Intra-conference NFL rivalries are grimy affairs. Drunken fans exchange blows in the stands, expletives get thrown around like a Tom Brady spiral and players trade low blows in pileups. Then the whistle sounds, everybody goes home, they get back to their lives and do it again later that year. However, two Atlanta radio hosts took the Saints and Falcons, NFC South rivalry too far when they took shots at former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleeson.
Gleeson has been stricken with ALS and his disease has progressed to the point that he has lost his ability to speak. However, in an extremely misguided attempt at humor the hosts of "Mayhem in the A.M." in Atlanta conducted a faux interview with a robotic voice that was supposed to impersonate Gleeson.
As a result, The Zone has announced that everyone involved with the"Mayhem in the A.M." segment will be indefinitely suspended by the station. The station has not commented on whether any further action would be taken, but there is a healthy debate going on about whether 790 should fire the hosts Nick Cellini and Chris Dimino. On Monday, the station released a statement expressing outrage for the bit's airing.
“We deeply regret the comments made by Mayhem In The AM this morning on 790 The Zone regarding former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason,” station VP & General Manager Rick Mack said in a statement. “790 The Zone, Lincoln Financial Media, our sponsors and partners in no way endorse or support the unfortunate and offensive commentary concerning Mr. Gleason this morning. The members of the show involved with this incident have been suspended indefinitely pending further management review of their actions.”
Normally, it's in bad taste to comment on a man's job security, but at the same time, it's also a bad look to make quips about a man's failing health. If a suspension is their slap on the wrst, they should consider themselves lucky. In the meantime, take some time off (without pay), please have several seats and do better.
