! at 02:20 PM on January 20, 2011
but I always used to like Tom Jackson, mainly because if he was talking, Berman wasn't.
Yes! Compared to Berman, Jackson comes off as a cross between Vince Lombardi and Einstein.
posted by cjets at 03:20 PM on January 20, 2011
I attribute part of it to post-traumatic stress. If Dan Reeves halfway knew how to game plan a Super Bowl and field an effective big game offense, Jackson wouldn't be having these types of issues today.
posted by beaverboard at 03:40 PM on January 20, 2011
These TV analysts take themselves FAR too seriously, which is why I seldom even turn them on anymore. When I have watched ESPNs pregame show, though, it seems Jackson has had a much-less cordial attitude than he once had. Maybe it's just me, but he seems more confrontational (and borderline angry) when he gets into discussions, even with other members of the show, than he was in previous years. Maybe that's what ESPN has told him they want to see, but this story made me wonder.
posted by dyams at 03:53 PM on January 20, 2011
much-less cordial attitude than he once had. Maybe it's just me, but he seems more confrontational (and borderline angry) when he gets into discussions
Agreed. On the other hand, if you had to work with Mike Ditka, Cris Carter and Berman on a regular basis, it might knock some of the smile out of you too.
posted by yerfatma at 05:19 PM on January 20, 2011
Berman: Should have drifted into the sunset (at least) 20 years ago. Although not having to do with football, he has made the annual MLB Home Run Derby "Must-Watch-With-The-Sound-Off" TV.
Ditka: The only time I really liked him was on the soccer movie "Kicking & Screaming." He was actually pretty funny in that movie, which was actually a decent movie. But nobody could possibly like Ditka more than Mike Ditka.
Cris Carter: All I can say is, "Why all these former-receivers-turned-analysts?" Am I missing something? I need someone to explain to me why pass catchers are on all these shows. Sterling Sharpe, Keyshawn Johnson, Michael Irvin, and the horrible, pain-inducing Shannon Sharpe, to name a few.
So, yes, I can understand why Jackson has developed a bad attitude.
posted by dyams at 08:41 PM on January 20, 2011
Why should Jackson care what Bart Scott thinks of his prediction? I thought his radio interview comments were kind of an ironic joke while admitting that he guessed wrong about the score. Why make an excuse for your comments, man?
posted by bluesdog at 08:09 AM on January 21, 2011
He's since backtracked and said he actually *meant* this prediction and only came up with that "psychological ploy" excuse because he was embarrassed at being called out. He now admits he believed the Pats would blow out the Jets.
I think he realized he was fast becoming a joke.
posted by bdaddy at 10:05 AM on January 21, 2011
He wasn't a joke until he made the excuse. How can you be in the professional gasbagging business and be so sensitive when one of your bold predictions doesn't come true?
Bart Scott's epic rant is funny, but playing the Respect card is tedious.
I'd think Jackson would have developed comfort with being wrong a long time ago. I've left a voluminous trail on SportsFilter of strongly worded opinions that were proven wrong by events. Do I hang my head in shame, no matter how much I should? Hell no!
"If you don't know how to pronounce a word, say it loud! Why combine ignorance with inaudibility?" -- Strunk and White
posted by rcade at 11:21 AM on January 21, 2011
Bart Scott's epic rant is funny, but playing the Respect card is tedious.
The "See you in Pittsburgh." "CAN'T WAIT!" is awesome.
posted by grum@work at 11:30 AM on January 21, 2011
but playing the Respect card is tedious
I'm yawning all the way to the AFC Championship game.
Can't wait, indeed!
posted by cjets at 03:15 PM on January 21, 2011
"The Patriots hate their coach right now." - Tom Jackson, 2003.