A week after Ryan Glasper accused Tom O'Brien of rushing him back from injury and breaking a promise of a medical redshirt on Sirius radio and in some local papers, ESPN finally got around to covering the story. While Page 2 shed some light on the player's gripe, I question why the worldwide leader in sports couldn't get one quote from Tom O'Brien. When the leader in sports calls most coaches have to answer and if they don't ESPN usually uses their powerful platform to shame the coach into saying something. The cynic in me wonders if O'Brien felt comfortable ignoring the story knowing it would blow over because his oldest daughter is an ESPN employee. To make the potential conflict of interest even more unflattering, according to this 2006 press release the younger O'Brien was at one point an associate producer on ESPN's college football coverage! Seems like she would know how hot this story might get in Bristol.
Now you can question how much attention this story deserves. While Glasper is a good kid, even before the injury he was not a lock to play in the NFL. Yet usually when a player speaks up about anything controversial ESPN gladly plugs the story into their sport news cycle and goes. The ESPN networks need content and stories like this are perfect fodder for their series of talking head shows and SportsCenter. Yet no mention of this anywhere outside of Alan Grant's article (and it should be noted that Grant is not a fulltime ESPN employee). Did ESPN bury this story because of the O'Briens?
Although places like the Fanhouse are making waves, ESPN still has the most influence in the national sports coverage and dialogue. Maybe the new ombudsman should clarify how conflicts of interest with family members are resolved in Bristol.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-02-2007 @ 9:11AM
Frank said...
Tom O'Brien should really be taken to task for his reckless actions with this young man's future. Why is this shocking story not being discussed more? It is typical of everything that is wrong with control freak coaches like O'Brien that put wins and losses above the welfare of the student athletes they're supposed to be coaching.
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5-02-2007 @ 12:06PM
Bill said...
ATLWolf: the reason it has been told from one viewpoint is because O'Brien won't talk. I am sure Glasper, BC fans and NCSU fans would love to hear what he has to say.
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5-02-2007 @ 1:40PM
Carrousel Yacht said...
ESPN continues to scare me...
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5-02-2007 @ 2:49PM
ray said...
i have to say this is the lamest scandal in history. wake me when it's over.
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5-02-2007 @ 7:00PM
ATL Wolf said...
This will not be the first or last time a player is rushed back to play after an injury in college or pros. This story is blown way out of proportion and has been told by one viewpoint and then compounded by a fanbase that had grown appart from TOB several seasons ago. The only reason I am even reading these articles is the fact that it is May and there are no other sports that I care about which are in season. NBA playoffs, baseball, hockey, arena football and Nascar ~ great! Hope August gets here soon!
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5-03-2007 @ 9:38AM
Justin said...
The worst part is that if Glasper had done something negative to effect his draft stock or O'Brien's credibility (i.e. take money under the table, recieve illegal help with his grades) he would most likely be ran under the bus as an example of how greedy college athletes always do the wrong thing and they need to be held in line. But because the blame lies in the arms of Coach O'Brien who is known for molding men and being a striaght up guy we ignore it and next year when NC State takes the field all the ESPN commentators will be talking about how much discipline and respect OB commands.
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5-04-2007 @ 12:42AM
acsportsbooks.com said...
I gave up on ESPN in favor of the FanHouse.
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5-04-2007 @ 2:10PM
dee said...
RYAN GLASPER CAME IN AS A TRUE FRESHMAN AND DID EVERYTHING HE NEEDED TO DO. hE WAS A HARD WORKER AND MADE MANY OF SACRIFICES FOR HIS TEAM. NOT BEING GRANTED HIS MEDICAL REDSHIRT WAS A KILLER. HE DID NOT DESERVE THIS TREATMENT BY TOM OBRIAN. wHEN U GIVE YOUR ALL TO YOUR COACHES YOUR TEAM AND YOUR SCHOOL U SHOULD BE REWARDED AND NOT PUNISHED. i THINK OBRIAN CARES ONLY ABOUT $ AND CAN CARE LESS IF HIS PLAYERS ARE HAPPY. AS LONG AS YOUR WINNING WHO CARES ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE RIGHT. hE KNEW HE WAS LEAVING AND WANTED TO HAVE A GREAT YEAR AND WITHOUT GLASPER IN THE SECONARY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HARD TO DO. tHIS KID WORKED HARD AND HAS DONE EVERYTHING RIGHT WHILE OTHER PLAYERS ARE GETTING ARRESTED AND ARE ON NATIONAL TV BEATING UP OTHER PEOPLE, THEY GET DRAFTED AND REWARDED WHILE BECAUSE OF A DECISION MADE BY A COACH HE NOW HAS BIGGER OBSTACLES TO OVERCOME AND ITS ONLY GOING TO MAKE HIM STRONGER. gLASPER WOULD BE A GREAT FIT FOR THE BROWNS AND THE ORGANIZATION WILL BE HAPPY WITH A TOUGH SMART CLASSY GUY LIKE RYAN GLASPER
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5-07-2007 @ 9:44AM
AW said...
This is totally blown out.
I have a 15 year old son that refuses to take himself out of games no matter how bad he's hurt. Let's make sure everyone involved takes some responsibility here.
Sounds like the BC football folks are upset at being the 6th most important sports team in their own city. Your lack of support chased away a good football coach. Your fans suck.
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