I have never been so embarrassed of fellow journalists

Last night at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck race at Kentucky Speedway, NE Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss made his debut as track owner. There were journalists in attendance requesting either pictures with or autographs from Moss on pit road. Are you friggin kidding me? What the hell happened to being professional?

 

Sorry. Professionalism was outsourced to our sister company in New Delhi.

 

How can you blame them for wanting a picture taken with such a fine upstanding citizen who treats the media so well?

 

Well, when Cal Ripken made an appearance at the Comcast Center, I nearly went looking for an autograph. Had I done so, I would have justified it by saying that Ripken is one of the transcendent figures of sports.

I wouldn't want to be within 100 feet of Randy Moss unless I were wearing a spectra vest and I was packing heat. Plus carrying brass knuckles and a can of pepper spray.

 

Not good. Just as bad to ask Ripken as it would be Moss.

You'd think being a sportswriter that type of thing would wear off, and just being in attendance with athletes and coaches would be enough. The articles, columns, and press passes are our souvenirs not autographs and pictures.

 

Notice, I said "almost." I didn't. :

 

The more "interactive" and the less traditionally journalistic the media becomes, the more and more this type of thing will happen.

And it will be normal, and no big deal.

I'm not saying it is, but that's how it'll become.

 

I hear ya. I almost asked Dick Vitale once.

 

To get to the point at which Moddy's driving, Moss owns a team, Randy Moss Racing Motorsports. Their driver, Willie Allen, started 20th and finished 15th.

 

Would never have happened if they covered it via telephone.