Reporter Crossing The Line?

I always love a good coach blow up, who doesn't. They are hilarious. Who can forget Dennis Green's famous line "They are who we thought they were" or his "And we let 'em off the hook." How can you not remember John L. Smith Slapping himself mimicking Charlie Weis, enroute to Smith's firing last season. I mean they make commercials out of 'em, see Dennis Green. Well, it happened again this week, another coach blow up. That's right Oklahoma State Head Coach Mike Gundy blew up in a press conference this past weekend after a win over Texas Tech. The most ironic thing about it is the game had nothing to do with it. The enraged coach was shouting because of a reporter that may have crossed 'the line.'

Jenni Carlson is a sports reporter for The Oklahoman who recently wrote a column about Oklahoma State Quarterback Bobby Reid. The article's main basis was the Quarterback change in OK State's depth chart. But what she said in the article may have crossed the personal line. In the article she noted happenings off the field that she cited as reasons for the change. Included in the off field activities noted:

• Reid's mom feeding him chicken
• Reid being nervous before every game
• Calling Reid out about pouting to coaches
• Using unproven rumors of Reid's transfer
• Making accusations that he has "sat it out instead of gutting it out" (referring to the numerous injuries throughout Reid's career)

Then Carlson goes on to degrate him even more saying, "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." All these add up to the perfect storm.

Thats when Coach Mike Gundy took over...

Gundy struck back, defending his player. Gundy told the reporter that she had crossed the line and that if she wants to attack someone, attack him. He was also angry about the fact that she was noting off field activities about a player who has worked hard, dealt with the media very well, and is a very good person. Gundy would later say, or yell, that she does not know how it feels to be Reid because she has never had kids. If she were to experience a son, or daughter, coming home crying because he/she was personally attacked that she'd know. It was clear that he was most furious about her attacking an amatuer athlete and his off-field behavior.

So was this one of those once in a blue moon times where a press conference blow up was actually the right thing to do? Was Gundy right?

I say absolutely. That shows tremendous support if a coach stands up for a player that may have not been doing so hot of late. It will bring together a team, bring up the player, and show an obvious crossing of the line by a reporter. It's one thing to comment on a players on field activities, whether good or bad, but don't dig up personal dirt on an athlete, let alone an amateur one.