There are some things in this world I just don't get. And when it pertains to the NFL and the media and what does or does not become a big story, I really don't get it.
A perfect example here is this ridiculous Jeff Ireland and Dez Bryant story that has become a big topic over the past 24 hours. Incase you've been living under a rock and have not heard, the Dolphins' general manager apparently asked Bryant when he was on his pre-draft visit to Miami if his mother was a prostitute.
Obviously that was an inappropriate question. To be fair, though, Bryant's past, including his mother's legal troubles, were put under the microscope by many people - including NFL teams - who were trying to learn all they could about the most talented receiver available in last week's draft.
Still, that doesn't excuse what Ireland did. And Ireland did offer an apology, saying that he "used poor judgment" and "meant no disrespect." He also confirmed that he called Dez and apologized directly to him. Bryant, to his credit, accepted the apology.
Whether or not Jeff would have apologized had this story not gone public is anybody's guess. I would have hoped Ireland still would have offered an apology to Dez for the highly inappropriate question. But considering Jeff hadn't apologized before this story came out, I'm not sure he would have thought to call Bryant at all.
With all that said, why the hell is this even a story? It's an issue that is over and done with. If Dez was so angry over the question he was asked, he would have probably brought it up publicly by now. Bryant clearly had gotten past this. So why is this a story now?
I'll tell you why - it's because journalists like Michael Silver can use this kind of story to make a name for themselves. That's exactly what he did, making some rather ridiculous claims himself in his article.
As if calling Ireland "the biggest jerk in the history of job interviewers" wasn't ridiculous enough (because I doubt he's well-versed enough in the entire history of job interviewing to make a claim like this), Silver also refers to Ireland as "an A-list A-hole."
Of course, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Is Silver any better than Ireland here? One man asks if somebody's mother was a prostitute. The other man publicly calls somebody an "A-list" asshole.
Who exactly is the asshole here?
Perhaps my favorite part of this whole story is who Silver turns to for a quote. Of all people, a professional journalist turns to Kyle Turley for his opinion. Really? The same man who ripped off the helmet of an an opposing player and chucked it across the field before giving an obscene gesture. The same man who may or may not have threatened to kill Mike Martz. Yeah - here's a man of morals to turn to for an opinion.
Turley's comments? He said it's the kind of question that "gets your teeth knocked in." He called it "completely [bleeping] classless."
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
Let's get to the point. Was Jeff Ireland wrong here? Of course. He should have never asked that question, even if he wasn't the only one pondering this same thing privately. But should this story be worthy of the kind of attention it's getting? Is it worthy of Yahoo! Sports making it the lead story on their NFL page? Is it something that should change people's feelings of the Miami Dolphins organization?
Of course it isn't.
I don't see Michael Silver writing front-page articles when the Dolphins run their many charitable events. Where was Silver when the Dolphins were hosting a Haiti relief effort at their stadium? Or when many Dolphin players hold their own fund-raising events to benefit local charities?
If you're going to slam the entire front office, at least be fair.
That's why I find it ironic that the caption under Ireland's photo on the front page reads, "GM Jeff Ireland and the rest of the Dolphins front office can use a lesson on class and civility."
Because the same can be said for Michael Silver.
That is, unless unfairly calling somebody an "A-list" asshole is a classy move.