What's Wrong With This Picture?
The NFL playoffs are an extremely big deal in America. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Even politicians understand the importance of the games, and will often incorporate their love for the local team into a plank of their political platform. For the most part, however, they understand the delicate balance of factors that goes into the enjoyment of the season and therefore realize that, like religion, it's a subject to stay away from.
This is the busy season for Mafia bookies, Las Vegas bet handlers and degenerate gamblers everywhere, a time of the year that arouses the rooting spirits of even the most casual of football fans. For that reason alone, it is important to keep the purity of the games intact, free from outside influences or inside troublemakers.
Long ago, I heard an unfortunate statistic that I'm sure still applies thanks to the ever-increasing frenzy of rabid fans who become involved in the enthusiasm of the season. The stat? More women are beaten by their husbands during the playoffs than at any other time of the year. I'm not sure where I heard it, but it doesn't surprise me. As disgusting as it is, it just goes to show how seriously men -- and women -- take this time of the year.
At my house, the games are watched on a high-definition 1080i big-screen television with a laptop nearby to stream a steady flow of live statistics. A tall glass of rum is typically in my left hand, while a universal remote, with all the knobs and switches necessary to controlling my football-watching environment, is nestled comfortably in my right hand.
Last night was no different as I settled in to watch the Arizona Cardinals slowly dismantle the Atlanta Falcons at their home field in Phoenix. The first half was excellent.
And then the mood darkened.
There, in my house and on my television screen, an eerie spectre of the 2008 presidential election reared his ugly head, a big toothy grin on his face and a smug sense of satisfaction glistening in his beady little eyes.
I had forgotten about him. I had purposely not watched any halftime shows on NBC this year, because of this little freak's infestation of the program. I like Tiki Barber, I like Peter King, Bob Costas and Andrea Kremer. It's a sin, actually, because I find all their commentary extremely insightful.
So, why the producers of "Football Night in America" would choose to wreck an otherwise excellent night of football by allowing MSNBC's liberal commentator Keith Olbermann to break up the party is beyond me. He's a political commentator. His knowledge of football is considerably less than mine, yet here he is in all his pretentious splendor.
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I have two great loves in this world besides my wife. I love football, and I love politics. That does not mean, however, that I want those two worlds to collide. This is no novelty either, and it's not just because of Olbermann (although what conservative could blame me if it was).
When ESPN had the bright idea to make Rush Limbaugh one of their commentators, the entire event lasted for about 10 minutes (one broadcast, I think). Limbaugh foolishly tried to racialize the game, a big no-no in football, and was shown the door. I was against it then and I'm against it now.
When Olbermann first started showing up on NBC's halftime show, I was only mildly annoyed. But after watching his disgusting commentary on MSNBC (who can forget his laugh-fest with Michael Moore at the potential carnage Hurricane Gustav was threatening to wreak on the Republican National Convention), I cannot stand him.
Olbermann is an arrogant pig and his presence on NBC's "Football Night in America" is a constant affront to conservatives everywhere who watch the NFL. He is the show's only weak spot -- its hemorrhoid, if you will -- and a reminder of all that was wrong with the 2008 presidential campaign. As much as I enjoy watching the NFL, seeing Olbermann at halftime reminds me that I'm watching a network that showered negative coverage on John McCain's presidential campaign (more than 70 percent of NBC's "news" stories were negative according to one media research study).
At this time last year, I lauded FOX-TV for encouraging people to get involved in the political process. They held a get-out-the-vote drive during the playoffs, and it was something I could get behind. The difference, however, is that they were not shamelessly shilling for a particular candidate the way Olbermann was in the fall.
I'd be willing to forgive NBC if they dropped Olbermann from their football programming next year ... but I cannot forgive Olbermann. I'm told Olbermann's "Worst Person in America" schtick has been retired, but who cares? Just knowing he's out there in the football world makes my blood boil.
As a Philadelphia Eagles fan, I had the luxury this season of boycotting several NBC games solely because of Olbermann. Unfortunately, that's not an option during the playoffs, and so, with apologies to King, Costas, Kremer and Barber, I must boycott the network's halftime show next week (just as I did this week), and I urge every conservative with a conscience to do the same.
Photo © Evan Agostini/Getty Images
Comments
I agree. A few weeks back, he was commenting on a play by a player named Bush. He brought politics into the picture through inflection, a long drawn out enunciation of the word. Not helpful nor welcome.
Notice that they seat him on the far left?
Once again more Conservative drivel from someone. I know Obama won the election and you are sad, and in many ways Olbermann helped that. Its ok the Liberals will be in change for the next 8 years and voice like Olbermann will drown out your network of choice Fox News af hopefully shut up Hannity and O’Reilly. Right MikeC, now you and Ashley go cry in you pillow together.
The only thing wrong with the picture is Dan Patrick is not in it, not to mention Chris Collingsworth. I hope Olbermann continues on the halftime and pre-game report for years to come.
And as far as boycotts go, I haven’t watched Fox News for 5 years.
Mr. Quinn, you need to do your homework. Keith Olbermann has only lately become a political commentator. Before that he did straight news; but for most of his career he’s been writing and reporting about sports. In fact, his involvement with sports news is nearly unbroken since the 1980s, when he began to be recognized for his work in sports with numerous awards. Even his Wikipedia entry begins, “Keith Olbermann (born January 27, 1959) is an American sportscaster, news anchor, and political commentator. Note the order of priority, which is very different from the way those who see everything in terms of politics view him.
You’ve got to be kidding me. Olbermann has more than a decade of national television sports reporting under his belt. What are your credentials? You never watched Fox Sports or ESPN in prime time during the ’90s? There was a reason he was one of ESPN’s highest paid sportscasters. You make what? Doing what? You display an amateur side when you take on someone as intelligent and eloquent as Keith Olbermann. Even Bill O’Reilly is afraid of Keith.
Thank You for clearly expressing what has been bothering me all year. Just as yesterday’s half-time show should have been something worth watching, Football Night in America could have been something enjoyable and informative after a long day of NFL football but I could not bring myself to watch any part of it as long as that pompous idiot was on the screen. How can NBC be so ignorant to combine politics with my personal down time and think I would not mind? I found ESPN’s Sunday night recap show worth watching although with the exception of the hemorrhoid I enjoy NBC’s talent more.
Keith Olbermann for the first Secretary of the Ministry of Information.
http://www.izerc.com/?p=196
Olbermann’s fradulent journalism, lies and hypocrisy have been well-documented at Olbermann Watch and Newsbusters. And Bill O’Reilly is not afraid of Olbermann; he kicks his butt almost every night in the ratings. And thousands of conservatives would say all that to his face on his show if ever given the chance, but Olbermann is too cowardly to ever debate anybody.
When halftime comes on, I immediately grab the remote. I would rather watch Food Network for 15 minutes.
Where Olbermann raises his ugly head, I won’t be watching. The few moments I have been caught away from my remote when he appeared on screen, it seemed the others were ignoring him. It was like he was the ugly-fat kid who tried to be part of the cool crowd. (IMHO they could drop Bob Costas too)
He must have some naughty pictures of an NBC exec because there is no other way to explain how he got or keeps his job.
I don’t care how much experience Olbermann has as a sportscaster. That’s not his schtick now, and I don’t want a guy who bashes conservatives and/or the GOP at every turn injecting that stuff into football coverage. As another commenter said, I watch football to get AWAY from the news and politics, for cripe’s sake.
Limbaugh was an awful fit on ESPN; likewise is Olbermann on NBC.
As far as I’m concerned, this isn’t about liberalism or conservatism; it’s about the separation or politics and sports. I watch sports to get away from politics. If I wanted politics infused into my entertainment I’ll watch the Academy Awards or the Grammys.
Keith Olbermann is a jerk and has been for years. Because he was a sports guy years ago, doesn’t make him an expert. He can’t get along with anyone for very long. Check his social and his employment record. The man has serious issues with other people, honesty, truthfulness and his own ego.
Bob Costas is another Officious Jerk (in the words of Marv Levy). Chris Collingsworth needs to keep his mouth shut. I actually like John Madden, though.
Who doesnt like John Madden cant say that for Bob Costas
Luck and the fact that Immelt (GE) & NBC are partisan, or the ratings could bring KO’s doom.
Some times they just keep floating and won’t go down.
Olberman is a gasbag. Politics should stay out of sports, period.
However, here is the snopes entry regarding that “myth” about Superbowl Sunday:
http://www.snopes.com/crime/statistics/superbowl.asp
There is no documented evidence this myth has any truth to it.
Olbermann is just insufferable in any medium. The man is filled with hate to the point that over half the nation are sickened to see his face during “Football Night”. His only appeal is to the lefty progressives (dailykos etc.) which are minuscule audience to pander to. Thus, goodbye audience and sponsors.
Olbermann is brilliant, articulate, and on the right side of every issue, so it’s understandable that you can’t stand him. Maybe you need to get a dictionary….and some common sense