ESPN Watering Down Commentary in Wake of Connecticut Killings - jmik58's Blog

Arena Blog Dynasty Scores Sign Up ☰

jmik58's Blog

ESPN Watering Down Commentary in Wake of Connecticut Killings Stuck

Posted on December 15, 2012 at 02:25 PM.

(32)

The opportunity for a public relations disaster is enhanced each time a large-scale tragedy occurs in our country or world.

ESPN is well aware of this and has decided not to refer to the Pistol formation as such for today's Gildan New Mexico Bowl between the Nevada Wolfpack and Arizona Wildcats. Instead, they will refer to it as the "Nevada formation." This, of course, coming on the heels of the horrific mass killing of people -- many children -- in the town of Newtown, Connecticut.

It's a respectable move to make every effort not to insight further emotional response from a hurting nation, but does it go too far?

Human beings are intelligent enough to know that the Pistol formation is contextually unrelated to violence. Just as the shotgun formation or "rifling one in there" on a pass play is a part of football, so too are hyperbolic phrases and war-like comparisons connected to the sport's production value.

Today would not be the easiest day to call a game on the radio or television for a color commentator. But is removing a phrase like "Pistol formation" an insult to our intelligence or our ability to move on? We come to sports as spectators to get away from life, and decisions such as this create awkward moments that force us to think about "why" the decision is made.

Each time I see the Pistol formation and hear it called something different, I'm going to think of the violence. Had ESPN decided to carry on without making such an exception I likely would never have made the connection between the formation and the tragic events of yesterday. But I also understand the public relations standpoint and the care that must be taken when a wound is so fresh to an entire nation.

Sound Off: What are your thoughts on the decision by ESPN to refer to the Pistol formation as the "Nevada formation" following yesterday's tragedy?

Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @long_snapper

Comments

# 1 geisterhome @ Dec 15

in my opinion it goes too far, as you said human beings should be intelligent enough to see that it doesnt have to do anything with actual weapons. but not a big deal.

# 2 Dynastium @ Dec 15

ESPN is too politically correct... and NBC is too politically inclined... can't we just have normal commentary?

# 3 jsquigg @ Dec 15

I'd rather they go too far in sensitivity to the victims than acting like nothing is wrong. We aren't sensitive enough to others feelings in this country IMO, and while this is a minor thing, attacking it is asinine.

# 4 RogueHominid @ Dec 15

Agreed. I actually thought the Costas bit was unnecessary after the Belcher murder-suicide. I don't need NBC football commentators giving me a soliloquy on domestic violence; I have sufficient perspective on that from my innate sense of moral right. Football commentators should just comment on the game, imo. I think the same applies to the "pistol" formation. I'd never have thought twice. Sensitivity is one thing, but this is misguided and a bit silly. In this case it strikes me as trying too hard to deal with a problem that's truly beyond the realm of the sports world, and that's what makes it seem silly and desperate.

# 5 bhurst99 @ Dec 15

Disagree with ESPN on this one. Way too politically correct. To think Foster Hewitt's famous hockey call, "He shoots, he scores" would be deemed inappropriate in today's environment.

# 6 Jimbo614 @ Dec 15

ESPN is located in Conneticut, so their sensitivity is even more appreciated than normal.
That being said, while it might be politically correct to ban the WORDS "Pistol" and "Shotgun", when are we going to evolve as a civilisation enough that some day children might ask."Daddy, what was a "Pistol"? And the answer be that it was some kind of Football Formation instead of an evil device used to kill little children in a schoolroom?

# 7 Optik @ Dec 15

Well when I heard an ESPN podcast of a radio show (I think it was ESPN LA because the only basketball team were the lakers and the male host said that he had talked to Steve Blake's wife because they have two kids together in the same elementary school) today, they sure weren't being politically correct. I can't remember if it was Michael K I was listening to, but he and a woman (I think her name is Rhonda) were talking about it, just like most people would, and even though there were emotional as most people would be, they were able to be reasonable in discussing it and not politicising it, unlike some in the same mainstream media.

However, some guy called Max I think, later came on, and listening to him, if were on a non-sports specific radio show and not trying to restrain himself as he clearly was, he could have gone on a tirade about it for an hour because he said he was "sick of dealing with the stupid" and that the "stupid" are "sheep in Middle America that are lemmings for the gun lobby." There may be some truth to that, but I was surprised it was on a sports radio show. That's not to say that sports media people aren't qualified to talk politics. Anyone can. It reminds me of a tweet by John Hollinger made about the US Elections this year, how ironic it was that sports journalism was considered a "toy" or "journalism for kids" in the media, but 99% of political commentary from journalists is biased.

I was surprised by myself when I was momentarily disturbed, when the male host mentioned the phrase "bullet points". I've always found it silly that the media would censor non-violent words like that after a tragedy, but now I realise how it could bother some people.

# 8 Dice @ Dec 15

I think ESPN is going too far with this as well. I thought sports was suppose to be a venue to get away from the realities of the world? Kids get killed everyday. And this is not to minimize what happened in Connecticut because what happened there is tragic. But sports stations should stick to sports and let the news stations handle the incident of the school shooting. Just my opinion.

# 9 acidraindrops08 @ Dec 15

I don't see how anyone can have an issue with this, to some this was an extremely traumatic event. If not saying the word pistol for one game will help at least one person to not be reminded then I think it was worth it. Think of those in very close proximity to the tragedy, certain words may easily trigger their emotions. I'm 25 years old with no kids and I know how deeply this has affected me, I could only imagine those with children. This isn't about being politically correct, its about being morally correct

# 10 NDirishMV @ Dec 15

I dont really care that much but hearing "Nevada Formation" instantly makes me realize why they are doing it an make me think of the incident more because the phrasing is so out of place.

# 11 DJ @ Dec 15

I think for one day, what ESPN did was fine. If they felt it was a way to honor the victims and everyone involved in Friday's shootings, I am not going to argue with that.

# 12 Gleebo @ Dec 15

I think its insulting actually.

# 13 BigJohnMic @ Dec 16

I'd agree that ESPN is missing the mark here. No reason to refer to it as anything other than what it is. The "pistol formation" has absolutely no bearing to the tragedy in Connecticut.

# 14 inkcil @ Dec 16

If "pistol" or "shotgun" formation is wrong, then it is wrong. If it is not, then it is not. When you go back and forth it just creates confusion and alludes to hyporisy.

# 15 djcorrosive @ Dec 16

Are you kidding me? This PC culture of ours is going to be the death of us. The shooting in CT was tragic, but all you gun law enthusiasts that want tighter restrictions, take a look at how tough CT gun laws are...yet this still happened. If you're so sensitive that even hearing the word "pistol" (not even relating to an actual gun) causes you trauma, you have severe issues that PC will not fix.

« Previous12 Next »

jmik58

Create Your Card Flip Card Over