What should happen to ESPN's Dana Jacobson?
By now, you've likely heard about the "First Take" co-host's drunken rant at a January 11 roast for ESPN colleagues Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic. Jacobson, it appears, got carried away in denigrating Golic's alma mater, Notre Dame, and dropped F-bombs on the school, Touchdown Jesus (the famous mural on Notre Dame's campus), and Jesus himself.
Groups like the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, the Catholic League, and the Christian Defense Coalition have been quick to point out the offensiveness of the statement, comparing it to bigoted statements about Jews, Muslims, or African Americans. While ESPN suspended Jacobson for a week, the Christian Defense Coalition's director, the Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, called for more. "Her comments are so outrageous and inflammatory that the only proper response for ESPN is to immediately release her," said Mahoney. "Suspension is simply not enough and sends a message that ESPN tolerates this kind of behavior and speech."
Personally, I can't see that firing Jacobson accomplishes much, besides showing that Christians can flex their muscles and get people fired just as well as any other group. "Bless those who persecute you," Paul writes in Romans 12:14, "bless and do not curse." As followers of Christ, we'd be better served by an ESPN-arranged meeting between Jacobson and a group of local pastors. She could apologize in person - something she's already done in a prepared statement - and they could explain, with grace and understanding, why they accept her apology in the name of the one she denigrated.
But all that is less important, to my mind, than an issue raised indirectly by the Chicago Tribune's Manya Brachear. She wrote yesterday on her blog, The Seeker: "Jacobson works for a sports channel, and sports rivalries can get heated. Should she have restrained herself? Or, when you're up against a religious institution, is their chief sponsor fair game?"
That Jesus, or any religious figure, can be treated as part of the hype and hysteria surrounding a sports team - something like the Dallas Cowboys' cheerleaders or Duke's Cameron Crazies - indicates something unbalanced about our country's sports obsession. This is an obsession I share, so I am speaking as much to myself here as to anyone else. In CT's September 2007 cover story, "Why We Love Football," Eric Miller pointed out that sports can become a channel of common grace, of community and fellowship and shared dreams. Yet he also noted the ever-present temptation of fans to worship the teams they follow.
John Calvin wrote that "the human heart is a factory of idols." The last time I checked, taking the Lord's name in vain was a sin, a breaking of the Third Commandment. But so, too, is having any other gods before the one true God, the subject of the First Commandment. The underlying issue in Jacobson's curse wasn't blasphemy, but idolatry. In that failing, she certainly isn't alone.
Posted by Madison Trammel on January 24, 2008 3:04PM
Comments
"By now, you’ve likely heard ..."
Well, no, and I have no idea who this lady is, but it is so refreshing to see a Christian commentary on such a situation.
Would that Chirstians remembered Jesus' words in ALL predicaments.
Posted by: Michael Snow at January 25, 2008
First of all, I don't think Ms. Jacobsen should be fired because she said something stupid under the influence. If the media were being consistent then she should be fired just like Don Imus and Jimmy the Greek were. I do take offense at the notion that demeaning christians and the christian faith is less heinous than demeaning blacks jews, muslims, etc. In the culture of "tolerance" it appears that some people are more equal than others.
I agree with the idea of idolatry. However, when someone states in a public fourm (even though they are drunk as a skunk) "F*** Jesus" that sounds like blasphemy to me.
Posted by: Steve at January 25, 2008
Math 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
Thank you Lord for your Word and thank you Madison for reminding us of who we are in Christ.
Posted by: Darrell at January 25, 2008
The ESPN commentator will have a moment to honor Jesus' name voluntarily or involuntarily. The name of Jesus is the name above every name and every knee will bow and confess him as Lord. As believers we must say "Father forgive her for she know not what she do". Also if we say "hallelujah" every time someone takes the Lord's name in vain-the world will fill up with more praises and stop the tongues of the profanity users. PRAISING GOD above the cussing WORKS!!! After hearing a Dad call out Jesus' name during a basketball game, I told him Jesus answered him each time, but he said nothing past calling Jesus name. The Dad thought for a moment and laughed to himself, but he didn't call Jesus name again in vain. We must not forget how far we all have come under God's grace.
Posted by: "Joyful" Jannell at January 25, 2008
If she had said $%# Wilburforce University %^$^& the statue Wilburfoce has of Martin Luther King and oh btw %^$& Martin Luther King" she would be fired and heading to the Peru mountains for safety.....and everybody would be just fine with that. But since its the usual Catholic bashing its the Catholics who are at fault here. Give me a break.
Posted by: Pete V at January 25, 2008
I am amused at aticles that state "in a prepared statement" such as was said about Jacobsons apology for comments she made.It always reminds me of the words,often times used when politcians make a blunder in a speech, and one or two or more of his/her writers make up a "apology" that sounds good but might not reflect his/her true feelings. It's been that way for many years so I don't look for any changes. Goofs will be Goofs so I guess we will have to live with them.
Posted by: Kenn DVIS at January 25, 2008
We give Dana's apology a pretty low score.
Posted by: Peter at January 28, 2008
A week off because of that comment - shame on them. Imis, a morning host for many years was fired recently because he made comments about some African American girl basketball players. It is always unfair when it comes to Jesus. Remember the comic about the head tunic and the entire Moslem community was up in arms. But all I can say is, I am so glad I have my Jesus and I pray for the others who find it funny to make fun of Him
Posted by: betty at February 19, 2008
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