Count Rod Smith among the growing list of NFL employees who are upset with Bryant Gumbel.
Thursday, the Broncos receiver – and player representative for the NFL Players Association – said he was “disappointed” with Gumbel after derogatory comments the broadcaster made about NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw.
Gumbel, who is scheduled to broadcast games on the NFL Network this season, suggested in a commentary on his “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” show on HBO that outgoing commissioner Paul Tagliabue had the union head on a “leash” and that Upshaw was Tagliabue’s “personal pet.”
Tagliabue and Upshaw have worked together closely and were crucial players on the new collective bargaining agreement the league and players agreed to in March.
Smith said he read the comments and was stunned.
“I was disappointed…it was out of the blue,” Smith said Thursday. “I sit in the meetings with Gene. I know what he’s about. (Gumbel) was talking about two (Tagliabue and Upshaw) guys who are two of the main components in our game. I don’t think he knows what he was talking about. It’s too bad.”
Several NFL employees have criticized Gumbel for his comments. Tagliabue also took exception to Gumbel’s words.
Smith said he wonders whether Gumbel will join a long list of high-profile professionals whose careers are jeopardized by public comments.
“He said it and now he has to deal with it,” Smith said.
