Being a reporter can be a tough gig at times. Push the wrong buttons and tempers can flare. Being personally attacked as insults fly at your face is not an uncommon occurrence in the sporting world.
Just ask Jeremy Fowler.
Wednesday afternoon, Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer targeted the Orlando Sentinel sports reporter about a story Fowler had written two days prior.
Fowler wrote about the post-Tim Tebow era of Gators football and used a quote from Gators wide-out Deonte Thompson in the article.
"You never know with Tim," Thompson said. "You can bolt, you think he's running but he'll come up and pass it to you. You just have to be ready at all times. With Brantley, everything's with rhythm, time. You know what I mean, a real quarterback."
Thompson's words sent Meyer into a post-practice assault of Fowler in front of his peers because the reporter used an actual quote from one of his players.
The reporter didn't misquote the receiver, nor did he write something that was fictional. Meyer outright threatened the reporter because he simply didn't appreciate any negative comments about his prize possession in Tebow.
As a reporter covering Division I athletics here at UB, this situation hits close to home for me. Meyer's actions enforce a dangerous precedent when it comes to the relationship between the media and coaches across the country.
I can understand a coach's anger if a reporter puts words in his or her mouth or publishes fictional information. But to embarrass and talk down to a reporter because he or she reported a factual quote is uncalled for.
Maybe if Meyer stepped back and removed the emotion from the situation, he would realize how ridiculous he sounds. Maybe if he did that, he would walk over to the locker of his wide receiver and call him out for the quote he gave that reporter.
I'm not sure of Thompson's intent. No matter if he blatantly meant to insult his former quarterback or his quote was taken out of context, questions are going to arise regardless of the intent.
Fowler didn't do anything wrong in this whole situation – except fail to ask for Meyer's permission to write the story. Oh wait, it would be unethical for a journalist to allow pressure from outside sources to influence news coverage.
Meyer wasn't done after simply calling Fowler out and threatening his access to Florida practices either. He then proceeded to call Fowler "a bad guy" and continued to scold the reporter.
He even implied that he would resort to physical violence if Thompson were his son, stating, "If that was my son, we'd be going at it right now."
It makes no sense for Meyer to stand up for Thompson, as he is the one who commented on Tebow and probably maintains that viewpoint. Meyer can't ignore anything negative about Tebow, who he held in the highest regard during his time at Florida.
Thompson was, after all, commenting on how good the new quarterback, John Brantley, is going to be. Shouldn't Meyer be excited that his star receiver is developing a good relationship with his new gunslinger?
The bottom line is that Meyer was out of line and unless he comes out and publically apologizes for his behavior, his image will forever be tarnished to me.
Tebow is the pride and joy in Gainesville, I get it. But at some point, fans, teammates and even you, Urban, have to move on. Tebow is going to the NFL and not looking in the rearview mirror. It's time for everyone to do the same.
But hey, what do I know? I'm just a reporter.
E-mail: matthew.parrino@ubspectrum.com
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