Colin Cowherd Caught Lying
Start writing a post
Sports

Colin Cowherd Should Be Penalized IMMEDIATELY For Lying To Cleveland Browns' Quarterback Baker Mayfield

It's okay to give your opinion, but it's not okay to lie.

475
Interview

I love sports. While I primarily watch American football and basketball, I respect the ability of all types of sports to bring people together and create lifelong memories for both the viewers and players. Although the title of this piece may suggest otherwise, I also have a great deal of respect for the role of sports media personalities. These individuals provide an opportunity for fans to hear compelling discussions and opinions about anything sports-related.

It would be disingenuous of me to say that I love every sports media personality because I don't. As a sports fan, I have my favorite athletes and teams, and some media personalities often comment negatively about those teams and athletes, making it frustrating to listen to those remarks for a passionate fan like me. Even though I don't agree with every media personalities' opinions, I would never suggest that they stop voicing their opinions since everyone is entitled to one. However, when a sports media personality blatantly lies on their program, there should be repercussions by the network that allows them the platform to speak.

As you've probably figured out, the media personality that I believe should face repercussions for lying is Colin Cowherd. Colin Cowherd is a sports media personality who has a show called "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" on Fox Sports 1. Now, before I get into what Colin lied about and why he should face some form of a consequence for this lie, I would like to offer some aspects of his show that I do enjoy. I enjoy Colin's use of statistics on his show, certain guests that he has, and some of his segments such as "Colin's Blazin' 5" and "Where Colin Was Right, Where Colin Was Wrong." Now in this last segment, Colin actually recaps various predictions that he makes during a given week that were either right or wrong.

At this point, you might be wondering that if Colin has a segment admitting his inaccurate statements, why does this article exist? It's because my issue is not that Colin makes flawed predictions or statements; it's because he has lied on his show.

Anyone who regularly watches Colin Cowherd has a pretty good understanding that there is tension between him and Cleveland Browns' Quarterback, Baker Mayfield. They often go back and forth on Twitter, and Colin always voices his dislike of what he believes to be Baker's immaturity and poor-decision making outside of the football field. While I am a big Baker Mayfield fan, I would never suggest that Colin Cowherd should stop having an opinion, even if I whole-heartedly disagree with it. However, Colin Cowherd has lied to Baker Mayfield's face, on his show, and should face repercussions for it.

During one of his show's segments from March 2018 (in the video below) Colin Cowherd compares Johnny Manziel, a former Cleveland Brown's QB, and Baker Mayfield, who at the time was entering the NFL draft. He compared quite a bit, starting at the one minute mark of the video, such as their "cockiness," their size, their stats in college, their "skillset," and the fact that both of them wore "headbands." He even ends the segment by saying, "How do I not compare the two?" despite receiving pushback that it was unfair to compare them. Now, I wasn't a fan of Colin comparing Mayfield to Manziel, since I found it insulting to Mayfield, but again, that's up to his discretion considering it's his show. However, I do have a problem with him lying to Mayfield's face saying that he never compared the two.

In the video below, from June 2018, Colin is clearly saying to Mayfield's face that he never compared him to Manziel. Around eight minutes and 25 seconds into the interview, he specifically says to Baker, "I never thought you were Johnny Manziel. He's got issues, you don't. I never thought that." I had to rewatch the video twice to make sure I heard Colin correctly. I was stunned considering Colin spent about five minutes comparing the two quarterbacks a few months before speaking with Mayfield but lies to Mayfield's face about never comparing them. What's even more absurd about the blatant lie is that Fox Sports 1 has said nothing about Colin lying to Baker on his show.

This instance of Colin lying should not be taken lightly, and there are a few reasons Fox Sports 1 needs to penalize Colin in some capacity.

Firstly, Colin's show has accumulated millions of views via Fox Sports 1, YouTube, Facebook, and other outlets where his show airs, either in its entirety or in shorter clips. In other words, Colin's opinions and comments about athletes and teams reach millions of individuals. Thus, there has to be some repercussion for him lying to both Mayfield and his massive audience. Fox Sports 1 simply can't allow someone with this much influence to get away with lying on-air.

Secondly, if someone like Colin, backed by a media giant like Fox Sports 1, can lie and not face any consequences, what's to stop others from doing the same thing? This lack of accountability creates a culture where Colin and other media personalities can lie or skew the truth to fit their opinions without fear of being challenged by the companies that employ them. Consequently, viewers will continue to listen and be influenced by any dishonest statements if they are not made aware that the media personality is being deceitful.

Thirdly, there is a precedence for media individuals facing the consequences for lying on the air. The most famous example is probably that of Brian Williams, a former NBC news anchor, who was dishonest about some of his fieldwork as a journalist. Brian was dismissed from his role as an NBC anchor and has been slowly working his way back into anchoring positions. It would be asinine of me to say that Brian and Colin's respective lies are remotely similar in substance or magnitude. However, the question is not about the lies themselves, but it's the fact that they were dishonest during their jobs within the sphere of media influence. Thus, while I'm not suggesting that Colin Cowherd should be fired, Fox Sports 1 should pay attention to what NBC did and somehow make it clear that they do not condone on-air dishonesty from any of their employees.

Now, some might argue that everyone lies, and I absolutely agree. I've lied before, and I'm assuming most people have at varying intensities. However, when your job gives you influence and reach over millions of people and when your credibility relies on you speaking truthfully about teams and athletes, it is a significant problem when you lie. It's an even bigger problem when the network that supports you doesn't make you face any consequences.

If the media is going to hold athletes accountable for what they say, then sports media personalities, like Colin Cowherd, need to be held accountable, too.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

42256
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

26535
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951671
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

138151
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments