If you’re a Saints fan, it’s almost humanly impossible that you weren’t clued into the story that pretty much blew up twitter yesterday. I thought I’d recap the entire story in case you missed parts or you just have a sordid personality that cares to revisit something as awful as this was. I know that’s how I operate. So I was first clued into this on twitter, but I refuse to name drop the stated original source “forum” under any circumstance. Ok fine, it was Tiger Droppings, an LSU fan site. So anyway, the story goes that someone on that forum was listening to an Atlanta radio station, 790 The Zone, and that there was a segment on “This Morning’s Mayhem” where they mocked Steve Gleason. Now in this Saints vs. Falcons rivalry, almost nothing is off limits when it comes to trash talk. Then there’s Katrina, which at first was completely off limits, and is slowly creeping into the repetoire for the Falcons’ low class fan contingent because they lack moral decency (and because they have Roddy White to serve them as a role model). Then AFTER THAT, even lower, is Steve Gleason jokes. And I hope everyone learned a valuable lesson here, you just don’t mess with Steve Gleason under any circumstance, ever.
Here’s the transcript of the audio, courtesy of WWL 870am, and you can also listen to the audio clip HERE:
Steak Shapiro: Joining us right now Steve Gleason on uh Sports Radio 790, the Zone. Steve, congratulations on uh the Peter King piece.
Steve Gleason imitator: Hello Steak. How’s NOLA?
Steak: NOLA’s great. We had a great Father’s Day yesterday. I appreciate you asking. Are you listening in New Orleans?
Steve imitator: I am. Chris, how was the Jersey Shore?
Chris: I just don’t know if I want to play.
Steve imitator: I wish I could play.
Steak: Yea, you cannot play anymore, right?
Steve imitator: No. Knock Knock.
Steak: Steve, We do knock knocks on Thursdays, we don’t do it on Monday’s. We just started doing that again. We do it on Thursdays.
Steve imitator: I may not be here on Thursday. Knock Knock.
Steak: Who’s there?
Steve imitator: I
Steak: I…I who?
Steve imitator: Blame…Greg Williams.
Chris: He blames Gregg Williams.
Steak: Oh…okay.
Steve imitator: Knock Knock.
Steak: Who’s there.
Steve imitator: Smother.
Steak: Smother who?
Steve imitator: Smother me. Do me a favor. Knock knock.
Chris: There’s a 3rd one huh? God help me. Who’s there, Steve.
Steve imitator: I’m…
Chris: I’m who?
Steve imitator: I’m going to hell.
Steak: Yes, you are.
So obviously that is disgusting beyond words and the lowest form of “comedy ” I think I’ve pretty much ever witnessed. How anyone could view even a tiny fraction of that commentary as humorous is baffling to me. How a radio station could decide to run something like that is even more shocking. Of course, the radio station was quick to issue an apology, stating:
We deeply regret the offensive programming that aired this morning on “Mayhem In The AM” on 790 The Zone, related to former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason and his battle with ALS. We suspended the three individuals involved immediately following their comments and have since terminated their employment. 790 The Zone, our owners, sponsors and partners in no way endorse or support this kind of content. We sincerely apologize to Mr. Gleason, his family and all those touched by ALS.
The show has since been pulled off the air, effective immediately, and the people on the show were immediately suspended before later in the day being fired. Nick Cellini, the person responsible for “the Gleason voice”, had the following to say on twitter:
My apologies to everyone. It was a stupid attempt at humor that backfired. Emphasis on stupid.
— Nick Cellini (@NickCellini) June 17, 2013
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An update: we all got wacked. I apologized to Michel Gleason, she understands it was a stupid joke. I’ll do my best to help Team Gleason
— Nick Cellini (@NickCellini) June 17, 2013
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The show’s host, Steak Shapiro, had the following to say:
I love the people and city of New Orleans, always have, always will, @team_gleason I will work tirelessly to make this up to you….
— steakshapiro (@steakshapiro) June 17, 2013
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What is so ironic is that I went to Tulane, love New Orleans and love the @steve_gleason story, what a moronic 2 mins, I am truly sorry….
— steakshapiro (@steakshapiro) June 17, 2013
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And of course there were some Falcons fans that stepped up and put down their pom poms for a second to state the obvious:
As a #Falcons fan, that joke don’t represent our fan base or our organization. That’s on 790 The Zone, NOT ON US! That was unacceptable!
— Nathan Butler Jr. (@ATLSportsNate) June 17, 2013
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And there was also this piece on the Georgia Sports Craze. I know Michael and I know how much he hates the Saints, so I have a lot of respect for him being able to step back and write that.
Then there’s of course the idiots:
@NFLDraftMonster Like I said, there’s a reason why ATL guys don’t like Gleason and have no sympathy for him.
— Scott Carasik (@ScottCarasik) June 17, 2013
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@WillDelToro @JuanScroates @NFLDraftMonster there’s nothing that makes making fun of the guy ok. But glorification of Gleason is misguided.
— Scott Carasik (@ScottCarasik) June 17, 2013
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@elevenbravo138 @NFLDraftMonster @OS_DinkDumpDish But Gleason is no hero.
— Scott Carasik (@ScottCarasik) June 17, 2013
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@Berns247 I never said that it was right to mock Gleason. I just said that Gleason is no hero. It’s that simple.
— Scott Carasik (@ScottCarasik) June 17, 2013
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@jessecbrooks @RepublicMatt @Berns247 I went to college with real heroes at the Citadel.
— Scott Carasik (@ScottCarasik) June 17, 2013
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Hey Mr. Scott Carasik: I’d love to know your definition of a hero. Obviously a guy who tackles the most debilitating disease that exists and inspires millions, starts a non profit to raise awareness and improve the lives of many with the disease, and continues to fight like a dog and refusing to go away quietly while basking in every experience he has with his family doesn’t fit your description. Evidently, only people that go to the Citadel are heroes. Carasik’s comments are irresponsible and once again show how some fans are so removed from reality due to their team allegiances that they’ve mortgaged ethics. And I’m not saying Saints fans are immune to that, either.
Bottom line, Steve Gleason is a hero. We find heroes in all four corners of the world and you don’t have to be in the military to belong. You just have to inspire people in positive ways. I view firefighters, teachers, volunteers for a good cause, and many others as heroes. Steve Gleason absolutely belongs in that categorically and I would argue with anyone that disagrees for as long as they cared too or until I’m blue in the face. I believe people deserve forgiveness and I’m sure these guys genuinely regret their stupidity of epic proportions. But again, let this be a lesson: you do not mess with Steve Gleason or there will be hell to pay. Of course, he’s been living proof of that his entire life long before he had ALS, and long after his diagnosis.
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