Was what Jacoby Jones said to Michelle Tafoya out of line?

[renaissance]

The fact that he, for less than a second, spoke to a 50-year old woman the way we all talk to your friends' moms is fine with me. I find his use of the term "gorgeous" there no more offensive or inappropriate than Stuart Scott calling a player "homie" or "brotha" or something. It's casual, benign conversation.

That's why I said it's not offensive and the guy shouldn't be chastised for it.

But the fact is that it's not appropriate to refer to a woman as gorgeous and wink at her in that context. No matter how casual or benign you think it was, the fact that people think it's ok to do that is an issue because the language and gestures we use, no matter how normal or casual they may seem, relay social constructs and stereotypes which hold true. And when people don't think it's out of line to relay those stereotypes, they continue to be ok when they really shouldn't be.

[MLSKINS]

I get what everybody is saying, but I think we are blowing this situation WAY!! out of proportion.

It was harmless.
Tafoya said she doesn't care.

But people want to use this to talk about a problem that we all know exist and try to compare it to this. Yes women are objectified (some like it), but every male in the world isn't a dog.
If a women feels offended/uncomfortable, they should say something to somebody so it gets handled.

[renaissance]

You said Collinsworth was salivating over Austin's leg muscles during the game and that was in context.

If I talk about Allyson Felix's thighs when she does the long jump, would that be in context?

Yes, but that's assuming that as a sportscaster you wouldn't talk about them the same way you'd talk about them here on ES.

[MLSKINS]

Yes, but that's assuming that as a sportscaster you wouldn't talk about them the same way you'd talk about them here on ES.

I can say:
"Wow, Feilx generates that power on her jump from those thighs." That is in context with the sport. It is also stated in a way that isn't derogatory.

I can see if I said:
"Dang, Feilix is packing back there. That is how she jumps so far" That would be inappropriate. But I am sure that people would take offense to both of the statements. THAT isn't fair.

[Mr. Sinister]

I can understand women wanring to be taken seriously by men, professionally and personally, and I know plenty of men do view women as objects of their desires as well, and for the most part, from my experience, at the various jobs I've been at, men have said things that would be deemed far more offensive than "Thank you gorgeous," and a lot of times the women were okay with it far more often than they weren't.

I still think it's a sizeable leap to assume that just because a guy thinks a woman is attractive (and lets her know that, through various subtle and not so subtle remarks), that he doesn't see her as an equal, but instead sees her as a sexual object. That is going off of a cliff in terms of overreaction.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

That's why I said it's not offensive and the guy shouldn't be chastised for it.

But the fact is that it's not appropriate to refer to a woman as gorgeous and wink at her in that context. No matter how casual or benign you think it was, the fact that people think it's ok to do that is an issue because the language and gestures we use, no matter how normal or casual they may seem, relay social constructs and stereotypes which hold true. And when people don't think it's out of line to relay those stereotypes, they continue to be ok when they really shouldn't be.

You're right, gorgeous.

Edit: I'm just not going to buy that different industries don't have different rules. When you sign up to be in front of a camera as a public figure as your career, you are bringing your looks into the equation. So, what is OK during football interviews or on the red carpet in Hollywood has no relevance to what I'm allowed to say in my boring client meetings.

[Sticksboi05]

it's still inappropriate and misogynistic even if it's a "compliment." women do NOT want your unsolicited opinion on how they look, particularly in professional settings. men need to get that through their heads.

This is so false I don't even know where to begin. The entire fashion industry thrives on people wanting others to think they look good. I agree that men shouldn't assume every woman wants to be called sexy out of nowhere but to say that NO women want compliments or don't appreciate compliments is ludicrous, and you know it. Some do, some don't.

[Mr. Sinister]

This is so false I don't even know where to begin. The entire fashion industry thrives on people wanting others to think they look good. I agree that men shouldn't assume every woman wants to be called sexy out of nowhere but to say that NO women want compliments or don't appreciate compliments is ludicrous, and you know it. Some do, some don't.

Agreed. Like I said earlier, I trhink it's all about your choice of words. It would have to be with someone that I'm on speaking terms with though. From what I've seen and experienced, older women seem to appreciate it more than women arund my age, or younger.

[Sticksboi05]

Agreed. Like I said earlier, I trhink it's all about your choice of words. It would have to be with someone that I'm on speaking terms with though. From what I've seen and experienced, older women seem to appreciate it more than women arund my age, or younger.

Really, I think people our age appreciate it to. And the wording is crucial. If you say, "damn you look sexy in those yoga pants", then you shouldn't be surprised when she looks at you with that gtf out of my sight face which you deserve. But a simple compliment on her hair if you truly mean it will probably be taken with much more appreciation. And no, it does not automatically mean I view her as an object or as someone I wouldn't want to hang out and watch a game with. That's incredibly unfair.

[Bang]

Pregame: Well, I'm standing here with Linebacker X .. whatg do you think the keys are to tonights game?
Linebacker X: I think we need to play good and not make mistakes.
And there you have it Al, linebacker X wants to pay well and not make mistakes. back to you.


Halftime: With the Giants losing at halftime, I asked Tom Coughlin what he thinks they need to do to make a comeback in the second half, and he told me that they had to play better and not make mistakes.
Back to you Al.

Mid-Game: It looks like the trainers are working on eli manning, and I'm told he sustained a left knee injury.. not sure how serious that is., but you can all see that from the camera, so there's really no news to report here that you don't already know.
back to you, Al.

Postgame : I'/m here with linebackerX, and you told me before the game you were going to try to play good and not make mistakes, do you think you did?
LinebackerX: yeah, I played good, we played good, i tried real hard to minimize my mistakes and so i did, an we won the football game

Back to you.

~Every sideline reporter, every single week.

[DaGoonie55]

I don't believe it was out of line. Especially if Michelle publicly stated that she was not offended by it. She did not feel harassed, or belittled, or an object of his desires, etc.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

I don't believe it was out of line. Especially if Michelle publicly stated that she was not offended by it. She did not feel harassed, or belittled, or an object of his desires, etc.

But apparently it's up to others to let her know how she should have felt.

[renaissance]

I can say:
"Wow, Feilx generates that power on her jump from those thighs." That is in context with the sport. It is also stated in a way that isn't derogatory.

I can see if I said:
"Dang, Feilix is packing back there. That is how she jumps so far" That would be inappropriate. But I am sure that people would take offense to both of the statements. THAT isn't fair.

If you're a sports commentator you know you'd be better served to use more articulate language than "Felix is packing back there", which has a much different connotation to it than "Feilx generates that power on her jump from her thighs"

I still say both of these are not on the same line as saying thanks gorgeous and winking at a woman.

And again, I'm not offended by Jones' comment, but I do think it was out of line.

[Thiebear]

Football players in skintight outfits leaving nothing to the imagination fined if not perfect
Cheerleaders leaving nothing to the imagination doing provocative routines
Nfl/espn gorgeous women hired if 8+ on the scale

But
Over the top if georgeous is uttered outloud
From a player that works out 8hrs a day and runs on
Guts and testosterone with the occasional shots..

Can't understand the outrage

[DaGoonie55]

But apparently it's up to others to let her know how she should have felt.

This is an opinion thread, others are entitled to think what they will. Great thing is that we can come on here and debate these things openly (albeit from anonymity of user names) without recourse. I love these threads. I get to see a glimpse of peoples thought processes and learn how to better formulate responses / how not to respond, each in turn.

Argue on my fellow ES'ers!

Hail