The "Homer" sports writer

I know our paper always had a "hit list."

 

Is this a serious question?

(I hate it when people ask that)

There is a definitely line between gifts and things like parking and food that make it possible for you to do your job.

But we have been down that road so many times before.

 

I haven't been privy to those threads, but that's fine if no one wants to discuss it.

I personally think the line is pretty blurred. If you're willing to take a big stand against accepting shirts, hats and whatnot, then you'll find a way not to accept other stuff. And it goes beyond the $5 chicken dinner you eat while spending eight hours at a football stadium.

How about those golf outings at plush resorts?

How about swilling beer and liquor on a conference's dime in the hospitality room?

I could go on. But the point is, almost everyone accepts free stuff in one way or another. And I don't think playing a $200 round of golf on a conference's dime is much different than accepting a $40 shirt on a conference's dime.

 

Had the old "You guys" line last night.

Sitting there in the pressbox, talking with the other newspaper guy for a couple seconds as he heads out. Last thing he says? "Well, don't worry about the loss. You guys are still going to be tough in postseason."

Fuck ...

 

I hope you turned around, held up your hands and told him, "You betcha. You wouldn't believe some of the things these babies can pound out on deadline, especially when I'm in San Antonio at the Final Four. Watch out."

 

Indeed. My last paper paid overtime, so I'd bust my ass for about a month of district and state tournaments and enjoy the spoils of a fat fucking check soon after. Then I was back to the 40-hour week. Because nobody gave a shit about spring sports, we didn't cover them that much.

 

How's this for a homer?

So called sports writer for local paper also a member of the school board, yup, same school he 'allegedly' covered.

Yes, he wore Small School High gear to the games.

 

This guy only does sports.

We'll leave it at that.

 

Well, seeing you have really only posted three times, then you wouldn't have.



I am not saying we shouldn't discuss it, but I don't think deep into this thread is the place for it.

I see someone has linked you there.

 

Yeah, I just looked at W-B taking on the masses there.

One thing I got out of it was all the pooooor sportswriters crying because they didn't have time to eat while covering the game, and that's why they will gladly eat the free grub.

Well, I think we hang onto our self-ascribed "morals" too much sometimes in situations like this. Still, I can't remember the last time I've seen a sports journalist -- myself included -- who would waste away from missing one meal.

 

I think I've got two shirts given to me by teams I've covered in the past. The only time they've moved from my closet was to make a three-hour move to another state, where they now rest in a different closet. I've got no problem with accepting the gift, so long as it's something dinky like a mass-produced T-shirt. But that fucker's not touching my back until I'm far away from the gift-giver.