LeBron: Bulls are better than Cavs
October 20, 2014FOX Sports ranks Browns uniforms No. 32 in NFL
October 21, 2014The debate over the Tristan Thompson controversy has been a hot topic among various media outlets. In case you missed it, Thompson took part in an uncomfortable interview with FSO reporter Allie Clifton. In the interview, Thompson called Clifton “Tina” and then subsequently kissed her on the cheek. This exchange caused a stir in the media, especially from Yahoo’s Kelly Dwyer who called the interview’s kiss “sexual harassment” and called Tristan Thompson out on this inappropriate act. This kiss was definitely inappropriate, but it probably happened with some context.
We got the answer on Tuesday, when Clifton tweeted her response to the controversy.
Hey fans @RealTristan13 thing was inside joke & not a big deal. We have a good working relationship. All is good. Can't wait 4 @cavs tonight
— Allie Clifton (@RealAClifton) October 20, 2014
Up to this point, we have not heard any comment from Tristan Thompson or Clifton. Clifton tweeted that the incident was an inside joke between her and Thompson and that this was no big deal and that the two have a “good working relationship.”
As with most things, context really sheds light on what actually happens in certain situations. This kiss may not have been a good move by Thompson, but to call this sexual harassment without knowing the whole story seemed to go a little overboard. Many local team reporters have close relationships with players and might have a rapport with certain players. Stories can become blown out of proportion and taken too seriously without knowing all the facts. I am not saying what Thompson did was right or smart, but it does not deserve the words sexual harassment attached to it.
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but to call this sexual harassment without knowing the whole story seemed to go a little overboard.
It was definitely overboard…especially when Kelly Dywer didn’t even attempt to contact the Cavs or Allie Clifton for a comment when he wrote his piece. So he goes out, types some hyperbolic garbage and will never acknowledge his irresponsibility as he looks for his next source of imagined outrage
Kelly Dwyer has a girl’s name.
I don’t believe you can use Allie’s tweet as proof this wasn’t harassment of some degree, but I’m just glad a sports team’s social issues can actually be handled internally instead of through the national news cycle. I was getting worried there. At least that’s what I hope has happened. Even if they have a working relationship that could conceivably justify that sort of interaction it’s still a demeaning act as far as her career and public perception is concerned.
I can understand why a surprise kiss on TV almost inherently crosses the line no matter how comfortable they are with each other, but what I saw on the video and what I read in Dwyer’s piece didn’t match up at all. It was a grandma-style peck on the side of the head while mugging for the camera. The level of hyperbole Dwyer used was pretty epic.
Just google “Allie Clifton pranks Tristan Thompson,” and you will find a video from last year, where she jokingly told him she had punched the Knicks’ sideline reporter – whose name is Tina… These people work together every day and have their own inside jokes. Dwyer is an idiot who didn’t even conduct a basic google search to “research” his story.
The only good thing that came of this video is the fact that it immediately suggested this INSANITY on youtube. Starting to think the NFL is for wusses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eie7maojvr0
where is the stomping of cleats on the backs of knees? where is the utilizing helmets as weaponry?
that’s not how you brawl, THIS is how you brawl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNypDGoC_8M
Yahoo Sports may have the inside scoop with top reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, but Kelly Dwyer is definitely a joke. I said THREE DAYS ago that this was an inside joke. Those of us who actually followed the Cavs before LeBron announced he was coming back know that back on December 11, Clifton told Thompson in a LIVE interview that she was going to assault New York Knicks sideline reporter Tina Cervasio. This is Tristan getting her back for pranking him.
I’ll take “Guys I don’t want punching me in the face” for 200, saggy.
It was less than a gma kiss…more like lips brushed hair…