(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Here is a "transcript" of ESPN's Pat Forde answering questions of flagrant bias from a panel of concerned reporters.
Q: Mr. Forde. Wouldn't journalistic ethics dictate that any articles written by you regarding John Calipari include a disclaimer that you recently co-authored a book with Louisville head coach Rick Pitino?
Pat Forde: Certainly not. Coach Pitino and Coach Calipari are cordial with one another and both have respect for each other's accomplishments.
Q: They have spoken cordially of each other in public but it is well documented that their public stance may be different than their private feelings towards each other. How do you respond to that?
PF: So what. Just because I know the truth doesn't mean I have to write it. This is America, the constitution gives us the freedom of speech to lie in the first amendment.
Q: In a recent article you authored for ESPN.COM, you questioned John Calipari's "willingness to recruit actual college students." Now I wasn't able to find a copy of the book you wrote with Coach Pitino considering how poorly the book is selling, but surely you wrote about several "actual college students" who have played for Louisville and Kentucky while Rick Pitino was head coach, or who have committed to Pitino's teams.
PF: Who are you referring to?
Q: Sebastian Telfair, Jeremy Tyler, Derrick Caracter, Ron Mercer, Antoine Walker, just to name a few.
PF: Ron Mercer and Antoine Walker both played two years for Kentucky. Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans played one year at Memphis.
Q: So that's how deep your childish attitude goes. You're willing to split hairs over players who attended college for seven months versus players who attended college for 19 months, and ignore the fact that your buddy has recruited several players who have had short stays in college while criticizing someone else you don't like for doing the same thing?
PF: Yes. Yes I am.
Q: But aren't you aware that the life expectancy in this country is over 80 years old, and that an extra 12 months in the grand scheme of things really isn't that big of a deal in anybody's life, student athlete or not?
PF: To a reasonable person, 12 months is not that long. But for a sportswriter with an agenda like me, I need to take any angle I can find!
Q: Getting back to the original question regarding academics and what you referred to as "Calipari's willingness to recruit actual college students." While some players like Rose and Evans only stayed at Memphis for one year, others have stayed for much longer. Recently, four Memphis seniors: Antonio Anderson, Shawn Taggart, Chance McGrady, and Robert Dozier, all graduated from the University of Memphis. Wouldn't they constitute real college students?
PF: Technically, yes. But let me explain what writers like me do when they want to advance their vendettas. If players leave early for the NBA, we say that Coach X doesn't really care about education and just care about winning.
Q: But isn't winning the point of competitive team sports following the conclusion of tee-ball?
PF: Don't interrupt me! As I was saying, if other players actually graduate, what we do is simple. We just make unfounded allegations that the players we're pushed through with no-show courses and easy majors.
Q: But aren't there privacy laws concerning the course work of all students?
We're going to send you the most entertaining Kentucky Wildcats Basketball articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
3 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete