Jeff Fisher wears Peyton Manning jersey, pisses off Titans fans

by BigBlueShoe on Oct 20, 2009 7:30 PM EDT in NFL General Comment 46 comments

Jeff Fisher struts his stuff in a Peyton Manning jersey (Sanford Myers/The Tennessean)

I've taken my shots at Jeff Fisher, but when all is said and done he is still a top tier head coach. He is also someone who very much cares about the NFL and the integrity of the game. His comments about Bill Belichick getting caught cheating in 2007 were brave, honest, and most importantly appropriate. I'm glad he said them. He and Tony Dungy were one of the few coaches who denounced Billy Boy and his video taping gag back then.

Speaking of Tony Dungy, recently he was the guest speaker for a Rally in Rocketown luncheon. At the luncheon, he was introduced to the crowd by Jeff Fisher, whose record against Dungy when Dungy coached was, let's just say, really bad. However, Fisher is not a vindictive prick, and actually has this thing many coaches today lack, often referred to as a "sense of humor."

Prior to introducing Dungy, Fisher decided to inject a little humor into the event. He proceeded to unbutton and remove his shirt. Underneath the shirt, Fisher revealed that he was, in fact, wearing a Peyton Manning jersey underneath.

When he revealed the Manning jersey, Fisher turned to the crowd and jokingly said:

"I just wanted to feel like a winner."

It was funny. The crowd laughed. Dungy smiled. Yay.

Problem is, Tennessee Titans fans are most certainly not laughing. In fact, Fisher's Manning jersey joke fest pretty much has Titans Nation demanding owner Bud Adams serve up Fisher's head on a burning stick:

Danno: The guys is actively sabotaging his career.
He’s practically ASKING to be fired.
Can we PLEASE have a new coach now?
Drubaru: I lost complete faith in Jeff Fisher.

smashville: I don't find it funny
when he’s the coach of a winless team and he’s making jokes.

Jimmy: I hate the fact that he did that

It seems that at this point he would just want to lay low and not draw more attention to how bad HIS team is. I am not saying don’t do the event. I am just saying that it might not be the best idea to incite a fan base that is already on fire.

Now, for me personally, I think Titans fans are going a bit overboard on this. It's a joke. It's meant to introduce and appreciate Tony Dungy, a legendary coach who Jeff Fisher is friends with. Nothing more than that. I know doing this two days after the Titans were Tecmo Bowled by the Patriots in Foxborough 59-0 is probably not the best timing, but in the grand scheme of things it is really no big deal.

When the Titans get back to their winning ways, after they've benched all the schmucks who quit on the team last weekend, people will forget about this silly little "incident."

Now, I know the typical response from Fisher haters will be "Imagine if the Colts lost 59-0 and the next day Tony Dungy showed up at a luncheon wearing a Tom Brady jersey."

One, I wouldn't care. Tom Brady is a great player and if Tony Dungy wants to make a joke using a Brady jersey as a prop, whatever. Second, the act does not suggest, in any way shape or form, that Jeff Fisher is "happy" or "okee-dokey" with being 0-6. Jeff Fisher is a fierce competitor. He works hard. His teams are often well-coached. He's not happy being 0-6.

But what do you want him to do? Sit in his office all day and cry on the sleeve of his throwback Houston Oilers hoodie?

You'd think after a billion years of this guy coaching Titans football, fans would know this, cut him a little slack, and see the thing for what it is: A joke for his friend, Tony Dungy. Sadly, some Titans fans are looking for something to point a finger at as they try and make sense of their 2009 season, and Fisher's joke only provides more gasoline for a fanbase raging collectively like a man on fire.

I agree with what shake n bake said in the comments at MCM. The Titans should indeed fire Fisher... so that they can start being coached as poorly as the Jaguars.

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Well this article won't get very many comments...

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Oct 20, 2009 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

nice pick is that the cloud of doom ingulfing the titans lol

by ANGELSFAITH on Oct 20, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the Titanic, so to speak

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Keeper of the "That's what she said"

by TheTealDeal on Oct 20, 2009 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol, Getcha Popcorn Ready

Visit FanIQ.com for sports news, bloggings, polls, and more!

by MrNFL on Oct 20, 2009 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't thebossuzzi already make this a fanpost?

"Flying blind on a rocket cycle?" -Vultan, from the movie "Flash Gordon", for no particular reason...

by peytonsurdaddy on Oct 20, 2009 8:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well,

a coworker of mine played football at Montana with the Titans’ longsnapper – Amato. Just last week my coworker was telling me that Amato had told him that Fisher is the biggest joker in and out of their locker room. I’m told that the lengths he will go for a practical joke knows no bounds.

When I saw this today, it made sense. It was a joke. Get over it. People handle stress and difficulties differently. Some cry, some yell, some shut down and SOME joke.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Oct 20, 2009 8:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Look, I love the guy...

… but I fear that this stunt betrays a y earning for suicide via enraged Titans fans. Wut, you think there are no shotguns in Nashville? ;)

------

"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."

Roger Ebert, Transformers review.

by E.M.H. on Oct 20, 2009 8:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually, I think I wanna take that joke back...

… because if any sick f*** really does try to take a shot at Fisher, I’m going to feel really, really awful. :(

------

"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."

Roger Ebert, Transformers review.

by E.M.H. on Oct 20, 2009 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i see why u dont like him doing it no matter the resons

and although it mabye wasn’t the best idea the intentions were fine i think so i think he deserves the benifit of the doubt. and i dont think the record is his fault really

by ANGELSFAITH on Oct 20, 2009 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

most of it has to be on the players

by ANGELSFAITH on Oct 20, 2009 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe....

Fisher is politicking for a job on Polian’s staff after he gets axed by Tennessee….

by the way, that picture is the creepiest pose i’ve ever seen by a (presumably) straight man

Call me "Sir" goddamnit!

by danorocks17 on Oct 20, 2009 9:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dont think

Polian would hire him in any capacity.

As long as we have Peyton we will always have a chance to win.

by skywalker on Oct 20, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

also i do not think he will be fired after this year unless they go winnless

by ANGELSFAITH on Oct 20, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I honestly do not know how I would feel

if Dungy, or Caldwell, or anyone else associated with the Colt’s organization wore a rival’s jersey and take a shot at my team. The closest thing I can think of being associated with this is Mike Vandershank’s “idiot kicker” comment about Manning and Dungy.

by MarkFive05 on Oct 20, 2009 9:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Probably not the best joke but...

Jeff Fisher is a great coach. One of the best in the league, probably top 5. Remember this is the same coach who won 13 games last year with a team full of pretty average players . Normally i’m all for opposing teams doing things to self-destruct, but I can’t root for Fisher’s firing. He just doesn’t deserve that.

by invisibulman on Oct 20, 2009 9:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by heather1987 on Oct 20, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

there is video of it too..

Someone took video of the activity , i updated my fanpost and included the video, there is no way of embedding in comments , my opinion is that this is fisher howard dean moment and this might end up being worse than his team performance and might as well be the tipping point that will make him loose his job

by thebossuzzi on Oct 20, 2009 9:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe they should be mad at the players

for sucking ass

"Brett Favre was a man who thought he was retired, but he knew it wouldn't last."

by Colts Homer on Oct 20, 2009 9:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Obviously

Their coaches’ dress sense is more important to them then the fact their team is the most gutless bunch of quitters in the NFL.

Even the Rams try.

by eltharion_doa on Oct 22, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You guys should check ESPN2

sooooooooooooo watchin it right now lol

As long as we have Peyton we will always have a chance to win.

by skywalker on Oct 20, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

good look...

Dun nuh nuh nuhhhh!!!! Super Mathis

by hoosier in sodak on Oct 20, 2009 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WHAT? Keyshawn Johnson!?!?

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…………………

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses. Wonder how long it would take to sing that before a game.

by Cassieper on Oct 21, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

why did they interview bob kravitz???? goddamnit…..

Call me "Sir" goddamnit!

by danorocks17 on Oct 20, 2009 10:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hilarious

i am probably the biggest titans fan there is… and ill have to just say this is hilarious.. i think what coach fisher did was the funniest thing ever. he is a really funny guy and people are too serious now a days.. take a joke!!!!

by heather1987 on Oct 20, 2009 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Then you should

join Music City Miracles, the Titans blog

"As strong as a team as we are on paper, you have to go out and prove it. We have yet to prove that we're the team we think we are,'' Keith Bulluck
"This is the only building in the NHL that the fans get up and cheer for no apparent reason just to support us." - Dan Ellis

Official Graphic Designer/Researcher/Grammar Police of MCM.
Official Graphic Goon of OTF.

by smashville on Oct 20, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

On the surface

it seems like no big deal and that Titans fans are overreacting.

But, if I put myself in their shoes….say it’s 2005 and the Colts start out the season 0-6. If Dungy came out in a Brady jersey and said something about wanting to feel like a winner, I would be PISSED. That may be childish and lack a sense of humor, but that’s just my opinion.

by coltus on Oct 20, 2009 10:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it's funny, and I appreciate Jeff's sense of humor

I think it would totally have worked if the joke was strictly among other NFL coaches and staff, but I can also see that when viewed by fans and the public (especially in a losing season) that it would rub people raw.

Too bad for Fisher that it won’t be overlooked as the self-deprecating joke that it was. It was more of an acknowledgment of a worthy adversary (Colts) than it was that he thinks his own team is poor, but it wont be admitted by Titans fans who are already looking for a fall guy.

May the wind be always at your back, and may your placekicker have icewater in his veins.

by juperee on Oct 20, 2009 10:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

haha that's awesome!

Hit em with your groin!

by KingRichard on Oct 20, 2009 11:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it's hysterically funny.

I don’t know how I’d feel if I was a Titans fan, but thankfully I’m not, so, I’m keeping that picture in my collection. Just for a good laugh. BTW-I really like Jeff Fisher, I just think he looks good in Blue and White.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Oct 20, 2009 11:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Caldwell ever wears a Titans jersey

I’d want him gone. It’s hilarious to us, but he’s “joking” about how the team he’s responsible for can’t win a game. For us fans that follow the sport all year long, it would be insulting. Great for us, but I don’t blame the Titans fans. I’d immediately call for the coach’s head for joking about his terrible coaching by sporting an opposing team’s jersey.

by hoosierdore on Oct 21, 2009 12:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Insulting????

Give me a break…you act like this is life and death for christ sake. So what if you follow the sport all year long…..ohhhh….ahhhhhhh.

And I don’t agree with the terrible coaching comment….was he a terrible coach last season? Don’t think so….

"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado

by TRDean on Oct 21, 2009 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

insulting = life or death?

Also, I didn’t call him a terrible coach. I said his terrible coaching has led his team to be 0-6 and lose a game 59-0. Charity or not, he’s in the middle of the season, his team just got destroyed and is accused of giving up on him, and he is yukking it up in a Colts jersey. I completely understand why the Titans fans would be mad. Six weeks ago, they thought they were going to win the division, take the division by storm, and win the super bowl. Now they open a paper and their coach is laughing about how terrible they are while in the uniform of the enemy.

Like someone said below, it is terrible timing. If he had done this in the offseason, it probably wouldn’t have had such a backlash, but the impression it gives is that even Fisher has given up on his team and has accepted it is just a joke. Why would a team want a coach that thinks his team is a joke?

by hoosierdore on Oct 21, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

'Cmon BBS

I read this blog all the time and rarely comment, but this is too much. coltus is exactly right—if that had been Dungy sporting a Brady jersey to ‘see what it felt like to be a winner’ after an amazing previous season, an 0-6 start, and a decade of failing to win the Super Bowl, we would have flipped out. And you would have been leading the charge…you get super hyped up at much, much smaller things.

Anyways, I’d be pissed if I were a Titans fan. But the Titans players seem to have quit on the team already, so I doubt they’ll do much besides shrug their shoulders.

by superchimp on Oct 21, 2009 1:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the last comment (in the article) is dead on

i have to catch myself during every jags v colts game when i say, ‘why havent they fired del rio yet?’ after another boneheaded, game killing decision. I can’t stand him. His teams are undisciplined and poorly coached.. never fire…

Fisher… I mean, actually, I think he’s above average, but only in the facet that he’s one of the few coaches that doesn’t care about looking bad based on a decision. He’ll (in the past, anyhow, doesn’t seem like he’s doing it this year) go for it, do trick plays, onside kicks… he pushes the envelope, because he only cares about winning. Hate seeing coaches go conservative. Hated the way he punked dungy into losing that 60 yard field goal game.. ugly ugly :P

by SpazMo on Oct 21, 2009 2:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I've got news for Titans fans

Your team just lost to New England 59-0. FIFTY-NINE TO NOTHING

Your team IS a joke.

by slash196 on Oct 21, 2009 2:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You're lying to yourself...

If you think that you wouldn’t react the same way if Dungy or Caldwell had pulled the same stunt. We’re the same people that wanted Caldwell’s head for starting Charlie Johnson over Tony Ugoh. The same people who immediately jumped to the conclusion that Ed Johnson was hittin’ the crack pipe again. Maybe the Titans fans are over reacting but we would have reacted exactly the same way if after our loss to the Chargers last season, Dungy came out in a Rivers jersey as a joke at some charity benefit.

by UnofficialPants on Oct 21, 2009 4:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No, I'm not

If a team coached by Jim Caldwell went 0-59, I’d want him fired because obviously he can’t do his job.

Not because he wore a jersey to a charity auction.

by eltharion_doa on Oct 22, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jeff Fisher as a coach

There is no coach that has played the Colts tougher and better than coach Jeff Fisher. I like the way he sets up his game strategies and he sticks by what he believes. He is also a good sportsman and a great coach. It’s not like Jeff Fisher has had several bad years with the Titans. Last year he had the best record in the NFL. I think the Titans would be stupid to get rid of him just like Tampa Bay was stupid to get rid of Dungy and Gruden. Denver getting rid of Shanahan made sense to me. They once were a powerhouse team and had been a poor to mediocre team ever since with good players. Jeff Fisher took a team of average players and made them winners. He’s one of the best coaches in the NFL in my book regardless of his record.

by ColtsFanInEnemyTerritory on Oct 21, 2009 7:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well said...

and I totally agree!!! As I stated in another post…and throughout my time on this blog…I have the greatest respect for Fisher. As a Colts fan…I never hated him because he coached the Titans…I always admired him for his class. Many have taken shots at Fisher over the years…like BBS said…and I am glad to hear that it has been in jest. If Fisher was let go by the Titans…I would love if he came to the Colts in some capacity!! And lost in all this is the respect he is showing Dungy and the Colts organization…THIS IS JUST A GAME FOLKS…NOTHING MORE…IF YOU CAN’T HAVE FUN THEN FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO OBSESS ABOUT

by TRDean on Oct 21, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that Fisher is a good coach

But at some point this playing group seems to have quit on him. He’ll find another job, but I don’t know if he still has a workable situation with the Titans.

There’s an attitude in the NFL that not getting results = failure. Sometimes it means learning. Fisher’s a better coach than the Titans results are showing, but that doesn’t mean he can turn that team around. Sometimes you need new ideas and a new approach.

by eltharion_doa on Oct 22, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Props on "Techmo Bowled"...

Now that that’s out of the way, people are over-reacting. I think Fish’s comment was made in jest to the fact that the Titans were beaten so badly, not that the team sucks. I live in Tennessee and am a Titans fan and still dig Fish, but I do think a change needs to be made. Not just because of their current record, either. I’ve been frustrated with the offense for years now, pretty much since Steve McNair left (read: was run out of) town. I think Jeff is a great coach but I don’t think Tennessee will ever win a SB with him here. If a change is to be made then this is the time to do it.. while things are terrible. Jettison Fish, Dinger, Cecil, and Young and start over. Draft a QB this upcoming offseason, and PLEASE get some help in the secondary somehow (read: another quality corner and replace Chris Hope.) and go from there…

by RPD on Oct 21, 2009 7:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As a Titans fan....

I am somewhat embarrased by the reaction some people had to this. Dungy is a great man, and doing something to show respect for him is welcome. Regardless of the fact that he coached a rival. Besides, I personally like it when my “rivals” are still a class organization.

That being said, he could have just worn one of those Mr. Roger’s sweater vests Dungy wore so proudly on the sideline…. :)

by Evanbio on Oct 21, 2009 8:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Comedy is all about timing

And Fisher’s timing couldn’t be worse here. Most of the Titans fans are still in shock that their team has gone from Super Bowl pick to total laughingstock in just one season. Then, just when they thought it couldn’t get any worse, they have to watch that clown show in Foxborough. I can understand if they aren’t in a joking mood.

But yeah, firing Fisher would be silly. This one weak joke is far from the worst of the Titans’ problems.

Never approach a vast undertaking with a half-vast plan.

by szquirrel on Oct 21, 2009 9:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

5 things,

1. He gets paid $5,000,000’year and after 14 years, he doesn’t exactly have to worry about making ends meet if they are stupid enough to fire him.

2. He’ll make huge money giving talks after his career so this can be seen as a career building move for him.

3. He would last about a week on the market before being hired again by another team—Browns, Raiders, Lions, Chiefs, Rams.

4. He just doesn’t give a shit.

5. It was entirely appropriate and very funny.

by wcwills on Oct 21, 2009 9:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't know...

If we were 0-6 and Tony Sparano did something like that with a Mark Sanchez jersey on or something, I’d be pretty pissed. I think it probably wasn’t a smart move by Fisher.

Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Oct 21, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs