It can be totally unnerving and often times not very enlightening but being in a locker room is the only way to build the relationships you need to be a successful sports journalist…Taking pot shots from afar isn’t just bad reporting, it’s unfair to those you are covering…
Let’s be honest, when you walk into that room, you need something…And unless you’ve decided to be nothing more than a “human mic stand”, you won’t get what ever that is without doing some legwork…It takes time to forge relationships in a locker room, just as it does anywhere else in life…Common sense, manners and some knowledge go a long way…
Athletes are high profile, driven people…They know you have a job to do but they expect professionalism in return for their time…”Don’t be intimidated by a locker room, by an athlete, says Tedy Bruschi, the former New England Patriots linebacker, now with ESPN…and don’t be afraid of the word “NO”…In fact use it to your advantage!…”I said no a lot of time”, Bruschi remembered, “but (now) I’m Tedy Bruschi from ESPN and when i ask ” got a minute” and the athletes answers no not right now I say “next time?”…If you ask him next time, he’ll remember the next time you come up again “oh yeah, ok, what do you need”…It sounds so simple but then again who said it had to be hard?…
Joining Bruschi at a recent Sports Journalism Seminar was Boston Globe Columnist Kevin Paul Dupont…A veteran of the Boston media sprts scene, Dupont recounted a time he came face to face with a player who wasn’t as accommodating…Dupont thought and wrote that a certain veteran should have retired …The next day, what ensued, wasn’t in any journalism manual for young reporters…”I thought all the players were on the ice but he was waiting for me…he put me up against the wall and put his stick blade under my throat…he threatened me.”…Dupont reported the matter to team officials but needless to say, he never had much a relationship with the player ever again, even after that player moved into management himself…
As is usually the case, what happens on a day to day basis is probably somewhere in the middle of these experiences but if you approach it like you’ve been there before (even if you haven’t) and remember this is his/her work space too, you will figure it out…You never know, one day that athlete you’re asking for an interview may be asking you for advice…just don’t tell em “Next time”…
17 Comments
Tyler Murray posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:34 pm
We’ve been fortunate enough to get sound advice and honest perspective from top-class sports journalists this semester, but I thought hearing the athletes’ side of the story made for the most fascinating seminar yet.
It was one thing to hear Peter Abraham and Chris Price tell us how important locker room relationships are, but when Teddy Bruschi said the same thing, it really hammered the concept home. Professor Shorr fell in love with the “next time?” technique, but I liked the Karen Guregian example even more. Because she and Bruschi would sometimes talk about their families off the record, he became very willing to open up to Guregian whenever she needed a quote.
I was surprised to hear how often athletes actually read the papers – I’ll admit I was a bit intimidated when Bruschi said, “I wanted to know two things [when he read stories about himself]: who wrote it? And was it accurate?” If that doesn’t promote honest, well-researched reporting, I don’t know what will. As we learned from Kevin Dupont, writing opinion articles is a dangerous game to play, even if what you’re writing is true.
I also got a valuable perspective on the alleged “unfairness” of retired athletes getting on-air jobs. I tend to be a bit jealous of guys like Bruschi, who have severely limited the market for analysts and color commentators. But one thing is clear: Bruschi didn’t get hired by ESPN because he was a former player. He got the job because he’s articulate, educated and personable. Just from the seminar alone, it felt like Bruschi was talking to us, the students, while I thought Dupont focused most of his attention on professor Shorr.
Not every athlete can make it as a sports writer or broadcaster (see: Tiki Barber, Isiah Thomas), and some of the players who have jobs now are questionable at best (I don’t think I’ve heard Rodney Harrison say anything a 12-year-old Madden player couldn’t come up with, besides what it was like to lose Super Bowl XLII).
Still, as Dupont said, former athletes do indeed have “instant credibility,” and it’s an overwhelming source of competition that we’ll have to get used to.
The video blog will return next week.
Josh posted on October 4, 2011 at 8:54 am
Relationships. Relationships. Relationships. Relationships seem to be the foundation of this profession. Whether it needs to be developed between two radio hosts, amongst on air personalities, or between a reporter and a player, they are everywhere in the business. How to foster this relationship is an individual’s preference. We have gotten sound advice from many people, including beat reporters and now from a former athlete.
The one theme that was consistent from both sides of the fence was respect. A respect seems to be the biggest factor in developing a relationship. There are several things to do when trying to earn respect from athletes. First is approach the locker room and players with confidence. Be comfortable in your own skin because athletes can see/smell fear. Now that we are in the locker room the next step would be to be educated and to have done your homework. Well thought out questions or one’s that showed you actually paid attention to the game are the ones that engage the athlete. Third would be to be accurate. As Bruschi pointed out players read what people write about them. The first thing he did was determine if it was accurate to what he said or how he played. Consistent accuracy can earn you a relationship or even a source if they know you are fair as well. The last point is showing up. This goes for being in the locker room after you hammer someone and just being there consistently. Bruschi mentioned that athletes like to see someone they feel works as hard as they do.
Obviously there are other ways to go about fostering this relationship. As Bruschi mentioned he liked when Karen Guregian would just sit and talk with him about his family and other matters not pertaining to sports. The ability to just talk with an athlete as another human being is crucial no matter what. But you always have to keep in mind not to get too close because at some point you may have to drop the hammer and be willing to take a stick blade to the neck.
The one thing that kept nagging me during the seminar was this feeling that Bruschi was the exception not the rule. As was on display when he was talking Bruschi was very candid, personable and open. I felt that his response to how athletes handle situations was his own personality and not the norm for most athletes. Even the “next time” technique seemed like something he would remember but not necessarily someone else. He appeared to have the personality of someone who would actually mean it when you asked him that, but in my head I pictured me asking an athlete that and them saying “sure” offhandedly just to get me away from them. The same thing goes for when he mentioned how a guy who stuck around after the crowd and followed him as he left may get a quote. In my mind all I saw was another type of person getting pissed off that you didn’t get the hint. I suppose that all ties in to the ability to read a person, their body language and nuances, so you can determine the appropriate times to use those techniques.
My last point is my disagreement with Tyler. I did not get the feeling at all that Bruschi was talking to the class more so than Dupont. I thought both were articulate and personable. My only possible explanation for why Tyler felt this way is that Bruschi is an on air talent who is better at projecting that type of image, whereas Dupont is a writer.
Craig Meyer posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:11 pm
To begin last class, we discussed what sports journalism is, and after hearing Tedy Bruschi and Kevin Dupont, I can’t help but think we left something out — relationships. As Josh eloquently stated in his first paragraph, sports journalism is built around relationships between media members and the athletes that they cover. Without this connection, media members would be no different than the average fan, meaning they would be reduced to distant commentators with no sort of access or insight into given topics, teams and players.
We’ve said multiple times in this class that some people see sports journalism as an easy, laid-back profession, but through the word of professionals, we’ve learned it’s the opposite. Building relationships with players and coaches is proof of this. It takes a lot of time and a lot of effort to create a level of comfort and honesty between an athlete and a reporter. The bonds built between athletes and media members is central to sports journalism itself — it’s where information comes from and it is what allows the media to be a liaison between teams/players and the general public who craves the news that sports journalists provide (be it through print, radio, TV, etc.). For a reporter to even obtain information, it takes special skills like reading body language and understanding a lot of social intangibles, which is important for any sports journalist to know.
Additionally, this work begins far before any interview or locker room appearance — media members have to go into these situations prepared. In order to do a good job, media members have to understand that it takes good, extensive research to not only get better answers from players, but also to gain the respect of players. Players understand that journalists have a job to do when they come in the locker room, and through research and tough questioning (Bruschi noted that he hated ‘creampuff questions’), mutual respect is gained and better sports journalism is produced.
As a former player and current commentator, Bruschi was able to shed light on this athlete-media relationship and give us (as aspiring sports journalists) a better understanding of what the relationship means and entails. It was interesting and refreshing to hear that Bruschi’s perception of the media changed after he began his current job. After seeing all the work that goes into the profession, he respected sports journalists much more than he previously did. From someone who has been on both sides of the relationship, Bruschi’s words provided a more comprehensive view of one of the crucial building blocks of sports journalism as a profession.
Joe Parello posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:17 pm
I have to agree with Tyler that this was the most fascinating seminar yet, and that was simply because we had the opportunity to watch and athlete and a journalist hash out what is “fair and foul” in both their fields. I found the back and forth between Teddy and Kevin to be very revealing of the relationship that exists between journalists and athletes. When Kevin expressed his gripes about how difficult it is to cover the Patriots and Tedy said that it was not fair, and Tedy later commented that he viewed the locker room as a workplace for reporters, it showed that some athletes really get it.
Of course, Tedy has immense perspective. After suffering a stroke, he said he let things that people said about him on the field go, and as one of the more beloved athletes in Boston sports history, he has dealt with the media for many years. Now, as an analyst at ESPN he obviously understands how competitive the field of journalism is, but he seemed to already have a grasp on it, saying that he thought some reporters worked just as hard at their job as he did at his.
Now, we also learned that some athletes do not get it. Kevin’s story about ending up with a hockey stick at his throat after writing a critical column illustrated this well. The main thing I took home from this seminar is that professionalism is a must for both sides. There needs to be respect going both ways, and if a journalist is going to be critical, as Kevin said, “make sure you’re right.”
Rick Sobey posted on October 4, 2011 at 4:02 pm
When Tedy Bruschi walked into the seminar last week, it was one of the greatest moments of my life since I grew up as a diehard Boston sports fan. It was hard to believe that a legendary New England Patriots linebacker was so close. However, when Bruschi started talking about how journalists need to act confidently and composed in the locker room, I quickly snapped back to reality. Bruschi said how important it is for journalists to be poised while approaching athletes, and this is a great lesson to remember whenever we step into that locker room.
Before we know it, we’ll be side-by-side with our sports heroes. There are plenty of sports fans who become sports journalists, and they get extremely excited and nervous when it’s their first time in the locker room. It’s natural to feel that way for sports fans turned journalists, but after listening to Bruschi, I feel like one mistake in the locker room can really damage a reporter’s reputation. That one blunder or misstep could be very costly, as the athletes could remember that first impression forever. Before walking into the locker room, it’s really important to settle down and collect one’s professionalism. Also, one thing to always remember in the locker room is that athletes are people, just like you and me; they might have superhuman strength and athleticism, but they are not from a different planet.
Another point that really stuck with me was when Bruschi talked about waiting around in the locker room after the post-game interviews. This is a great way to distinguish yourself from the rest of the media scrum. You would be the only journalist to get these answers if it’s only you and the athlete talking on the way out the door. I feel like this is absolutely critical in the current media landscape where twitter and breaking news dominate. Everyone in the media scrum will have the exact same information, but the journalist who interviews the player one-on-one out the door will get something new and unique. Then, the reporter puts these quotes up on twitter and inserts the quotes into his or her article, and the journalist will immediately separate from the media pack. The editor will be pleased because they have something different, and it was all because the journalist stuck around a bit longer and was dedicated to finding an original angle.
Josh mentioned how he doesn’t totally believe that sticking around after the post-game interviews will work. “In my mind all I saw was another type of person getting pissed off that you didn’t get the hint,” Josh wrote. This could definitely happen with the player who had a rough game, but I actually believe this technique of staying late can work a lot of the time. If you are the last reporter in the locker room, then this shows that you are working hard and care about your job. This is sort of like the athlete who is the first one at practice and the last one to leave practice. When athletes notice how you are the last one there, they probably won’t have a problem to drop a few more quotes. Obviously if they are running late to a meeting, then this technique won’t work. But for the most part, I feel like athletes will be fine with a reporter who works hard day after day and stays in the locker room late. They really respect that.
Patrick Hazel posted on October 4, 2011 at 6:35 pm
There were two things that really stood out during Ted Bruschi’s time at our class last week. He told us the importance of relationships, and he addressed the elephant in the room, the so called “unfairness” of the opportunity he has been given to work as a commentator and reporter for ESPN.
I like this class a lot, because I can share my perspective on what an athlete does with the press and how we relate to it. One thing I will say, we do read the papers. I know I can honestly say me and my teammates look for certain things that reporters say. We look for names, we look at the tone of the article, the angle, their background. It does leave a lasting impression as well when you know the reporter who has written an article about you, whether it is good or bad.
Most of the reporters I have dealt with during my time in college, they have been some great individuals. I truly respect them, because it takes a lot to write a story on an athlete you have built a relationship.
Whether it is good or bad. I know I have had some reporters here at BU who I have no problem with as people. They are really cool! But I also know that some of the angles of stories that have been written about me or my team haven’t been exactly the nicest things I have ever heard either. That is why the best reporters do their best to build these relationships with athletes, so that they can avoid getting hockey blades pushed against their necks.
The “unfairness” topic is the most intriguing and interesting topic I have heard so far. Especially since it was someone as credible and related to the topic as Ted Bruschi, one of the most respected Patriots players ever.
I’d like to go to what Bruschi said: “I don’t have the same opportunities that you guys have.” When he said that, he really put it in perspective. That ends the entire debate to me. We have so much more experience than he does, but he gets the job. Unfair? Some would say yes, but I say no.
I believe that Bruschi does get his foot in the door because he was a Patriots player for over 10 years or however long he played. As Tyler says, through Brusci’s time as a Pats player, he does limit the market for other potential employees, who may be more/ just as deserving. But also as Tyler says, he doesn’t just receive such an opportunity “just because.” I must say, Bruschi is one of the most well spoken and articulate athletes I have ever seen. He has to do as much homework as the next reporter to be successful at what he does. Also, there are few athletes that I think can do what he does. It takes a lot to watch film and study a player/team before you can carefully critique them. As Bruschi said, he watches a lot more film than he did when he was a pro on the Pats.
What I am trying to say is, if you look at it that way, as in “Bruschi got his foot in the door because he was a Pats player” then yes it is unfair. But to remain and be successful as a commentator/reporter for ESPN, I believe that takes a lot of hard work and dedication. I also believe there are not many quality former players who become news reporters. I honestly think guys like Charles Barkley aren’t the best former players turned commentators. But Bruschi seems like a guy who has and continued to make the most out of an opportunity given to a former athlete. Opportunity is a relative term though, so some may look at that opportunity differently than another.
David Lombardi posted on October 4, 2011 at 7:17 pm
The first two paragraphs of Professor Shorr’s blog entry here almost make it seem that it is a daunting chore to head into a locker room full of big-time athletes. I think that it’s quite the opposite. If you do not cherish and enjoy access to a major league clubhouse and the opportunity to talk to and establish relationships with athletes that 99% of the population only dreams of meeting, you should not be pursuing a career in sports reporting!
Yes, I acknowledge that the process can initially be intimidating. The first time I entered the San Francisco Giants clubhouse this summer during my TV internship, I was absolutely awestruck. I felt that I was stepping on needles. I really didn’t even want to move in that place.
But then I realized how lucky I was to have that kind of access, and instead of worrying about potential difficulties, I realized that they were inconsequential because I had an opportunity in front of me. Having a solid gameplan every day on the job allowed me to enter the clubhouse with a sense of direction and conviction. It allowed me to approach players with the aura that I was there to work – just like them. Giving off a professional vibe will earn you a level of professional respect, no matter how famous or egotistical the company surrounding you is.
After all, these guys aren’t the aliens we make them out to be. They’re human beings who are very good at a sport. They may have big egos, but they do have hearts. They will answer a question if you go about in a confident, intelligent, and coherent way. Most of are our potential fear comes from the fact that we’ve idolized these athletes our whole lives, but I think that Tedy Bruschi really did a good job illustrating that the locker room is a simply a workplace where people from two different professions – athletes and the media – are doing their jobs.
Treat it that way without getting too worked up about it, and successfully getting information from a big name athlete will come much easier than expected. Of course, relationships and trust do need to be built. But that is the case in ALL facets of life, not just in a professional sports locker room. I embraced the fact that I had the chance to do an everyday activity – communicate – in such an exclusive place, one that I had only dreamed entering when I grew up.
Catie posted on October 4, 2011 at 10:40 pm
Listening to Tedy Bruschi speak was hands down one of the coolest experiences I have ever had. It was interesting to hear both the athlete and the media perspective, although during the entire seminar I couldn’t help agree with Josh; Tedy Bruschi is the exception, not the rule.
When Kevin turned and asked Tedy if he thought the level of control both Bill Belichick and Stacey James have on the Patriots media coverage was fair, Tedy quickly responded, “no.” I was very surprised at this response because in my experience, I have seen countless athletes who want nothing to do with the press. I always figured professional athletes are so busy that the last thing they would want is to have to do another interview. From both my own experience as an athlete with the media and from watching the Denver Broncos attitude toward the media during training camp, it feels like Tedy Bruschi is an exception with his positive attitude.
One of my favorite comments Tedy said was, “spray perfume on your opponent.” Tedy was referring to his relationship with the media as a player. This comment was interesting to me because it’s so similar to what our coaches and staff within BU Athletics say to us. For the four years I have been playing lacrosse at BU, the one piece of advice that is reiterated over and over again is to praise our opponents. This advice makes a reporters job difficult because no one wants to read a quote from an athlete complimenting the opposing player or team.
I am glad that the topic of athletes receiving reporting jobs with no previous experience was brought up. I used to be very irritated when professional football players were hired by ESPN within hours of their retirement. Although it is unfair for those who spend hours in the classroom and in internships to reach that point, the athletes have the most game knowledge of anyone. After playing the game for nearly 20 years of their lives, they know both the positions and plays inside, out, making them more suitable than anyone else. I know I could definitely explain the game of lacrosse better than any one else who hasn’t played, even if they have watched the game for as long as I have played.
Lacey posted on October 5, 2011 at 10:34 am
Listening to Tedy Bruschi speak, it seemed that he still has a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm for life. I assumed that he must have mild down since leaving the NFL, but not at all-he still possesses an intimidation and authoritativeness that really made me appreciate what he had to say. His own confidence and knowledge lead me to sit back and absorb what he was discussing with the class. In essence, he was giving us a rare glimpse inside an athlete’s mind.
He was refreshing and honest, something that was kept at bay during his time with the Patriots due to the restrictive and censored nature of the organization. As a player with quite a bit to say, Bruschi must have been challenged by not opening his mouth and letting something controversial fly…it appears he is making up for lost time now as an ESPN analyst.
Being opinionated is an ideal trait to have as a TV personality that breaks down the NFL on a regular basis. And an even better quality to have when an audience is looking for an original idea or statement. So, what Bruschi brought to our classroom conversation was an opportunity to really dig into what a pro athlete turned television reporter can offer experience wise.
I believe the most appealing statement that Bruschi made was admitting athletes read what is being written and listen to what is being broadcast. Honesty. Finally. I have heard for years from athletes that they do not pay attention to what is being said by journalist, reporters, analysts etc., but they do and do so closely with a keen ear and eye.
Now, despite my focus primarily on Bruschi, Kevin DuPont’s added anecdote to athlete’s and how they address what is being said about them fits perfectly here. When in his twenties, DuPont informed the class that he was roughed up by a scrappy Bruins player after being a bit critical of the guy’s performance. Apparently, he did not approve of what DuPont had written about him and made his displeasure well known by threatening DuPont with his hockey stick. So, it would appear based on DuPont and Bruschi’s comments that players are and have always been abreast to what is being said about them. Finally, I’ve got solid information that discredits the highly touted notion that “athletes do not read the paper.”
Switching back to Bruschi, I found that he made another poignant statement that a reporter has to be confident when entering a locker room and approaching a player to question him. Be respectful of the athlete, introduce yourself and treat them decently. As a reporter, you should develop a relationship that is lasting and over time, you will be given insight that other journalists do not have. Just like any other relationship we have in life, they take time to burgeon and maintain; and trying to rush a reporter-athlete relationship will result in a diminished candidness between both parties. Realistically, you have to be willing to work at something worthwhile and the mutual respect of a journalist and an athlete is crucial.
Now, teetering off a bit and responding to David Lombardi’s post on how we should relish the opportunities we have as reporters being given exclusive access to team locker rooms was spot on. We became sports reporters to do precisely that, report on sports. Heading into a locker room is frightening to some degree, but really, you are there to do a job and have been given access that most people would beg to have.
As David succinctly said, “…I realized how lucky I was to have that kind of access, and instead of worrying about potential difficulties, I realized that they were inconsequential because I had an opportunity in front of me.” That is exactly the kind of confidence and maturity needed to be successful in this industry and the kind of assuredness that Tedy Bruschi mentioned about being a respectable journalist doing a job.
I found this seminar to be the most informative and interesting thus far based on the sheer fact that we were given great ideas and explanations from two individuals so engrossed and privy to the world of sports and how journalism plays a role in it’s constant change and development.
David posted on October 5, 2011 at 12:54 pm
Professor Shorr: I hope you are not going to grade based on length because if that is the case I deserve an F. I will not win this length contest. To my fellow students, I apologize in advance if I repeat anything anyone else said, I think I read the first half of the first comment and skipped down to the end.
First, I would like to thank Mallory for having the balls to ask her question to Tedy. For years I had noticed the rise in the amount of former athletes, coaches and executives sitting at the on-air news desks and had a similar unfair reaction. My gut feeling was similar to Professor Shorr’s response, that athletes have the experience and know the ins and outs of the game and can thus provide a more thorough analysis of the sport. Regardless of whether it is fair or unfair, and by the way I am now fully convinced that athletes should hold on-air positions if they are articulate and conversant, it was nice to receive a concrete answer from knowledgeable sources.
Secondly I wanted to bring back a comment I made last week. I made a statement that I felt that Tedy Bruschi was one of those biased former athletes when it came to his on air reporting. Bruschi has access to the Patriots that very few people, which is a huge asset for a company like ESPN. After listening to the candor and emotion with which Bruschi spoke in last weeks seminar, I feel much more confident in the analysis and reporting he provides.
As far as what the increasing relationship between athletes and the media means for my future in sports journalism: The most important thing I took out of this seminar was not necessarily anything Mr. Dupont or Mr. Bruschi said. I took solace in Shorr’s reassurance that there are still jobs in this industry, even if they are not on-air.
Lee posted on October 5, 2011 at 3:10 pm
The big buzz-word from this week seems to be fair.
The discussion comes from Mallory’s great question about how it makes Teddy Bruschi feel that he’s essentially cutting the line and jumping straight into the big-time. The more I think about the issue of fairness the more I wish the word was taken out of the dictionary.
Is it fair that Teddy retired as a football player, and then without even trying to find work, walked onto the set at ESPN three days later? Maybe not. Or maybe a man who sacrificed a normal life to get into the NFL, played a decade in the league, suffered a stroke and came back to play, and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with a group of wounded veterans does deserve it. Or maybe fairness is completely irrelevant. Life is unfair. Teddy Bruschi cut the line that we’re all standing in. Whether or not that is fair means absolutely nothing when that red light comes on.
In fact, with no training, no small market or school to make his mistakes in, Teddy jumped into the shark-infested waters of national TV, and has stayed afloat.
Sandy Koufax was handed a major gig doing color right after he retired and failed miserably. Tiki Barber worked nights as an intern during his career so he would be ready for his big chance, and was hired by NBC right after he retired. What happened? His first day on air was during the Today show when the horrible shooting at Virginia Tech happened. He had no idea how to handle the situation, and never recovered. The big break is just a start.
Teddy is taking an opportunity and making the most of it. When I see that it gets me excited. It might be a little harder for me to get my big opportunity because I’m never going to play in the NFL, but when I get that opportunity I’m going to be ready. Instead of worrying about who’s cutting me in line, I’m working hard to get ready. And when that red light goes on, when I jump into the shark infested waters, all the work I’m doing now is going to help me stay afloat.
More from under a tree next week
Craig Meyer posted on October 5, 2011 at 6:24 pm
I, too, commend Mallory for asking the question to Tedy because it’s something that I’ve always thought about. I, like everyone else in this class, wants to make a living out of sports journalism and it can be disheartening to see precious jobs in the industry get taken by former athletes who, for the most part, don’t have the same formal training that we do.
What I will say, though, is that athletes provide a different perspective to the game that reporters cannot. For example, I’ve been a devout college basketball fan my entire life, but for analysis, I would much rather have someone like Patrick who has played Division-I basketball out there breaking down plays and providing insight. I think there’s a perception that a lot of these athletes-turned-media members are just inarticulate ex-jocks that are slapped in suits and put in front of a camera. As Tyler mentioned, that sentiment holds true with the likes of Emmitt Smith and Craig James (or Isiah Thomas and Rodney Harrison, to use his examples).
But, as David mentioned, Tedy Bruschi is evidence that a good portion of these analysts are thoughtful, intelligent people who bring a level of expertise to the game that can only be achieved through actually playing the sport at the highest level. Additionally, a former athlete working as an analyst has greater immediate access since they played with or against many of the people they discuss on air. However, this can also potentially create some problems, something that Bruschi addressed. For someone who was effectively an employee of an organization, it can be hard for these people to not show preference to that team, especially for a guy like Bruschi that played for one team his entire career. Some would argue that it naturally makes someone biased in their analysis, i.e. Troy Aikman doing color commentary on a Cowboys game. And if an analyst is even slightly critical of his/her former team, the fall-out can be drastic in some cases. One need not look further than what Kirk Herbstreit, who had to uproot and move his whole family after receiving threats from angry Ohio State fans the past year.
Ultimately, for these athletes-turned-analysts, it all comes down to providing the proper balance of objectivity and expertise.
Margot posted on October 5, 2011 at 7:34 pm
I have to agree with Joe and Tyler that this was probably the most interesting seminar to date. The tandem of Tedy Bruschi with Kevin DuPont offered two important and different perspectives, and I thought that they both had a lot of relevant things to say, especially once I silenced my inner Patriots fan who was just way too excited to have Bruschi in class.
Tedy emphasized the importance of not being intimidated in a locker room setting, and if you are not letting it show. Now, he has a huge advantage over someone like me because he spent 13 years in a locker room as a player, so he is already very familiar with what goes on in there, as well as the players because he has been a part of the NFL community for so long. David L. talked about his experience this summer covering the Giants and how he quickly learned to go into the locker room with a game plan to get the information he was interested in, which seems like a great approach. I think that this is something that just takes a bit of time, and varies with each person. I imagine that it is hard not to feel intimidated or star struck by these athletes, especially because anyone covering sports was a fan at one point or another.
I also really appreciated Mallory’s question to Tedy about athlete’s place in sports journalism, because it’s something that I have often wondered about myself. Is it fair that athletes are able to walk right into somewhere like ESPN and be on camera 3 days later? Well, Tedy has a massive advantage over me in that I am not nor will I ever be a 250 pound linebacker in the NFL. It’s just not going to happen. His lengthy and successful career playing football gives him understanding and perspective that I am never going to have because I didn’t live it every day of my life the way he has. These guys may not have journalism degrees (actually Tedy might) but they can do things that we can’t quite do. But, as Professor Shorr eluded to in class, we have advantages too. We are being trained as journalists in the 21st century, in an era where technology is rapidly advancing and a solid understanding of it is all the more important. The knowledge we are gaining will be invaluable in the future as media becomes more and more technologically advanced and complex.
Mallory posted on October 5, 2011 at 9:02 pm
So while I never meant to be offensive, I had to ask that “elephant in the room” question. To be clear, I wasn’t referencing Tedy exactly. I think we all know he’s established himself as a reputable analyst, reporter, social media superstar, etc. by being on every Boston media outlet, everyday! I don’t think a day has gone by where I haven’t heard from Tedy on WEEI, ESPN, or quoted somewhere. I’m actually referring to the trend of athletes becoming analysts and reporters. I’m just curious if athletes think “hmm, now that I’ve retired what else can I do? Oh, report on ESPN starting tomorrow…” which seems like they’re discrediting the profession and the fact that aspiring journalists have to start at rock bottom and work their way all the up. HOWEVER, you can’t deny the fact that they know the game better than anyone else and I respect the fact that they have the potential to be great analysts. I mean it’s a moot point to argue whether it’s fair or not, life’s not fair, but I did want to hear his thoughts on the topic and the fact that he was humble about it, made me respect him more.
Kevin and Tedy both added a lot of insight to the seminar and provided practical tips that we can apply now in our internships rather than later in our careers. Kevin also had some great stories. I believe the purpose of the seminar was to get the perspective of a journalist from an athlete who was popular in the media and from a veteran journalist who has decades of experience dealing with athletes. And as reiterated earlier, locker room relationships are important as well as the manner you address athletes. And as Tedy said, athletes read the bylines and read the labels on mics. It’s like they’re testing reporters in a way to see if you are an accurate reporter who can be trusted in the future.
Nick posted on October 5, 2011 at 11:21 pm
When a three-time Super Bowl winner and well known ESPN analyst comes to our class, it’s easy to get star struck (Rick, you made that apparent right off the rip with some pretty drastic language), but everyone needs to look past it. The man is just another athlete, and it’s our job to work with guys just like him. The purpose of this past week is to discuss the role of athletes as journalists and analysts, but I thought more about the relationship between reporters and athletes as co-workers and as humans.
One question for me that I don’t believe could be easily answered is where can the line be drawn? I’m sure that in the sports world, athletes and reporters are amicable and frequently talk outside the stadium. What I’m curious about is can a journalist have a friendly relationship with an athlete to the point that he texts him about non-sports things, he gets a drink with him just to shoot the breeze, or he even attends a player’s child’s birthday party?
There’s no doubt that using this method to reach out to players works because it builds a trusting relationship and means that the journalist isn’t always searching for a story. But again, where’s the line?
Recently, John Lackey snapped at the Boston media for infringing on his privacy. A reporter texted Lackey about a family-related issue he was going through. Mind you, this reporter wasn’t reporting on the issue to the public – he kept it all closed-knit through texts, but Lackey had the audacity to call out the media as a whole in the clubhouse.
Obviously, John Lackey isn’t the kind of guy that reporters would want to get a drink with, but some others might possibly be more open to it (Pedroia, Varitek, Lars Anderson?) so it could be feasible idea.
Another interesting thought is when an athlete does become a journalist, is that line clear cut or more murky? Bruschi mentioned in class that he still hasn’t gone into the Patriots locker room because he knows the guys in there. On one hand, an athlete/journalist shouldn’t use his/her personal, inside knowledge against current athletes and friends, but on the other hand he/she can’t be completely soft and avoid criticizing one specific team they used to be a part of. The humor of Lou Holtz wearing Notre Dame gear and picking them to win every Saturday wore off a long time ago, while Curt Schilling seems to have no friends left after burning all his bridges as an “analyst.”
Being a journalist is tough enough because you have to build up relationships with countless other testosterone-driven, hardheaded athletes while trying to not cross the line. If anything, athlete journalists have an even more difficult time because they have to straddle the line between their friends and their co-workers. Getting the gig may be relatively easy for them, but holding onto it is another matter.
Heidi posted on October 6, 2011 at 8:24 am
First, I want to respond to something that Josh said. He mentioned that Bruschi seemed more like an exception to the rule when it comes to athletes. I got that impression too. As others have mentioned as well, he is an intelligent and articulate person. I know there are plenty of others like him but something tells me many are not as welcoming to reporters.
The key is obviously relationships. It’s the theme of the comment feed and is clearly one of the keys to being successful as a journalist. To find a way to connect to the athletes you cover makes a huge difference. We had all heard that before but it sounded different coming from Tedy. It was almost like when your mom tells you something a hundred times and you hear her, you get it, but as soon as a friend or some other adult tells you that same thing, it is this huge realization. A giant light bulb goes on. Maybe that just goes back to the fact that it is Tedy Bruschi giving you insider advice. That’s just cool. Hearing about the relationships he had with people was different as well. We got the perspective from an star athlete. Tedy is exactly the kind of player you dream about having a close reporter-athlete relationship in your career. Having him tell you how to make that happen made it sink in even more.
I also want to comment on the athlete-to-analyst discussion. I think a valid point was made in class. Athletes bring something completely different to the table. Let’s be honest, a journalist was probably never going to get the job of breaking down plays and analyzing routes on NFL Live. No matter how much you know about football, that is hard to do unless you have played the game. Sure, it is a little disconcerting that there are so many former athletes in the journalism biz while we all set out on the job search. I try to look at it from the perspective that once I get a job they will be working beside me and make me even better at my job because of the knowledge and experience they bring to the table. We can all learn something from each other. Even in such a competitive business it pays to work together. If one day I get the chance to have a radio show, I most definitely want someone like Tedy Bruschi on there regularly to talk about the things I would miss. I guarantee that we see a lot of things as journalists that he would not pick up on as an athlete too.
Caroline posted on October 6, 2011 at 1:10 pm
I learned a lot from the seminar with Tedy Bruschi last week. Being an athlete myself and wanting to go into the broadcasting business I was extremely interested in what Tedy had to say.
As a player I understand where Tedy is coming from when he spoke about how a player thinks the media is trying to get you, and to “spray perfume on your opponent,” they instruct college athletes to say the same. Well, at least here at BU. We even have meetings about how to deal with the media; yet, I see both sides as I am a journalism major. It is important to be professional and be prepared as a reporter. It is embarrassing if you go up to an athlete and sound stupid because you didn’t do your homework, and players do remember.
I really enjoyed listening to Tedy when he talked about how to approach an athlete, because I have always wondered how to do it correctly. It is important to not be intimidated, you have to be confident in your work go up and introduce yourself, say where you are from, and what you want. I guess it is that simple. And if they say no, all you have to say is “next time” and they will remember.
Building a relationship is key, just as it is in any profession. The media needs to remember that athletes are doing their job just like they are, and vice versa. Athletes know that the media is part of their job some just choose to be more available than others. Which can be a pain for reporters, maybe they do get the short end of the stick in the drastically different job descriptions of athlete and reporter.
It is important to know that a reporter needs to spend time and build trust with the players they are covering. You have to put in the time to get the most information and respect from the players. And remember you don’t always have to go to a player when you want something, sometimes its nice just to go up and chat with them and see how they are doing, you know life outside of sport, off the record. They are humans too.
I agree with Mallory on her thoughts of the seminar when she said it “was to get the perspective of a journalist from an athlete who was popular in the media and from a veteran journalist who has decades of experience dealing with athletes. And as reiterated earlier, locker room relationships are important as well as the manner you address athletes. And as Tedy said, athletes read the bylines and read the labels on mics.”
I have to give it to Tedy, he seemed to learn a lot from his mothers instructions when he was a young teen talking to the media. He did a great job on the field and now is doing a great job on camera. I guess mother knows best.