The Jets spoke to the NFL, NFL Films and ESPN after the game to address the airing of Darnold's commentsGETTY IMAGES
Jets QB Sam Darnold said he is "not embarrassed" by his comments about seeing ghosts being aired on ESPN's "MNF" telecast of Patriots-Jets, though he said it "would have been nice if it hadn't made the air," according to Al Iannazzone of NEWSDAY. Darnold: "It's something that happened. Now I got to address it. ... It's just a bummer that it was live and all that." Iannazzone notes the Jets "authorized" Darnold being mic'd up by ESPN for the game, but they "didn't expect this." The current process for mic'd up players is that NFL Films has a "representative on-site who listens" to what the players say, then "approves what's put on the air." Darnold's comment was "approved by the rep and ESPN aired it." A source said that the Jets "spoke to the NFL, NFL Films and ESPN" yesterday about the situation, and "expect to have more conversations" (NEWSDAY, 10/23). In New Jersey, Andy Vasquez writes, "Don't count on hearing a mic'd up Darnold again on a broadcast anytime soon." It is "uncommon for a comment that is unflattering to a player to make it to air" (North Jersey RECORD, 10/23)
GASE, JETS NOT HAPPY: Jets coach Adam Gase said that the team will "re-evaluate their cooperation with having players and coaches mic'd up moving forward." Gase said, "We'll look into that pretty hard. That was one of those things that was really disappointing to hear about after the game" (N.Y. POST, 10/23). Gase also said that it is "normal for teams to allow players to wear a microphone during high-profile games" like "MNF." However, the RECORD's Vasquez notes Gase "seemed to be upset that the decision was made to air a comment that was unflattering to Darnold" (Bergen RECORD, 10/23). In N.Y., Manish Mehta writes the Jets are "rightfully ticked off" about Darnold's comment making it on the air. After the on-site NFL Films rep "cleared Darnold's 'ghosts' comment to be used," ESPN had the "freedom not to air the comment, but it made for great TV." Mehta: "My understanding is that people high on the NFL Films totem pole are not pleased that their on-site rep gave the green light to allow ESPN to air the comment." The Jets "obviously aren't happy with NFL Films." There is a "trust between teams and NFL Films to keep comments that could potentially embarrass players, coaches or teams off air." Jets RB Le'Veon Bell after the game tweeted, "The NFL screwed Sammy over." Mehta notes NFL rules "dictate that the quarterback and head coach must be mic'd up by NFL Films at least one game each season" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/23).
THAT'S GOLD, JERRY: In Boston, Hayden Bird notes ESPN "didn't shy away from discussing Darnold's remark." It was "mentioned in a postgame interview" with Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower, and the net's "SportsCenter" shared a "reaction to it" from Patriots LB Kyle Van Noy (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/23). YAHOO SPORTS' Dan Wetzel wrote Darnold's line was "television gold," which is the "point of mic'd up segments, or at least it should be." It would have been a "broadcasting tragedy if that line wasn't used." For viewers and fans, that was a "rare peek behind the curtain concerning the swirl and confusion of an NFL game." ESPN "doesn't even manage the segment." The league "signed off on it and it would be a shame if it pulled such a quote out of fear that someone might be embarrassed." Wetzel: "Either do this right or don't do it" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/22). ESPN's Tony Kornheiser said ESPN "has every right to run it," though NFL Films should not have made it available. ESPN's Michael Wilbon: "I'm glad that it aired because it was the only damn thing worth talking about from that game" ("PTI," ESPN, 10/22).
ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT: In Newark, Matt Stypulkoski writes the Jets' "anger is misplaced." The team's mindset is a "fundamental misunderstanding of the industry they're in." Football, "point blank, is entertainment," and Darnold's comment was "undeniably entertaining." The Jets will argue that this was a "bridge too far." Stypulkoski: "But is there really anything embarrassing about a 22-year-old quarterback admitting that he's befuddled by arguably the greatest head coach of all time and the NFL's No. 1 defense?" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 10/23). The Washington Post's Kevin Blackistone called it "absolutely ridiculous" that the Jets are upset. Blackistone: "Why do you have somebody get mic'd up? ... If this is supposed to be sports and entertainment, then just let it go" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 10/22).
