Vikings object to Panthers’ Olsen covering their game for Fox
Sometimes pro football players get ahead of themselves when they begin their TV journalism career while they’re still playing.
Tiki Barber came to regret delivering some critical commentary on the New York Giants during his final season of playing for them. Brandon Marshall was a witty presence on Inside the NFL, but he found it too uncomfortable to shift back and forth from active player to studio reporter.
One of the causes of apparent disunity with the Pittsburgh Steelers is Ben Roethlisberger’s radio show. He has delivered shots at a couple of his receivers, Anthony Brown and Martavis Bryant.
But a more controversial foray into journalism is causing trouble for Greg Olsen, All-Pro tight end for the Carolina Panthers.
Olsen has been injured and unable to play, so it makes sense for him to venture into media work, where he has a promising future. But the issue is unfair access.
As one of the Fox contingent covering the recent Vikings-Rams game, Olsen could have been privy to information that would help him and his teammates prepare for Carolina’s game against Minnesota on Dec. 10.
The Vikings cried foul. Fox answered by barring Olsen from the “production meetings” in which coaches speak – often off the record – about their team and specific players.
But the Vikings suspect other Fox reporters will fill Olsen in on details from meetings with the coaches or other team officials.
One football player-turned announcer, Chris Simms of NBCSN, said: “I do think it’s significant. . . . You’re putting the Vikings in a very uncomfortable situation, the Rams as well.”
Speaking on Pro Football Talk, Simms said Olsen’s action is “unethical . . . I don’t care that he wasn’t at the production meetings. He’s talking with the other two guys in the booth who have been in those meetings, and they’re going to discuss what was said in those meetings.
“And it might give him a little inside look at what he’s not supposed to know.”
Olsen, who will be activated for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, could have picked up loose talk at Vikings camp. Simms: “The Vikings might be saying, ‘We’re a little weak in one area,’ or ‘We’re trying to hide this player.’ Maybe the people scouting for Carolina wouldn’t have picked this up.”
Olsen scoffed at that notion. “I’m going to have enough trouble on my hands with broadcasting, let alone looking for little nuances on the sidelines. So I don’t know how much time I’ll have for stealing of secrets.”
That was not the most persuasive of denials.
There does seem to be a conflict of interest here. It’s tricky for a professional athlete to work as a reporter covering his team and opposing teams.
“Greg,” Simms said, “you’re good-looking, you’re smart, you’re a great talker, all those things. Your time will come when you can announce games on TV . . . “
If Olsen can’t wait, Fox could minimize the uproar by assigning him to games that do not involve one of the Panthers’ upcoming opponents.