ESPN Faces Backlash for Mocking High School Quarterback on ‘C’mon Man’ Segment

Posted on November 17, 2020

Image Source: Total Pro Sports

ESPN is under fire for a segment that aired before the Monday Night Football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears.

Each week, ESPN’s analysts feature a “Come on, man!” segment where they highlight different players for making questionable decisions.

In this instance, a high school football quarterback became the center of attention as he mistakenly kneeled down before the clock expired. This premature action allowed his opponent to kick a game-winning field goal as time ran out.

@ESPNNFL C’mon Man. REALLY? You are calling out a high school kid on national television? I’m giving you a C’mon Man on poor journalism. Step up your game and do better. pic.twitter.com/YHXkVE51jB

— Jay Dostal, Ed.D. #OwnYourEpic (@jaydostal) November 17, 2020

Moss and the other analysts faced substantial criticism online:

ESPN and Randy Moss did a poor job in pregame by spotlighting a random high school kid on the “C’Mon Man!” segment for taking a knee on fourth down in a random high school playoff game.

— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) November 17, 2020

Seriously, ESPN on Monday Night Football? Targeting high school kids now?

Not cool.

— Jack Stallard (@lnjsports) November 17, 2020

ESPN and Randy Moss did a poor job in pregame by highlighting a high school kid on the “C’Mon Man!” segment for taking a knee on fourth down in a random high school playoff game. It’s not right to shame a kid like that on national TV… showing poor judgment @espn?

— Justin Nowlin (@Justin_Nowlin) November 17, 2020

Hey @espn, as bad as that play was, the real “C’mon man” is you putting a high school kid on blast on national TV just before MNF. Uncool move…. Your network looks worse than that play. #ESPN #MNF #MNFxESPN #MondayNightFootball

— MassholioExpatriate (@mjf617) November 17, 2020

Although I enjoy @espn @NFLCountdown “c’mon man” segments, showcasing a high school kid’s defeat in his most important game ever is not appropriate. @sully7777 @SteveYoungQB @SuzyKolber @RandyMoss

— Coach_ Jolly (@lewisjo66) November 17, 2020

@espn Wow! Mocking a high school student on #MNF. Come on. Very distasteful.

— Barry Thunberg (@BarryThunberg) November 17, 2020

@MNF Did you really just say “C’mon, man!” to a high school student who made a mistake? COME ON, MAN! #notcool

— Brian Carrender (@brian_carrender) November 17, 2020

The school’s head coach called out ESPN:

“It’s disheartening to see ESPN run a segment like this on a student. I take full responsibility as HIS HEAD COACH. Any criticism should be directed at me,” he tweeted.

It’s disheartening to see @espn run a segment like this on a student. I take full responsibility as HIS HEAD COACH. Any criticism should be directed at me. @BladenFike is an outstanding young individual with a bright future! Proud to be his coach! #FamilY

— CaseyDick (@CdickC) November 17, 2020

The quarterback also commented on the issue:

“I made a mistake by losing track of the time. Criticizing me based on one play does not define my abilities as a QB. I am far better than that! I have great respect for my team and coaches! Thank you for supporting me,” he stated.

I lost track of the time. Criticizing me for one play does not define me as a Quarterback. I am above that! I cherish my team and coaches! Thanks for standing by me. #familY #PurpleReign @CdickC @RandyMoss https://t.co/Nfvl7wXYaE

— BladenFike (@BladenFike) November 17, 2020

CMNUNT.load(cmnunt_adslot.inline, { containerId: ‘totalprosports-feed-inline_0’, lazyLoad: true });