One NFL legend had a heated debate with Skip Bayless about Tim Tebow and Cam Newton, and recalled why it soured him on the legendary analyst.
Bayless is considered the pioneer of the ‘hot take’ culture that is so prevalent in sports media today, for better or for worse.
However, this approach to sports discourse does have a tendency to rub people the wrong way, with one NFL legend in particular walking away quite disrespected.
Cris Carter says Skip Bayless is ‘not a journalist,’ pushes a narrative
Speaking on Cam Newton’s 4th&1 podcast, NFL legend Cris Carter explained how a debate with Skip Bayless led to him losing all respect for him.
He noted that Bayless crossed a line and disrespected him while arguing about Tim Tebow, and that’s when he decided he never wanted to engage with him.
Cris Carter: “The only reason why I was on First Take was because me and Stephen A. were tight… The conversation was about Tim Tebow. I was telling him, ‘Man, Tim Tebow ain’t nothing if Cam Newton stays in Florida.’ I was on the scene. Urban Meyer was my receiver coach. Tim Tebow was going to be a good college player. Who was a better player? Cam Newton…
“Then once we get on the show, he’s going to represent Tim Tebow with his life. We’re kicking it back and forth on subjects. I calmly said, ‘In the game of football, if throwing the ball down the field with accuracy is ever important, Tim Tebow will never be good at pro football.’ Then he goes on to say, ‘Well, that’s why you didn’t win no Super Bowl.’ Okay, no problem. You can have this man. I ain’t with all that.
“You ever say anything to me like that again, I will hit you… You don’t know me. I’ll never come back on this show ever again. You won’t see me and him on no podcast. I don’t have to do that…
“Skip Bayless does not have a voice in sports. And you want to know why? He took a lot of his stage time and put it to people he decided to like or hate on. He said, ‘I’m going to make a lifestyle out of supporting Tim Tebow and b****** on LeBron James. LeBron James cannot do anything right. You’re not a journalist. You already have the story written; it’s just a matter of what the narrative is going to be. It’s not serious sports commentary.”
Carter’s criticisms are very valid here, especially given Bayless’ history of being a provocateur to his debate partners.
While Bayless is equal parts beloved and reviled by sports fans, both sides can agree that he tends to cross the line during heated debates.
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