It’s Savage. No, Hunter

beverley knight video... Thanks for the nice read, keep up the interesting posts.....

Jenni: I wish to alter and extend my previous remarks after viewing the video of Bobby Reid's mother, Rajika Reid, on the KTRK web site. You owe Bobby Reid AND Rajika Reid a public apology.

What class at KU taught you to rip a kid with unfounded sources? You deserved every thing Gundy said and more.

k, try steroids.

I'm not a Oklhoma fan, I'm for Nebraska, but I have to comment on this, Jenni. I hope your editor fires you for this. You have absolutely no business writing articles about football, and it's not because you're a woman. It's because you are are acting like a petty old bitty. Get off the sports wagon, you are making us women look bad!!!!

Miss Shaye, how little you know.

Why hasn't Jenni Carlson been fired yet? Any true fan of College Football has to be wondering why she has not been fired. My team is the University of Memphis Tigers and we are perhaps one of the worst teams right now in Division I football. Saying that, I would rather be a Memphis Tiger than be: Dennis Franchione selling his players and his team out at A&M or Jenni Carlson in her sub-human and classless display by trashing a college athlete based on rumors just to sell a few more papers and get a bigger pay check. Again, I ask my question... Why hasn't Jenni Carlson been fired yet?

I'm not a fan of Gundy's, so I love to see him act like an idiot. I would only say that what we write and how we write it is a representation of our character. Resorting to this trash seems to be an attempt to cover an inability to do the job properly. Are the other reporters at the Oklahoman completely embarssed. They should be. I'll never buy ad space at The Oklahoman as long as mediocrity and ineptness rule. What happened to their old standards of class and dignity?

How did you ever get your job? Ignorance should be your middle name. Your parents have probably locked themselves in their home and disconnected the phone. Why don't you resign and start a home cleaning business.

YOU ARE PITIFUL..CONGRATULATIONS

I can't believe you have a job. Freedom of the press is one thing...ignorance of the press - that's your thing.

Pathetic article, by a pathetic journalist. You are not worthy of the title and your poor writings are an insult to the decent journalists on your newspaper and around the country.

Jim, Do you have a job? Seems like you have way too much time on your hands. I bet you were one of those kids who never got picked to be on anyone's team when you were in school. Are you still pissed about that?

So Jenni - this is how you get credibility by stuffing it to amateur athletes - yellow journalistic opinions at their worst. There is nothing wrong with Gundy's opinions

Your crediibility? Don't be so concerned about that. It used to be low...now it's shot. Conduct yourself professionally and you will get all the respect you deserve. For now, please remain a low budget print mut.

JennI, The cardnal rule of journalism is to not make the story about yourself, you have broken that rule. A coach's job on the other hand is to motivate his team, making it a 'us against the world' situation is his job. But with this very public story, you may be able to cash in. Congradulations. For the right price I suppose I might sell out too. I truly hope not though.

Crud812 Says: September 22nd, 2007 at 9:33 pm OSU has finally made a statement to the big 12. We will and can beat anybody. Look out OU. We will win the big 12 South. um, no. state has yet to face a real defense. state has yet to play any defense.

dear jenni.. you have no business "reporting" on anything. you're a disgrace to sports writers everywhere, and i cant wait till i see you on the unemployment line. reporters report facts, not rumor and third hand conjecture. you arent permitted the luxury of opinion. you didnt learn a damn thing in journalism school, apparently.

Gundy was right that article was terrible. Why don't you go after someone else instead a college athlete? What is a matter with you? You got yourself on the map and not liked by anyone way to go!

Thank you for finally removing Clem's vulgarity. It should have gone before my respectful disagreement.

Jay, correction: I just received a phone call from a friend who pointed out my error. I said "if you had written this before Gundy went nuts." That woud have required you to have written your objection to Jenni's article BEFORE she had penned her column ...long before.

Clem, You seem to defend Ms. Carlson to no end. Yet there are defamation of character laws in each State that she may have to answer for. In particular, she may have to answer for this portion of her column (I have labeled the first part REPORTING and the next part AUTHOR’S CONCLUSION). REPORTING: “”The coaches made a decision,” Reid told our Mike Baldwin after the Troy game. “I just have to go with it, get better and get back on the field.” AUTHOR'S CONCLUSION: There’s something to be said for not being a malcontent, but you can almost see Reid shrugging his shoulders as he says those words. Does he have the fire in his belly? Or does he want to be coddled, babied, perhaps even fed chicken? How does one possibly draw that conclusion from what she reported? How can one defend it? Can she quote her sources? Who is “word is”? Who is “rumors and rumblings”? Who is “on the sly”? Clearly, none of these people will go on record even under the condition of anonymity. By Ms. Carlson’s own account, Reid was “eating his box lunch and talking on his cell phone” which means both his hands were occupied. What she definitely CAN’T defend her conclusions with in the article itself are the words and phrases “pass”, “completion percentage”, “yards per carry”, “interception”, “touchdown”, and “sack”. None of those words appear in her article. This seems odd because, after all, she is writing about a quarterback and why he was demoted. If it goes that far, the court woul note the absence of these words just as much as it will notice what she wrote. Their absence glaringly reveals what the focus of her piece actually is, especially since she noted that Reid was "not being a malcontent". So if it’s not Reid’s performance, nor that he was a malcontent, then what is it? The headline that pn the paper Gundy held up was "QB CHANGE: IT'S ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE". Yet Carlson reported the kid was not a malcontent. Ms. Carlson took it upon herself twist her own reporting of the facts and avoided citing sources to draw judgments about his character. Whether or not a defamation of character lawsuit follows will be interesting to see.

Jay, I would actually think you had something to say ... if you had written this before Gundy went nuts. I am assuming you waited this long to express yourself because you didn't know what to say ... and were waiting for your OSU talking points to arrive in the mail. Or maybe you are a slow reader. Well, just for you, I have typed this very slowly.

Shelly, I hope your team(s) win this weekend.

Oh....whew.... Clem had some real winners late last night that have been deleted--you're not alone. Clem is having some kind of fun with this--the perfect storm for a deranged mind.

And I have said, several times, that it's not a good newspaper. I'm guessing that's the reason for the disappearing comments. Hope you have a nice weekend too. Hopefully we'll see some good football. Here's a deal, let's don't read the paper.

Shelly, that to me is an honest statement. It states your view. So why do they leave all of the offensive comments on? Oh well. I never said the Oklahoman was a good newspaper. So you better copy this if you want to reread it later. I hope you have a nice weekend.

Thanks, Jim. I can't figure it out. All I said was that if you are going to defend what is right, do it both directions. Gundy shouldn't have had such an overblown fit, AND she shouldn't have dogged the guy about his mom. That's it, nothing nasty. Can't figure out why it's gone.

Shelly, I have never seen anything that you have written that should have been deleted. well, maybe the sheep thing, but you were not accusing anyone of that. You have been civil and fun to debate with.

Why can I type a comment that is in disagreement with the paper but void of vulgraity, innuendo, or other filth and be deleted while Clem can type his trash and it stays on? I understand - as long as you are showing Jenni lovin' you can say whatever you want, but one critical word and you are gone. Sounds just like the way you run the paper.

Why have a blog if you are only going to delete the comments? You were bold enough to write the "Hard" articles??? Step up or learn to shut up!

Jenni, You were wrong, admit it. You know youre going to get sympathy from your Sports Editor and the rest of the DO staff and newspaper staffs from across the world.. But, outside of print media, has anyone really defended you? No.. You were wrong, then and now.. just face up to it. A little humility never hurt anyone

What we have here is the classic example of an irresponsible journalist trying to spread an opinion which facts weren’t checked, manipulative words were used and the simple bottom line here was a negative article which seemed to backfire on the journalist, herself. In St. Louis, a columnist tried to write a negative article related to the classic baseball series between the Chicago Cubs and Cardinals. Like Carlson, this individual’s article backfired in his face as Tony LaRusa protested the article. Another example was in Philadelphia, a radio reporter tried to get in the face of the Phillies Manager and, like the other two instances listed here, backfired on him. It amazes me how some journalists actually get paid to write such crap and expect to receive such attention for their work. It also amazes me that papers, such as this one, would allow for such trash journalism to take place, especially after a victory, you would believe that the news would have been happier. Over the years I have talked with people in the media about articles of this nature and most people tell me they want no association with people like this, that the work they do really isn’t of their own doing, it is an editor who feels the need to STIR THE POT just to get more copies of the paper sold. There is a College Football Writer’s Association, maybe it is time to bring journalism such as this to their attention, make a stern statement of how you feel and then see if her card, if she even has one, can be revolked.

Wow, she still can't write anything worth reading and yet she still has a job after 8 years. I thought the papers here in Denver were pretty bad and I missed the DOK when I first moved up here. Not anymore, now I am somewhat ashamed of my ties to OK because of one little article in a newspaper. Well Jenni if it's attention you were seeking then you certainly found it. Now the question to you is can you handle the heat that comes with it. And to the editors and publishers of the DOK while I do not contribute to your financial well being my friends and family that still live in OK will no longer be purchasing your paper.

Garth, I agree with you 100% - all the things people have said about Jenni as a person are uncalled for. Read back and you will never see me attack her, as a person, in any post. I even mentioned, more than once, that they were showing their ignorance by saying she was fat, etc. I just think Reid should have been afforded the same luxury. The article should have been about his play on the field and his relationship with his mother should NEVER have been brought into the mix. Just like our comments should be about Jenni's "journalistic" piece and not about her appearance.

It's obvious, she made an asserstion, she built her case, she dragged a young man through the mud in the process. It's all right there in the article for all see. It's my opinion that this is shoddy "reporting". She should apologize. Now, I'm done.

clem-- slow down, read her article, do your homework. You are the one that is blindly defending this person and ignoring all the facts. It really isn't that hard. It's ALL in the article! I can't help you (other than to point out she wasn't at the Troy game to see the "chicken feeding" episode and all her other 'evidence" is clearly asserted by her, in the article, as innuendo or hearsay). My opinion is she needlessly and clearly defamed Booby Reid. This was not impartial reporting of what happened as you claim. She took what happened and added ALL the "meaning" herself. She is the one that determined for us what what these things SAID about Bobby Reid and his character. SHE is the one that made a negative inference about every bit of his behavior that she described in the article. It's all in the article, dude. The more you fight it, the more crystal clear in becomes. Let it go. I am for sure.

Jenni, You should us this blog to respond to some of the comments above and in the media. 800+ comments on a blog post is more than any other writer at the Oklahoman will EVER have again. Take this opportunity to engage your audience.

im the real clem david- how do you know she wrote the article on 2nd hand accounts? did you ask her yourself? if you didnt --then you have done exactly what you find so repugnant.

Good night.

Safety off.....BOOOOM!

I guess you really can't defend her--the article speaks for itself.

Jenni, You wrote an opinion piece, based upon the knowledge you had at the time. You have every right to do so, and even though I admit to not reading your column on a regular basis, I hope you continue to do so. The responses you have received to date suggest that most people are upset that (1) you wrote something negative about a player, (2) you are apparently not the favorite of some coach that barely has a winning record, and worst of all (3) you are a woman in a field dominated by men. Please keep your head up, conitnue to write well, and although this may become some side note in history please do not forget that you have operated in a world that was already slanted against you. Forget all of these other idiots and please know that fans of the sport do support you

Something I can’t figure out from the video. Was Gundy pointing directly at Jenni?? If so, WOW. I’m a 40 y/o man.. I would have been scared and ready to go crying to my mom.

If that's not a sucker punch, then what is?

""The coaches made a decision,” Reid told our Mike Baldwin after the Troy game. "I just have to go with it, get better and get back on the field.” There's something to be said for not being a malcontent, but you can almost see Reid shrugging his shoulders as he says those words. Does he have the fire in his belly? Or does he want to be coddled, babied, perhaps even fed chicken? That scene in the parking lot last week had no bearing on the Cowboys changing quarterbacks, and yet, it said so much about Reid. A 21-year-old letting his mother feed him in public? Most college kids, much less college football players, would just as soon be seen running naked across campus.

Ditto to W.S. from NYC

david how about this ill leave it alone if you can quote where she bashed the kid. should be easy right? You have the article in front of you. Its just mob mentality. Hitler did this. Chose to blame a group of people and --even though he provided no evidence, helped sway public sentiment against all jews. i just dont go for that. all you need to do is show me the bash--no interpreting--i can read myself--- go 'dude'

david I dont share your view that i leave it alone. Just as the coach defended his player. I have taken it upon myself to defend jenni. 400-1 or 500-3 --you guys have the mob mentality--but Ill be here. Debate the facts david---its not about me---

when people refer to 'you people' it is not those from oklahoma --it is a reference to all the people who have sided with the coach. You are correct. It has no real place on the front page. But if you want to be fair and actually care about 'people' then you cant admire or support all the bullshit that has been written about jenni. In small towns and big cities...it should be the same, you think its wrong to bash, then you don't bash yourself. fair?

Clem, go home dude. You're wasting WAY too much time in a lost cause. Most people just don't share your view on this issue. You've had your say--leave it alone.

Has anyone noticed that the people on here defending Jenni are from Ohio, New York, or refer to people who are actually in Oklahoma and have to put up with the trash this paper publishes as "you people". What are YOU PEOPLE doing here? Are you here with Jenni Jim, defending what is right? Jim hasn't been back for some time now, I guess he had to get out his Superman costume and save a treed cat. What we are saying is that it was not a DECENT thing to do, question a guy's manhood on the front page of the paper. That is fact, not speculation. For you people who keep saying, "Grow up", remember that when someone attacks somebody you care about and they don't have the forum to defend themselves. As for Bobby Reid doing an interview to defend himself, he shouldn't have to because it shouldn't have been printed in the first place. So, you "sophisticated, city folk" can quit telling us how ignorant all of us are in Oklahoma. At least we know how to be decent, respectful people and we have the sense to recognize when someone else is not.

Im 40!! You want to go after someone -go after me. Bobby reid is no kid. in 2 months he'll be 22. he's 6'3 235 pounds. he is a man. sorry coach. nice speech for a coach that rarely wins. no doubt if you had lost, you wouldnt have gone after the reporter...but you felt tough for 3 minutes. whoa...stuff you couldnt have told her in private? nope. cause you want to grandstand.

Geez, you guys are awfully sensitive to the feelings of your semi-pro football players. I watched the coach's tirade and read the column. BFD (not!) on the column; the tirade was entertaining, but these comments are the real deal. You take college pro ball so seriously! You protect your players so carefully! Those men are in for a wake-up call if they get drafted by an east coast NFL team! Big IF, that... I suppose the boys won't get drafted, only the men. Life is tough, dudes! You want the limelight? Man-up!

Thomas, I actually live in New York City. I find it interesting that you attack Jenny for her writing style, but if someone asks you a simple question, expressing doubt as to whether you actually were a 'journalism student in junior high" you resort to an attack? What gives Thomas? If you think attacking is wrong, then why cant even an annonymous blogger, ask a simple question? I wont respond to your insults, because I really dont care. What I do care about is your level of hypocrisy. In small towns and large cities, most people who believe that a certain style or approach is wrong, don' t in turn engage in the very act they are seeking to condemn. My hunch, however, is that you simply enjoy writing nasty things under the cloak of annonymity. At least Jenni signs her name.

you went to one. why not name it? What would be the problem ?

Several junior high schools have journalism programs. If you've never heard of that, then i suggest you step out of the shed and move somewhere with a population over 250.

Standing up for what's right? How is bashing someone in a public forum and then expecting to not get bashed back right? Confused........

As a former college sports journalist, I am embarrassed for you. You know the code journalists live by and you broke it. Have some class and resign your position. Do something else with your life. You do not deserve to be a sports writer. You have set women in journalism back 50 years.

Thomas What junior high school has a journalism students? Thanks pal!

I will keep my comment simple. Your reporting style is sub-par at best. It's a good thing that you are involveed in a public controversy because you would definitely never get any national attention for positive reasons. You write like some of my junior high journalism students--in style, content, and connotation. You write these articles as though you have some deeper understanding of the subject than those you are writing about. You write as though you are above them. You're not. you're clueless. You're trash. And the Daily Oklahoman should be ashamed to have you in any position requiring at least minimal intelligence.

tom-- as predicted---u and all th jenni bashers really dont even know what they are upset about quote the bash--with out telling us what you think she is saying. go ahead--

rusty hey --dont read it. no one cares

Jenni, That article on Bobby Reid was the worst piece of journalistic trash I have read in a long time. Was there a purpose to the article besides defaming a respectable student-athlete? I would honestly like to know. I am boycotting the Oklahoman until you resign or are fired.

Jennie- its a good thing you had your family write in. We can tell which ones they are. And Clem the dad..please come get your girl and take her back to NY. And please give her some chicken, obviously its on her mind.

Gundy gets up yelling and screaming and pointing the finger and trying to inflict pain on Carlson. Carlson later, asks Gundy, what are the "3/4 inaccuracies you screamed out at the press conference" I dont have to tell you -he replies. Ok--is that cool? You see...Gundy is as much a part of the media as Carlson. He gets to stand up and make speeches that have nothing to do with the Texas Tech game - If the guy is going to guns blazing and tell the world Carlson is full of it--then he needs to at least back some of it up. If you all say that Carlson needs to be responsible for her words--then Gundy also should be. Fair is fair.

One more thing... For all of you, who decide what the rules are, and what is fair, Im curious. Did Gundy have the right to ask Carlson a personal question? " Do you have kids? And then make all sorts of inferences and innuendos about the implications of the mind of someone without kids. Was he saying that people who are childless are not compassionate and not capable of empathy? I know you have a problem with Carlson using her 'stage' for personal attacks that have nothing to do with football and are not supported by fact. Then I hope to God, you also think Gundy was wrong for employing the same tactics. If she does have kids or if she doesnt its not the whole worlds business --and it has nothing at all to do with her reporting that the kid had chicken fed to him. I know Im right here.

David, I think I read where Mike Vick said he was innocent. I think I read where O.J. said he was innocent. I think I read where a lot of people dont admit to certain things. You can choose to believe what you want, Im gonna say that its true despite the denials. The bottom line is that Carlson said his mom fed him chicken from a lunch provided for by the team (as opposed to some bloggers who think it was a home cooked meal). If you think that this is a huge attack--well--then you have never been to a game. Cause what I hear out of 60% of the mouths of the fans is far worse an attack than Ms. Carlson ever put down on paper. If you have a problem with attacks...do us all a favor and tell each and every fan that abuses a college athlete (read 'you suck') and then Ill actually believe that you are appalled at Ms. Carlson. But in 30 years of going to games...I ve heard maybe 200,000 'you sucks' and never once have I heard one of you outraged fans--get angry at the fans commentary. Why here? Cause its annonymous? Thats bogus.

When I first saw the news conference, I thought just another coach losing it and not acting responsibly. Then I read the article, got mad myself, and said way to go coach Gundy. That article was one of the lowest most unethical pieces of journalism I have ever read. I don't know what college Jenni Carlson went to, but they sure did not involve any ethics or morals. What a cowardly act. To infer what she did, with the power of the press that she has, on an amateur college athlete was despicable. To read your response shows that you are truly clueless to what good ethics in journalism means.

check this out--mom's reaction: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=sports&id=5677281 Jenni's basis for the story is not only shameless, but fabricated. Why?

Everyone loves to act like they are holier than thou. Outraged when someone isnt treated properly. Why then, when I go to an OSU game,are there so many boos. Attacks? The ref sucks, some player on our team sucks, or someone on the opposing team sucks. They are terrible. the defense sucks...etc. I hear this maybe 250 times each game. no exageration. but if someone with a pen writes it...its crazy wrong. what? let me tell you ..you are all a bunch of hypocrites. and if you need more evidence of where your real level of tolerance and ethics lies...read all the attacks on carlson--and nary a one of you cares. If its wrong to attack--and you are all so offended...then keep consistent. otherwise..shove it up your ass.

I agree whole heartedly with whoever said, this is all to support Coach Gundy. There is not one post critical of the article. Not one prior to the post game rant. Listen, I understand that Gundy did a very clever marketing job. Playing the 'parent card.' Im a good parent and I care and anyone who doesnt have a kid cant know. Its all bullshit. What did Gundy say? "He never reads the paper and it was given to him by a "mother of children." (lucky she was not a mother of taxi cabs or a mother of pillow cases-whatever that means) Then he says you should go after him. A 40 year old man. Oh. How brave. And noble. And...what? Bobby Reid is not 11. He is 21. I've said it before on this blog, but young men die in Iraq at the age of 18 --and Bobby Reid at 21 is not able to withstand an article that says its weird for his mom to spoon feed him? Listen--the coach has some points. And I admire anyone who tries to stick up for the little guy. But this was so over the top dumb--I m ashamed that so many people support him Yeah--at first I was like-"yeah go for it. But then i read the article and its not that big a deal. And the guy on this blog who cites the espn poll to judge if gundy was rational---come on. Of course--once again-he does a great job. No one has a problem with people sticking up for the little guy against the big bad press. Hck-if 10 days from now they find out everything was correct she wrote--and he pisses all his teammates off with his golden boy attititude--no one would stlll ever side with the reporter. When a celebrity punches a camera man for getting in his face...people say the camera guy is a pain in the ass and he deserved it. the press is always wrong. so dont cite polls. i can tell u the outcome regardless of what gundy said or did. it will always favor him

As a sports fan for the past forty years, I can’t remember a worse column than Ms. Carlson’s personal attack on Bobby Reid. If a writer is going to question a young person’s character (of which attitude and toughness are major elements), then she had better be fair and, as a matter of accuracy, her sources must be identified in some way, even if they are only identified as a source “speaking on the condition of anonymity”. Ms. Carlson did not do that. Her poorly written and poorly edited work read more like a gossip column than an opinion or news story. Lucky for me, I live in Cincinnati where journalistic standards are obviously higher. More disconcerting is that the editorial board has seen fit to take a few comments made in anger by a football coach defending his player, and to construct a tit-for-tat argument defending Ms. Carlson. Though the board says it is not defending a colleague, fair-minded observers get a sense that this is clearly an end run around a self-created issue which is already clearly out of bounds. The board writes, “But Reid’s scholarship, as an out-of state student who will likely be there five years, is worth $100,000. That’s serious dough.” This raises more questions than it answers. Does the overall value of Mr. Reid’s scholarship mitigate poorly constructed work in a not-so-subtle attack on his character? Is there a monetary threshold that gives beat writers license to question the individual character of a young man for his less than stellar on-the-field performance, or for that matter, any individual? If so, what’s the monetary threshold? Will the Oklahoman hold itself to the same standard of “getting personal” with an employee when poor work is submitted? The board notes that an “overwhelming majority of athletes, in all sports” do things right, stay out of trouble and are respectful to the media. This, of course, begs a perfectly valid question, “Why, then, was Bobby Reid singled out?” The board attempts to explain, “the difference is that only Reid came to OSU as one of the most highly regarded recruits in the school’s history”, and that he is “a player the Cowboys have touted and built their offense around”. The decision to bring a recruit into the program, tout his abilities, and build an offense around him is a coaching decision. If it doesn’t work out, or if the coaches misjudged the kid’s talent level, or simply put, if the rest of the team isn’t that good, then the coaching staff is as much (if not more) accountable than the player. The “grist for discussion” is one of coaching. Coach Gundy made it abundantly clear: go after him and his staff, not the player. I cannot say if I would have used a public forum as Coach Gundy did. However, in my mind, the only difference between Don Imus and Ms. Carlson is that her remarks weren’t overtly racist. Since when did it become newsworthy to take a swipe at young people who have a talent, develop it, and then parlay it into an opportunity to further their education? Until their off-the-field behavior warrants public scrutiny, then questioning their character is off limits and unethical. What some call a tirade, others call restraint. Either way, I would have taken the first opportunity to confront Ms. Carlson. I wouldn’t have been nearly as restrained in response to a front-page cheap shot on one of my subordinates, let alone a young man that another parent has entrusted me to develop as a productive member of society first, and a quarterback second.

Marcus-- Trust me -- I'm not Jenni. I'm not female, and I'm not a journalist either. Nor am I an OU fan, per se (that's Latin, BTW). Why can there not be people out there who just disagree with you? And since when is this a "man's world"? So females shouldn't be allowed to even have opinions now-- is that the root of your problems here?

Well, boys and giirls, it has been fun. Bye for now!

Jeffy, Probably because I am so likeable I know this to be true because my mother told me so) ... and don't let me get started on the State Fair.

i think jenni would show some steel ones if she actually posted on here, under her OWN name and not jim, jeff, or whatever. face the storm head on and show you are professional about the matter. you were 'professional' when you could hide behind your desk and right what you wish, but when you are confronted, you disappear under pseudonyms and such. i dont think you should get fired, but reprimanded -- if you apologize. if not, good riddance. you are the sole reason why women should never enter a mans world.

Jim- Why do I feel like you and I are trapped at the State Fair after closing time?

Shelly, I am standing up for what is right.

Dear "Jenni "No Critical Thinking" Carlson": Intersting how any opinion that may differ from yours is "unfounded". My point (which you clearly missed) was that you can't rely on stattistics to any degree until you know exactly what was asked and who is asked. In addition, being allowed to vote repeatedly would mean that the results can't be relied on for anything-- whether they show Gundy should be president or Jenni should win the Pulitzer. So, prior to attacking, try thinking. You may like it so much you'll do it again.

So you aren't an OU fan and you have shredded OSU people on this blog. What exactly are YOU doing here then?

David, it was a COLUMN, There is a difference.

I want to know what in the hell does "Chicken" have to do with football?!?!? Boy did you screw up when you decided to go off and attack personal character while writing your article.

Just for the record... I am not a cowboy fan. The article you wrote in the daily disappointment is an embarrassment to Oklahoma, sports writers, and the BIG 12. Mike Gundy had every right to rip into you the way he did and I think I speak for everyone when I say… I hope you learned something.

“Bobby Reid stood near the team charters last Friday night, using his cell phone, eating a boxed meal. It would’ve been normal post-game activity but for one thing. His mother was feeding him chicken”. It is an observation. You draw the conclusion. “There’s something to be said for not being a malcontent, but you can almost see Reid shrugging his shoulders as he says those words. Does he have fire in his belly? Or does he want to be coddled, babied, perhaps even fed chicken?” You do realize that this was a column and not an article, right? Columnists do this all of the time. Just because one says something you do not like, you don't go You Tube about it. As for it being a PERSONAL attack, it all dealt with football ... his atteitude, etc. That does not make it personal. Saying someone is fat, ugly or whatever else those (note I did not include you) OSU fans want to say is PERSONAL. There is a difference. Reid came to OSU to play in the big stage. That means more scutiny by the press. It comes with the territory. This is not little league or high school sports. All this whining in because of Gundy. Have you noticed that there are no posts on this blog before Gundy's tirade? No one cared until they were told to do so. Thus the drink the Kool Aid comment in a previous post. If Gundy had kept his mouth shut and acted like a 40-year old man, thus never would have become an issue with anyone. And I am very sorry to let you in on this. I am not an OU fan. Sorry, darling. I guess that is another conclusion youhave erred on. Quoting you again: "Supporting someone who is obviously erred doesn’t make you the sharpest tool in the shed." So why do you support Gundy? Shelly, please have a nice day.

Jim, Jenni, Jim, I'm afraid I'm going to have to give YOU the name HOMER now. What exactly does "even you should be able to see that mean"? I'm a stupid woman that needs help interpreting things? Hmmmmmm. I'll just give you a little Forrest Gump here and say, "Stupid is as stupid does". Supporting someone who is obviously erred doesn't make you the sharpest tool in the shed. Anyone reading this board can tell you are just a huge OU HOMER and that's where your beef comes from. Again, you can refrain from the "you're an OSU sheep-humper" comments. I've already stated that I am an OU fan. I, likewise, have seen dozens of emails, articles and interviews in support of Gundy. I guess it depends on who your homies are, doesn't it? And this comment, "As for mom and the chicken reference, the conclusion is drawn by the reader." What other conclusion is the reader supposed to draw when it says, and I will use direct quotes from her article: "Bobby Reid stood near the team charters last Friday night, using his cell phone, eating a boxed meal. It would've been normal post-game activity but for one thing. His mother was feeding him chicken". I may be reaching here, but I thought it said his mother was feeding him chicken. Don't know how else to interpret that one. Here's another one for you: "There's something to be said for not being a malcontent, but you can almost see Reid shrugging his shoulders as he says those words. Does he have fire in his belly? Or does he want to be coddled, babied, perhaps even fed chicken?" I'm reading that one the same way. That he's a big momma's baby and that's why he can't play football. Do tell, HOMER, Jenni, Jim, whatever you go by, how is that left up to the reader to draw a conclusion? That is nothing less than an attack - a PERSONAL attack.

How the idea of the college athlete being placed on a pedestal where no one can question his character or work ethic came into being I will never know. I live in Columbus, Ohio where there is non stop coverage of the Buckeyes. Most of it is so one-sided toward the fact that these are all the greatest players that ever walked the face of the earth it is sometimes hard to take. Mind you that I have lived here for twenty years since I finished college and the story is the same every year. The third string quarterback was just arrested for soliciting a prostitute and over 70% of respondants to a poll said that he should have never been charged because he was not hurting anyone. When will this all end. When we stop buying into this machine that has been created that causes grown men to lash out at an opinion instead of listening to it and responding intelligently. But we all know that in America if you offer up an opinion, be prepared to be yelled at, taunted and ridiculed. Just don't look for anyone to engage you in conversation. Their too scared to give you their opinion.

Why do you even write about OSU to begin with? You only have negative things to say anyway so why waste the space on the already bad Daily paper? And I love how all the women and OU fans jump to defend you.

Shelly, any poll that allows people to vote repeatedly has no value. Even you should see that. The only people who give a damn about this column are the OSU fans. Why would anyone else even bother to vote? I have had dozens of emails from around the country asking "what is wrong with that coach at OSU?" The best path was to keep his mouth shut and deal with it behind closed doors instead of making himself look like a fool. As for mom and the chicken reference, the conclusion is drawn by the reader. The legacy lives on.

I have no complaints when a "journalist" writes a tough story about an athlete who is getting PAID to do what he/she does. Personally attacking a kid in college is just not right. I hope this really hurts Jenni's career for a while. Go Gundy, your reponse to her was really spectacular. Jenni, I guess we won't be seeing you cover anything from a major media area anytime soon, and thats well earned.

How someone can defend attacking a college kid in a huge public forum, like a newspaper, is gross. Jenni is just jelous and angry because she is not very attractive.

jenni carlson is a hack and her editor should be fired.

Jenni, You are an embarrassment to journalism. To attack someone the way you did is ridiculous. I completely agree with the coach. As a fan of another program I can only hope that the coach there too would call out a reporter for writing total bs. If you are truly interested in athletics, which I seriously doubt you are given the type of article you wrote, then stick to commenting on games and not on people. Not only do your readers think you are a loser and a hack, the entire nation does.

Jeff... The person in the post I was referring to stated that Gundy is viewed nationally as "imbalanced". I don't have the exact percentage, but I believe it was over 80% of people believe Gundy was justified (in the ESPN poll). This was out of 29,000 polled. Given that statistic combined with the overwhelming amount of pro-Gundy response here and elsewhere, I have to believe that Gundy is not a nationally condemned man. Please provide some evidence to suggest differently. Other than your unfounded opinion of course. Jenni Carlson Jr. perhaps?

So Jenni, has become Jim, who begat Jeff. Jenni, just apologize so you can start writing again. I'm not real sure there's a long line of replacements lined up outside your cubicle. Stillwater is a nice place to take a dump, but I wouldn't want to live there. If you like it, cool. Save your job. Newspapers pay writers to sell papers, and the more papers they sell, the more than can charge advertisers for print space. But you already know that so get to work!

Can't argue statistics? Does this mean that Ron Paul really IS winning all those debates and will be the Republican nominee?

David- First of all, it would be "know" better, not "no" better. Secondly, Gundy is the person who flipped out here. Personally, I thought Jenni's column was poorly written and contained a couple of cheap shots, but Mike Gundy totally overreacted. I agree with Jim Rome who closed his television show on ESPN yesterday by saying basically, I don't want to hear from anybody that this was a calculated rant by Gundy delivered to boost recruiting. Rome went on to sarcastically say something to the effect of, sure, what mother wouldn't want to send their son to play for a raging lunatic who can't control his emotions. Whether you like it or not, whether you agree with it or not, Mike Gundy is now viewed, nationally, as imbalanced. He did it to himself and has no one to blame but himself.

That specific column was far from the best I've ever read, and Gundy and his bloated $850,000 salary needed a postgame scapecoat for his lousy 13-15 record and yet another lousy on-field performance. Perfect timing.

ESPN Poll Vote for Gundy http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/polling?event_id=3167

David- After reading that Houston article you kindly cited, let me assure you and everybody else everybody that there is no lawsuit possible out of this-- that is even assuming Mrs. Reid is correct. No legitimate lawyer would take it and no court would let it go forward. There is simply nothing to sue on- Jenni says something happened and gave her opinion about it. End of story. And gee- I can't understand whay a mom would lie to protect her son...

Quoting jeff on the "severely limiting access to the media" comment? forget the media - they print the crap that they want whether it be true or not anyways. The freedom of the press junk goes to far. No respect in the industry any more. By writing things that are written, they become distasteful, rude, obnoxious, liars, and the list goes on and on. Why not report on something good happening in this cruel world? Because, as journalists, we sell our souls for the almighty dollar. We live our lives for the dollar. It's not about humanity. It's not about helping anyone. It's about what can I do for me. If I write that prized article, how much can I make? That's what it is about. As for celebrities, stars, athletes, etc, what about their rights? Oh wait, let me guess, they lose their rights because of who they are. Bull! Everyone is human, everyone has a right to live a peaceful life. And the people that say "oh but they asked for it by being in the spotlight." Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but you need to quit thinking of self and think of others. Don't hate because they are where they are while you work the 60 hour week for little pay. No one deserves to be treated like that. As for the negatory comments about Jenni, doesn't this make people just as low as her. Writing things about her like that? I'm not saying what she did was right, but she has to wake up each morning and look at herself in the mirror. As do you. She has her Judge as do we. Maybe one day, she'll see, along with all the other people in the media. One day you'll see, you'll reflect back on your lives and see how many people you've destroyed. You'll see how many people you've hurt. And maybe then, you'll realize. Who are you living life for?

Where are your sources now...Check out the link: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=sports&id=5677281 Now that is Gundy and Mrs. Reid who are saying the story is fiction, but I guess your imaginary sources no better.

I’ve always said women reporting about football were a waste of time and your a prime example of that theory. Honestly telling the media that Bobby Reid was going to play was an apparent decoy so that Tech would study what he did in film rather than that of Zac Robinsons tendencies. Then they play Zac and Tech wouln’t be prepared. I played football all my life and into college for a few years and this happened all the time, but your a woman who has no idea what your talking about and wanted to make a publictiy stunt because you obviously can’t make it by on your normal CRAPPY REPORTING. Don’t report on things that you don’t understand!

Dear General Public: Do something for me. First, read the column about Bobby Reid and the post-game situation. No, I mean actually READ it- don't skim it, and don't rely on on what somebody else told you it says. Second, consider that is really is just a tad strange for a mother to be hand-feeding her 21-year-old son anything. Third, re-read the column. Fourth, after you have done all that, then go back and listen to Gundy's ranting and see if it isn't just a smidge on the crazy side. Now, nothing is wrong with coming to a players defense. Nothing at all. In fact, it's commendable. But when you do it the way Gundy did, with no class or decorum whatsoever, it is wrong-- just flat wrong. And speaking of "wrong", don't you wonder why neither Gundy nor anybody else will say what was so "innacrate" (Gundy's word, not mine) about the column? Who among us did not hear rumblings about Donovan Woods wanting to transfer? Has anybody ever denied that he considered doing so? And what is wrong with questioning the truthfulness of a coaching staff that, whuile severely limiting access to the media, simultaneously for years has gone on and on about Bobby Reid and his talent level (which, by the way, I do not question one bit). But then, when such a talent is then benched without any real explanation, do we not get to question why? Accordingly, let's get off Jenni's back. She is a very good writer who, whule you may not like what she says or even the weay she says it, has every right to both question the decision and the situation.

Gundy had every right to do that. You need to stick to the facts. Your observations seem to be not very well respected.

Jim, Can you come up with something more original than whine, whine, whine then the basketball coach drinks the wine? You've said that several times and it's losing it's effect. Before you start slamming me about being an OSU sheep-humper, you should refer to my earlier sparring match with David (who I no longer call Homer because he did, after all, admit that Jenni should have left Bobby's mother and the chicken out of her article). See, Jim, I actually was raised an OU fan, so leave all of that babble out of your response, which I'm sure is coming soon. You are trying to defend the indefensible. She shouldn't have drug his mom in the mix. The end. As for Gundy being the laughing stock of the country, you need to rephrase that to say: Gundy is now being sniped at by the fraternity of "journalists" in America. Go look at the foxsports.com poll, Jim. Over 70,000 votes and 95% think Gundy was right. Doesn't really sound like the "laughing stock" of America. Many good journalists have come out in support of Gundy to. There are several links posted on earlier comments and I won't repost them. That seems to offend my buddy, Dave.

I never read your column until You decided to give yourself all of this negative publicity. Since then I have kept one eye on what you are writing. Simply put, how do you keep your job? Your writing is what I would expect from a high school kid. Clich'e....Clich'e....stereotype...Clich'e.... Save your money, sooner or later you will be on the soup line.

Jenni Carlson's piece was sick sick sick. It doesn't matter what percent was "true." Why? Because the things she wrote about were wayyyyyyyyyy about of bounds when it comes to student athletes. At that age, kids are not fully grown. They should not have the pressure to hand life as an experienced veteran. Carlson's editors are SUPPOSED to be professionals and veterans. THE EDITORS SHOULD RESIGN. (P.S. I have never been to Oklahoma. But, I am now a OSU fan. ) On behalf of all loving parents, Thank You, Coach Gundy. I stand up and applaud for you. What you did was one of the best things that has happened in this country's sports in a decade.

And Fred ... why? Is your etch-a-sketch broken?

The Football Writers Association of America issued a statement critical of Gumby. He brought it on himself and is now the laughing stock of the country. He will not point out any of the supposed errors and has also been caught lieing repeatedly. Only a few local yokels are drinking the OSU Kool Aid. Real teams drink Gatoraide. My bet is that Jenni is at the Oklahoman a lot longer than Gumby is in Stillwater. Whine, whine, whine. Then the basketball coach drinks the wine. That is the OSU legacy.

Don't know about you, I'd say...anyone defending her could be her...or a fellow media mafia member. I don't think anyone can defend her. It was a poor tale, poor choice of words, and poorly constructed. Well I guess the only good thing for her at this point would be....I believe The National Enquirer is hiring. They have all kinds of poorly thought up fictitious stories....right up your avenue! "Reid Gives Birth To Alien Baby" - by Jenni Carlson Because Enquiring Minds Want to Know!

Does anyone else have a sneaking suspicion that this "Jim" guy who is posting here might be Jenni Carlson? Think about it... "Jimmie"... "Jenni"... As we say in the old country... HMMMMMMMMMM......

Dear sportswriters, This is going to hurt me more than it’s going to hurt you. I’m mostly joking but as a former member of your ranks, I have mixed feelings about the now-legendary rant by Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy – and reaction that has followed – over a column about why he demoted his starting quarterback. The impromptu trip to the woodshed was raw and from the gut – a very real moment. We don’t get many of those these days. What a contrast to the continuous stream of carefully crafted, politically correct statements we’ve grown used to. Just for expressing his feelings honestly – regardless of whether you agree with him -- it was tremendous theater. More important, though, is that Gundy’s rant put a spotlight on an issue that needs attention: In what ways should college sports be covered differently than the pros? It’s a world of gray area that’s widening thanks to the proliferation of the team Web sites, Internet bulletin and other new media. Something needed to be said and Gundy said it. And I’m not the only one who thinks so – people from around the country have contacted Gundy and the university to express their support. He hit a nerve. College football players are in the middle of making a monumental transition – going from boyhood to manhood. That should be respected. In addition, they’re amateurs – most will never play professionally. The column in question cut to the core of who the kid is. That’s way off base, way too far from the football field – and should be off-limits in my opinion. When players break the law, that’s different story. Allegations brought in court can be substantiated. Character assassinations cannot – they’re just built on “rumors and rumblings,” which is the exact phrase the columnist cited in building her story. Gundy told the columnist that if she ever becomes a parent, she’ll understand. I’m not big on such admonitions but I actually think this one applies. Maybe that’s because I’m getting older. More likely, it’s because I am the father of a daughter who’s engaged to a former college football player. I’ve seen him and his friends in their private moments. Terrors on the field one moment, getting reminded by Mom to clean their rooms the next. Quite the dichotomy but it’s where these guys live. Sure, the “proper” response from Gundy would have been for him to call a private meeting with the columnist and her editor to discuss the issue. The “proper” response would have been more measured and civil. But the “proper” response would have had less impact. He grand-standed it, working his post-game victory press conference like a fiery minister works his pulpit. Because of that, he has elicited lots of conversations by sportswriters, coaches, players and fans. And that’s a good thing.

i think it was a bad article could have been done better too bad for mr carlson even though your name almost sounds like carlos who is coolies

Yeah...whatever happened to the "respect" in the media?

I think Coach Gundy did the right thing, yeah it might not be professional, but yeah, for you that don't quite understand this is college ball not the NFL. A coach that stands behind their players, how often would someone do that nowadays? The chicken comment also sparked something here with me. What kind of low grade idiot are you? What does race matter here? Very not needed in your so called story.....well fiction is still a story. Another fine piece of...trash by the media. What is it with you media pricks, that dwell on taking a person and breaking them down, slandering their names all over, until they have no career, just to move on to your next victim. I say we take the "freedom of press" and send them all front lines to Iraq. We know what they do there with trash journalists. They should do that here also. Maybe that would take care of all the crap slander and all the other crap that's in the media today.

Jenni, Humble yourself. Apologize. Learn the lesson. Continue with your career. Readers will forget. If you keep up with this line of, "I stand behind the facts and observations", you are doomed. People won't forget, more importantly, athletes won't forget. Do the right thing.

I think the column about Reid was ridiculous, a seemingly pointless piece of commentary. However, for those of you who think that "amateur" college athletes aren't treated like royalty, you need to hang around a college campus for a few days we these guys. It's amazing how so many young men who don't have jobs or a stable financial backing can be driving such nice cars and living in some of the most choice places around town. I went to Virginia Tech. I saw the players' hummers. I (supposedly) had class with some of them. I, of course, never saw them. I had first-hand knowledge of their special parties. They all had the same two or three majors. The reason for this is widely-known around Blacksburg but never publicly discussed. Look where that kind of treatment has gotten some of the former Hokie players. Carlson wrote a dumb column, however her biggest mistake was that she actually took a player to task. She didn't praise him. She cut him down. That's a no-no. Doesn't she know sports reporters these days are to do nothing more than ask moronic questions. "You guys have won three in a row? How do you keep this going?" Sports journalism has been watered down to the point that if a hint of criticism appears in print, people gasp and cry foul. A 21-year-old man being given a free ride through college should be able to take criticism. To say that a fully-funded college athlete should be immune to criticism is ridiculous. There are thousands of kids who are working two jobs to pay their way through school and crowd the stadium each Saturday to watch him play. Reid, Gundy and the rest seem to be giving Carlson way too much attention. They should just take their lumps and move on. With responsibility comes scrutiny. Deal with it. Having written the above, I still don't understand why Carlson felt the need to write this column. It seems under-reported and poorly executed. If anything, people should be criticizing her for lazy journalism, not for going after a college athlete.

I will call right away.

Maybe it's the flu?

Here it comes again ...

jim, are you bulemic? I can help. ive had some eating issues as well. maybe thats why i think john s' comments are so funny.

Jim--dont be a spoil sport. You are just jealous because John S. is so humorous and you are just a fuddy duddy. Go John, it cracks me up to read your jokes about Jenny. You should do stand up. Cause you are funny and....good looking. (dont tell dave i said this)

John s where are you??? If you dont want to talk, thats ok. I can wait. In the mean time, please write some of those delicious comments about Jenny being obese. I love them. get it? delicious? tee hee tee hee.

Oh, I feel so good now. Try reading this blog from the begiining and count the number of food reference to Jenni ... and you will see just how lame the joke was.

It's really nothing. John S and I met about 2 weeks ago. Just saying hello. He told me he is on this blog once in a while, so I've been on the lookout for him. Jim, it's no problem, I assure you.

Oh, please. Take a moment. Life is just too fast for you.

Who is Jim? What are you talking about? I thought John's comments were a riot!! The part about the food channel is smashing!! Jim, what's your deal?

I don't like where this is headed.

John S' It's me, Ryan. Remember me from the rodeo? It was so fun to meet you and now it's really cool you are on the blog. How's it going? How is Steve? You guys still together? If you remember, Dave and I are re-doing the apartment and it's pretty much finished. So, if you and Steve want to come over for dinner sometime, just give me a jingle.

And if Devany truly believes that was a "good one', he obviously does not have a pair.

John S you are so funny and original. What do you have ... the Mike Gumby talking points? What next, you drink the kool aid?

John S. Good one!

"clem" does just doesn't look like "Clem". Maybe because "clem" is a crossdresser.

oh --now at least you changed it to the lower case. nice job. at least you learned.

oh you did the change your name to mine thing-- except you used capital letters. hmmm.. sorry dude... you just lose each and every time.

holy moly-- home run!! guessed it. now maybe something like im really stupid or something along those lines... lets see..

no im from new york...not bama--i think i already told you . but i can say it again and not even worry about it.

Clem, you're from Bama right?

its me--clem but i came up with a super funny name. didnt want dr. phil to be the only super clever one on this blog!!

Clem, it is Phyllis.

If my name was "Clem" I wouldn't be smart enough to use a fake name either.

Here is what the nation thinks about the Gundy tirade: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?p=2442808 Read the final lines ... "Media groups, including the Football Writers Association of America and the Association for Women in Sports Media, have issued statements critical of Gundy." http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/col/weiss/index.html "Gundy owes Carlson an apology for his outrageous behavior."

Actually, I m not on food stamps "Phil" ( I nearly had a heart attack laughing again at that fake name...its soooooooo clever!!)

Uh Oh. I struck a "poor boy" nerve with Clem. Clem it's alright to be on food stamps, I forgive you. I pay for your food, and I forgive you.

no phil--i cant. i never have engaged in beastiality. no idea what a doberman smells like. sorry.

dr phil now equates the car someone drives to who they are. simple minds. simple points. hey here is an equation. the more money you make--the smarter you are. you just keep getting dumber and dumber. say something again-- come on--im gonna call people over to take a look at how dumb you are "dr. phil" (hahh even your fake name is knee slapping funny!!)

Wow!

Like your name too? I get it now - hahahaha!

So I guess you are saying you have never written a column then, huh? Thought so.

PS Jim. My first post was a joke. Much like your life.

Clem, I am starting to think these OSU folks are in some sort of therapy experiment. Go online and rant rather than yell at the kids, beat the wife or kick the dog. I guess we are a part of the greater good.

Hey, if all you gotta do is make stuff up about people...who can't do that? My three year old makes up a new story about Spiderman every 10 minutes and he is fictitious. You can't get an interview with him. Sportswriters have a 50-75% of their story handed to them. The rest they can get by asking two or three questions in the span of 20 minutes. Wow....impressive.

Have you ever written one? Try it. And then do it again the next day. And the next. It is a lot tougher than you can imagine.

ron nice comeback. Im guessing that you have no life since you have no balls. You tried to be funny--failed miserably--then tried to act as though you weren't trying to be funny. Sorry for your lack of humor and lack of capability to argue other than on a school yard level. Im hoping you are 12 or 13--then at least you have an excuse as most kids taunt that way. If not---sorry pal. Honestly--i feel really bad for you,

Yeah, exactly Jim. You own that question. Take responsibility for you!

Dr. Phyllis, How hard could it be to write a sports column anyway?

And how can you have a life without humor? Can you imagine us not having George W. Bush to laugh at?

Wow!! It is amazing that two people can read something and come to two completely different conclusions about its meaning. Never for a second did I think that: "Bobby Reid stood near the team charters last Friday night, using his cell phone, eating his boxed meal. It would've been normal post-game activity but for one thing. His mother was feeding him chicken." meant that his mother was actually physically feeding him chicken. Huh, never thought of it like that. Do you really think that she was physically feeding him?

Rob = humorless.

If I had no life, I would be on this website posting anonymous messages to anonymous people all day like you ... Sorry, Clem, it isn't about HUMOR, it's about someone who has no life (you) and someone who has no civility (Jenni)

This whole feeding of Bobby has taken on new legs since Jenni wrote the column. People, supporters of the OSU program, have said it was fried chicken ... and that was a racist comment by Jenni. She only wrote it was chicken. Maybe it is in the minds of the Jenni-bashers that they are racist. And the crying about the mention of momma feeding her son ... like it was some sort of crime is again in the heads of the protesters. I read it. I didn't have a problem with it - maybe because I was not looking for a problem with it. My main point is that Gundy is to blame for this uproar. Why? Okay, it is late Saturday afternoon or evening. The game is over. You happen to pick up a copy of the Oklahoman. Are you going to read a pregame column after the game? No. The column was dead - old news at that point. But some dumb coach with too much goop in his hair and claims to a 40-year old man, acts like a baby to showboat for the media. If you have a problem with it, you ask Jenni for a meeting - private. You express you problem with the article. You act like an adult and not a spoiled baby trying to intimidate the press. He had a chance to praise him team for a victory ... but maybe he didn't ant to talk about that defense. He said he nevers reads the paper. Never means never. So now he has read this column. He says he has the support of other coaches who have emailed him, but he says he never reads his email. Never means never. And now, when asked what the errors in the article were, he refuses to tell ... this coming after he said he didn't want to talk about the incident anymore, which he then did for 20 minutes. He says one thing and does another. That makes him a liar. If that is the type of person OSU wants to run their program, more power to them. But I will pity them for it. He is garbage and makes me want to puke.

Clem She made an obvious attempt to link the fact that he would rather be "babied, coddled, or fed chicken" by his mom than compete on the field. I dont have to extrapolate that. It is in black and white. She is the one that attempted to make the connection not me.

honeslty rob do you think the issue is that his mom fixed him dinner? Or do you think its cause she fed it to him like a 11 month old? Rob--seriously--its not about his mom cooking. its that she treated him like a child.

From USA Today Clemson running back Ray Ray McElrathbey, who took custody of his 12-year-old brother last year, was suspended from the team for at least four practices because of academic concerns. Coach Tommy Bowden said McElrathbey return to the team after spring break if he gets his class work in order. McElrathbey is raising his brother, Fahmarr, because of their mother's drug addiction. Bowden was asked if McElrathbey's numerous responsibilities led to academic problems........ Wow--none of this is about his ability to play football. Its all off field stuff. No crimes committed. Are you going to go after this reporter? Amatuer athlete. non-football related---stories about his mom. i guess you all will need to wait to see if gundy has a problem with it--then either not care--or go berserk.

"I ve read nothing but insults in order to teach jenni what is acceptable?" C'mon clem, I have not insulted once. You cant say you have read nothing that is not. Also, should members of the school band get ridiculed in a public forum for bad play or if their mom fixes them some dinner after a halftime performance? They are receiving scholarships and going to school free in some cases. Professional bands get criticized all of the time.What about science majors? Perform bad in a lab experiment -- read in the newspaper about how you went grocery shopping with mom and it threw your experiment for a loop. Just having a little fun with that one!! Have a good night!

rob taylor your joking right? the only point --i repeat the only point is that the man (im not saying kid anymore--he is an adult) gets spoon fed. dnt extrapolate some sort of meaning that this sends a message that moms and sons should not hang. if you go to dinner with your mom and sit down and order a burger or steak or even chicken and take a knife and fork and eat it...I guarantee --no one will have anything but kind words to say. this is total weirdness. dont you get that. dont make it something it isnt.

Gentlemen, I must go now. I have enjoyed the debate. I guess we will just have to agree to disagree. At least I will. Have a good evening. We should do this again sometime.

Mark Can you list definitively the rules for journalism. In your rules, can you define what is an amateur athlete. (40,000 dollars waived for tuition room and board--id say thats some sort of compensation) What is elegible for off field reporting. Obviously crimes are. But how about if he donates his time to the homeless--should reporters mention this? Or not allowed since it has nothing to do with football? How about if he grew up in a single parent home ? remember--nothing to do with football. How about if he Cooks for himself because he is studying cooking? allowed-? I never read all the rules. I will say that for all the highly principled people on this blog--they dont act very moral--or above the fray. I ve read nothing but insults in order to teach jenni what is acceptable? kind of weird teaching--but I guess if she follows your example she will really go berserk on other players. great way to

Clem: When young people hear this kind of thing from an adult, they are going to immediately think it is uncool to be associated with their parents. I dont think that is the message the largest newspaper in the state should be putting out there. That has nothing to do with his play on the field. But when adults say it does, a kid may take it to mean they should drift further away from there folks.

Let me state, so there is no confusion, I am not comparing what Bobby does to what our heroes oversees do. I hope it did not sound that way. All points taken and I agree with some. I have no problem with saying that he shouldnt laugh on the sidelines during a loss. The biggest problem I have with that is he was laughing with a coach. The coach should not have been in that position either, but that has never came up. I have had the same conversation with my players about their demeanor on the sidelines during a loss. I am saying that in these days of broken homes and families, one should not ridicule a young man for having a close relationship with his mother. It has no bearing on his play on the field. Go around to the high schools accross the state and find out how many football teams have dinners the night before games that their moms make for them. I can tell you it is many. Many successful ones for that matter. There is no connection to Moms cooking and play on the field. Any attempt to connect the two is reaching for a story and in my opinion taking a cheap shot at an amateur athlete's character. If you think for a second that Brett Favre's mom never made him something to eat after a game in HS, college, or even the pros for that matter, my guess is you are very wrong. Just a guess I have no facts to base it on. Just my opinion.

Spoon feeding? Jenni wasn't even at the Troy game. She didn't see the "feeding" incident that she uses to chastise Reid. She didn't know the context of the conversation between Trumain Carrol and Reid on the sideline of the Troy game that resulted in laughter. She didn't interview Reid or Gundy for her piece. Perhaps her intent was to "openly wonder" about the reasons for Robinson getting the nod over Reid, but it was a poor attempt. The entire premise of her column was based on this chicken "feeding" connection - a situation that she did not witness, did not fully describe, and has nothing to do with playing quarterback. Her article ripped Reid - intentional, or not - in a public setting, and she got ripped in a public setting. This should be a lesson learned by Ms. Carlson that teaches her to: A) Do her homework B) Learn when to not rip an amateur athlete.

rob taylor I think you misinterpreted the article. Im not sure if that is intentional on your part (justifies the bashing) or an honest mistake. But Carlson does not have an issue with a close relationship between parent and child. She says that the guy needs to grow up. Gain some responsibility . The laughing, the transfer threats, the spoon feeding. It s as though he is a spoiled kid and pouts when he is benched and doesnt care if the team wins or loses. I have a problem with that as well. And again its ridiculous that its front page--but character is always an issue.

Rob, So what you are saying is, if it's not related directly --D I R E C T L Y to his play on the field, it is off limits? Personally, I think that if you bring a pampered attitude to the locker room==threaten to transfer if you sit on the bench, that you laugh on the sidelines as your team loses, that it does affect the whole team. Correct me if Im wrong, but generally, the quarterback is the leader. He is not just a guy who throws the ball downfield. He is intended to be a leader. And leaders need to command respect in order to lead. Would you follow a guy who has his mom feed him? You dont think that this has an impact? That's your perogative to think whatever way you think, but I think its all relevant. Or put another way, Brett Favre is said to be a great quarterback not only because of his passer rating, but also his passion for winning. His command in the locker room and his total aura. If you can admire someone for all those attributes, doesnt it stand to reason that OSU doesnt win games when they dont have a Brett Favre on their team. We can disagree...but I dont think Carlson's article is as vicious --or as deserving of all the abuse. Study the whole issue. If you really admire Bobby for all that he is reported to be---then you shouldnt have a problem. If he is lacking leadership, then maybe he should be playing in a different division. But divison 1 football is not little league. its not the last kid picked on sports teams. its not that bobby is 9 years old. He is man--and my point about iraq is not to illicit some sort of comparison--simply to point out that 22 is not that young--and this 'parent thing' is ridiculous. Gundy says he is 40. So---18 year old kids die---is 22 that young? thats all im saying. When, according to Gundy can you take a comment about laughing on the sidelines? Do you have to be 37? It seems like he is old enough to me.

Thanks for pointing that out Jim. I am not sure why you think I was talking about little league, but ok (I dont coach little league). Maybe because you are one of the immature people that types GUMBY instead of Gundy and thinks it is hillarious. But you are right. Coach Gundy is getting paid a lot of money. Never said he shouldnt be scrutinized. High school coaches get scrutinized and I can promise you they dont get paid a lot (not most anyway). Again, say what you want to say about his play on the field, but it has nothing to do with the relationship he has with his mom. To even bring that up is asinine and foolish.

Apples and oranges.

You are right Clem; there are young men dying in Iraq. I wonder what would happen if someone wrote a piece questioning their will to defend this country because his mom fixed him something to eat and gave it to him upon his return to the US. It would never happen because the way he fights in Iraq has nothing to do with his relationship with his mother. Same as in this case. I have no problem with saying he has not played to the level of expectation we all had for him, but it is meaningless and very unprofessional to pull all the other crap in and imply he is babied by his mom.

Rob, This is not little league. Look at the money Gumby gets. It is big time sports. With that comes the scrutiny of the press.

I am not being defensive at all thanks. I am just stating the parts that I feel were attacks and asking your opinions about them. I will tell you that if someone had wrote the same article about one of my kids or players I would be very angry as well. I truly believe that any father or coach who is worth anything would be as well. It is very disheartening when you have been teaching kids their whole life to be close to their family and a tabloid reporter comes along to bash a player for being close to his mother. I just think it is a sad commentary when we use that aspect of a person to judge how good of a football player he is. It is the wrong message to be sending kids.

The thing is that Bobby Reid is nearly 22 years old. He is 6'3 230 pounds. He is not an amateur athlete. Gundy appeals to parents. well im a parent and i pay 40,000 a year for my son to go to school. You think that bobby playing for his tuition is nothing--i think you are wrong. One last thing...as said before, he is 22. there are plenty of kids dieing in iraq who are younger. you may think he is a kid. who needs his coach to protect him. I think he needs to grow up . Go ahead bash me..but last time i went to an osu game, i heard plenty of people telling bobby he sucked. and not one of you came over to my section and told those men that they were fat, ugly, dumb, or a non-athlete. Where were you all then?

homeo-- im not sticking up for her. im just pointing out how dumb you are and how easy it is to call her names on a blog.

now Mama talks-- "chicken gate" appearently didn't happen. Time to start putting together your resume.

Robert, I disagree. First, the pampered athlete and the attitude he brings to the locker room is newsworthy. You may not think so, but I find it interesting to see what is tolerated by the coach and what type of character we are dealing with. Sometimes character will reveal itself on the field. Kirk Gibson's limping around the base path is the first example that comes to mind. But, the Vick brothers, their off field antics, (and I wont mention dog fighting) Marcus Vick stomping on a players foot on the field, or his use of guns off of it are newsworthy. You may feel that off field stories should be limited to crimes. And of course you are entitled to that opinion. I, however, find it relevant to the state of the OSU football team and the direction this coach and his players are headed in. To those of you who take issue with the paper itself--I agree. This is not front page material and that's where I have a problem. But Jenni is not the editor. I dont think that DWI charges should be front page==but clearly chicken feeding is ridiculously placed by the paper. I read through the New York Times today. There were 2 (two) references to rumors. One that a certain player was possibly being considered for suspension for drugs. 2 --that a football trade was in the works. So--not sure that the use of the term rumor is indicative of poor journalism. My hunch is that Jenni talks to some of the players and they may have clued her in to some of the antics of this young man. Oft times articles such as these produce themselves after team members' level of frustration with a certain athlete is not being dealt with in the manner they deem appropriate. I guess that some players dont like Reid's ways and Jenni is their mouthpiece. Suit yourself, I think the article is not as vicious as everyone says. I think if Gundy didnt bring it up --in the way he brought it up--that no one would really care--but they admire the coach for sticking up for his players and want to reinforce that quality.

To Clem, The point is Miss Carlson writes sports columns for a newspaper, not gossip stories for a tabloid. The action of Bobby Reid being fed chicken by his mother whether fact or fiction is irrelevant as it is not news worthy. Miss Carlson used her supposed journalistic integrity to write a cruel, mean-spirited fluff piece that was better suited to be found on the pages of the National Enquirer than on the front sports page of the state's largest paper. Her use of terms like "rumor has it..." showes that she must have skipped her introduction to News Reporting class where the first thing they teach you is to never use third person sources. She is no better than the supposed Reporter from the National Enquirer who reports on Nicole Richie's pregnancy or the photographer who stalks celebrities in order to catch them in embarrassing moments. This was not reporting a story, this was creating filth and if The Daily Oklahoman had any moral shred of dignity they would give her a chance to continue her muckraking elsewhere.

hey chris-- just let me know.. if you think its wrong to bash--then why are you doing it? I think its funny that people have these high morals and principles, but somehow forget that they apply to themselves as well. Oh..let me guess, if she said it about someone you have seen on tv, but never spoken to, you are allowed to unleash your venom. Strange rules. twisting, contorting, --but in the end, people like you dont have any reason to bash the woman--she never did anything to you---but ironically the whole issue is how outraged at bashing you are. what a giant bunch of hyporcrites.

I find it REALLY funny that Jenni normally posts a blog update every day to every other day, but here lately since she's getting pounded by negative comments, forgets to update her blog now....What a loser

no rob-- I dont think that. If she reported that he cooks his own food, and donates the balance to the homeless -and afterward runs 5 miles to keep in football shape and attack. Just because he doesnt do the latter, and does the spoon fed thing, is not jenni's choice. it's reid who does it. She didnt tell you to form an opinion. She let you read her observations and form your own. Who knows, there must be some out there who think more highly of the kid after all this. If he leads a life that you admire, then her report is supportive. But you think its wrong what he does, so her reporting makes it an attack. And to ron, maybe if she is sun bathing on a public beach , you can publish those. Go for it. But--i just want to point out that if you piss in public and get caught and somebody reports it..doesnt mean the reporter is wrong. it means you are. Next time reid is hungry, and if he cares, he wont let his mom feed him. Its that simple. and if he doesnt care who knows that his mom feeds him, then there is nothing wrong with jenni reporting it.

Hey Jenni, Only an idiot would write an article that claims to quote the rumor mill and then pretend like you're printing arguable facts. You should go write a gossip column in hollywood or something.

Rob, it is not an attacj - it was an observation. Quit being so defensive.

Jenni, Looks like you got tasered by Gundy for your abuse of freedom of speech. LOL! LOL! LOL! Next time you will learn to go interview someone before you write garbage.

You dont think that saying or, at the very least, implying he would rather be coddled, babied, and fed chicken by his mother than compete for a position is an attack? What about when she said you could "almost see Reid shrugging his shoulders" in an effort to say that he does not care. Even though, I should point out, she was not there and has no idea what his body language was saying. Has nothing to do with OU-OSU. Has to do with a state that is tired of a tabloid writer writing a sports (or what she believes sports is) column for a rag of a newspaper to which most dont have much choice.

I dont get it still? You all say she viciously attacked the kid. Ok. Just tell me where? She reported that his mom fed him chicken. Is that an attack? She said that he asked to transfer multiple times. Is that an attack? She said he laughed on the sideline during a loss. ok--i dont think she knows what he was laughing at. So its somewhat irresponsible. But at the same time when i saw him laughing i formed a judgement. I dont think its crazy that jenni formed one either. all i read on this blog is: 1) if you are an ou or osu fan you are ......x y or z. is that the point? who cares? 2) if jenni is either overweight or not an athlete, it means her opinions are not valid. ok--so that makes for about 90% of all football fans...fat and never played college ball. 3) tell me where she is wrong in facts. tell me where she attacked----and maybe ill change my mind. but if you ask me...gundy was under pressure after the troy state loss. he decided to use this as an opportunity for recruiting (hey ill look after your kid) and to deflect criticism. Nice job--good idea on his part. Appealing to the parents --and defending a kid. But i think it was a show. a HUGE show. if he had spoken for 20 seconds and said it was wrong--thats ok. this was a huge show. and you are all buying into it--

Yeah Jeff isnt that something. I got my post pulled off for giving the website of another column entitled "Bad Carlson" written on the OU hub. Funny how if it is an article ripping her it gets pulled. Even though I made no personal attacks nor did I use any profanity. It is one of the funniest things I have ever read. Hope you can find it.

Public petition calling for an apology from Jenni Carlson http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Carlson_public_apology/?e

634 comments and counting. I haven't lived in the state for a few years but shouldn't the fair be going on? You people should stop reading and writing so much and go get a turkey leg or indian taco. that's if jenni has left any.

HAVEN'T THEY FIRED YOU YET ?

Mike Gundy is a clown. Saying it's wrong to trash kids, as Gundy said, is an indictment on the fans who demean kids on the message boards. You think what Jenni wrote was bad? Read the OSU message boards. Read the threads about HIGH-SCHOOL KIDS who choose OU, Texas, Nebraska, whatever. Then tell me how people shouldn't trash kids. Fight the power, Jenni.

Just one comment for you Jenni, quit. Obviously you were either able to fool someone into thinking you are smart, or they are more stupid than they want to admit. That has to be the only way you received your education and your job. As for your boyfriend "James Tyrone, Jr." (post 123), your analytical thought process is just as acute as hers. You two should hurry up and trade your nuptuals. With that post, you're already at the alter. To both of you, enjoy life as one of the masses. You two obviously aren't cut out to be one of the public (if I need to give you reference on this, your pseudo-intellects are more exposed than I imagined).

Do you feel any obligation to secure credible information and accurately report your sources and basis of information in your articles? This is a college kid's life, not some grammar school whisper down the lane game with your silly gal-pals. You really destroyed any shred of credibilty you may have had as a journalist. Upon reflection, do you think it was appropriate to mock the fortitude of a college kid and use references to chicken and his mother in doing so? Do you have any legitimate basis to report on college athletics? (and saying "I've been a reporter for __ years simply isn't acceptable). Why don't you find a profession for which you are better suited, like forest fire watcher or pizza delivery girl?

Jenni Carlson has made it blatantly obviously that she has had no real involvement with college athletics. I played soccer for four years in college and then went on to work as an assistant collegiate soccer coach while receiving my masters degree. When players are traveling or parents come to see a home game it brings a sense of comfort to players to have their parents their supporting them. Usually after a game if possible athletes will share a meal with their parents. In college after a game that I played in my mother brought me a spongebob lunchbox filled with candy for my teammates…Jenni Carlson would have pounced on that opportunity to publicly humiliate

Where did you learn how to be a journalist? You should stick to just writing at forums because your writing is garbage

I've always said women reporting about football were a waste of time and your a prime example of that theory. Honestly telling the media that Bobby Reid was going to play was an apparent decoy so that Tech would study what he did in film rather than that of Zac Robinsons tendencies. Then they play Zac and Tech wouln't be prepared. I played football all my life and into college for a few years and this happened all the time, but your a woman who has no idea what your talking about and wanted to make a publictiy stunt because you obviously can't make it by on your normal CRAPPY REPORTING. Don't report on things that you don't understand!

Thank you Coach Gundy for saying what coaches have wanted to say since Berry made the mistake of hiring you at the Oklahoman 8 years ago. You are a joke as a serious journalist, and your pathetic personal attacks on student athletes is rediculous. If the Oklahoman had any guts they would make you publish a retraction and apology. You need to get better "imaginary sources". 1st JamesOn Curry had no shot at getting drafted and now Bobby read has an attitude problem......For the record JO was drafted high in the 2nd round and is now making a ton of money in the NBA and Bobby was on the field Sat at WR throwing nice blocks for his teammates and celebrating the win. To qoute Coach Gundy " GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT "

You deserved every bit of Gundy's criticism. Your article was horrible and uncharitable journalism....a bunch of glib and unsubstantiated cheap shots at an amateur athlete.

Dave, as much as I hate to say this, we agree on many aspects. (Ouch, that hurt! ) I'm still inclined to think that the journalist is more in the wrong (in other words, she started this crap) and that she owes an apology to Bobby Reid and his mother for the cheap shot. It's been real and it's been...., well, you know. I have to leave the world of blog to go to my real job as wife, mother and business owner. I have to hit the grocery store before picking up the kid from school. I'm thinking we might have chicken for supper. Until we spar again.....

You stand by the FACTS of your story targeting Bobby Reid. (I did not find the article to be laced with very many useful facts, but whatever.) But do you stand by the SPIRIT of the article? Was it written to inform sports fans or to give us an unwanted look at how much you despise the athletes you cover? It is obvious that you have made a serious vocational error. You should work at a tabloid if you can meet their standards for decency. I'm canceling my subscription and won't resume it until you have moved on from the paper.

Jenni, Have you or will you accomplish all that Bobby Reid has already accomplished with his PERSONALITY, DRIVE, etc? So much for being a momma's boy.

100 million men in America wish they were "man enough" to do what Bobby Reid has done --- get on the QB squad at one of the top football programs. So, 100 million or so men wish they were able to do what Reid has done. And, I still bet millions of females in the US wish their bf/hubby was on the QB list at a big name school. Bravo, Bobby Reid. Well done. Now, who wants to be like Jenni? What has she done? Average school? Average paper? Average SAT? Millions of parents would be proud of having a kid like Bobby. I haven't heard any parent brag or dream about having a kid like Jenni doing what is supposed to be "journalism." Millions of people would be thrilled to have Bobby as a friend. Does Jenni's resume let her say that?

Mike, pointing out the apparent fact that mommy hand-feeds the big-time 22-year-old or so college quarterback equates to "yellow journalism" and "Washington DC politics?" Uhh...In what fictional universe do you live? It was a fairly silly reference to put into her column, but please.

Jenni Carlson and her editor need to print an apology to the Team/Staff/Players/Reid. I can't believe they are standing behind this yellow journalism. This is not Washington DC politics this is College Sports. The article was in poor taste, poor judgement, harmful and in a class of it's own.

Shelly, the column was not well-written, and the chicken shot was cheap. Gundy's farce of a Hollywood performance was totally unprofessional and totally bogus, designed only to evade and avoid answering questions about the game and about his team. The hypocritical fact is that everybody and their mother, no pun intended, would have been heckling Reid during the game if he played and played like crap. Possibly even screaming out that he's a mama's boy. This entire thing is a joke on so many levels.

Page, I said big sport championships ,,, not minor sports. Learn to read and quit whining.

I am a collegiate varsity athlete at a prestegious school in the north east. Fortunately, my school is very near my hometown, and I enjoy going home for dinner once a week. After reading your article, i honestly felt sick that someone would actually crucify a college athlete like that. You would have no idea how it would feel to continue to go to school after a yellow-bellied journalist basically called you a mama's boy. You and your kind disgust me, to belittle an amateur athlete knowing full well the repercussions your words would have on the Reid's life in school. Coach Gundy was correct in calling you out. You should be ashamed of yourself, and you should write a public apology to Bobby Reid, in the same newspaper where you wrote that compeletely shamful article.

Maybe this "sportswriter" should check out this http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/7262930?forum_key=StoryComments&topic_key=7262930. Nothing but 33 pages of support for Gundy. I support Gundy 100% and I canceled my subscription today.

Football players expect to get yelled at by fans on game day. Saddly, it's part of the game. Fortunate for them, they are yards away and can't hear every single nasty word that is being said about them. Unfortunate for Reid, his manhood was taken to task in the biggest newspaper in the State of Oklahoma. You call Gundy unprofessional, what do you call Carlson? Unprofessional comes to mind. Maybe even ignorant. Ignorant of the audience and how her statements were going to be received. It seems she has done something that no other person has ever been able to do, she has united OU and OSU fans. Even Stoops said he thinks it stinks how journalists think they can say whatever they want and then expect to never be called out.

It doesn't matter if it was a well-written piece or if you stand behind your facts about your observations, if not of the entire article had anything to do with how amateur athletes perform at their craft on their playing field. To also take something out of context by noticing someone smiling or laughing on a sideline as an amateur athlete does not mean that mean that the athlete does not take their performance or that of their team seriously. Does that mean that athletes can’t show any form of displeasure when their winning, when you’re not told why their upset? Does that mean that you don’t laugh during the course of your workweek when your company or department is having a bad week, when you are getting paid to perform at your job? As a response to Coach Gundy, a team can still have trouble winning for a number of reasons, but that does not mean that comradery should not develop between coaches and players during the long haul of a season, similar to the relationship of sportswriters and then be able to defend one another who don't have the voice to defend themselves without someone in the media continuing to make a negative of it to bring continued light to the situation. You get paid to make comments about what you see or hear during the events you cover, but if someone well known in the MEDIA were to start posting Internet Blogs or public articles about the way you relate to members of your parental family off the field, I would doubt that would be fair play as a way to describe how you as a person perform at your job. Again, you are not in college as a student around thousands of other students, not under scholarship to perform some continued skill that someone sought you out for and finally, still hope to have a career doing something that you love doing without having a long-lasting article following you around for the rest of your life as a reminder.

Jenni- Just wanted to start by saying that I am somewhat on the fence about your recent article and Mike's lecture. I realize that your article was an attempt at addressing some of the questions and concerns that many Cowboy fans have been asking. I think that the angle of the article combined with the timing of it were the real issues to most. I appreciate the fact that you were trying to answer the questions regarding the qb switch. Many of us simply didn't understand the timing of that. I think that the fanbase was somewhat split on who they thought was the better option at starter for our team. There were a lot of rumors and speculation regarding the situation. Heck I was one of the speculators. One thing I can say is that noone really knows the reason for the switch except the coaches and players and maybe a select few insiders. I really feel like your angle about Reid's toughness and attitude were incorrect. I personally believe that the reason for his inconsistencies are more cerebral than anything. I believe that even the most physically gifted athletes can sometimes fail due to the inability to think quickly at this level. But, Reid no doubt is a team player, is dedicated, and is a quality person. Coaches make decisions based on who they feel gives them the best chance to win. And I believe that Zac has been pressing them since middle of last year due to his presence on the field. It is obvious to someone watching the games that the offensive plays tend to develop just a little faster when Zac is in. He also understands his reads pretty well. I mean, we can all see that he is going to be a great player. But, what a commodity to have when you have two phenomenal athletes at the qb position. Qb switches should not be viewed as controversies. I mean, we don't make a big hurrah when the Right Guard gets replaced by a guy who outperforms him. But for some reason, the qb position seems to be an area that gets criticized and analyzed to no end. This is a situation where one qb appeared to give his team a better chance at a win. Simple as that. Did Reid's history of injury play a role in that decision? Probably. Do the coaches think he's not tough because he gets banged up? Doubtful. Does Reid have an attitude problem? No. I think that question was answered by his teammates when they voted him team captain. As far as the part about his Mom feeding him chicken before the Troy game....I seriously doubt that it was as implied. I would imagine that his Mom had some chicken and asked him if he wanted a bite, or else he thought it looked pretty good and asked her for a bite. The way your article paints this picture it's as though she sat there with a bucket of chicken and a wet nap offering him bite after bite and then wiping his mouth for him or sucking the grease off his fingers. And we all know that this is not how it went down. So, to make a long story short...I think Mike should have called you out on this one...just maybe not in the manner it was done. I was really looking for a postgame discussion about defense (or lack thereof) and how well the team responded to a close game in the end. I think that if you wanted to restore some credibility and faith from your readers that you should admit where your story crossed the lines of fair reporting and to also address the so-called sources where the "Facts" of your stroy came from.. You have criticized Mike for not answering you when you asked him to tell you which statements were fiction, yet you have not come out with anything the establishes any credibility to the statements you made.

Exactly, Shelly. The guy is a big phony. If anything, it was nothing more than a recruiting tool. The timing of his rant was absolutely ridiculous. Totally bogus. Anything to avoid answering questions following another horrid performance. That column was a convenient "out." The hilarious thing is that the very same fans who are now ripping Carlson a new one for her cheapshot would have been ripping Reid a new one during the actual game. After after crapola play, screaming and calling Reid every name in the book.

Jenni: Great job at flawed reasoning and poor logic. How you draw a conclusion that Bobby Reid is "coddled" because his mother fed him in public is beyond me, and only shows your poor judgement and terrible journalism. Perhaps one day when you are sending your kid off to high school or helping him/her move into college dorms, you will understand. I'm glad Bobby Reid is not ashamed to let his mother express her love for him in public. In this generation of single parents, broken homes, high divorce rates, and delinquent children, it's nice to see strong family bonds being exhibited ever so often. You definitely owe the Reids a personal apology.

Okay, Dave, read the press a little bit more. You are all caught up in what journalists think. They are going to defend their own, whole fraternity/sorority mentality. But, the real people think he did the right thing. Again, it was overblown and lasted too long. But, I have heard numerous times people say that they want their kid to play for a guy that will defend his players like that. Seems to me that mother's all over the country will be sending their kids and their chicken to OSU. He scored some major points with kids and parents as far as recruiting goes.

Not an OSU fan but I have to say that Gundy was right on. I don't think your profession should be in sports journalism, try the National Inquirer, they are always looking for stories like that!!!!

Anyone in the state would agree that OSU has been playing HORRIBLE. If you read the message boards, and I'm pretty sure you do, you know that fans are not happy. There is more than one person talking about having Gundy's head. That's the nature of college football. Gundy did not act professional, but he called out Carlson in public because she humiliated Reid very publically. I'll be the first person to say that it was overblown and lasted much too long, but it wasn't totally uncalled for. As for Reid being able to defend himself, he shouldn't have to defend his character or manhood, which should never have been taken in to question on the front page of a (again I say) "credible" newspaper. Defending his play is one thing, defending the essence of who he is, that's another thing entirely.

Yeah, Shelly, but Reid can certainly defend himself. He's not 8-years-old, and if he has a problem, then he has easy access to any sports reporter in the city. I'm fairly confident the guy owns a cell phone. My problem is not the column, per se, but how incredibly disingenuous Gundy is. Of all the times he could have mentioned it, he just "happened" to choose a postgame press conference of a game in which the defense played absolutely putrid, they nearly lost yet again, this a mere week after they lost to some school named TROY? I mean, until Oklahoma State lost to Troy, I'd never even heard of the damn place. Seriously. I mean, when I first read about the Troy game, the first thought that popped into my head was, "They lost to an archaeological site?"

Check out this site it's too funny: http://www.mikegundyismadatyou.com

Jenni, Whether or not what you said are "facts" or not, your article was garbage. It is sick to focus on a kid trying to get somewhere is life by ripping his personality down. Will your ex boyfriends come forward and tell us about the details of your past? Would that be appropriate? No. But, would it be worse than what you did to a student who is not paid and was simply one of the best QBs that a college could find when they recruited and THEY INVITED him to play for the team?

Jenni....how has monster.com been looking the past few days??

Dave, I'm not calling you homer anymore because, after all, you did say that she shouldn't have written the chicken story. I have never said it was false. I do, however, know that Jenni Carlson was not at that game, so she had to have gotten that information from one of her "rumor has it", "if you believe the grumblings" sources. Also, I realize that when college kids (men, for your benefit) go to a football game, they may have only a few minutes to see their parents who have traveled many miles to watch them play. Has it occured to you that Bobby and his mother was just sharing a little bit of personal time, time that college "men" don't get much of with their parents? If my mother were to hold out a piece of chicken for me to eat (could his hands have been full of something else??) I think I would probably have taken a bite and never considered myself childish for doing so. I'll just bet you that some of the other guys were just wishing their parents had made the trip, much less cared enough to bring them some food. Did you go to college, Dave? Do you remember being a poor, starving college kid (man) and sick of cafeteria food? I remember that when my parents came to visit, one of the best things about the visit was that they took me to eat and my mother usually brough me some cookies. Oops, does that make me a baby? Nope, just a normal kid. I'm sure glad nobody crucified me in HUGE print of the FRONT of the Sports section for that. Yes, Bobby Reid is a football player at a state university and should expect criticism about his play. He should, however, not have to deal with attacks on his character or his manhood being carried out in a "credible" (take that with a grain of salt) newspaper. Go up a few comments and read thr article by a REAL journalist. Not even journalists, at least good ones, think she was right.

LOL Dave 605*

Pal, do you suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, or what? A kid published a plain link to Whitlock's column. Listen, I know many of the people around here are somewhat naive and maybe not too bright, but I think they have enough sense to point their cursor at a row of blue letters.

To say that the article on Reid wasn't hurtful is ridiculous. You publicly questioned his manhood. Worrying about your credibility is the last thing that you should be worrying about right now. You should be more concerned about how heartless you are to tear a guy's life to shreads just to make a buck. This isn't even about football, or how he should have a thick skin. You didn't criticize his athletic abilities. On the contrary, you said they were great! No, instead you criticized his PERSONAL qualities. How heartless are you? How would it feel if someone PUBLICLY criticized some PERSONAL qualities of yours. I think you're quite fat, for instance. What if I was to publicly bring up your weight issues? What if I was to say that maybe YOUR mom should be feeding you chicken. That way she could cut you off when you'd had too much. How would that feel?

First, apologize publicly to Reid and his Mom. Then take a long, hard look in the mirror.

Actually, Shelly, a lot of people are saying is that it was false, not that it was simply bad form. Apparently, it wasn't false. Furthermore, it's fairly obvious that Gundy's ulterior motive was to avoid facing the media following yet another debacle. They scored 49 points, and still they came *that close* to actually losing again. I imagine if Carlson hadn't written that column about Reid, then Gundy would have desperately found something else highly controversial to scream about at the postgame press conference. Like why the McRib is "for a limited time only."

But David New york doesn't care about college football. you have validity in your post...an awful lot of truth to it....that being said, is Miss Carlson so inept that she doesn't even know what the pulse of her audience? That in itself tells me she is clueless about her comments. A good journalist knows how to motivate her/his audience..not send the community up in arms. She did not help anyone but herself in this manner. Now maybe she will garner the recognition of The National Enquirer and get the postion she has always dremed about. A real sports write would never have stooped to these measures and would have known the implications and adverse effects of the article....or maybe she did and that is why she wrote it.

"Why is it up to HER to “prove where she erred???” Sorry, but your comment is just retarded." I said 'It is up to her to prove her accusations.' Learn to read. Also learn to reason. If one makes an accusation, they better be able to back it up with something besides 'sources say' and 'rumor has it' The onus is not on Gundy to prove anything. The onus is on Jenni to back up her accusations with some meat, otherwise they mean nothing. Google 'Proof Surrogate'. 'Wheres the beef' Or maybe thats 'Where's the chicken'

Jason Whitlock who you worked for Jenni, has even stated how wrong you are. Take his advice and apologize and this will go away. http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/290829.html

Parts of the country are just more DECENT and RESPECTFUL of people than other parts also. And, again, you just identified yourself as at least semi-decent because you said that, had it been you,n you wouldn't have written it. That's what we are all saying, she shouldn't have attacked his relationship with his mother. It was wrong.

Reid was ripped apart BECAUSE of his play. Not because of his very curious public display with his mother. Carlson simply used that cheapshot to further support her point. I personally wouldn't have written it if I wrote a sports column, but that's just me. Parts of the country are far more sensitive than others. Print the same "his play is inconsistent, he's soft, he giggles during losses, a pimple is an injury that puts him on the sidelines, and he literally gets handfed by his mommy" reference in the New York Post, and it wouldn't have even raised an eyebrow.

Actually Dave you are wrong. Braylon Edwards was never ripped to shreds in the media....there was criticism, yes.....but he was never called pretty much, a "momma's Boy"......SI had a 3 page write up on he and his mothers relationship. Get your information correct. And yes this is about a "journalist" and her general attitude about a athelete who maybe didn't pan out quite the way everyone expected. There is a decorum of professionalism that is expected and you don't kick a person when he is down. I have many times seen student and professional atheletes laughing on the sidelines when their team is losing. Being on the sidelines, lots of times an assistant coaches job is to try to lighten the mood of a player having a bad day, he will get his roasting in the team meetings later. However, a journalist is subject to telling the truth. Not printing rumors. And certainly not belittling a boy/man when he has just seen his entire carreer disappearing before his eyes. I agree with the 1st amendment, but come on, anyone can see this was a personal attack on a person. Just like Gundy could have handled it better, so could Miss Carlson.

Dave, Dave, Dave, I pay you a compliment and you can't even acknowledge that you did something good. You are such a humble guy. Curious, was Braylon Edwards ripped apart because of his relationship with his mother, or was it based on his PLAY (or lack there of)?

Actually, Braylon Edwards was periodically ripped to shreds by the Michigan media. The Oklahoma media is nothing compared to a lot of the country. A comparative walk in the park. Like I said, if a person can't stand the heat, then move to cooler temperatures. Who held a gun to Gundy's head when he applied for the job? This really isn't about a sportswriter, this really isn't about a kid that's going to be 22 in December. No, this is really about Gundy's lousy record and the poor performance of his team. For God's sakes, they had to score more than 45 points just to win! If I was about to face the music, I'd get pretty defensive, too. Like I said, if you can't stand the heat ... Hey, is Gundy's $850,000 salary sufficient to pay for a decent goose feather jacket? Does the North Pole have a decent college football team? I'm confident that Gundy is man enough to whip those "kids" into shape.

Hey, Wolverine, I agree. He was overblown, he shouldn't have taken up the whole press conference with it, and he should have praised his team. That's what happens when you speak out of anger before you have a chance to collect your thoughts and form your words. I've said on this board, numerous times, that he should have handled it differently, more professional. We also agree that she was wrong to trash his relationship with his mother. You hold the views of 95% of the people on this blog.

And for the record, I think that Gundy was a little bit overblown.....I think he should have given accolades to his team first, and then when Jenni asked him a question, I think it would have been more effective to hold up the article, look her dead in the eye, and say something like, "Miss Carlson, I refuse to answer any of your questions for fear my response will be taken out of context. Any reporter thats spews garbage like this, will never, ever receive one answer from me or anyone else within this institution." Then I would have went on to the next question and totally ignore the lady. Just my .02's

Do I know what homer is? Of course I do. You do to and that's why you find it offensive. Read #601. Someone from Michigan thinks Jenni screwed up and is a joke. Is Michigan a sophisticated enough place for you? Since you obviously think all of us in Oklahoma are a bunch of dumb hicks. People all over the country think she was wrong. It's not about location, it's about decency. For the record, you just admitted that she shouldn't have written it. That makes you a better person than Jenni Carlson and a bigger man than Mike Sherman.

What's wrong with you Jenni Carlson?

The general consensus in Michigan is this reporter is a joke. Critisism of a college athelete comes with the territory, but stupid comments put in a negative context is a recipe for disaster. When UM lost to Appy State, the whole team took a lot of heat from the entire CFB nation, but no one wrote garbage like this. Even Jim Cartey, our resident idiot, didn't have the audacity to write something as moronic as this "reporter" did. The football forums were much tougher on individual players, but that is where "amatuer" writers and fans go to vent their frustrations. Perhaps Miss Carlson, you should join a football forum and post your drivel there, under an alias, that way when you post rumors they will be par for the course. As far as a student/athelete having dinner with his mom....well how many professionals who are asked what they contribute their success to, especially one parent atheletes, first and foremost say "my mother was my inspiration"? Braylon Edwards, one of Michigans finest WRs, was about to quit Michigan, but his mom talked to him on many occasions, and made him stay...it turned out to be a great choice. Miss Carlson, next time you decide to belittle a student/athelete, remember they are playing a game that they dedicated their life to, much as you have dedicated your life to "journalism". Some of them don't do well as others just like some "journalists" don't do as well as other "journalists". Such as yourself. The good news is, just like their is always the CFL for some players, and there are rags like The Star and the National Enquirer for "reporters" such as yourself......OH LOOk.....it's a UFO with a 3-headed alien ascending from the hatch....Quick Jenni, go get the scoop!!!!

Dave, for a guy who is in Ohio and has no connection to Oklahoma in any way, you sure are up on your Oklahoma sports news?? Hmmmmm, makes me wonder. I'll just refer to you as HOMER. Does Bobby Reid call a press conference to say, "My momma didn't feed me chicken and I'm not still on the breast"? Frankly, that is something that should not have been printed. She can't admit that and you can't either, HOMER.

Jim, Oklahoma State ranks 4th overall for NCAA titles. Do some research.

Odd, but I haven't read anywhere where Reid has been quoted as saying, "That chicken thing is false." Why not? Gundy hasn't said it's false and Reid hasn't said it's false. It may have been a mighty low blow, but it must be assumed it's indeed true. If Gundy can't handle the big leagues, then perhaps he should go coach at some backwater community college. There hasn't been a performance that incredibly unprofessional since the most recent time that Byron Houston flapped his wang around out in public.

You still didn't address how factual her chicken statement was. If you were in Oklahoma, you would know that the supposed chicken-feeding incident happened at the Troy game. Jenni Carlson didn't even go to the Troy game. I guess one of her "if you believe the rumors" sources told her that his mom was feeding him chicken? That statement was done for no other reason than to attack his character, his manhood. How is it that you find that defensible? You don't write a column based on message board rumors and not be expected to be called out for what you've done. She had a public forum for her line of bull. That article was published in HUGE letters on the FRONT page of the Sports section on game day. How much more publicity could she get? Why shouldn't Bobby Reid be defended in a public forum? I'll be the first person to say that Gundy could have handled it in a more professional tone, but I think he was dead on to ream her in public.

Jenni - You and your fish wrap of a newspaper should be embarrassed. I wouldn't line my parrots cage with your paper. Truly ridiculous. I couldn't agree with Coach Gundy more. Low-life degenerates like yourself need to realize that there is more to journalism than beating down student athletes. What the hell do you know about it anyway? Let's see you stand in the pocket with 300 pound men chasing you. You probably couldn't even palm a football. I will never read your paper again, rest assured.

So, now you get a chance to see what it's like to be publicly humiliated and criticized. How does it feel? You sit behind a computer and cowardly crank out your crap without regard to the way your irresponsible words may impact a collegiate athlete's sense of self. These athletes have probably accomplished a heck of a lot more in their lifetime than you ever will. As a parent of a football player and the wife of a football coach, if you wrote those words about my son, I wouldn't waste my breath like Coach Gundy did, I'd just walk up and slap you in the mouth.

Actually, I'm in Columbus, Ohio. I have no connection to Oklahoma in any way, shape or form. I just know complete BS when I see it. And Gundy is full of it. I can't imagine that Jim Tressel or Pete Carroll or any other head coach with an ounce of self-respect would ever conduct himself so unprofessionally. Why is it up to HER to "prove where she erred???" Sorry, but your comment is just retarded. Gundy rants and raves like a child child about something that he expressly states is false, and then he subsequently refuses to specify even one single thing that was purportedly false when he's asked the question, "What is false about it?" What gall.

For the record, David, I would be equally ticked if she had attacked an OU player in the same way.

#589 First off, it's not up to Gundy to prove where she erred. It's up to her to prove her accusations.

Actually, the fastest indication that a person is full of crap from their head to their toes is when they try to defend someone who is obviously wrong just because they are such a HOMER. Go back and read comment #213. I am an OU AND OSU fan. She's wrong, Dave, she's wrong. No matter what team you're for, she's wrong. You don't assasinate somebody's character and then just act like you didn't. All people want is for her to say she is sorry for the chicken comment, the rest can just stand.

Ooops. I noticed another typo. She didn't post the question, she posed it. I type like Gundy acts. Like a child.

Ooops. Not the following day. I guess it was about two days later she asked the follow-up. Doesn't really matter. The underlying point is the same: Gundy is full of crap.

Comment #584 is fairly indicative of the bottomless nature of the stupidity of the vast majority of comments on this subject. You ask, "Why don’t you show a little bit of maturity and admit your errors?" Well, that's pretty much the same question that she asked Gundy the following day. The question posted to Gundy was something to the effect of, "Please tell me where my column erred." And you know how Gundy responded? It was something to the effect of, "I don't have to tell you." The fastest indication that a person is full of crap from their head to their toes is when the response to a totally legitimate question is an absolutely preposterous, "Because I said so."

Jenny, you are really giving media and especially Oklahoma a bad name. You write this opinionated crap, then fail to apologize or even act if you did anything wrong. You go on to start saying that Mike "Wouldn't respond to me about what I got wrong". Bull, he said in his rant at least 2 things you got wrong but you aren't even back checking those or apologizing if they are indeed wrong. Go to New York where you can just make stories up and they are good with that. We like real NEWS (did you take any journalism classes in college?) here in Oklahoma. You should be reprimanded at the least and I would have fired you.

Whine, whine, whine. Go back to your high school newspaper.

Jenni Carlson should be fired! She personally attacked the Ok State player, but instead of doing the right thing - stupid spineless journalists defend her and her article?? When does the media have accountability?? Gundy had every right to criticize the ARTICLE and although the personal attack was to Jenni Carlson's level, it was warranted. You journalists act so high and mighty and enjoy your monopoly on manipulating the public to what you journalists want people to think. Why don't you show a little bit of maturity and admit your errors? please stop being a wussy! By the way, I am a journalist so I DO know how low you stooped.

You OSU fans absolutely have no class. The OSU fans are the ones saying the chicken was fried - Jenni never did. Give it up. You are a second rate (at best) college in a state that already has a big time program. You certainly are not contenders for any big sport championships. You are just pretenders. "If Boone will build us this big stadium and sports village, we will be the best." Yeah, right. Try sitting in your garage all night. See if you are a car in the morning. You need the players and the coaches to go with it. OSU has never had that and never will. You are just a bunch of whining wannabes. Whine, whine, whine. And then the coach drinks the wine. That is your legacy.

I think most people desperately want to agree with coach gundy. he appealed to the human side of sports. the notion that these athletes have parents, have feelings, and should not be treated harshly. yet, at the same time,coach gundy's melodratic speech is just way over the top. And you all want to support him, so you go after this reporter. hey, is this the first piece on an athlete that is not positive? Has no one on this blog ever yelled from the stands "you suck" either to a player on your own team , or from another team? If you have, then you should be pointed out by gundy and tarred and feathered. Yes, there is a difference, but it's not you, who should be making it. We all have eyes. We can see a kid laughing on the sidelines during a ridiculous loss. Where is the outrage there? Do none of you consider that , well, wrong? I do. I also think its weird to have your mom feed you in public. There. I said it. Now Coach Gundy can scream at me. I do have kids. So he'll have to take a different approach to making a huge deal. But it's ridiculous the level of outrage at this reporter. One last thing, ask any former players if Coach Gundy ever ridiculed them. If he ever told them they need to change their ways. Its crazy the way he acted. And, there is a desire to say "we need more people giving it back to the press" but, in this case, I think gundy went a bit nuts.

fred, he didnt do any of those exagerated things you mention. he was spoon fed by his mom. she didnt tell you how to interpret that. if you think its vicious, it only speaks to your own judgements on the issue. its not the first , nor should it be the last piece on athletes who have been pampered to the point of lunacy. todd marinovch is famous for his overbearing dad...maybe bobby reid has a similar situation. in any event, reporting facts is never vicious.

I live in Potomac Falls, Virginia, so perhaps it would help to have an outside view of the article you wrote that was published on September 22, 2007 about Bobby Reid. Your article was an attack piece, pure and simple. What was your motivation? What agenda did you hope to advance? What template do you filter your facts through to come out with such a vicious attack on a human being? Did he commit rape? Did he drive while under the influence? Did he gamble on OSU football games? What reprehensible conduct did Bobby Reid partake in that merits such an article? You owe Bobby Reid a huge public apology.

Shame on you.

Hey, I put a comment on here yesterday to john marshall. .. WHY was it deleted, he told me to "F my mother" I was offended and pointed out to him that my mother passed away 10 years ago and that I didn't appreciate that. . . please don't delete this.

Jenni, You got owned!!!!!!

Before this article was written, I'm sure very few of the people visiting this website even knew Jenni existed.

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