Boston Herald Apologizes to Patriots; Fans not Impressed
(l to r: John Tomase, Matt Walsh, Arlen Specter)
Yesterday marked the long awaited meeting between NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and former Patriots employee/knife booby-trap aficionado Matt Walsh. Yet while many people (Jets fans, Tony Dungy, Mark Schlereth) drooled over the possibility that a damning videotape of the Rams walkthrough practice before Super Bowl 36 might surface, the smoking gun was not to be found. But don’t give up hope, Patriot haters: word is they still haven’t checked Marvin Harrison’s house.
Meanwhile, with the equivalent of a five-egg western omelette on their face, the Boston Herald did the only thing they could courageously came forward and “owned up” to their butcher job on Spygate (in the faint hopes that Mr. Kraft doesn’t sue them into extinction). My initial thought was to post part of the apology here, but after reading through some of the comments about the article, publishing some of them instead looks like much more fun!
So here’s a sampling of the reaction from Patriots nation to the anonymous, cookie cutter “mea culpa” offered by the Herald:
- “Worst newspaper ever.”
- “It wasn’t that long ago that Dan Rather was unceremoniously kicked out for doing almost the exact same thing. The writer of the original article should be told to resign. The Editor who allowed the article to be published should also be told to resign.”
- “Responsible journalism? Give it a try sometimes!”
- “You guys are truely ridiculous…I took 1 Jouralism class in high school, and hardly paid attention and even I know that you’re suppose to check your sources out.”
- “Weak. Lame. Ridiculous. What on earth were you people thinking? I hope Kraft sues the pants off you and Tomase.”
- “Boston Herald = National Enquirer”
At this point, it appears that over 50% of the commenters are calling for the resignation of one John Tomase. Pro Football Talk brings up a great point that there are two other culprits here; one being Tomase’s editor, the other being his source. Although Tomase hasn’t confirmed anything yet, that source was most likely Matt Walsh. Which of course begs the question; if Walsh lied about having the walkthrough videotape, what else has he lied about? How exactly is he a credible witness?
Anyways, it’s great to finally put this completely overblown story to rest once and for all. And no, I could care less what Arlen “Comcast errand boy” Specter has to say tomorrow, unless he announces that he’s figured out a way to bring our troops home from Iraq, restructure our dreadful energy policy, and keep social security from going bankrupt in 15 years.
Spygate is dead. Long live the Patriots legacy.
Spygate, New England Patriots, Matt Walsh, Boston Herald, vindicated, I’m back bitches
May 15th, 2008 at 5:47 am
I’m glad that SpyGate is now officially dead, but my question is in regards to another death. I had assumed the long gap since your last posting indicated that TalkingNFL was dead. I guess your post makes it official that it isn’t quite yet dead….
May 16th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
“I’m not dead…I’m resting.”
Have to admit Dennis, I was very close to throwing in the towel. However (and as much as I would like to credit your faithful diligence as my #1 fan), what brought me back is the fact that I can still get under people’s skin - especially Colts’ fans - with posts that I wrote months ago!
So a special thanks to Lauren, Sam Brooks, and especially Holly, for brining me out of retirement! Your hate makes me all warm & toasty inside…
August 25th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Where are you?!?!?! Won’t your faithless readers be sad to see nothing on here and find out that you haven’t even joined your FFL?!?!?!
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 am
Excellent post, thank you!
March 27th, 2009 at 4:55 am
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.Joyce
August 30th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I agree with you that some times journalism crosses its limits. There should be some rules defined to curb this type of journalism.
May 11th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Glad to see them own up to a big mistake. The media has been in a feeding frenzy and it’s nice to see at least one organization own up to it.