Drew Sharp email response
So I couldn't resist emailing Drew Sharp after the piece about MSU happily accepting "boredom". His response was especially interesting to put it mildly, infuriating would be more accurate. The original email, and his response are below (all verbatim).
Mr. Sharp,
You should be ashamed of yourself. How the hell can you keep a straight face
when you put out the article: Michigan State glad to take boredom anytime? Keep
up your usual high standards Drew.
Response:
What's factually incorrect? It is boredom compared to what Michigan State's
experienced before.
You clowns make it sound like we ignored the story. The whole point was that
reinstating Winston would've garnered far more attention if it hadn't occured on
the same day that Feagin's drug dealing mess came to light. That stuff never
happened before at MSU. It was always Michigan that benefitted from having
discplinary action against their football players greeted with a non-chalant
shrug.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:16 PM ^
What a cock knuckle!
August 14th, 2009 at 4:14 PM ^
"Cock knuckle" is beyond awesome, and just became my new favorite term.
EDITED TO ADD:
Actually, can we just refer to Drew Sharp as "Cock Knuckle" from here on out?
August 14th, 2009 at 7:29 PM ^
Seconded.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:18 PM ^
Fo real?
August 14th, 2009 at 4:29 PM ^
... but if you are going to email him and insult his column without showing him any respect, I don't think he needs to be particularly respectful in response.
Trust me, I hate the guy, but show no love, get no love.
Best thing to do is ignore him; don't read his articles, and he'll go away. The freep won't pay him if no one clicks on his columns.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:31 PM ^
I didn't care about the snarky response. It's the spin that bothers me.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:41 PM ^
... I was really commenting on Mad Magician calling out the "clown" comment.
August 14th, 2009 at 5:34 PM ^
disagree. But I think it's odd to be so hostile to your readers. Wouldn't Sharp be better served by writing back, "Dear Timmaay. Thanks for your readership and for your feedback. While I respect your opinion, I stand by my column, where I attempted to argue that... yada yada yada. Thanks for reading, Best Regards etc." You know, be the bigger man. But then he wouldn't be Drew Sharp, would he?
August 14th, 2009 at 9:19 PM ^
How can you spout off a nasty email, and then sit back and expect said person to not fire one back as if he is supposed to be some sort of emotionless machine? The email was an insult, and Sharp was well within his rights to respond in the same manner, regardless of how shitty his column was (and it was VERY shitty).
August 14th, 2009 at 9:48 PM ^
The snarky response was expected. What bothers me is the blatant spin that no amount of logic will overcome.
August 14th, 2009 at 11:33 PM ^
You didn't give him any logic to overcome.
August 15th, 2009 at 11:13 AM ^
I'm aware of that, thanks very much for pointing it out though. That was sort-of the point of my above reply.
August 14th, 2009 at 5:39 PM ^
really needs to change his last name....because he is just not that.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:20 PM ^
Drew Sharp is the Ann Coulter of the sports world. His main purpose is to stir the pot. He only lives for reactions and angry e-mails. Don't give him the satisfaction.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:21 PM ^
Far be it from me to defend Drew Sharp, but was this article that bad?
I read it like, "Hey look, this happened here, and this happened there; and one of those things is causing everyone to freak out."
I did not read it like, "RR is the Axis of Evil because Feagin, Dantonio is a saint because of Winston."
August 14th, 2009 at 3:23 PM ^
We DESPERATELY need a game to talk about. September can come soon enough.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:27 PM ^
and here I was, bracing myself for whadyacallit--negbanging?
August 14th, 2009 at 3:26 PM ^
Here's my prob, and I might not have made it clear.
You have two sports stories. You and your paper devote more time covering the lesser of the stories ("lesser" being defined as less severe - I think most would agree, even before reading Brian and Maize and Brew's take on the Feagin v. Winston stories), and you then comment on the "non-chalant shrug" that the media has given the Winston story.
BUT YOU ARE THE "MEDIA" GIVING THE STORY A NON-CHALANT SHRUG. That doesn't explain WHY you're giving it the shrug. Nor does it justify it.
This isn't limited to sports journalism. I have the same reaction when I hear CNN anchors complaining that there is too much coverage of "Jon and Kate" and not enough coverage (at the time) of the two pending wars, the Sotomayor confirmation, etc.... all while cnn.com has front page stories of "Jon and Kate." i.e., I don't think the whole "isn't it interesting that the media is making a big deal out of story A when story B, much more important, is being ignored?" is, by itself, an interesting take by a member of the media. I think it's stupid and intellectually lazy, particularly when the commenter is part of the problem.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:37 PM ^
I see what you're saying about Sharp's implied non-chalant shrug, and sort of agree, HOWEVA I think we are all being pretty sensitive here.
Which of the two stories ended up making it to ESPN? The state thing got its coverage and everyone around knows about it and is disgusted.
I think justice has been served here.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:19 PM ^
Does CNN exist to report news, or make money?
August 14th, 2009 at 5:29 PM ^
All companies exist to make money. News outlets included.
//Sorry if you were being sarcastic
August 14th, 2009 at 3:36 PM ^
I'm in no way a Sharp defender. He's a contrarian who's made a living taking up the unpopular side of things and writing zingers about it. He's done well for himself (even if that's by enraging many readers), so I guess I can give him credit for that.
I just don't think this article is that bad. I read it as a critique on the coverage and atmosphere around the programs. Wermers leaving and the whole Feagin fiasco were front page stories on ESPN.com and SI.com and got a lot of play nationally. It seems the Winston thing was hardly mentioned. So, if that's what he was trying to say, I guess I can see his point.
Of course, I think one could argue that he might have made a better contribution by writing a front page column blasting State for allowing Winston back in and pointing it out instead of critiquing the media situation.
Also, if you (OP) are going to go the trouble to email a columnist, I would suggest being a bit more calm and professional about it if you expect a calm and professional response.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:22 PM ^
The "story," in his mind, is that the media is reacting to the Winston story with a "non-chalant shrug."
In other words - Sharp reacts to Winston with a "non-chalant shrug," and then writes a story under-emphasizing the Winston issue and over-emphasizing the Feagin issue to illustrate his and the media's reaction.
What? This is Sharp's approach? IGNORE the implications of the Winston reinstatement, exaggerate other news, and then make the point "Isn't this interesting how I ignored the implciations of the Winston reinstatement? My ignorance to MSU's problems is a story unto itself!"
Sharp: report the fucking news. If you think the media is being non-chalant about Winston, explain either whether (1) the media SHOULD be non-chalant about it, or (2) why the media should be making a big deal. Don't sit on the sidelines and just needle programs.
Of course, all Sharp can do is sit on the sidelines and needle. It takes, at the very least, an intellectual middle-weight to actually weigh in on the tougher analysis, and that's not Sharp's game.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:28 PM ^
is that people continue to read his garbage. It's supply and demand.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:59 PM ^
Drew Sharp supplies a bunch of shit.
We all demand that he stop.
That and ten minutes of studying gives you an A in Gerson's Econ 101 class.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:28 PM ^
Sharp is a columnist. His job is not to "report the fucking news." He's paid to offer his opinion, which is what he did.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:32 PM ^
See my second post explaining. I've commented too much on this. I don't find the following take to be interesting or intelligent: [Nonchalant reaction to story B, overstate story A, and by the way, isn't it interesting that I just had a nonchalant reaction to story B?]
Being paid to offer one's opinion (as opposed to a straight recitation of facts) doesn't place him above reproach for offering weak-sauce analysis or explanation for said opinion.
Alas - not saying you like him, hate him, whatever. Again, I'm over my word limit on Drew Sharp outrage.
EDIT: I also agree with the poster re: profanity when emailing columnists. Whether or not you have a good point, if an annoyed client emails me dropping swear words and complaining about me, I'm likely to ignore any point you've made and tell you to eat it.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:32 PM ^
Swear words were not dropped. I said "how the hell".
August 14th, 2009 at 5:43 PM ^
You also started of with an insult -- "you should be ashamed of yourself." Not exactly the right way to engage in some sort of intellectual discussion. I'm really not sure what your goal was in this. If you were pissed, then you should have just emailed him this:
Dear Drew,
Fuck Off.
Sincerely,
Me.
That would have saved you some time. But, if that wasn't the outcome you were looking for, maybe you should have presented some arguments and actually tried to make him see your side of the horrible, horrible outrage.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:24 PM ^
A potential drug dealer or someone who almost kills another for no reason. Both are awful that is for sure. Seeing as how I can't make up my mind I think the point is that we kicked the bad seed off our team while they kept theirs. Disgusting
August 14th, 2009 at 3:37 PM ^
I really think UM fans are over reacting to this, and it's just probably a backlash to all the bullshit UM fans have had to endure since Sparty beat Michigan last year and they have become Michigan Media Darlings.
Winston did not MEAN to "almost kill" the kid. If The Punch can be labled as such, then any mother fucker who has thrown a punch in his life is, by your definition, a possible attempted murderer.
I know Rodriguez kicked Feagin off the team immegiately, but I don't think there is ANY comparing the two situations.
Feagin (very poorly) attempted to broker a COCAINE deal. Not pot, but the Big C--that is Big Boy drugs in terms of public perception. Everyone pretty much accepts marijuana as part of the college curriculum, but cocaine? We are talking about a pre-meditated action. THEN Feagin admits his past drug and other nefarious dealings (which would never have come out if he'd have kept his very big yap shut)--deal closed, Feagin himself kicked the stool out from under himself with the noose around his neck.
Winston: Yes, get in car, go back to fight scene, punch someone. Go to jail for a few months, get back on team. What the F is the big deal? He was convicted of a misdemeanor, it was a campus brawl, and he had, IIRC, no other problems with the PO-lice before this.
Man, let it go, let this Winston thing GO. Until UM keeps its police blotters clear and the Ann Abror police never have to set foot on campus, it's nothing more than a dick measuring contest that no one can win.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:38 PM ^
Milton Berle disagrees.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:49 PM ^
Winston almost killed a kid. He is a convicted felon. Didn't mean to hit the kid? Oh you mean sucker punched him. Oh and you are correct, anytime one enters into a physical altercation, ie, throws a punch, he is responsible for what happens including killing someone. So Winston could've been charged with attempted murder had the prosecuter chosen to do so. I digress.
Feagin was never charged with a crime and immediately kicked off the team once the RR found out what how is was behaving.
The issue is the disparate treatment in the media. Michigan is being treated as if we are 1980's Oklahoma having gunfights in the dorms, while MSU is being treated as if they are being coached by Jesus Christ himself with Pope John Paul as OC.
Frankly all we are looking for is an article by someone at either paper expressing the concern that Saint D'Antonia may be selling out his morals for a W or two allowing a convict back on the team. We won't even get into the fact he was released from jail early so that he wouldn't miss practice.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:29 PM ^
I was just about to post something similar. Getting three cars full of friends and looking for a fight is also a premeditated action. And yes, anyone who throws a punch could be legally at risk of an attempted murder charge. It depends on the situation and the consequences, but it's a risk you're taking. Either way, I don't think anyone is overreacting to what happened and the difference in the media coverage is ridiculous...
August 14th, 2009 at 5:45 PM ^
Well, quite possibly he feels that prison for four months is punishment enough.
And where is the "felony" on Winston's record? Is it from a previous life or time? I thought this was a misdemeanor conviction (two to be exact). Sorry, my opinion is that a punch at a fight does not a lifetime ban warrant.
And who knows the EXACT details of all this bullshit? It's not as if the hockey players were innocent bystanders in all of it.
I just think it's time for us as a fan base to worry more about our house and put our energy into our team without trying to gauge the media or public perceptions. Michigan is and always has been more of a lightning rod, more polarizing, than MSU could ever hope to be in like EVER, as in NEVER EVER be--and sometimes any pub generated by Michigan is picked up and on by haters, and defended to the death by lovers.
But for me, and just for me (not saing I'm right or wrong)--I'm concerned with MSU as a rival, as an opponent, and nothing beyond that. What they do to handle their problems is for them to decide.
August 14th, 2009 at 7:00 PM ^
then you should probably get your facts straight. It was not a fight. This has nothing to do with being a fan. It is an atrocity that this individual is allowed to return to school let alone the football team. If people weren't worked up about this then I would be worried. This has nothing to do with rivalries or football, it's a question of morals and the coach in East Lansing is showing he doesn't have any.
August 14th, 2009 at 6:45 PM ^
"Saint D'Antonia may be selling out his morals for a W or two allowing a convict back on the team."
Nice work.
August 14th, 2009 at 7:11 PM ^
He is not a convicted felon. Actually, it was three misdemeanor charges. (The AD has a policy in place that a felony conviction gets you kicked off the team, period. I don't think there's any general rule for misdemeanors, as that covers a pretty wide range of territory.) As for attempted murder, you have to actually, you know, try to kill someone. You don't get charged with attempted murder for injuring someone, however badly, unless you were trying to kill them.
That said, I do agree that this has been handled poorly all around. Giving second chances is fine when the person has clearly shown they understand their mistake. I don't believe Winston has. And the reporting I've seen (if it can be called "reporting" at all) has been so slanted it should have fallen over.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:54 PM ^
Michigan is KING DICK. Contest over.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:26 PM ^
What the fuck does he have against clowns? They are a happy, jolly folk whos only joy in life is making us laugh, often at thier own expense. I fucking love clowns.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:29 PM ^
Do not want.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:34 PM ^
lulz
August 14th, 2009 at 3:39 PM ^
of clowns in me at a young age. Pennywise from It helped transition that fear from childhood into adulthood.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:45 PM ^
This
August 14th, 2009 at 4:41 PM ^
Have you ever seen the 1988 movie Clownhouse? It's horrifying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtWrrkMBsKY
August 14th, 2009 at 5:24 PM ^
Ah... wasn't John Wayne Gacy a clown,that is all.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:28 PM ^
say what you want about drew sharp but he is pretty accessible. I see the OP got a response from him, and I've emailed him a couple times ang gotten responses as well. this doesn't happen all the time with beat writers at other big syndications.
about the msu thing--the fact of the matter is michigan is a NATIONAL program so they're going to make headlines no matter what they do. is the media being unfair? well, yeah, but its also partly because people outside of east lansing really couldn't be bothered with anything going on with the state football program.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:29 PM ^
I think he's wrong, but so what?
The last thing I would do, if you're trying to get a more positive, balanced view of the program you support from Drew Sharp, is to criticize him and use profanity in an email.
I wish everyone on this board would take the same approach it's clear that Rich Rod takes: we know what happened, we're comfortable with how Michigan reacted to it, and F&#$ other people who'd rather retread a tired cliche about Pat Lazear or Pac Man Jones instead of learning the specific facts of the Feagin story.
Neither the OP or anyone else is going to change Drew Sharp's opinion, so don't waste your time. Once you realize he can have his diluted opinions and you don't have to accept them or put any weight behind them, you'll be able to save your anger for the fat-ass who will be giving his team a decided schematic disadvantage in Michigan Stadium on 9/12.
Now let's get ready for a 9-win season, and let Drew Sharp and Michael Rosenberg write their pathetic columns wishing they were Mitch Albom and fearing when the Free Press folds.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:35 PM ^
Who used profanity? Other than saying "how the hell", I sure didn't.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:56 PM ^
...how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?