Donald Penn Lashes Out At Reporters
October 2nd, 2013
In the wake of Donald Penn going national and defending Bucs quarterback and teammate Josh Freeman, Penn took time today to lash out at local reporters for what he considers a character assassination against the defrocked Bucs franchise quarterback.
In his defense against Freeman last night with Bill Polian and Alex Marvez, co-hosts of “Late Hits,” heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Penn said the following:
“You know, the stuff that came out [Monday regarding Freeman’s ADHD medicine being monitored in NFL substance-abuse program] and stuff like that, it’s like they’re really trying to bring him down and Josh is a great guy. I mean Josh is a very humble spirit. He’s a very good guy. He’s a very good person and he really cares about him teammates and he cares about his team. I know it’s killing him what’s going on.”
It was unclear who “they” were that Penn referred to.
Was it Bucs management who some believe are in a campaign to tear Freeman down, was it agents, was it other NFL teams, was it some Bucs teammates?
(Fans of the late great Chris Thomas know who “they” were. They is Chuck LaMar.)
So today, Joe asked Penn who exactly he was referring to. Who was trying to run Freeman out of the NFL? Penn did not hold back at all.
“Y’all! The media. The Media. The Media. The Media. Y’all,” Penn said. “Y’all are all trying to find any way to tarnish his character and make it sound like he is not a good guy, like he is not a good person, like this is all his fault. That is y’all reporting that stuff. That is y’all. So don’t try to switch it up like it isn’t y’all. It’s y’all. The media.”
Joe likes Penn a lot but Penn likes to lump “media” in one big group as if every reporter — TV, print and new media — answers to the same boss, as if all media were just one big conglomerate.
For example, this past summer, when a local reporter suggested Penn was too fat to remain employed by the Bucs, Penn blasted the creator, curator and overall guru of ProFootballTalk.com, the great Mike Florio, as if Florio was the author when Florio simply linked to the article in question.
Joe appreciates Penn sticking up for his friend and teammate. Joe just wishes Penn would save his ire for those who are planting stories with the Jay Glazers of the world (who is among the best there is, mind you), who, by the way, Joe has never seen at One Buc Palace.
Here is the audio of Penn’s response, courtesy of Joe’s good friends at WDAE-AM 620.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:05 pm
Kudo’s to Penn. Freeman will go on and have a steller career and the media can create more stories about our next QB ….Napolean Dynamite …
Btw, thanks for helping our new QB out Free, your a class act.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:06 pm
Donald in case you haven’t noticed the media doesn’t exist anymore. Well thats incorrect, the NEWS media doesn’t exist. People report anything without vetting it, sourcing it properly. Its all about drawing page views and not intergrity. Thats why PFT posted I believe 10 different Bucs stories yesterday. Because there was that much news? Nope, because thats what was driving page views. So who cares if its true? Once you have the page view thats that.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:07 pm
“Joe likes Penn a lot but Penn likes to lump “media” in one big group as if every reporter — TV, print and new media — answers to the same boss, as if all media were just one big conglomerate.”
Im 100% percent guilty of doing the same thing. so to those in the media that are not doing that, I applaud you for doing the right thing. and for those that are, karma’s a b!tch.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:08 pm
“as if Florio was the author when Florio simply linked to the article in question.”
In my opinion if you put a link to a bogus story an your website you are just as guilty as the author for helping spread the lies.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:13 pm
linking to a story is furthering the story, so you bear similar (if not AS much) guilt as the writer of the story.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:19 pm
BRAVO!!!!!!
Well said Pen!!!!
YALL, enough said..
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:20 pm
Lets not forget that Florio is the editor of PFT and would have reviewed the article prior to posting. Dont kid yourself…he is a lawyer and knows the rules well.
I think Mr. Penn needs to focus on his pass blocking a bit more and worry less about a player who has been shown the door but not yet passed through it. He is not coming back Mr. Penn and Mr. Deumig no matter what you say!
This years events are going to kill this franchise come free agency next year. Who will want to come here? The only chance is to start over and get a new coach and GM. They are both responsible for the message and tone coming from one buc and lately the message has not been professional rather personal. I am a fan of Lovie Smith and I think he would be a good fit. I dont believe Schiano anymore and think he is being outcoached every week. In way over his head…bad choice GLazer family but lets move on already. Its time….BK
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:22 pm
He’s right.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:22 pm
I don’t expect ANY media person to agree, but Penn is right. While it isn’t you, Joe, the story is perpetrated by repeating it as much by others as the person making the claim.
So Penn is right in a way.
Don’t get me wrong, I think you do a heck of a job here, but it’s no secret that the media as a body is completely out of control. Maybe blogging needs to be regulated so far as being held to a standard of honesty and truth. I know for a fact that certain local reporters and bloggers have actually made things up and spoken them as fact. Not you of course, but there are several local ones.
And even more nationally.
I’m all for freedom of speech. But slander I am not, and bloggers/reporters should be held to some sort of standard.
It isn’t so hard to add “I have the opinion that…” to any of those claims instead of lending credibility to it as fact.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:26 pm
Good for Penn! More people need to blast the media for the rumor-mongering they do! Can no one site a real source or research what a “source” says BEFORE going public with the story? No, no, no, we HAVE to be the first one out there with the story, truth be damned. More responsibility by the media (I accept that all media is not the same, there are some ethical journalists left and I believe the Joes are in that group) and fewer people’s lives would be ruined. The days of Walter Cronkite (most trusted man in America) are over because of gotcha journalism! If people in the media don’t like being lumped into one group, do something about it! Police yourselves! Call out the trash that sensationalizes this kind of stuff.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:26 pm
On a side note, Florio is a master at making accusations without actually say the words directly. He misleads people constantly. To me he is one of the most dishonest culprits.
Of course, the moment you say you don’t believe it, your posts are removed from PFT.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:29 pm
“If people in the media don’t like being lumped into one group, do something about it! Police yourselves! Call out the trash that sensationalizes this kind of stuff.”
Couldn’t be stated better, complaining never got anything fixed.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:32 pm
Penn give them hell on this. Josh is taking a beating in the media for no reason you can’t blame josh for 0-3 can you say josh was why they lost to the jets no if there’s no push out of bound’s they win and the n.o game bad coaching cost that game the coach is leaking all the trash about josh and if were lucky he the next one out the door if were lucky but don’t get me wrong tb needed a change but don’t try to run the man’s name in the dirt
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:35 pm
Freeman will never come close to achieving 2010 again. He is what he is. And, that has zero to do with how I or anyone feels about Raheem, Schiano, Dominick or the Glazers.
We’ll just have to meet back here in a few years and see who’s right.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:35 pm
Penn has played terrible so far from what I have seen… How many sacks has he allowed???
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:35 pm
Kudo’s Donald.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:38 pm
^^^Major assumption Jimmy,
Don’t get on the media for making stuff up and slandering one person and use the very same tactic your criticizing as evidence to back up why another is at fault.
Hypocritical at best
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:40 pm
It’s good to a teammate stick up for another teammate. It’s curious why non of the players have come to Schiano’s defense with all the media scrutiny surrounding him. Hmm.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:42 pm
If one media outlet posts a false story from another site or source, then they are BOTH responsible.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:49 pm
Ya’ll is exactly right. Every single one of you have had your self righteous fingers in the mix the whole time.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:55 pm
http://www.nbcsports.com/football/nfl/pft-live-why-are-bucs-schiano-bullying-freeman
There’s Florio flat out lying on video.
October 2nd, 2013 at 3:56 pm
Ya, all the bad publicity sucks for Freeman and I can see Penn having his teammates back. After all, he knows him personally and I am sure he IS a good guy. But let’s get down to brass tax; Bucs fans are tired of the sub par performance from Freeman and know he would never be our franchise QB. He needs to stop whining or no other team is going to want him either! We have a kicker that has missed two crucial field goals that would have got us to 2-2 but nobody wants to talk about that! Let Freeman go while he still has some value, get a kicker that can put it through the sticks under pressure, and stop the damn penalties and maybe we will win a game!
October 2nd, 2013 at 4:05 pm
96% of the world’s media is owned by 6, yes six companies. “The media” is one big group.
October 2nd, 2013 at 4:06 pm
Bravo Donald, Bravo.
I’m glad to see someone standing up. I think Penn is one of our best players. Obviously one of our team leaders.
This is also a stand against the Lil Emperor, also. I’m sure he has commanded them them not to say anything good about Freeman. I’m sure the lil emperor is launching a punishment/ slander campaign against Penn even as we speak!
Also McCoy- Feely ratted him out, for apologizing about the bush league ” rush the kneel down” move.
The list of players revolting is growing.
So is the list of Fans.
Fire Schiano, fire Dom!
Now
October 2nd, 2013 at 4:08 pm
^^^ Another assumption
October 2nd, 2013 at 4:18 pm
Sad that y’all are trying to ruin this kid and really he will be better playing for another team. Are you going to tell me that Glennon gives the Bucs the best change to win now. BULL! I think the NFL is having a problem with all the black QB’ s coming out. Tell me that 60 plus qb’s are better than Vince Young ie colt McCoy, Charlie Whitehurst to name a few and could name 20 more! I hope Someone smart not bill Polan or charley cass what’s his name that get/got lucky to win a Super Bowl trades for him cause he’s better that all qb’s on the Jets, bills, Jacksonville, and a few others also. I was a Buc fan but no more after what they have tried to do to this young man.
October 2nd, 2013 at 4:29 pm
I think Penn is one of our best players.
__________________________
Did you watch the game on Sunday? He was awful.
October 2nd, 2013 at 4:38 pm
Many times to the average reader, it is really hard to differentiate the various media outlets since many repeat the story published by the original source without separating yourself by adding your own additional research or by disagreeing with the opinion. Many times it does appear like you all have the same editor or work for the same organization. After the story broke about the supposed drug problem, the person that interviewed Josh to clarify the allegations, should be applauded as compared to those that technically speaking violated law by releasing personal health information should have been chastized by other media outlets for their unwarranted intrusion. Either you are part of the solution or you remain part of the problem! Tabloid reporting sells but it is not the news true fans are looking for.
October 2nd, 2013 at 4:58 pm
I have to admit that the media brings in more heat than anyone else. And Joe you purposely ask Penn who he refers to as “they” as if you were wanting to add on more shit to the fire, which you are doing, or played it as if you would have the name of the person(s) who leaked the info.
You wrote an article about him lashing on the media because you triggered it. There are numerous sites blaming Schiano for a conspiracy, freeman acting like a child for missing out activities, freeman defending himself and other things. It is just a world of frustration for everyone.
October 2nd, 2013 at 4:58 pm
This guy sounds like a damn idiot.
October 2nd, 2013 at 5:46 pm
Mike Florio has sunk to some new lows over the last several months, especially when he takes a story like the one he linked to on Darrelle Revis confirming his meeting with Greg Schiano. The way he twisted around Revis’s words and implied some kind of hidden meaning was pretty shameful.
At this point, so much around Tampa Bay appears to be toxic, and if I’m the Glazers, I think the only logical solution is to terminate the jobs of Mark Dominik and Greg Schiano and trade Josh Freeman.
Mark Dominik has had some great drafts and brought in some fantastic talent, it’s true, and he has also whiffed on some signings and draft picks. Greg Schiano has done some incredible things with the Bucs defense, but his staff has sent the offense back to the stone age. Josh Freeman looked like a stud in 2010 and had a great stretch of games last season, but he looks like he needs a change, to say the least. The only way the toxic atmosphere changes in Tampa Bay is to get rid of all three; it may be harsh and maybe even a little unfair, but it needs to happen.
This team is a solid QB and TE away from making a playoff run. I’m telling you right now; if the Glazers bring in an experienced coach, this team will be in the playoffs next season, they will be this years version of the Kansas City Chiefs. Enough of the college coaches, it’s time for some experienced leadership.
October 2nd, 2013 at 5:49 pm
Penn is right. This very site said Penn was in rehab which was totally false. So Penn does have a point
October 2nd, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Don’t act so innocent. None of you have to print news items based on undocumented sources, but you all do. And very few of you are disciplined enough not to put a little of your own speculation in stories. You included Joe.
October 2nd, 2013 at 5:54 pm
I meant this site said Josh was in Rehab.
That was a five-minute headline typo in the heat of the breaking news. Let’s not get silly. Joe
October 2nd, 2013 at 6:31 pm
Raheemville…I think not..schiano has a lot not talent on his team then Raheem ever had
October 2nd, 2013 at 6:33 pm
Just yesterday I was saying that Josh was a good honest guy and was told I don’t know squat. No eating crow to be found. You know who you are. Is Penn’s word enough or do you still wish to refuse to acknowledge reality?
October 2nd, 2013 at 7:50 pm
Who was it inferring two days ago that Josh had entered rehab, when in fact it was just leaked that he has been in the drug TESTING program for nearly a year?
https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=97502#comments
“The program is not listed as a rehab program, but a drug program (you can play with the semantics). Specifically, the program is called a ‘stage one.'”
OH YEA, IT WAS JOE!!!!
October 2nd, 2013 at 8:47 pm
I think it’s Freemans Agent. The Bucs want to trade him and the leaks hurt those chances. Josh and his Agent want to be released as soon as possible with full pay. The leaks are helping to either force a release or could backfire and get Freeman suspended without pay. I think Josh / his Agent and the Bucs are in a Mexican standoff and we’ll see who blinks first.
October 3rd, 2013 at 10:05 am
That was a five-minute headline typo in the heat of the breaking news. Let’s not get silly. Joe
Not sure how your clock works Joe and I’m not getting silly. The first comment was posted on the article in question at 7:35pm. I made my post at 8:49pm and the title was still stating Freeman in rehab. That seems to be longer than five minutes to me. But whatever………..
Likely the your browser holding the post in cache. Many do. Just like many don’t catch new posts (from any site) immediately.–Joe
October 3rd, 2013 at 11:34 am
“Likely the your browser holding the post in cache. Many do. Just like many don’t catch new posts (from any site) immediately.” -Joe
Does it take two days for the actual article to refresh? Because the quote I quoted three posts above is still there…
https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=97502#comments
“The program is not listed as a rehab program, but a drug program (you can play with the semantics). Specifically, the program is called a ‘stage one.’”
“OK, well initially you were referencing a headline. This is completely different. Yes, Joe stands behind what he wrote here.” –Joe
October 4th, 2013 at 7:37 pm
Likely the your browser holding the post in cache. Many do. Just like many don’t catch new posts (from any site) immediately.–Joe
Please stop insulting Joe and accusing Joe of lying. It’s really quite ridiculous. Feel free to talk to an IT professional to learn how browser caching works. –Joe