1. I don’t understand why the NFL does this. I don’t understand why an organization as popular as the NFL, an organization that has a grip over this country unlike anything else, insists on acting like bullies and inviting bad PR.
In the latest mind-boggling decision by the No Fun League, it decided to suspend the credential of one of their employees because he happened to be holding an iPhone that Tyreek Hill grabbed from him to use as part of a touchdown celebration.
Yes, while that sentence is incredibly stupid, it is true.
Back in Week 6, after scoring on a 41-yard touchdown reception, the Dolphins wideout spotted content creator Kevin Fitzgibbons holding a phone. So Hill took it and filmed himself doing a backflip.
TYREEK HILL. HUGE TOUCHDOWN.
— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2023
📺: #CARvsMIA on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/B4mQvLOt8O pic.twitter.com/Uis2fkF3el
For some unknown reason, the NFL decided to punish the 20-year-old Fitzgibbons for ... I don't know what.
Fitzgibbons revealed in a video, which explained his relationship with Hill, that the league had revoked his credential and Pro Football Talk confirmed the disciplinary action with the NFL.
The journey continues… pic.twitter.com/QsrXjI0eeE
— kfitz (@kfitzsports) November 29, 2023
Here’s what pisses me off about this entire episode. If the NFL was so outraged by Fitzgibbons being part of Hill’s touchdown celebration, why is the video of his dastardly behavior still up on the league’s social media accounts?
As you see in the video posted near the top of this item, the NFL’s official Twitter account made sure to include Hill’s celebration in the video it posted. If what Fitzgibbons did was so egregious, why didn’t the league just post the video of Hill’s touchdown and end it there?
Because the league wants to have its cake and eat it, too. They want to get the views from Hill’s backflip celebration and also suspend a person involved in the celebration. Hypocrisy at its finest.
But at the of the day, someone in the league office has to make the decision to actually take the credential away from Fitzgibbons, and, again, I ask the simple question: Why?
If the league was actually upset by the whole iPhone and backflip thing, why not just give Fitzgibbons a warning? Why does he have to be punished for the entire season? Why come down with such an extreme penalty for something so harmless?
Here's some free advice for the NFL: You have a serious officiating problem. Put all your time and energy into that and don’t worry about celebrations.
2. A new SI Media With Jimmy Traina episode dropped Thursday morning, and it features a conversation with broadcaster Mike Tirico of NBC.
The voice of Sunday Night Football discusses how much he pays attention to the schedule and flex possibilities late in the season, whether he’s feeling more comfortable in his second year as the SNF’s play-by-play guy, whether NBC went too far covering Taylor Swift’s appearance at the Chiefs-Jets game in Week 4, watching the O.J. Simpson Bronco chase with Lee Corso, whether he’d hear from the NFL if he dropped a betting stat during a game, why quarterback play has been a problem this season and much more.
Following Tirico, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins me for our weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week we talk about my betting hot streak, the amazing trend of NFL unders hitting in prime-time games, Spotify’s year-end “Wrapped” feature, Sal’s issue with his car automatic starter and more.
You can listen to the podcast below or download it on Apple, Spotify and Google.
You can also watch SI Media With Jimmy Traina on Sports Illustrated’s YouTube channel.
3. If you’re a regular “Traina Thoughts” reader and a follower on Twitter, you know that I've been fascinated by the over/under on Iowa football games this season. Hawkeyes games have set the record for the lowest total in college football history multiple times this season. The Hawkeyes have zero offense, but an outstanding defense and great special teams.
I tell you all this to set up this hilarious hype video for Iowa’s Big Ten title game against Michigan on Saturday.
New Iowa B1G 10 Championship hype video 😤#Hawkeyes | #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/ihnTKBr5Xg
— Cover 3 Film Room (@Cover3FilmRoom) November 30, 2023
4. It was a tale of two flops in the NBA on Wednesday night.
Draymond Green didn’t get called for this flop, even though he should’ve gotten two technicals: one for the flop and one for arguing that there should’ve been a foul, even though he flopped.
Draymond Green was FUMING after this no-call 👀
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 29, 2023
He was given a technical foul for arguing with the referee 😬pic.twitter.com/rZb8W37PSN
Meanwhile, LeBron got called for a flop here even though it didn’t seem that over the top.
LeBron was assessed a tech for flopping against Isaiah Stewart 😳 pic.twitter.com/yiAbtVg543
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 30, 2023
5. ESPN’s First Take, hosted by Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim, just had its most-watched month ever in November.
I don’t know how much ratings credit Chris “Mad Dog” Russo deserves for his weekly “What Are You Mad About” segment, but it’s certainly been TV gold.
.@MadDogUnleashed's holiday slander continues 😅 pic.twitter.com/iorFQc0hJp
— First Take (@FirstTake) November 29, 2023
6. We all know the NFL ratings are incredible, but there is one stat that is beyond remarkable: NFL games rank as 71 of the top 75 shows on TV since the start of the 2023 season.
🚨NFL Viewership Through Week 12🚨
— NFL Media (@NFLMedia) November 30, 2023
*18.0 million (TV+Digital) avg. viewers per game -- highest avg. through Week 12 since 2015
*NFL games rank as 71 of the top 75 shows on TV since the start of the 2023 @NFL season
*New Top 5 Games of the Season (TV+Digital) pic.twitter.com/09QqBnHzOn
