We get it fellas…having an attractive woman talk about football is hot.
Your enthusiasm became overwhelmingly evident when you gave repeated website visits to the midriff baring Fantasy Sports Girls, who rattled off in monotone NFL tidbits of the week. Their mundane ramblings even earned them a spot as regular contributors to the once highly respected FanHouse. It’s a feat we fully-clothed female bloggers wouldn’t dare dream of.
If you’ve ever frequented the official Erin Andrews gossip site a.k.a Deadspin, you could probably burn a full workday and you still wouldn’t get through half the Andrews related posts, butt shots and side-boob references. Oh and lest we forget the oh-so-insightful commentary that typically follows each post, like this intellectual gem: “Look at the funbags on that hosehound.” Andrews, an ESPN reporter who is often referred to by the site as “The Sideline Princess”, is probably more closely followed than Kobe, T.O. and A-rod combined. And hey, we get it. Sexy sells…boys will be boys. But is it possible that this constant desire to minimize female sports reporters, (you know, the ones who actually intend to be taken seriously), to microphone swallowing pin-ups is crossing the line from irksome and disrespectful to downright dangerous?
News that Andrews was the victim of video voyeurism in her hotel room suggests that maybe, just maybe, it’s time we lay off the sideline skirt scoping, if only for a moment, and let these ladies actually do their jobs. According to the latest reports, the pervy predator who secretly taped Andrews is trying to hock the video to the highest bidder; a get rich quick scheme apparently too sleazy for even TMZ to consider. While there’s no official word on what the video shows, the peephole camera is rumored to have picked up shots of Erin changing clothes in her room. It’s not a prank or a scandal. It’s a little something we like to call sexual assault and despite efforts by some bloggers to make light of the situation, it’s not a laughing matter.
Our website’s no stranger to ogling hotties. Give us a few shirtless shots of Terrell Owens or Reggie Bush and we’ll give you a story that’s long on pictures and short on words. And we see nothing wrong with celebrating a woman’s beauty, regardless of her profession. What’s disturbing is the near obsessive fascination with reporters like Andrews, NASCAR reporter Krista Voda, and Fox Sports’ Charissa Thompson. Hell, Erin Andrews couldn’t even eat a sandwich without it becoming the top story on the biggest sports blogs in the country. And while the media and bloggers can’t be blamed for some scum-bag’s decision to secretly tape a reporter in her room, scum-bag certainly wouldn’t have taken the risk had their not been a market for it. According to ABC News, searches for the video topped Google’s list of most searched items shortly after the news broke. And to think, we girls are the ones accused of watching sports for all the wrong reasons….
There needs to be some level of responsibility with regard to how these women are perpetually objectified by their “sports reporting” colleagues. What if we limited it to say, 1 closeup shot of Erin Andrews in a sweater every other Brett Favre retirement update? After all, while Andrews may be known for her snug sweaters and V-neck tops, her fashion statements in no way scream “look at me, don’t listen to me” as say…a girl wearing Daisy Dukes and a halter top while reading the weekly NFL injury report. And you know what, not even that kind of blatant reliance on sexuality for notoriety merits what Andrews was subjected to in her hotel room.
Seriously, enough is enough.
Be sure to tune into the Ellen Show today to see if I can beat those other "so-called" Ultimate fans and make my Super Bowl dreams come true!!!
The person who did this to Erin should go to jail. No doubt about it. But let’s not pretend that this was unexpected and that it is not a price Erin just may have to pay. Please do not pretend that her looks did not get her that job. Yes she is qualified. But so are thousands of men and women around the country who do not look like here. Let’s not pretend that her looks don;t increase her salary demands immensely. I tire of hearing Athletes, Actors and TV personalities constantly complain about their lack of privacy. I have news for you. THE REASON YOU MAKE SO MUCH MONEY IS BECAUSE PEOPLE WANT TO SEE YOU. If people were not interested in your life you wouldnot be worth the money. If you dont; want the attention then go be an Accountant.
So this is to say you can’t be attractive and qualified? What a double standard! Do we automatically assume that attractive male sportscasters get hired basked on their looks? And this isn’t about just getting attention. When you’re in the public eye, it’s assumed you’ll get attention. But should we really just say “it’s an expected price to pay” that someone weirdo would drill a hole into a hotel room to get images of Erin Andrews naked to satisfy the horny blog world? That’s disgusting. And the notion that our our society should find that in some way acceptable or expected is even more disturbing than the act itself.
Sex sells. Right or wrong, it does not matter. As bad as it sounds – were it not for her appearance – she would just be another name in a long list of forgettable sideline female reporters that typically bring nothing newsworthy to a broadcast. While Erin Andrews is a “decent” sideline reporter, don’t make her out to be Woodward or Bernstein. Guys sitting around watching football wouldn’t even pay attention to the sideline reporter if she weren’t hot. That being said, whoever taped this video should pay the maximum penalty. He violated her privacy and took something from her that she can never regain. Regardless of how I (or most all guys for that matter) feel about her “reporting” — this situation is deplorable.
As a female sports fan, I love seeing Erin on the sidelines at sporting events. Young, attractive, fresh, fun and intelligent, she delivers her reports with enthusiasm and education. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for her to gain respect in such a testosterone-fueled industry, so what a devastating incident for her.
I agree that enough is enough, but way to contradict yourself with the picture of her eating a sandwich.
Erin wouldn’t be as successful if she didn’t look like she does, but then the same could probably be said for Howie Long. People on camera should look good.
Unfortunately, some of the fan reaction to this situation is giving me PTSD-like flashbacks to my worst Colorado Buffalo alumni moment– when ex-coach Barnett responded to allegations that a female placekicker had been sexually assaulted by another member of the football team by saying that she wasn’t a good kicker anyway.
fjm, if Erin Andrews wanted to pose for Playboy and make $$$ of it, I have no problem with it. But here we have a clear case of invasion of privacy and yes, sexual assault. What was done to her was illegal. Would you also say an attractive woman should expect to get raped because, well she made herself attractive to men? Maybe female sports reporters should wear burkas.
@nole_fl-I never said she needs to get an Emmy but I also think she’s got enough talent not to be lumped into the category of cute blonde talking head. A lot of her job is personality, and she’s got loads of it. How many male reporters would you consider woodward & bernstein? Unless we’re grading on a curve, not a lot….not by a long shot. So let’s not judge Erin by a different set of journalistic standards just b/c she’s cute.
@ sports satire-hmmm…I’m thinking not everyone lives and dies by reading sports by brooks and mr. irrelevant everyday. I think part of proving my point is giving folks a clue of what I’m actually taking about when i reference a specific picture. but that’s just my take on it
@ bucs chick- so true about howie long…or rod woodson…or a crap load of the other male sports reporters who don’t get hired so much based on talent but on appeal.
women are hypocrites plan and simple. the double talk out your mouthes is astounding. only thing more astounding is that you cant see your own hypocricy. Life treats the way your treated for a reason it does not happen for NO reason dumbass
oh larry, you’re so profound. since your spelling indicates you have the equivalent of a 3rd grade education, i’ll just let this one slide…