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Justin Rogers: "Emotion is checked at the door."
The collision of politics and sports is a national flashpoint this weekend, particularly on social media.
President Trump kindled a three-day firestorm by urging NFL team owners to "fire or suspend" players kneeling in protest during the national anthem. He also told a political rally in Alabama:
"Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say: 'Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out. He's fired. He's fired.'"
On Sunday, Trump fans the flames by encouraging boycotts:
If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
Here in Detroit, owner Martha Ford and three daughters stood alongside players – including eight who kneeled – during the anthem Sunday at Ford Field before a game against the Atlanta Falcons.
On Twitter, Detroit News football beat writer Justin Rogers heatedly defends the fairness of his coverage against shots from a copy editor who worked at the paper until layoffs last December.
The sportswriter, an Eastern Michigan University graduate (2003) who joined the paper in July 2016 after reporting on the Lions for MLive, takes offense at claims by Bruce Mason that "you overreact, and then overreport the reactions of anyone you can find."
Their feisty exchange Sunday afternoon begins after Rogers tweets a transcript of media briefing responses by Lions president Ron Wood on Trump's suggestions and a possible players' protest:
You do a great job reporting the Lions, and analyzing the NFL. Forget politics, and forget the follow-the-media mentality. This is silly.
— Bruce Mason (@MasonBruce19) September 24, 2017
Bruce, you are a media veteran. You should know, our jobs are not to selective ignore news based on emotions. The worlds have intersected. https://t.co/Hmjs3y2Met
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) September 24, 2017
This is being blown out of proportion now. The president speaks, you overreact, and then overreport the reactions of anyone you can find.
— Bruce Mason (@MasonBruce19) September 24, 2017
No, it's not checked. The entire report is in a negative light. Clearly, you do not support Trump. I have worked with you, and know this.
— Bruce Mason (@MasonBruce19) September 24, 2017
Get the fuck out of here. We've never had a personal conversation. You know nothing of my beliefs or voting record. Embarrassing. https://t.co/dZlY6NwfQ7
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) September 24, 2017
Six minutes later, Rogers expressed regret for cursing:
I won't delete it, unless I'm made to, but I apologize for the language. I get fired up when my journalistic integrity is questioned.
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) September 24, 2017
His F-bomb remains posted. "I'm moving on," Rogers tweeted as he turned attention to higher-profile confrontations -- those on the playing field.
Speaking of the game: Detroit lost, 30-26.
