Loading ...A Visit to the Mound: Erin Andrews
Though the AlmostAthletes take pride in writing our own columns, with a specific flair that sets us apart from each other, sometimes it’s necessary to put our collective heads together to discuss some burning issue of national importance. Our periodic “A Visit to the Mound” segment begins with a look at the unfortunate scenario that has befallen ESPN sideline reporter, Erin Andrews.
ESPN reporter Erin Andrews recently celebrated her 31st birthday this past May, maybe her crew decided to give her the best birthday gift ever...a peephole video.
Dave: The release of a “peeping tom” video that violated the privacy of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews – by exposing her in the nude – has been a touchy subject over the past week and rightfully so. Andrews, ESPN, and the media are obviously upset with this little “show” and ESPN and their legal team have done everything they possibly can to remove this video from the internet completely…a task that is easier said than done. In my opinion, this was not only a disturbing act of privacy invasion for Ms. Andrews, but pretty much the end of her career. This is a woman who has made a living for herself by interviewing professional athletes (mostly men) and college athletes (mostly men), so how could she possibly continue her career after something like this has happened?
Brian: The logistics of this thing are so bizarre. (1) How did this guy figure out that Andrews was there (2) How did he guarantee he’d get a full five minutes of footage from behind a peephole (3) How does the person who filmed this benefit from this other than through self indulgent giggles when he hears or reads about it (4) Doesn’t this create a windfall of copy cats and/or staged facsimiles?
Sieck: Well, people are starting to allege that it was someone at ESPN on her broadcast team. How else would one get that kind of access? The guy benefits because he gets to see Erin Andrews naked. There are a lot of perverts out there. This kind of thing happens all the time. So yes, there undoubtedly will be a ton of “copycats” as you say. I’m guessing he probably also didn’t like her, so maybe a revenge factor? Maybe she wouldn’t hang out with him or laugh at his jokes. Who knows? The guy is a weirdo. While no one can condone what was done to her, she will have to suck it up, put on her big girl pants, and act like a professional. By the way, she also needs to stop crying because this will be the greatest thing that ever happened to Erin Andrews. I completely didn’t care about her a week ago, and I’m certainly talking about her now.
B: I have to agree with Dave here. I listened to 950 ESPN radio for the past couple of days and every pundit is in agreement that there’s not much she can do from now on. It’s not like she’s Lindsay Lohan and this sort of thing happens on a monthly basis. Her violation won’t lead to better sideline reporting or any sort of advancement at ESPN. I understand that our culture is disturbingly short-sighted (MJ, Manny, etc.) but this is completely foreign territory for Andrews and ESPN whose Disney affiliation makes the sordidness even worse.
S: Even if she can’t continue as a sideline reporter (and we all know this is an extremely important job, probably more than a doctor or judge) she will become a huge star and land something much better. We’re not talking about a politician here guys; it’s Erin Andrews. I can’t wait until the Playboy offers come pouring in. Besides, who’s to say she didn’t put the footage out herself? I can almost guarantee that’s been done before.
D: I have a strong feeling she did not put that out herself for the simple fact that if she wanted to do Playboy, she could just do it. She didn’t need a video like this “leaked” to get Playboy’s attention to see how attractive she is. It’s just a shame because she is good at what she does. She is the most respected female in the sports media business because she is so knowledgeable, talented, and she’s is very, very easy on the eyes. This video ruins her; no matter who made the video, her career is still over. There is no way she can go back to sideline reporting, especially with college kids – which she was best at – who have all done nothing but search for this video over the past two weeks. The other day a story ran in the L.A. Times saying that she and her lawyers expected hits and searches to go down, but all they have done is gone up. Every time someone gets interviewed it’s going to go something like, “Yea, they blitzed from the weak side, but I just stepped up and found the open receiver and…you look good naked!” and then the kid has a big laugh with the rest of his teammates who are celebrating in the knowledge that they have seen the video too. Check out this video of USC Trojans LB Rey Maualuga attempting to grind on Andrews, and who knows how often stuff like this happened…and this before college kids got to see her naked.
"Ugh...I wonder how many people in here have seen that video of me..."
B: That’s a good point, Dave. You know most college football players aren’t as devout and respectful as Tim Tebow, and there’s bound to be one who, even if he doesn’t say anything directly, will make a veiled remark or simply eye her up and down while he’s talking to her. But Sieck’s point is well taken too in that, again, we’re a very forgiving society, so I’m sure she’ll find a way to cash in on this. I hadn’t heard that she may have leaked it herself but it makes total sense. While she seems approachable and affable on air, I’m sure she’s constantly fending off wackos, interns, athletes, etc. I wonder what kind of jail time this kind of crime would command. I’m sitting here trying to think about what she can do next. Dancing With the Stars? Reality shows? Her own interview show? I just can’t envision a scenario in which she’s holding a phallic microphone in front of Colt McCoy and 60,000 screaming college kids.
S: Yeah, but I’m not just talking about Playboy. She could have leaked it to get EVERYONE’S attention. And you never know, maybe this is her “out” to do whatever she wants. I’m sure there are a bunch of rules and nonsense regulations working for ESPN, let alone the set of rules that come with being a journalist. Maybe she wanted to spread her wings. You never know what is in peoples’ heads. Look, I’m not saying she definitely leaked it, I’m just saying she could make it work for her. And as far as her being good at what she does…I guess that’s fair enough, but I usually go get a beer when they flash to the sideline reporters. And as far as college kids being fresh with her during interviews…I don’t see it happening. If it did, there would be punishment, and part of being a professional reporter is being able to deal with unruly athletes sometimes. She’ll have to suck it up, buttercup.
I love how she does squat thrusts as she’s doing her hair!!!
Dave and I can both agree on two things: we both liked the video and we both felt a little dirty and disappointed in ourselves after watching it.
loved the video! have a feeling u did to dave