ESPN host Rob Parker suspended after ‘cornball’ RGIII comments
theGRIO REPORT - ESPN has suspended Rob Parker until 'further notice', after comments he made Thursday concerning Robert Griffin III and what kind of 'brother' he is...
Friday, ESPN suspended Rob Parker after comments he made about Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III.
On ESPN 2’s sports debate show First Take, Parker question ‘what kind of brother’ Griffin was to fellow hosts Skip Bayless, Stephen A. Smith and Cari Champion.
The comments, which I described Thursday as “irresponsible,” led to widespread criticism on social media and several leading sports blogs.
Parker spent much of Thursday defending his remarks on Twitter.
The news of Parker’s suspension came via a tweet from Josh Krulewitz of ESPN’s communications department:
Update: "Following yesterday’s comments, Rob Parker has been suspended until further notice. We are conducting a full review."
— Josh Krulewitz (@jksports) December 14, 2012
This is not the first time Parker has been involved in something controversial.
In 2009, Parker resigned from the Detroit News following what many considered an inappropriate question to then-Lions head coach Rod Marinelli. Following the Lions fifteenth loss of an eventual win-less season in 2008, Parker asked Marinelli if he wished his daughter had “married a better defensive coordinator.” (Marinelli’s daughter was married to Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry.)
TheGrio: Rob Parker on RGIII – ‘Is he a brother or a cornball brother?’
USA TODAY notes that Parker was suspended from the Detroit News before the Marinelli incident after he wrongly reported then-Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins was “involved in a fight with members of the school’s hockey team.”
Cousins, who ironically is now RGIII’s back-up in Washington, was later found to be in church at the time of the fight.
In addition to his regular appearances on First Take, Parker is a columnist for ESPNNewYork.com and ClickOnDetroit.com.
Late Thursday, Parker remained confident there would be no disciplinary action taken. When a Twitter user sarcastically wished Parker “good luck” in his “next line of work,” Parker shot back:
“@RobertALoblaw: @RobParkerESPN Good luck in your next line of work!” Typical silly response. Watch me on First Take tomorrow and Sat.#pleze
— Rob Parker (@RobParkerFS1) December 13, 2012
ESPN is conducting a ‘full review’ of Parker’s comments.
Follow theGrio’s Todd Johnson on Twitter @rantoddj
