Sticks and stones and helmets, sure. But can words hurt?
They can if you are an ex-player and an announcer who gets canned for mouthing fightin’ words. A lot of words have been sprayed around since that street brawl masquerading as a football game between Miami and Florida International last Saturday.
Lamar Thomas, a former U. of Miami player and color commentator for Comcast Sports Southeast, rightly got fired Monday for getting too involved emotionally in what was taking place on the field. He apologized. Charles Johnson isn’t buying.
Like Thomas, Johnson’s heart is filled with the old school colors. He quarterbacked CU’s 1990 national championship team and now does sideline work for Buffs football. He thinks Thomas’ display was inexcusable.
“I think you’re tempted to be an advocate for your team (but), clearly, there is a line to be drawn” between supporting the old school and reveling in a riot. “Even more embarrassing than the fight was the celebration after the fight. You can’t blame that on the overflow of emotion.”
What got Thomas in trouble were his repeated inflammatory comments. “You come into our house, you should get your behind kicked,” Thomas told viewers. At least he said “behind.” “You come in here talking smack, it’s time to get it on.”
Thomas later apologized, saying, “I’m an ex-player. I love the school I was doing games for. I’m very passionate about the University of Miami.”
Neville on sidelines
Good to see Marcia Neville has turned up doing what she knows best – high-school sports. Last month, Neville was shoved into part-time work by KCNC-Channel 4 after 25 years at the station.
She’s joined the team at FSN Rocky Mountain as part of its new prep package of football and basketball coverage, announced this week.
Keith Bleyer and Drew Goodman will do play-by-play of state 4A and 5A playoff games in both basketball and football.
Neville will work the sidelines for FSNRM’s live coverage, beginning with regular-season games matching Ralston Valley and Wheat Ridge (4 p.m. Oct. 26) and Littleton and Aurora Central (6 p.m. Nov. 2).
Around the dial
Tony Kornheiser’s statements of the obvious and his sniping at co-analyst Joe Theismann on “Monday Night Football” are wearing thin. Charles Barkley was far more insightful, and funny, on the Bears-Cardinals shootout … College game of the week: Texas a 6 1/2-point favorite over Nebraska in Lincoln (10 a.m. Saturday, KMGH-Channel 7) … Central Hockey League neighbors Rocky Mountain Rage (Broomfield) and Colorado Eagles (Loveland) tangle Friday (7 p.m., Altitude) … Quotable: “Why don’t they just meet outside in the tunnel after the ballgame and get it on some more?” Ex-color commentator Lamar Thomas.
Dick Kreck’s column appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He may be reached at 303-954-1456 or dkreck@denverpost.com.
