Sports Illustrated’s Thayer Evans unloaded on the Oklahoma State football program earlier this week, but returning ESPN columnist/commentator Jason Whitlock was less than impressed with SI’s findings. Speaking on WWLS’ BBJ and Mark program Tueday, Whitlock called the piece, “a cliche”.
“Having worked with Thayer Evans at Fox Sports, having followed his work for some time, I am completely and utterly flabbergasted that a legitimate news outlet would allow Thayer Evans to be involved in some type of investigative piece on college football that tears down a program, and particularly one that tears down Oklahoma State when it is no secret what a huge, enormous, gigantic Oklahoma homer Thayer Evans is…
“It doesn’t surprise me there are sources in this story saying the reporting was heavy-handed and leading. I don’t want to make the whole thing about Thayer Evans, but there’s just no way to avoid it,” he added. “I’ve worked with him. He’s simpleminded. He’s a hack that can’t write. This isn’t personal, I promise. I have no reason to dislike Thayer Evans personally, and I don’t. But I’ve read enough of his work to know (that)this guy isn’t qualified for this job and by now Sports Illustrated and anybody else should be well aware of this.”
“Let me end by saying this and I honestly mean this without malice. It wouldn’t shock me if Thayer Evans couldn’t spell cat, and I say in all seriousness.”
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The Sherman Report’s Ed Sherman found an ESPN functionary willing to declare that Whitlock’s comments, “were personal in nature, they do not represent ESPN and they are not acceptable based on the standards we have set.” If you think that’s being reprimanded in record time, well, Whitlock’s no Craig James. Or Jack Clark.