ESPN First Take co-host Dana Jacobson has been suspended for one week for her comments during a celebrity roast celebrating ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning. The suspension, first reported in the Chicago Tribune, comes after Jacobson reportedly said "F*** Notre Dame," "F*** Touchdown Jesus," and "F*** Jesus" in an attempt to talk trash to Mike and Mike co-host Mike Golic, a former Notre Dame football player.
An ESPN spokesman e-mailed me the following statements:
FROM ESPNI hope so, too. The context is everything here: She didn't say this on the air, she said it at a celebrity roast, an event at which people are supposed to go out of their way to be outrageous. She should be welcomed back on the air when her suspension is over.
"Her actions and comments were inapprorpriate and we have dealt with it."
FROM DANA
"I am very sorry. My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words. I also deeply regret the embarrassment I have caused ESPN and Mike and Mike. My actions at the roast were inappropriate and in no way represent who I really am. I have personally apologized to many of the people involved. I won't make excuses for my behavior but do hope that I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment."
UPDATE: ESPN Anchor Dana Jacobson May Be Anti-Notre Dame But She's Not Anti-Catholic Sorry, No Photos
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 24)
1-24-2008 @ 2:18PM
Fallon said...
The truth of the matter is: whether she said it out loud, in private, or in her heart, the truth has a way of leaking out. That's what's in her heart. Jeremiah 17:9,10: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperatley wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings". Had she been a preacher or someone within the religious world, and made this comment, she wouldve been viewed as apostate and immediately thrown out. But she is not apart of that Kingdom, she's apart of the world. And the world lacks a reverance or respect for God, Jesus, or holiness. The media and entertainment worlds censor their employees so much that it is hard to tell what they really believe. This is an example of what is in her heart. She needs not to ask the forgiveness of her listeners for sake of saving her ratings, or because she embarrassed espn and mike and mike... she should seek God's forgiveness, because she offended Him, cursed Him, sinned against Him. For her SOUL's sake. Bible says he is faithful and just to forgive all those to CONFESS THEIR SINS - don't admit to the world, admit to yourself that you've offended God and be forgiven.
1-23-2008 @ 9:26AM
Larry said...
ESPN should fire the pig.
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1-23-2008 @ 9:29AM
David G. said...
Oh, Pleeze... Another Kelly Tilghman slip... My God, what the f's the matter with these over reactions... Dana and Kelly both would love to take back what they said, but big deal... Neither had any ill will or hatred in their remarks... So let's stop the knee jerk reactions and pay more attention to real issues... D.
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1-23-2008 @ 9:30AM
Jerry .D. said...
Dana Jacobson, ment what she said and say's what she
means. The statement should cost her, her job. If it
were any man he would have been fired on the spot.
I vote for her immediate release from ESPN.
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1-23-2008 @ 9:39AM
Vincent said...
Let me guess, Jerry D.
You're a Notre Dame fan?
BIg Deal It's a Roast and it was Obviously a joke. if you're offended then don't ever go to a comedy club.
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1-23-2008 @ 9:41AM
Ladybug2u2 said...
Believe or not - some things (very few unfortunately) are still sacred to some of us and the name of Jesus used in that way is one of them! Roast or not...that was a very poor choice to have made and shows a lack of intelligence (possibly momentary or maybe not?) and integrity by Jacobson. She wouldn't have gotten away with a racist remark... and probably knows not to attempt that kind of disrespect towards anyone - this is the same thing - sad that this women in so insecure that she has to talk this kind of trash just to fit in with the guy's. Believe me you can fit in without giving up your self respect if you actually have any.
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1-23-2008 @ 9:43AM
Vincent said...
And since when Do women have it easy in the workplace?
it doesn't matter who said it, man or woman. Just by saying that a man would have been fired is sexist.
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1-23-2008 @ 9:48AM
The Dude said...
Suspended for insulting Notre Dame? ESPN has lost any illusion that they're an objective sports network.
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1-23-2008 @ 9:50AM
metsfan said...
way overblown. dana jacobson is a fantastic reporter. leave her alone.
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1-23-2008 @ 9:51AM
tm said...
Give me a break. This was a roast. if these people have ever heard or watched one of these the goal is be as outrageous as possible. Was it said on the air,NO. Was it said in a public forum,NO. It was said at a private party. Get a grip. I would be willing to bet that this was not the worst thing said at this roast, but lets all crumble to the religious protesters because she envoked the name of jesus. Shame on you ESPN.
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1-23-2008 @ 9:53AM
jfl said...
MDS thinks Jacobson does "excellent work " on First Take... Um, have you seen the show?? She is terrible and should be fired on performance alone.. She has diarrea of the mouth on the show so this is no suprise... P.S. These same exact comments on a post were deleted off of the other Jacobson thread... Why??
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1-23-2008 @ 10:09AM
jfl said...
Well , it looks like First Take is not even going to address it. They normally say "and in for Dana Jacobson Chris Mckendry (or whomever)". They didn't even say that. I bet Skip Bayless is loving this whole mess. His dislike for her is obvious even on-air.
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1-23-2008 @ 10:13AM
carl said...
8.Was it said in a public forum,NO. It was said at a private party.......WRONG BOTH TIMES
9.... P.S. These same exact comments on a post were deleted off of the other Jacobson.............ITS AOL SO DO YOU REALLY GOTTA ASK?
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1-23-2008 @ 10:14AM
carl said...
They had to take her out or lose all cred..not that they are swimming in it now
an event at which people are supposed to go out of their way to be outrageous
You mean like the Imus show?
I love it..I hate someone being fried at the PC altar but its someone who helped build it so burn baby burn
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1-23-2008 @ 10:21AM
grapevinesooner said...
Just for the sake of argument...
Let's say that this had been a Stuart Scott roast and Dana had made what some would consider a racially-insensitive joke. As in 'F*** all you black people.'
How well do you think that would have gone over?
BTW, I think just as the Kelly Tilghman and Don Imus situations were blown out of proportion, so to is this. I'm glad ESPN is showing some common sense in not firing her.
But I do think this is another illustration of the double standard that exists in society when it comes to jokes. We have to get over the mentality that anytime somebody cracks a joke about a particular race or religion, that doesn't insinuate some type of prejudice or hatred.
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1-23-2008 @ 10:24AM
david said...
If she said F*** Allah would people be so understanding. If she said F*** to any person of color what would be the reaction? But it's ok to say F*** Jesus. I'm sure Jesus has forgiven her so I must also. But I now know how she really feels and will never look at her the same. I don't want her fired but I will not watch her again.
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1-23-2008 @ 10:25AM
ricomas12 said...
Lighten Up Francis!
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1-23-2008 @ 10:46AM
Dave said...
I think ESPN is hoping this will die down in a week. If it doesn't, then I think Dana will probably lose her job. I think she meant to say what she said, I don't think she thought it would become public. You would think Rev. Al and Rev. Jesse would be outraged about the F*** Jesus comment.
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1-23-2008 @ 10:49AM
jfl said...
Revs Al and Jesse probably dig Dana's prodigous podukidonk (sp?)
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1-23-2008 @ 10:53AM
Joe said...
"but do hope that I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment.""
----------------------------------------------
YOU WANT US TO FORGIVE YOU?
THE SAME WAY JESUS FORGIVES?
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