The aliens have returned the real Bob Kravitz to us

by BigBlueShoe on Jan 23, 2008 9:27 AM EST in Bad Journalism Comment 4 comments

After the Colts lost to the Chargers a few weeks ago, I knew it was only a matter of time before the old Bob Kravitz (the snarling, crotchety, stunningly uninformed Kravitz we've grown to know over the years) would eventually return. You see, since the Colts won the Super Bowl, Bob has had a tough time writing what he usually likes to write: Manning sucks, Dungy is too nice to his players, Bill Polian called me names, blah, blah, blah. Instead, Bob's columns between January 2007 and January 2008 were actually pretty good.

Then the Chargers game happened, and now Bob is back to writing like the schmuck we all know him to be.

This time around, Bob is taking shots at Tony Dungy, insinuating in one paragraph that Dungy is a bad father, and in the next paragraph pathetically attempting to back off the statement. And, in typical hack-tastic fashion, AOL's Michael David Smith agrees with Kravitz's assessment that by coming back and coaching for 2008, Dungy is a "hypocrite."

I am uncomfortable because I simply can't talk myself out of writing the following words, words that will incur the near-universal wrath of a city that has come to revere Tony Dungy, not only as a coach but as a man:

I think that by returning to the Colts, and doing so after his entire family moved out of Indianapolis and back to Tampa, Fla., for reasons he prefers remain private, Dungy has revealed himself as something of a hypocrite.

As one of the chief spokesmen for All Pro Dad, an organization dedicated to strengthening the bonds of fathers with their children, he has spoken passionately about the importance of men putting their faith and family first, before football and all else.

So I don't understand:

What came first here?

Regarding the substance of Kravitz's article, I'll simply say the obvious and call Kravitz a chicken sh*t. Why didn't Bob question Dungy's family loyalty in 2005 when he mulled retirement but came back? Well, because Dungy son just died, and kicking a man who's son just died is bad, and doesn't sell papers. Why not question Dungy after 2006, when he mulled retirement again and came back. Well, because the Colts had just won the Super Bowl, and kicking the coach of the World Champions looks bad, and doesn't sell papers.

Ah, but now, there is no dead son and there is no Super Bowl; a perfect time for a hack piece by a hack writer looking for attention.

I almost feel I need a shower writing about this column, but since others are talking about it (and agreeing with it), I feel the need to point fingers at the schmucks in this business, call them names, and ensure others remember what they said about this subject they write articles in the future. It is, quite simply, none of our business what is said, discussed, or decided upon within the Dungy household. If Dungy is coming back for the 2008 season, you can bet it was a family decision (ie, his wife and son Eric want him to coach in 2008). That's how family decisions work.

And if Bob is "uncomfortable" now, why wasn't he "uncomfortable" in 2005 or 2006, and if so why didn't he write about his discomfort? Simple, Bob's a hack, and hacks don't write courageously.

They write to sell something, and usually that something is garbage.

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how someone could write

that story and call it journalism of any kind i don't know... he seems to imply that since Dungy may not be able to go home every night to be with the kids he is a bad father..

what a joke.. there are a lot of very good loving parents who in order to make a living have to live and work away from their families... and no they may not need the money but they are working.

it is a totally disgusting article and a very cheap shot by a small minded individual.

I think the star should be ashamed to have printed something like that.. it is a slap in the face not only of dungy but of any working parent...

by bluegirl on Jan 23, 2008 11:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

he's really covering his a**

Kravitz is really just covering his rear end. He was one of the first and loudest promoters of the idea that Tony was leaving and was history...then he writes an article critical of Polian and Irsay's not interviewing someone other than Caldwell to take a job Tony had not said he was vacating. Kravitz was too lazy to research the FACT that Tony had done something similar to moving his kids to Tampa in the previous two years and still owned property in the Tampa area...This yellow journalism is simply a effort (successful so far) to distract the public from the fact that his reporting and judgment are suspect at best or at worst...well shi***

by JCdoc on Jan 23, 2008 1:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Crapitz also has a radio show

Crapitz is also trying to draw listeners to his radio show. His columns will now become promos to lead into his show. Fortunately, nobody listens to his show.

by Blueisgood on Jan 23, 2008 1:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Bob Kravitz

In response to Kravitz artice on Tony Dungy, I submitted the following Letter to the Editor (Indianapolis Star) and hope it will be published.

Re: Bob Kravitz January 23, 2008

Bob...you should be uncomfortable.

You are so deep in "left field" on Tony Dungy's decision that you ended up with an obstructed view. While you enjoy writing columns designed to stoke the controversial fires, you are out of bounds on this one.

Tony Dungy has single handedly helped most of us to change the way we think about, and lead, our lives. He has created an awareness among us to guide our lives in the right way. His actions, and his decisions, are based upon his, and his family's, faith in God. This is not just lip service by Tony. It is clearly the manner in which he conducts his life. When the man states that he and his family prayed about the decision, is there any doubt, in anyone's mind, that their decision together was guided by their faith?
Likewise, the issue of fatherhood should not be questioned unless you know his family dynamics personally. Since neither you nor I know him, on that level, I would venture to say that from a public's perception of a family man and dad, Tony Dungy would rank at, or near the very top, of the public figure world.

Parenthood is not based upon physical presence 24/7. How you lead your own life, how you show and profess your love to your family, how you take care of your family, how you teach your children faith and life's values, and how you guide them are just as important. He leads by example. His affiliation with All-Pro Dad is to create an awareness for others to be better parents. His position as an NFL coach, in the national spotlight, enables him to further his ministry to his family and to everyone whose life has been touched, in a positive manner by Tony. I suspect that all of us, especially his family, are included in that category.

One of the definitions of "hypocrisy" is "a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess."

Uncomfortable Bob?

It can ONLY come from your futile attempt to fit Tony Dungy within that definition.

jkirsh444

by jkirsh444 on Jan 25, 2008 12:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs