Fresh off his suspension for critiquing the wardrobe of Hannah Storm, ESPN's Tony Kornheiser has a fresh new controversy on his hands, with Lance Armstrong ripping him for urging drivers to run down bicyclists on the road.
Kornheiser was discussing the addition of bicycle lanes to some streets in Washington, D.C., when he said on ESPN Radio 980 that he despises bicyclists and supports drivers intentionally running into them.
"And they all, my God, with their water bottles in the back, and their stupid hats, and their shiny shorts, they're the same kind of disgusting posers that in a snowstorm come out with cross-country skis on your block," Kornheiser said. "Run them down."
Kornheiser twice said, with disgust in his voice, that he thought Washington, D.C. was turning into Beijing. He did, however soften his tone ever so slightly by adding, "So you tap them. I'm not saying kill them."
On Twitter Thursday morning, Armstrong ripped Kornheiser, saying, "Listening to Tony Kornheiser's comments/rant on ESPN radio re: cyclists. Disgusting, ignorant, foolish. What a complete f-ing idiot."
Armstrong also urged people to contact Kornheiser's bosses on both the radio and Pardon the Interruption to register their complaints. "Not happy about Kornheiser's comments? Let them know @ESPNRadio980, @ptishow, and here," Armstrong tweeted, providing the link.
An ESPN spokesman told FanHouse he would need to look into the matter before offering any comment, but it will be interesting to see how ESPN responds to this one. Armstrong is a powerful, popular person in the sports world, and ESPN can't just ignore this kind of criticism. And although the criticism of Hannah Storm's wardrobe was a mean-spirited comment about a co-worker, that was a comment about one person. There are millions of people who ride their bikes who can complain to ESPN about this. Not to mention a whole lot of people who aren't going to take kindly to Kornheiser's implied criticism of Beijing.
Ultimately, Kornheiser's greatest asset as a commentator -- his irreverent style when taking on the news of the day -- may also be his greatest liability.
More at USA Today.
Comments (Page 1 of 11)
How can a "supposed" journalist be soooooooo ignorant!
The man is a commentator on sports radio. If you've ever listened to his show then you would know that it's a mix of news, opinion, and "HUMOR". It was a joke. You and Lance should get the hell over yourself.
i agree hes suspose to outrageous ie Howard Stern ,so keep your spandex on..lance !
But alot people agree with comment and hate bikers!! me too! i run coffee bar and all day hear walkers complain about nearly getting run over by rude bikers..i certainly DON'T avocate hitting them just out lawing them off ALL public roads ..Pay some highway taxes (paid by gasoline) free laoders !!! HA! OUTLINE CYCLES ! and silly spandex clothing!
Lighten up! A lot of cyclist are responsible, but just as many aren't.When the weekend warriors ride three and four across, its pretty stupid.
Kornheiser is entitled to his opinion and there are alot of us who think that way.
Give it a rest Lance. I doubt a single cyclist will be run down as a result of Kornheisers ranting. Also, if you and your weenie cyclist friends would stay in the bike lane single file no one would bother with you again!
yo genius, what he said was a joke. I don't think he really wants people to hurt innocent cyclists. As a talk show host, he is supposed to say provocative stuff. You should take a chill pill son
yo genius, it was a joke. Do really think Tony Kornheiser wants people to hurt innocent bikers just trying to get some exercise? If you do then you are ignorant
For once I agree with TONY KORNHOLE run them down!! find a park a bike trail a mountain your basement!! these roads were made for MOTORIZED VEHICLES,are these cycles LICENSED, REGISTERED, INSURED,?? NO NO NO, Why not skateboards, unicycles, go-carts shopping carts??
I both ride a bike and drive a car. I do not wear spandex, nor do I hog the road, always pulling way over to let cars go by. Even though Kornheiser's comments were in jest, they were idiotic. Not everyone gets that kind of humor and there is always someone who would take him literally and try to hit a cyclist. All it takes is one buffoon, and judging by the intelligence level of many comment posters here, I'd say the buffoon pool is quite crowded.
I have no problem sharing the road - as long as they realize my car is bigger. Get over to the side of the road - not in the middle. I know how Tony feels.
I have a problem with bikes on the roads because in the beginning when thes roads were built they were built for cars not bikes. Bikes should be on the sidewalk not congesting up the roads and causing accidents. A little bump to get them off the road won't kill them.
You all you igonorant people who think the roads were buitl for cars: The first roads in this country were built for people and horses. The first paved roads in this country where built by and for bicycles long before cars where ever Built. No cars do not "own" the roads, all citizens do. Until you pay 100% of the taxes, you don't either.
And no there is nothing "funny" abut telling people to hurt others. If I think you are a poser in your stupid Humnmer I can shoot out your tires while you are driving, how funny is that? Its not like it will kill you or anything.
The highway system was actually built for military travel.
I have seen some of my fellow cyclists take the whole lane unnecessarily, and I do not like it any more than the motorist that gets trapped behind. However, temporarily taking the lane is the safest thing to do in situations where two cars passing on a narrow road with a cyclist there as well would be dangerous.
once had a guy in a big Ford truck who apparently resented the fact that I was riding on his road who tried to brush two of us on bikes (single file). My friend was hit in the back and knocked off. Of course I caught the little weasel at the light. Poor little guy could hardly look me in the eye, but he sure got his doors locked fast. I informed him he was pathetic and then bent his antenna into a corkscrew and then let the little guy go. He was scared s***less the whole time. Reminds me exactly of Kornheiser and many of the anonymous bloggers who talk like tough guys. Mostly gay, or severely insecure.
Not unlike Keith Olberman, who demonstrates similarly that being a sports "journalist" qualifies your opinion for little else meaningful in life.
I have no idea WTF that means
Rokdoc3, some conservative people, like yourself, make know sense when they speak. You guys are mad at Olbermann because he exposes a lot of conservative hypocrisy. How rational is this thinking?: conservatives are always right and liberals are always wrong. Conservatives are always honest and liberals are always lying. Conservatives are always living morally and liberals are always living immorally. And if you guys do admit any wrongdoing, it's followed by a plethora of excuses (e.g., Bristol Palin's unwed pregnancy). Dude, you made this post a political issue, so I was encouraged to give my take.
To rokdoc3:: YOU sir are a perfect example of the old saying..."When you sit there and keep quiet, people may think YOU are stupid. Its when YOU open your mouth, YOU convince them"...Now get back in your redneck cabin and close the door, as we are all sure the stench must be, just overwhelming....
Hey bud you've stirred up the libs, haven't you? Ha Ha! They can't take it, can they? Hey lib posters, how's all this honesty with regard to the idiotic health care bill workin' for ya? Yeah, all conservatives are red neck bible thumpers and all libs are incredbly, inteligent and refined individuals. Keep believing it! By the way, rokcoc3 I find it extremely funny that your two detractors are having a hard time descerning what you meant in your post. Not that difficult, is it?