Those in the New England area know that every Monday during football season, Tom Brady spends part of his morning on Boston’s WEEI “Kirk & Callahan Show” hosted by Kirk Minihane and Gerry Callahan, giving them access that is really almost unprecedented for the all-time great quarterback. However, last Thursday, WEEI’s Alex Reimer made an absolutely unacceptable comment regarding the opening scene of Brady’s “Tom vs. Time” series in association with Religion of Sports and Facebook Watch.
It doesn’t feel right typing it because it was such a deplorable thing to say, but Reimer called Brady’s five-year-old daughter an “annoying little pissant.” Obviously, those comments are inexcusable and uncalled for, no matter who it’s about. And to say it about the five-year-old daughter of someone that’s shown extreme loyalty by appearing on the station for years just shows the almost-unprecedented level of classlessness and stupidity from Reimer.
Though the hosts sort of cut him off at times trying to make Brady understand that they are on his side, the Patriots quarterback did very well at articulating what he had to say:
“You know, I don’t, um, I don’t want to get into the documentary much. You know, I think they had told me somebody made a comment about my daughter or something like that…
“Well I think that, you know, I’ve tried to come on this show for many years and show you guys a lot of respect. Um, I’ve always tried to come on and do a good job for you guys, so, you know, it’s very disappointing when you hear that with my daughter, or certainly any child. You know, they definitely don’t deserve that, so…
“Yeah, so, um, I’ll obviously evaluate whether I want to on this show again, so I really don’t have much to say this morning. Um, so maybe I’ll speak to you guys some other time. Have a good day.”
Brady might have sounded a little uneasy during the interview, and it’s difficult to blame him. He was probably very angry at the entire situation, but he handled it with class and dignity, doing the right thing by calmly telling the show he needed time to evaluate his future as a guest on the show.
Really, the whole situation points to a problem with many sports radio people out there. A lot of those that host radio shows do a fine job, but far too many of them apparently have some major issues. Perhaps because it’s been like this forever, but what makes many of these people think it’s OK to criticize athletes and teams the way they do?
When you’re a losing team, it probably is difficult not to get negative. But for people with the microphone to develop this attitude that they can do whatever they want because they have a platform just isn’t right. Many have stooped to a level of hate and nastiness that is simply tasteless. Reimer is a perfect example: He has this all-time great athlete leading an all-time great team for the better part of two decades, yet he carelessly decided to go after a member of his family for being a kid? That is not criticizing an athlete for not trying hard or getting on a coach for not going for it on a fourth down. Instead it’s inexplicable and indefensible garbage that’s become all too normal for many sports radio personalities across the country.
Like many things today, there is not enough accountability for these radio stations, which leads to situations that can bring down a healthy relationship like the one Brady and WEEI had. And while you can blame the radio stations for hiring these guys, there is a point where self-accountability becomes critical.
Would you be criticizing people and calling them names if they were right there in front of you? For 100% of radio personalities, the answer is probably no. But talking about these people like they’re just objects and not human beings has become far too normal. Reimer’s comments just hitting the spotlight after they’ve been around since last week tells you all you need to know about the state of certain parts of the media like sports radio and debate shows.
It’s simple: talking badly behind someone’s back is not right or fair. So you certainly shouldn’t think getting a microphone gives you some ability to say whatever you want about anyone you want.
Almost as bad as the idiots at Barstool attacking Sam Ponder’s kid and not even apologizing for it.
And they’re on social media lambasting this Reemer guy like hypocrites.
Exactly. Today there’s too much negativity and not enough accountability.
That classless moron ruined it. Brady shouldn’t go on anymore
Yeah sports personalities think they’re entitled to say what they want. Or they are driven by click bait culture and money
I’m certainly not PC but we can all agree kids should be off limits for everything. As for big mouthed sports talkers, yeah that’s always an issue.