ESPN Removes Mike Ditka From ‘Sunday NFL Countdown’ Days After Pro-Trump InterviewCHRISTIAN DATOC
Reporter
10:16 AM 03/09/2016
ESPN is removing NFL legend Mike Ditka from “Sunday NFL Countdown” and moving him into am “unspecified emeritus-type NFL role at the network,” The Big Lead reports.
According to The Big Lead, Matt Hasselbeck and Charles Woodson will take over for the exiting Ditka and former first overall pick Keyshawn Johnson.
Throughout the 2016 cycle, Coach Ditka has given several interviews in support of Republican front-runner Donald Trump.
He first endorsed the real estate mogul back in September 2015, and in an interview last week, Ditka said Trump exhibits the type of leadership President Obama has failed to bring to the White House. (AUDIO: Ditka: Obama Is Daaah ‘Worst President We’ve Ever Had’)
In January, a Deadspin report uncovered a leaked ESPN memo, urging on-air talent to avoid making political statements.
The memo — which ESPN claims was circulated in early January — requires employees to
“refrain from political editorializing, personal attacks or ‘drive-by’ comments regarding the candidates and their campaigns (including but not limited to on platforms such as Twitter or other social media).ESPN did not immediately return The Daily Caller’s request for comment.
Read more:
http://dailycaller.com/2016/03/09/report-espn-removes-mike-ditka-from-sunday-nfl-countdown-after-pro-trump-interview/#ixzz42QAYg9i0
