So what do I think of Fallen Star Jason Whitlock’s nasty spate of anti-Hearne twittering?
Predictable.
Anybody who knows Whitlock – even a little – knows that for all of his bluff and braggadocio he comes fully equipped with paper thin skin. Newspaper thin.
And he’s got at least 16 years of public meltdowns to show for it. His infamous on-air screaming matches with former 980 KMBZ sports talk host Don Fortune. The antics that got him suspended by the Star at the New England Patriots football game oh so many years ago. His high profile debacles and firings at Entercom and ESPN. Added to however many of his caustic/defensive columns in the Kansas City Star. Even his dramatic falling out with his one-time best buddy, sports muse and occasional ghost writer Greg Hall.
Now Whitlock’s down to lowly me. Read on.
Twitter Numero Uno:
“HChristopher must get paid per fabrication. If this is an indication of what ran in The Star for 16 years, Star owes a lot of apologies.about 2 hours ago via web”
Twitter Numero Dos:
“KC Tweeps only: Hearne Christopher is the dumbest motherphucka on the planet. It’s embarrassing a newspaper employed him. Embarrassing.about 2 hours ago via web”
So how do I feel? Flattered, of course.
In the absence of any straight shooting whatsoever by either Whitlock or the Star, KC Confidential stitched together a quilt of facts, news tips, behind-the-scenes knowledge of the workings of the Star and theories as to what’s been going on these past 12 weeks. That’s what happens in what passes for sports journalism when high profile players silently drop out of sight for extended periods of time during critical time frames.
Did we know for sure or report that Whitlock was making $160,000 and got bumped down to $125,000? Nope. We reported that sources who claimed and appeared to be somewhat close to Whitlock said that.
What’s more, we did a little behind-the-scenes checking with folks no longer at the newspaper who were familiar with W’s salary and they said that figure appeared to be in the ballpark.
Did Star editor
Rick
Ohhhhhhhh snap!!!!! Best carving of Whitlock’s blubber I’ve ever read. Sooooo true too.
KC Confidential now bookmarked on my puter.
Jip
I have it on pretty good authority that Fannin and Lawton were in a relationship. I think Fannin lives or used to live with his mother, too, if you question how much I really know.
_______________________
HC: You’re dating yourself Jip. I called Mike at home to check on my press credentials for the infamous Colts playoff loss at Arrowhead and his mom answered the phone and told me Mike was in the shower. Think that was in his early, ponytail days at the Star.
Billy Madison
Mr. Christopher, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
_________________
HC: Uh, thanks – I think.
Winner
I’m glad that Hearne has the time to go back and forth with Whitlock.
Burman Dinstow
To the staffer who envisions The Star using Jason’s freed-up salary to hire more reporters…pardon my chuckle.
_________________
HC: Think what he was saying is lay off fewer staffers, B Man
Gavin
Nice one, Hearne. Not that you were looking for my approval, but you have it. In this one you said “Was it widely suspected, and much talked about at the newspaper, that Fannin was engaged in a romance with his second in command in the sports department
chuck
Great stuff. I luv all the goop on the sports guys – radio, tv, newspaper—-the House Sports Reporters of Jackson County.
Readers should submit all the unverified rumors from over the last several years (Remember the K Keitzman rumor about the parking lot?) and ask Hearne if they are true.
No shame here, I am deeply flawed.
_____________________________
HC: It was in Mission Hills, never heard about it being in a parking lot. I verified with the Prairie Village chief of police at the time that there was indeed a stop and that they still had the police car video. I needed to fill out a request form for the Star to get the full report and see the video. I took that information to then Star editor Mark Zeiman, who told me he did not want me to pursue the story. That my friends, is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So help me God.
smartman
Whale shit, meet ocean floor
________________
HC: Such self defecation, I mean, deprecation
Stevo
Re: Was it widely suspected, and much talked about at the newspaper, that Fannin was engaged in a romance with his second in command in the sports department
rick
The real rick says…at least meat on the bones of the KK story. where is Old Man kissell now?
rick
actually that was suppose to be at LAST not least. But maybe KK’s wife would say it was least. I don’t know
That Guy
“It was in Mission Hills, never heard about it being in a parking lot.” Hearne, is this a DWI stop? Hugh Grant-esque naughtiness?