ESPN Suspends Dana Jacobson One Week for Saying 'F--- Jesus' at Roast

Posted Jan 23, 2008 9:01AM By Michael David Smith (RSS feed)

Filed Under: ESPN

ESPN First Take co-host Dana Jacobson has been suspended for one week for her comments during a celebrity roast celebrating ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning.

The suspension, first reported in the Chicago Tribune, comes after Jacobson reportedly said "F*** Notre Dame," "F*** Touchdown Jesus," and "F*** Jesus" in an attempt to talk trash to Mike and Mike co-host Mike Golic, a former Notre Dame football player.

An ESPN spokesman e-mailed me the following statements:

FROM ESPN
"Her actions and comments were inapprorpriate and we have dealt with it."

FROM DANA
"I am very sorry. My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words. I also deeply regret the embarrassment I have caused ESPN and Mike and Mike. My actions at the roast were inappropriate and in no way represent who I really am. I have personally apologized to many of the people involved. I won't make excuses for my behavior but do hope that I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment."

I hope so, too. The context is everything here: She didn't say this on the air, she said it at a celebrity roast, an event at which people are supposed to go out of their way to be outrageous. She should be welcomed back on the air when her suspension is over.

UPDATE: ESPN Anchor Dana Jacobson May Be Anti-Notre Dame But She's Not Anti-Catholic

Photos: When Sports Announcers Say Dumb Things

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 24)

1-24-2008 @ 2:18PM

Fallon said...

The truth of the matter is: whether she said it out loud, in private, or in her heart, the truth has a way of leaking out. That's what's in her heart. Jeremiah 17:9,10: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperatley wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings". Had she been a preacher or someone within the religious world, and made this comment, she wouldve been viewed as apostate and immediately thrown out. But she is not apart of that Kingdom, she's apart of the world. And the world lacks a reverance or respect for God, Jesus, or holiness. The media and entertainment worlds censor their employees so much that it is hard to tell what they really believe. This is an example of what is in her heart. She needs not to ask the forgiveness of her listeners for sake of saving her ratings, or because she embarrassed espn and mike and mike... she should seek God's forgiveness, because she offended Him, cursed Him, sinned against Him. For her SOUL's sake. Bible says he is faithful and just to forgive all those to CONFESS THEIR SINS - don't admit to the world, admit to yourself that you've offended God and be forgiven.

1-23-2008 @ 10:25AM

ricomas12 said...

Lighten Up Francis!

1-23-2008 @ 10:58AM

August West said...

It's only offensive because it's not funny. George Carlin, Bill Hicks, Sam Kinison, David Cross etc. all made millions saying 100x worse things, but they're hilarious so no one cares.

I mean I don't, because religion and fundamentalism are hilarious.

1-23-2008 @ 10:53AM

peter said...

Jacoson No! Jesus Yes!

1-23-2008 @ 10:46AM

Dave said...

I think ESPN is hoping this will die down in a week. If it doesn't, then I think Dana will probably lose her job. I think she meant to say what she said, I don't think she thought it would become public. You would think Rev. Al and Rev. Jesse would be outraged about the F*** Jesus comment.

1-23-2008 @ 10:49AM

jfl said...

Revs Al and Jesse probably dig Dana's prodigous podukidonk (sp?)

Joe said...

"but do hope that I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment.""

----------------------------------------------

YOU WANT US TO FORGIVE YOU?
THE SAME WAY JESUS FORGIVES?

1-23-2008 @ 10:57AM

b3344d said...

I feel that Dana Jacobosn should be fired. I am tired of the excuses. Like " oh I didn't really menat that"!! she meant it or she would not have said it.
I say " Fire Her. "
ESPN has become a joke anyway. It used to be my choice of programming, but in recent times I have come ot loathe it.

kim staley said...

ESPN STANDS FOR EASTERN SPORTS NETWORK. EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM EXUDES EASTERN ELITISM!!!

Elle said...

Regardless if she said this at a celebrity roast michael, that's totally irrelevant. IT WAS WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!! You don't say crap like that and expect no consequences for it. Had she said that to the muslim community or any other relgion, everyone would be in an uproar and expect a stiffer punishment. What she got was a slap on her hand. She should have been fired. PERIOD. If your a public figure like she is, she needs to watch her words. She truly showed her poor lack of judgement but even more than that, she has shown her true colors.

1-23-2008 @ 11:31AM

Richard McKinney said...

She should be fired the same as Imus! OH but it is OK because only Christians were offended ansd she is a woman. Where are the so called reverends noww!!

1-23-2008 @ 3:12PM

Bob said...

The actions shown here by ESPN show once again the double standard that exists in our society. At one time Christianity was sacred and honored, but now it is allowed to be bashed and mocked. It is forbidden to speak against race or other non-christian religions in a public forum. ESPN should hold a high standard for those who represent them. It would be fair to dismiss her if just like others who have made to same poor judgement.

1-23-2008 @ 11:02AM

Grer The Sarcastic Bastard said...

a) Considering that by reading this post, this is the first time I'm hearing about this, ESPN has made this an issue by making an issue out of it. Nobody at this roast had a cell phone at the ready to "You Tube" something out of the ordinary, nobody rushed home to blog about it, therefore I'm of the belief that those that were there considered the nature of the event and just took her comments as poor judgement, not malicious intent. Which leads me to

b) It's amazing to me that those of you crucifying her know hands down that these are her true feelings and not just a bad attempt at comedy. Heaven help me if you are a judge that I ever have to come across.

1-23-2008 @ 11:08AM

hugh mayberry said...

espn should fire that b if it had been a man and not a prety broad he would have been fired on the spot she must be real close to some big wig at espn

1-23-2008 @ 11:07AM

What a mockery. A public figure who says the "F" word towards Catholicism and even worse against Jesus and she gets a week suspension. Imus gets fired for using derragotory remarks against the black women of a basketball team and gets fired. Hmmm, what's wrong with this picture??? ESPN should have fired Dana. Well, one less viewer they'll have. Your a joke Dana.

1-23-2008 @ 11:12AM

Ryan said...

Please, you Bible thumpers need to practice what you preach. She said it at a roast where religion, race, and other taboo subjects are made fun of on a regular basis. She asked for forgivness, so give it to her. If you don't want to watch First Take simply turn the channel. Quit pushing your ideals on everyone else. It was a joke, if you don't like it, don't laugh. Remember your creed, WWJD.

John said...

If an ESPN representative F bombs the Torah then there would definitely be sever repercussions and not just a one week suspension. As I suspected she is protected by the mouse.

1-23-2008 @ 11:20AM

Unbekannter Soldat said...

Well MDS,
Would you welcome back Imus?? No you wouldn't. Ya know why?? Because you, like most of you leftist, whiny, communist, atheist media phleebs, just love it when someone offends the Lord or Christianity. You break your arm patting her on the back for her courage to speak out against such fundamentalism, like Christianity!!! You media people make me friggin wanna puke. Drop dead, loser and all you self-important, bloated gasbags at ESPN!!!

1-23-2008 @ 11:25AM

Oh boy ESPN the hypocrites. They love to send their lynch mob after ANYONE who says ANYTHING thats not PC. Don Imus. They go on and on with their PC stories about "not enough black coaches, not enough black this or black that." They raked John Rocker over the coals for MONTHS! But she says "f Jesus" and she gets a whopping ONE weeks suspension. Wow.

1-24-2008 @ 6:34PM

Aaron said...

You know, JESUS says you should FORGIVE people. I am absolutely sick and tired of "Christians" that forget this point. They want to destroy this lady for trying to make a joke, when Jesus himself would have forgiven her and does since she asked for forgiveness. You are all a bunch of hypocrites and it makes me sad to call myself a Christian.