Prayer and protest at ESPN's Bristol HQ

By JACKIE MAJERUS
Press Staff
BRISTOL –A former Bristol pastor is organizing a prayer vigil and protest outside ESPN at noon today over the company's response to anchorwoman Dana Jacobson's off-air remarks at an Atlantic City party this month.
Calling Jacobson's comments "religious discrimination, bigotry and hate speech," the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, said he wants ESPN to fire her.
Jacobson, a SportsCenter anchor who is co-host of the national morning show ESPN First Take , spoke at a January 11 roast at the House of Blues in Atlantic City, honoring Mike & Mike in the Morning co-hosts Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg.
Writer Scott Cronick of the Atlantic City Press published an account of the party the next day, and noted that Jacobson "made an absolute fool of herself, swilling vodka from a Belvedere bottle, mumbling along and cursing like a sailor as Mike & Mike rested their heads in their hands in embarrassment."
Cronick did not report what Jacobson specifically said, but Mahoney, who did not attend the event, said her rant included, "F--- Notre Dame, f--- Touchdown Jesus and f--- Jesus."
Jacobson, who attended Michigan – Notre Dame's arch rival – apparently was referring, at least in part, to a mural in Notre Dame's football stadium called "Touchdown Jesus."
She was suspended for a week and issued a public apology.
"The punishment does not fit the crime," said Mahoney. "She didn't do it as a private citizen. She did it under the color of ESPN. A week's suspension is absolutely pathetic."
In a statement released by ESPN, the company called Jacobson's comments "wrong" and "inexcusable." But ESPN said, "Her uncharacteristic behavior was not aimed at a particular religious faith."
ESPN Vice President Mike Soltys said the blog reports of what she said have been "imprecise."
The comments were not broadcast or otherwise distributed by ESPN, and Soltys said they will not be.
"The comments were in the context of Notre Dame football. They were inappropriate," said Soltys. "We're not going to repeat them. We've publicly condemned them, so why repeat it?"
In Jacobson's public apology, she said she was "very sorry" and called her remarks "foolish and insensitive."
"I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words," said Jacobson, who came to work for ESPN in 2002. "I won't make excuses for my behavior but do hope that I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment."
Mahoney said ESPN has to show "zero tolerance" for "bigoted, hateful rhetoric in the workplace."
"I just shudder if Ms. Jacobson had said, 'F-Mohammed,'" Mahoney said.
But when asked, what would Jesus do, Mahoney said, "Would Jesus want her to be fired? No. Jesus wouldn't want anyone to be fired."
Then later, comparing the accountability he wants to see for Jacobson to that of a parent disciplining an errant child, Mahoney said Jesus "would demand justice" for Jacobson, even as he loved her.
Mahoney was pastor of Hillside Community Church in Forestville from 1981 to 1987. While a minister in Bristol, he was a leader in the anti-abortion movement, forcing the city to hold a referendum on the issue.
Mahoney said other Christian groups are also upset with ESPN.
"This is just the start of a long journey. We'll have to see what ESPN does," said Mahoney. "This is at Ground Zero of the story."
Soltys and Mahoney said they will meet after the prayer vigil.
Mahoney said he watches ESPN.
"I love it," said Mahoney. "It's the network I watch the most."
He hasn't called for a boycott, he said, and he hasn't stopped watching it himself.
"Not yet," said Mahoney.

*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com