Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms went off on ESPN after the network criticized him.
The New York Post pointed out Simms sparked criticism after he suggested NFL players including Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow should be in front of Jalen Hurts when it comes to who this season’s MVP should be.
“If you put [Eagles backup quarterback] Gardner Minshew [in for] the Eagles, they’d still be really damn good,” Simms said weeks ago.
The former quarterback went off on ESPN’s “SportsCenter’s” Instagram page for throwing the comment back in his face, as the Post explained.
“Jalen Hurts makes them better — I know that. And like f**k you, ‘SportsCenter’ Instagram for like putting it out there again for like the third time in like three weeks. Like f**k off. Like, really, f**k off, ESPN ‘SportsCenter,'” Simms said.
He added, “Like seriously, they didn’t put my quote from after the Cowboys game, but they’re gonna wait till the game yesterday. That’s why I hate social media, and f**k you ESPN ‘SportsCenter’ one more time on the way out.”
Simms’ co-host chimed in, saying, “You wait till it’s relevant, you can slam someone.”
Simms continued, “Do they not make content there anymore? I mean, stop jocking me, ESPN. Holy s**t.”
He then said, “Give me a piece of your check. Invite me on ‘SportsCenter.’ Let’s have a f***ing conversation if you want to really get into this, ‘SportsCenter.’ Invite me on, ESPN, you scared little babies. They’re scared. They don’t want any piece of me.”
Watch Simms’ comments below:
The SportsCenter IG account reshared Chris Simms’ take from a few weeks ago that Jalen Hurts isn’t that valuable to the Eagles after this week’s loss and Simms lost it 😂 https://t.co/5xQnpeYTOU
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) January 3, 2023
The Post mentioned the hiring of Omar Raja, the founder of the House of Highlights Instagram account, by ESPN to improve the network’s social media accounts.
According to Raja’s page on the website, since joining ESPN in 2020, the “SportsCenter” Instagram account “attracted record-high engagement with over 20 million followers (up +25% year-over-year), 1.76 billion total actions (+115%), and 373,000 actions per post (up +75%).”
Additionally, the account “serves fans at the intersection of sports and culture, attracting the attention and praise from some of the biggest athletes and celebrities in sports and entertainment. Raja also plays a key role in ESPN’s TikTok content strategy, which has grown to over 14 million followers in just two years.”
ESPN noted Raja has been “named to numerous lists recognizing visionary leaders that are making an impact on the industry, including one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, an Agent of Change by Hashtag Sports, and to SBJ’s New Voices Under 30 and Digiday’s Changemakers.”
