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Shannon Sharpe Criticizes Panthers For Cam Newton Release

“Former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe took the Panthers to task over their handling of the situation on the Wednesday edition of FS1’s Undisputed.”

Jacob Conley

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An accepted courtesy when ending a long term relationship is to do it face-to face. Apparently, the Carolina Panthers missed the memo. It was recently revealed that the Panthers’ organization informed star quarterback, and former NFL MVP, Cam Newton that they were moving in a different direction via text message. 

Former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe took the Panthers to task over their handling of the situation on the Wednesday edition of FS1’s Undisputed.

I am disappointed in the Panthers,” Sharpe said. “They could have handled it better. I understand wanting to do some spring cleaning. You have a new owner and a new head coach, you want a new quarterback. They were perfectly within their rights, but Cam Newton deserved better than that (a text message). He was the face of your franchise for nine years.”

As a contrast, Sharpe describes how he was released from the Ravens.

“(General Manger) Ozzie Newsom called me and wanted to know what I was going to do (for the next season),” Sharpe said. “I had just led the league in catches for tight end that year. I was going to play. Ozzie said, ‘You know we drafted Todd (Heap) and we are going to play him. Somebody’s going to want you though. Go and find out. If not, you can always come back, but just know Todd is going to be our starter.’ I had no problem with that.”

Sharpe then asks the Panthers’ organization some pointed questions.

“Are you telling me they could not do the same for Cam?  Marty Hurney, you drafted this man. Are you telling me you can’t at least pick up the phone and say, ‘Cam, we are going in another direction. Thank you and we wish you the best?’ Instead you send him a text?  Man, that’s cold. That’s how you know the relationship is over. The Panthers were saying we are really, really done. We are done with everything about you, with you. It’s over. I’m going to forget  the word courtesy and say they did not even have the decency to even pick up the phone and call Cam. He gave them everything he had for nine years. This is an awful look for Carolina.”

Sharpe reiterated the same point on his personal Twitter account after the show aired and it resonated with followers. The tweet and accompanying video clip of the show has received 2.4 thousand likes and 106,000 views.

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Sports TV News

Colorado Rockies & DirecTV Reach Agreement to Carry Games on TV

“Colorado sports fans have made DIRECTV the top destination for their favorite local teams. We will continue to work with MLB…so fans can get their games.”

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Colorado Rockies

Breathe easy, Rockies fans — you will be able to watch your club on linear TV this year. At the buzzer, DirecTV and the Colorado Rockies agreed on terms to distribute the team’s games throughout its local service.

Starting today, DirecTV Choice subscribers across Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Southern Idaho, Western Nebraska, and Northern New Mexico can now watch the Rockies on a special channel simply titled, “ROCKIES.” The games will be available on DirecTV and DirecTV STREAM via channel 683.

“Colorado sports fans have made DIRECTV the top destination to get all their favorite local teams,” said Rob Thun, chief content officer of DIRECTV. “We will continue to work with MLB, the NBA, NHL, and other top leagues and their local franchises so the most avid fans can get the games they want while other customers have more choice over the content they want to pay to have in their homes.”

Reports just days ago out of Colorado said there were “no guarantees” the Rockies would not find a TV home in time for Opening Day following the sunsetting of AT&T SportsNet. The only other way to watch the team is to use its direct-to-consumer Rockies.tv streaming service, which fans say is too pricey for a team that lost 103 games last season. Luckily, the team was able to secure a TV home for 2024, though the future is still uncertain.

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Erin Andrews Reveals Infertility Journey in Emotional ‘Today Show’ Interview

FOX reporter Erin Andrews sat down with ‘The Today Show’s’ Kristen Welker to discuss her journey, how Welker’s own journey inspired her, and more.

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Erin Andrews

FOX reporter Erin Andrews shared her story of infertility and surrogacy with NBC’s Today Show. Last summer, Andrews and her husband welcomed a baby boy via surrogate after trying for a decade to get pregnant via IVF, during which she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2016. Today, she sat down with Kristen Welker to discuss her journey, how Welker’s own journey inspired her, and more.

Andrews says Welker’s announcement on the Today Show made her think a baby could be possible. “I remember Kristin Welker’s announcement on your show,” Andrews said last year, “and I actually watched that the morning Mac was born, because that just hit me.”

When they finally sat down, Welker asked Andrews why her journey resonated with the sports reporter so much:

“Because I see myself in you. Kristen, the video of you moderating debates after you’re waiting on bad news or maybe you just received it, that’s me. I can tell you every stand-up I’ve done at a football game where I’ve gotten the news that it didn’t work. I’d be talking about Tom Brady going for this record and my record is that I still was failing…I would have chest pains every time I was waiting for the call if it worked, and I knew it wouldn’t work.

Erin Andrews on ‘Today’

Andrews knew surrogacy was the only path to having a child. Although her family’s first attempt failed, her second attempt was a success, and she got to hear her child’s heartbeat for the very first time. The pair discuss the complex emotions that come with surrogacy, saying that bonds with their child could be affected because they didn’t carry their child. However, Welker assured Andrews that those feelings go away once you can talk to your child.

Once her son was born in June, who Andrews called, “a miracle,” she then talks about her child glowingly, talking about how he is just like mom — vocal. “He’s all me,” she says.

Andrews supports Baby Quest, a non-profit that grants money to families in need of IVF or surrogacy to have a baby but don’t have the funds to pursue these expensive treatments. Both Andrews and Welker acknowledged how difficult and unattainable their journies are for some families — and Andrews even used the NFL’s “My Cleats, My Cause” initiative to raise awareness for her cause.

“People don’t need to feel embarrassed that they have a surrogate or are looking for other help,” Andrews said.

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Sports TV News

Curt Menefee and Joel Klatt to be Lead Fox Sports UFL Broadcast Team

Curt Menefee, Joel Klatt, and Brock Huard will make up the first XFL on FOX announce team, while Kevin Kugler, Devin Gardner, and Jake Butt are the #2 team.

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FOX is ready for the United Football League (UFL) season and recently announced its broadcast lineup for the upcoming season. Curt Menefee returns to the booth alongside Joel Klatt to make up the primary UFL commentary team. Joining Menefee and Klatt from the sidelines will be former NFL and University of Washington QB Brock Huard.

Menefee and Klatt will call the season-opening matchup between the defending two-time USFL Champion Birmingham Stallions and the reigning XFL Champion Arlington Renegades on Saturday, Mar. 30 at 1 p.m. ET. The second team of Kevin Kugler and former Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner will call the second game of the day when the St. Louis Battlehawks take on the Michigan Panthers at 4:00 p.m. ET on FOX. Former Denver Broncos tight end Jake Butt will man the sidelines for that game.

Former NFL and USC QB Mark Sanchez was also mentioned in the FOX news release but details of his involvement were not made clear.

The UFL season kicks off on FOX this weekend and continues over on ESPN. Both networks will split coverage of the league all season long.

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