ESPN's Dana Jacobson Suspended Over Roast Remarks

photo courtesy of SI.com

Earlier this week, ESPN's Dana Jacobson (the co-host of the morning sports talk program "ESPN First Take") was suspended by the network for one week because of remarks she made at a January 11th roast for fellow ESPN personalities Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic (the hosts of "Mike and Mike In the Morning"). The suspension comes on the heels of criticism Jacobson received by several Catholic advocacy groups. According to reports, an inebriated Jacobson appeared on stage at the non-televised event drinking from a bottle of Belvedere Vodka and said "Fuck Notre Dame," "Fuck Touchdown Jesus," and "Fuck Jesus". Over the years, Jacobson (a University of Michigan alum) and Golic (a former footballer for Notre Dame) have exchanged digs about the rivalry between the two schools. According to The Press of Atlantic City, Greenberg and Golic rested their heads in their hands in embarrassment and comedian Eddie Griffin came to the podium to defend Jacobson after she was booed by the crowd. Although there reportedly is footage of the incident, it has yet to surface. Maybe the budding Spielberg is holding onto the footage until they get some money or possibly ESPN has the videotaped evidence and is squashing it... who knows?

After she received her enforced "vacation", Jacobson released the following statement:

"I am very sorry. My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words. I also deeply regret the embarrassment I have caused ESPN and Mike and Mike. My actions at the roast were inappropriate and in no way represent who I really am. I have personally apologized to many of the people involved. I won't make excuses for my behavior but do hope that I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment."

The Dana Jacobson incident comes less than a month after Kelly Tilghman was suspended by The Golf Channel for her remark that younger players should "lynch him in a back alley" in reference to Tiger Woods. In my opinion, the Jacobson controversy is slightly different. Her drunken comments, though ill-advised and not clever, were made at a roast and the point of these events is to hurl insults at the guest(s) of honor. As many of you know, the language at a roast can often be foul and vulgar.

I'm not saying that those who are offended by Jacobson's remarks about Jesus shouldn't be. Although her comments didn't offend me, that doesn't mean that others should feel the same way. However, I do wonder if the suspension of Dana Jacobson is an overreaction. What do you think?