One more time: Marvin Harrison didn't shoot anyone
by Brad Wells on Jan 14, 2010 12:43 PM EST
in Bad Journalism
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The broken record continues to spin and spin and spin around the player. Of course, the subject is Marvin Harrison. And, of course, media are placing a guilty tag on his forehead even though the law and the justice system say otherwise.
When it's not hack ESPN writers penning a hit piece ripe with speculation, hearsay, and rumor rather than evidence and facts, it's now <sarcasm> the bastion of sports journalism known as GQ </sarcasm> has an article out painting one of the greatest, most professional wide receivers in NFL history as a modern day Nino Brown.
Oh yeah, Andrew Sharp of SBNation.com likes the article as well. Please, try and contain your shock.
Jason Fagone at GQ has recently written a very lyrically entertaining but factually flawed indictment of Marvin Harrison, using colorful narration and story-telling to recreate the May 2008 shooting incident outside Marvin Harrison's Philadelphia neighborhood bar which resulted in an injury to convicted felon Dwight Dixon. Dixon was shot in the hand during the altercation and was afterward taken into police custody. Dixon was later convicted of lying to police officers during the investigation into shooting. In July of 2009, Dixon was attacked again in a separate incident, resulting in seven bullet wounds for Dixon. He died of his wounds in September 2009.
When news of the first shooting broke, "star" reporters like ESPN's Sal Poalantonio jumped all over it, making senseless and baseless accusations that never resulted in anything tangible. I remind you that this is the same ESPN that ignored the Ben Roethlisberger rape allegation story in 2009 even though the circumstances surrounding that issue (witness claims attack, no evidence to back up claim) were very similar to the shooting involving Harrison in 2008.
Ben Roethlisberger: White quarterback from Ohio
Marvin Harrison: Retired black receiver from Philadelphia.
Draw your own conclusions.
Back to GQ, even though Fagone's article is better written than anything Sal Pal could ever hope to pen, given his fourth grade IQ, the fact is Fagone's article provides nothing we didn't already read about.
- We know Robert Nixon allegedly saw Marvin Harrison shoot at Dixon.
- We know that police interviewed Nixon and after that interview did not consider him a credible witness.
- We know that despite Nixon's "eye witness" testimony, police never considered Marvin Harrison a suspect in Dixon's May 2008 shooting.
- We know that the Philly DA's office cited a lack of credible witnesses (Dear GQ, that's a dig at your article's "star," Robert Nixon) as a reason not to prosecute this case. In fact, in the press conference announcing the decision not to prosecute, the DA took a shot at ESPN and Sal Poalantonio.
As many of you may recall, I spoke to Philly-based journalists about this incident waaaaaaaay back in 2008, and they agreed that there was more media sensationalism regarding Harrison than actual facts that made him guilty of shooting a man.
Again, this story is old, tried, and the GQ article provides us with very little new evidence or facts that point a finger at Marvin Harrison. In fact, I suspect that the sole reason this article was printed in the first place is because the focus now is on guns and NBA players, and thus the flaky "sports journalists" at GQ thought that digging up the Dixon shooting was relevant.
Deep breath. Sigh.
Look, I personally don't know what the "real" facts are here. South Philly is a poor part of town that has gotten poorer since the economy tanked. Dwight Dixon had a shady past and likely a long list of enemies. His death was unfortunate. However, it is wrong for media outlets to point fingers and assess guilt on people like Marvin Harrison when they do not have evidence to back up that accusation. By every measure of "justice" we as a society hold dear, the reality of the 2008 shooting incident is as follows:
Marvin Harrison did not shoot anyone because there is no evidence that points to Marvin Harrison shooting anyone.
Obviously, this "revelation" is not as interesting or as entertaining as the thought of a mild-mannered, soft-spoken NFL superstar going Tony Montana on the streets of South Philly. But folks like me are more about facts and evidence. These "little details" trump the entertainment value of Marvin Harrison shooting a man. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned that way.
GQ, folks like Andrew Sharp, and ESPN all deal in entertainment; not journalism.
There is no evidence to back up their claim that Marvin Harrison is a thug who shoots people in broad daylight. No chargers have been filed against Harrison. No court decisions have been levied. Harrison was (I repeat again for the 5 billionth time) never even a suspect in the yes of the police. Again, he was a suspect in the media's eyes, not the police's.
I'm tired of writing about this dead story. It's up to you to believe whatever you want to believe. I'll stick with the facts, thank you. GQ and Andrew Sharp can enjoy the fantasy land of hearsay and rumor.
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What was he like in person?
As shy and quiet as he seemed? I will always love Marv – Marv was ALWAYS in bounds.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Jan 14, 2010 1:01 PM EST up reply actions
I met him once
when I was a server in college. He was very nice, very quiet, and left a good tip.
Also, I just read that Andrew Sharp’s article….he isn’t really the sharpest tool in the shed, is he?
He was fantastic. Shy, but not quiet necessarily. We talked a little about Philly.
He complimented my freckles. :)
While Peyton is my favorite Colt
Marvin is the reason I became a Colts fan. I saw him play in college a bit and I liked him a lot and then he went to the Colts, Peyton joined and history was in the making. Gotta love Marv!
Whether it's Marvin, or Tiger
It’s interesting to watch how the Media will jump in and attempt to crucify a athlete (athletes of color, by coincidence?) with a clean past and almost no off the field trouble with very little facts or proof, but a whole lot of speculation, while certain other athletes more often than not get off scotch free with little media scrutiny
Yeah, let’s not equate Tiger and Harrison… Tiger has about 24 more skeletons in his closet (in his bed?).
aw HELL no!
Oh yeah
I saw that coming, but Harrison has been acused of murder and for whatever the reason it may happened, it’s something more serious than get laid with many women when you’re a relatively young billionaire. Tiger was just too stupid by letting his wife take aknowledge of everything and Harrison is probably innocent. Guilty and innocent.
Quitters never win, but cheaters sometimes do
BBS
They write these stories to get at people like you. Just ignore them and lets concentrate on the here and now. Who cares what happened then? We’re in the playoffs! I expect more than one article breaking down our game. Instead we get chris johnson, marvin harrison and terry bradshaw.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
As long as we have Peyton we will always have a chance to win.
"18 is coming"- Ed Reed
In all fairness
I had readers of this site email me this article last night asking for my response. And when SBNation.com puts the thing on the front page of their site, I kind of have to respond. If I don’t, then it looks like I agree with them, which of course I don’t.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account so you can post a FanPost, make a FanShot, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.
I hate to say this...
but “Marvin Harrison did not shoot anyone because there is not evidence that points to Marvin Harrison shooting anyone” is more accurately expressed as “Marvin Harrison has not been charged or convicted because there is not evidence that points to Marvin Harrison shooting anyone.”
Until there is 100% evidence that somebody OTHER than Marvin Harrison shot him, nobody can say with certainty that he didn’t.
Even if he did, there could very well be a legitimate and legal reason for it, so it’s not like I’m trying to judge him or be negative here (like all the writers have been). But outside of maybe 4 or 5 people, nobody knows the truth. I hate to sound like I’m piling on to Marvin here, but “not guilty” and “innocent” are two entirely different things.
Now, how long until Florio publishes something interpreting this all as “Marvin is still guilty?” I’m surprised he hasn’t already.
Please re-read this passage
By every measure of “justice” we as a society hold dear, the reality of the 2008 shooting incident is as follows:
Marvin Harrison did not shoot anyone because there is not evidence that points to Marvin Harrison shooting anyone.
In the American justice system, a suspect is “innocent until proven guilty.” Marvin Harrison is not even a suspect.
Please, do not fall victim to “drone” mentality. Unless you live or agree with justice that is circa Nazi Germany or the USSR, by every measure of the law we hold dear… Marvin Harrison did not shoot anyone.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account so you can post a FanPost, make a FanShot, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.
I did read it.
I am neither a drone nor a Nazi. But thanks for suggesting otherwise.
There is more to the story than either you or I know. My only criticism is of the fact that you are speaking in absolutes. In the very same paragraph you asked me to re-read, you yourself say I do not know what the facts are.
Marvin is not a suspect because they don’t have enough evidence to be confident they would win a conviction. That’s a long way from the absolute statement that he “did not shoot anyone.” If new evidence is discovered that forces a trial, will you continue to say the same thing? Marvin is a free man and innocent in the eyes of the law (perhaps this is how I should have phrased it initially), but that is not the same as the absolutes you keep repeating. Until another shooter is discovered and convicted, it remains possible that Marvin did it. I’m not sure why you’d open yourself up to being disproven like this, even if it is unlikely to happen.
For what it’s worth, I found that article to be interesting but the guy lost me when he threw in the paragraphs about Marvin Greer and his sons. None of that is relevant and including it only shows a bias and a weakness in his reporting.
by willyduer on Jan 14, 2010 2:15 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
bq.For what it’s worth, I found that article to be interesting but the guy lost me when he threw in the paragraphs about Marvin Greer and his sons. None of that is relevant and including it only shows a bias and a weakness in his reporting.
That is precisely what I said in the comments to Sharpe’s article on this. What a blatantly ridiculous comment, especially since he uses half brothers and cousins. I can clearly see Fagone never studied Criminology and the theories behind why criminals commit crimes. So if my cousin is a criminal I am most likely a criminal? Faulty and absurd logic.
Optimism. Positivity. Win.
by John Stephens on Jan 14, 2010 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
damn block quote fail
Optimism. Positivity. Win.
by John Stephens on Jan 14, 2010 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
This isn't a court of law
There isn’t enough evidence to convict, that doesn’t mean that Marvin absolutely didn’t shoot anyone. There are gray areas in which the absolute facts are tough to ascertain, and this certainly seems to be one. We probably won’t ever know for sure.
Lets be honest BBS, you’re siding with a Colt against the media, like you always do. You have rarely, if ever, shown an ability to view the Colts objectively. You might be wrong, you might be right, but its your blind love of a great colt that is guiding you more than any facts.
by TheNoodleMan on Jan 14, 2010 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
Innocent Until Proven Guilty
This isn’t a court of law, we are free to speculate.
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
I was gonna put this up
but decided against it. Mr. Sharp seems to be doing trying his best to piss Colts fans off. I really didn’t even read Sharp’s write up. As soon as I saw his name, I dismissed it.
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
His writing was hacktastic!
His prose was gagingly awful at times. I read the whole thing and at times wondered how this guy got a job in the first place. It was on the level of some college newspaper pieces I’ve seen.
There is a reason this guy writes for GQ and not the Post or the SunTimes, you know, establishments that employ writers known for their investigative journalistic abilities.
This guy is a Carl Bernstein wannabe.
"Pressure is something you feel when you don't know what the hell you're doing."
-Peyton Manning
Is Marvin Harrison gonna have to choke a bitch?
I dunno… just a light skimming of the article just reminded me of the Wayne Brady sketch on Dave Chappelle’s show. I never knew Marvin was living the Wayne Brady dream….
I say we embrace it, cause the true story is just boring. :)
Go Colts!
lmao at the Wayne Brady sketch.
I love Chappelle’s show.
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Jan 14, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
DID YOU KNOW...
Marvin Harrison was the second shooter on the grassy knoll? Oh no, I have said too much…
Go Colts!
by Marked Hoosier on Jan 14, 2010 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
Shut. Up.
Now it ALL makes sense!!
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Jan 14, 2010 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
lol well everyone from the grassy knoll is now dead.
You gotta tie up the loose ends.
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Jan 14, 2010 4:51 PM EST up reply actions
DID YOU KNOW...
That the show The Wire was based on philly cops trying to capture the drug kingpin Marvin Harrison?
Oh no, I said too much…
Go Colts!
by Marked Hoosier on Jan 14, 2010 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
AND WHO SAYS HOOSIERS DONT HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR!!!!
T-Rac's Posse - T-Rac is one boss raccoon.
My personal Tribute to Air McNair
by T--Rac's Posse on Jan 14, 2010 4:09 PM EST up reply actions
Funny you mentioned Law and Order...
They once tried to make Marvin Harrison the story for one of their shows. They never were able to finish it, because as we know Marvin Harrison is never taken to court.
Oh no, I said too much…
Go Colts!
by Marked Hoosier on Jan 14, 2010 4:13 PM EST up reply actions
This one was my favorite
T-Rac's Posse - T-Rac is one boss raccoon.
My personal Tribute to Air McNair
by T--Rac's Posse on Jan 14, 2010 4:17 PM EST up reply actions
It is so weird that Marvin Harrison shot someone.
Totally kidding ;)
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Jan 14, 2010 3:45 PM EST reply actions
Actually...
It is not a surprise that if Marvin Harrison did those crimes, that he wasn’t caught. Because we all know, Marvin Harrison cannot be caught.
Go Colts!
DID YOU KNOW...
The Philly PD had an epidemic of broken legs that almost bankrupted the city?
Its true… if you try to catch Marvin Harrison, he will break your ankles.
Go Colts!
Oh no
you said too much.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Jan 14, 2010 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
So...
I read the article, and I must admit that the author is a “piece of shit” if for no other reason than he called everyone else a “piece of shit”.
That being said, I think Marvin probably did shoot at Dixon (I don’t think he murdered him, or put a hit out on him for that matter.) Do I blame him, shit no. They got into a fist fight, the dude was known to pack heat, and Marvin probably feared for his safety while the crazy bastard had him cornered in his carwash. Plus I live in South Dakota, that’s how we roll in the Wild Wild West…
Dun nuh nuh nuhhhh!!!! Super Mathis
by hoosier in sodak on Jan 14, 2010 5:36 PM EST reply actions
Snitches get stitches
"About a month ago I got a cactus. A week later, it died. I was really depressed because I was like 'Damn! I am less nurturing than a desert.' (Ladies, that's not true)"
This part
In doing so, a bullet from defendant’s handgun struck plaintiff in the back with great force and violence.
I real in a Samuel L. Jackson voice.
BTW, I dig your screen name. Two of my favorite things!
"Between the wish and the thing the world lies waiting."
— Cormac McCarthy (All the Pretty Horses)
by Addai Another Aday on Jan 14, 2010 7:46 PM EST up reply actions
And that means nothing.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: This is JD's best daydream. Cracks me up every time.
BBS
Dude, the GQ piece is stronger than anything you could ever dream of writing. It’s a damn fine piece of journalism. I’m all for knocking Sal Pal, who is a hack. GQ article points that out. At worst for Harrison, this piece asks why hasn’t it gone to trial. It doesn’t say Harrison did it. It says the course of events: the known physical facts from the ballistics and Harrison’s own statement, unknowingly against himself at the time he said it, deem the case to be brought to trial by jury. Forget the witness statements. The evidence is strong enough to at least move the case to trial, where Harrison is presumed innocent until proven guilty. You can’t understand this simple basic pillar for our free society, maybe because you are hack blogger hiding behind a pseudonymn and decide to attack better journalists and better writers because of your own inadequacies. Stick to covering and reviewing games and stats, and let the real journalism be covered by the big boys. You’re no better than Sal Pal, pal.
E:60
I’ve been busy awhile, so this is my first site visit in some time, but I just watched the piece on SportsCenter, then read all this, and I can’t help but shake my head in disappointment at the lack of journalistic integrity ESPN has. BBS is an in-your-face, express-his-opinion-no-matter-what-you-think type of blogger, which can be obnoxious at times, and fantastic at other times, but the fact that he absolutely schooled ESPN and OTL on this is just concrete proof that ESPN has officially lost all credibiltiy as a journalism source.
The interview w/ Dwight Dixon was so ridiculously stupid, I thought they had already skipped to “Not Top 10.” So now Harrison walked towards him with TWO guns firing. I’m guessing Dixon saw Training Day the day before the interview, and decided to base his story on Denzel Washington’s character in that movie. And then they insinuate that he was Dixon’s murderer…really? Wow. And not once did the reporter ask anything about how he was a convicted felon, had been accused of lying to police on SEVERAL occasions, and how the DA pretty much ruled his story and witnesses out as complete BS. Instead, they pampered the guy because Marvin Harrison liked to say, “No Comment” a lot. The nerve…Way to report the “facts,” ESPN.
When all is said in done, I am certain that Marvin was somehow involved in the first incident. whether he was the shooter or not. It was his gun, it was in his area, and he did whoop the shit out of Dixon shortly before the incident. Yet, if anything, if he even did fire the gun, all signs point to self defense from a crazed former convict trying to run him down. Absolutely no evidence has been uncovered that suggests Harrison fired the gun, even if he did, and absolutely NOTHING suggests that Harrison did anything in cold blood, because that is just stupid.
The GQ article is well written, but when you rely on a witness deemed not credible, then yeah, your credibility is out the window. Yet, ESPN is still the villain here, and until they uncover any evidence at all, they are all tools. Yet they continue to report rumors without reporting anything that suggests Harrison is innocent, like, you know, that he was never once considered a suspect, but that’s cool. Keep it up ESPN. I hate to play the race card, but BBS is 100% on about the Roethlisberger comparisons. Literally the exact same reports from both incidents, but they refuse to cover Roethlisberger’s, but slam the accelerator with Harrison. Just absolutely classless. I wish another sports network were available to watch.
"A lot of times, Kenny, we have no idea what we're doing. But the DEFENSE doesn't know that we don't know what we're doing.....and that's next level." -Peyton Manning
Bad Journalism all around
Since you chose to post this under bad journalism, I thought I would point out while you keep referring to South Philly the events of this story all occur in North Philly. While it is only the difference of a directional word they are a world apart.
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