Legendary NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer died at age 77 on Monday night, the Associated Press reported.
Schottenheimer’s career in the NFL spanned 21 seasons and he served as the head coach in Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington and San Diego. He will be remembered not just for his 200-126-1 winning record, but for the devastating playoff losses that seemed to haunt his career. While it’s impossible to talk about Schottenheimer without bringing that up, it’s not a fact that needs to be front and center in a headline announcing his passing.
While many outlets went with more respectful and straightforward headlines announcing the head coach’s death, The Washington Post decided to be petty as hell and twist the knife.
Show a little respect @washingtonpost. Obituary headlines aren’t the place for cheap shots. pic.twitter.com/dYk5kEQTDj
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) February 9, 2021
The Post eventually changed the headline, but the URL still seemed to be the same.
If anyone claims that picture is fake, here's the URL with the edited headline. pic.twitter.com/h3CCfsO5f2
— Ian Kenyon (@IanKenyonNFL) February 9, 2021
It’s all the more puzzling that this headline appeared on the Post when they previously suspended a reporter for tweeting about Kobe Bryant’s rape allegations after his death, because it “displayed poor judgment.”
That’s not just a bad headline, but it’s mean and disrespectful. No one’s career and life should be reduced to its most heartbreaking moments. NFL fans were quick to call it out.
Wow #wapo is disgusting! The man died and he was a great coach didn’t have great postseason granted but maybe he did more with less. There’s about 20 teams that could use a coach with his credentials! https://t.co/G2YNV0afwp
— Will (@warr1979) February 9, 2021
A great man loses his life to an awful disease and this is what is written?!? What a disgrace. This is not ok!! It’s a game and entertainment people. Blown away by this but I guess I shouldn’t be. https://t.co/k8NI1w2RKl
— David Akers (@David2Akers) February 9, 2021
.@washingtonpost obits:
-Noted terrorist al-Baghdadi, austere religious scholar.
-American football coach, you suck. https://t.co/zzHFkQggLr— kaitlin, holy RINO batman (@thefactualprep) February 9, 2021
Terrible look for the @washingtonpost …….. they changed the headline, but whomever allowed this to be published in the first place is a terrible person. https://t.co/THjcEjdw2F
— Marc Moser TV (@RadioMoser) February 9, 2021
Absolutely unnecessary cheapshot in an obit headline. WaPo has apparently changed it already, but there should be an apology in order. https://t.co/svgaXok5Aa
— Jacob Marrocco (@jacob_marrocco) February 9, 2021
Shame on you @washingtonpost https://t.co/lThUcdOWDS
— Jordan Klimack (@j_klimack20) February 9, 2021
Do better @washingtonpost, do better. https://t.co/5SBXihX4Is
— sidelinecreeper (@Sidelinecreepin) February 9, 2021
Even the sports section of the @washingtonpost shows no class, dignity, integrity or basic respect. https://t.co/botolhZIsv
— Jason Gutierrez (@jgutierrez56) February 9, 2021
Wish news orgs were this hard on actual bad guys who leave “complicated” legacies https://t.co/ryFL3deNgn
— Sarah Kelly (@thesarahkelly) February 9, 2021
Washington Post said:
“I know this guy is dead, but to be fair he really sucked in the playoffs”
— SAVAGE BOSTON🍀 (@SavageBoston) February 9, 2021
