T.O. Chimes In

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

But media spin only gets you so far....especially when it's so often proven to be false later on, as was the case with Kobe and Shaq.

Not true. A page 6 retraction never un-does a front page story. Even now, after the truth has gradually leaked out...where's Shaq on that most hated list? Not there. Same thing here - TO gets no slack because he's done crap to make sure he's hated his whole career. Brett's the opposite.

And as the Chad example proves, reporters may love the quips and quotes, but the general public forms it's own opinions based upon it's own agenda.

You vastly overestimate the general public. The overwhelming majority swallow what they're fed. In this case, the media usually paints Chad as a benign buffoon. Oddly, some people like that.

To that end the general public has overwhelmingly determined that Chad is a raging douchnozzle who deserves to be on the list of the hated.

Chad's also very well liked. He's very polarizing, so he gets some reaction out of everybody, but I'm not sure the mean effect is hatred. Hell, go to the comments section on PFT when they run a Chad story sometime, and you'll see a number of posts that go something like: "I'm a Steeler fan, and I hate the Bengals, but I love Chad." Which proves two things: one, that Steeler fans are douchebags. But second, that Chad has a lot of support league wide. He's a 'love him or hate him' guy, whereas TO is a 'hate him or hate him' guy.

Ultimately, the question is whether TO and Chad get maltreated because of racism, and I say no. We both agree that Chad has earned his way on the list. TO I'm pretty sure has spent time there in the past. The only remaining question is whether Fav-ray gets a free pass due to the reflectivity of his skin, and I again say no - much like Shaq (who ain't white), cultivating a media relationship over a decade reaps its rewards.

very much like that gal Flo from the Progressive Insurance ads. And who doesn't hate her? Who doesn't want to stab her in the heart everytime she shouts the word discount?

Actually, I get the feeling that she's crazy in bed. Maybe that's just me.

[ArmyBengal]

You mean this "Flo" ?? Yeah, she was a model before doing those commercials.

Billy has to agree there's just something special about naked chicks and guns !!!

[BengalszoneBilly]

You mean this "Flo" ??

Now that's what I call a good coverage policy!

[ArmyBengal]

I didn't realize she was a model before doing those progressive commercials, but managed to make that find.

[Kazkal]

Kobe, I don't get. I have to chalk that one up to just hate and jealousy. I can't believe people are still holding a grudge over the "alleged

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQG7EoYJNA8

[Stripes]

I don't hate Kobe. I hate the nationwide assumption that he's still the best player in the NBA.

[Kazkal]

well I'm linking tosh since it has a T.O & Ochocinco reference

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMSJrrr9zXo

[Trevor]

well I'm linking tosh since it has a T.O & Ochocinco reference

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMSJrrr9zXo

[cHaD711Johnson]

I suppose it has nothing to do with Vick killing dogs.

I never said it doesn't. Roethlisberger has been accused of raping women twice and it's far more recent, yet he isn't on the list. *shrugs*

As for the others, it pretty much comes down to who gets the most media coverage. Once being force fed enough of Tiger Woods, you will start to hate him. I was watching espn news the other day, they showed a combined 6 shots in a golf tournament. 5 of them were Tiger, who finished 43rd if i remember correctly.

Chad and TO are guilty of putting themselves in the spotlight. They each have had their own reality show. I will flat say TO would make my list. Kobe and Lebron get more coverage than any other players in the nba.

This is not an issue of race, this is an issue of media coverage. And on that note, if I made my own, Favre and Tebow would both crack the top 10 easy, probably top 6 or 7. Its not because I hate white quarterbacks, its because I am so sick of seeing them and hearing about them.

I said that it wasn't the result of fans being racist, but a media construct. So you're basically saying the same thing. The media forces it down our throats when Tiger messes up, Kobe, etc. You didn't see near the amount of scrutiny in the Roethlisberger situation. There was an outcry, but it was definitely delayed and not to the same extent.

[JoeMama]

Whatever, TO is always a fun interview.

It's like the SNL skit with Chris Matthews... keep this crazy train going.

And I even think TO is right most of the time, he just chooses incredibly bad analogies to make his point. And often he lets reporters bait him into saying stupid s**t too.