Salisbury filed in the improbably named Denton County, where he lives. Gawker Media has not yet been served. Danny Gallagher reports:

Sean Salisbury, a Frisco resident and former National Football League quarterback, filed a petition for a civil defamation lawsuit in a Denton County court against Gawker Media for publishing several false stories on their sports blog Deadspin.com that cost him several jobs, ruined his reputation and made it difficult to find gainful employment.

Salisbury's attorney, Jeffrey Tillotson of the Dallas law firm Lynn, Tillotson, Pinker & Cox, said in the petition that Deadspin has waged a "long-running smear campaign" against his client since January of 2007.

The blog first alleged on Jan. 6, 2007 that ESPN suspended Salisbury for taking indecent photos of himself with his cell phone and showing it to several female co-workers. The post quoted a story written by CBS Sportsline columnist Mike Freeman on Dec. 27, 2006 who did not identify the analyst by name. The post also quoted The Big Lead, another sports blog, who identified Salisbury as the suspended analyst based on information from an "insider."

Tillotson said Deadspin continued to post the "lie" on four separate occasions including in posts on Sept. 11 following Salisbury's departure from 105.3 FM The Fan, a Dallas sports radio station.

"Deadspin falsely stated, 'According to one source close to the station, Salisbury freaked out a station promo girl after sexting her," the petition read.

The blog also provided a link to a Dallas Observer blog, Richie Whitt's Sportatorium, that said in an "update" post regarding Salisbury's departure that "sexting wasn't involved."

Tillotson said Deadspin continued to publish the story as part of their "smear campaign" against Salisbury.

"Unburdened by the truth or any pretense of journalistic standards, Deadspin ignored the facts and instead repeated the malicious lie that Mr. Salisbury 'allegedly' engaged in 'sexting,' which prompting his firing," the petition read. "In the weeks since Mr. Salisbury's departure from The Fan, Deadspin has continued to taunt Mr. Salisbury in emails from Deadspin contributors and has even mockingly asked Mr. Salisbury why he has not filed suit. Deadspin now has its answer."

[...]

"What we hope to prove is that blog sites like Deadspin are accountable," he said. "They can't simply attack someone and make a concerted effort to destroy the lives and careers of people without any ramifications. The difference between other news outlets and Deadspin is at least the other news outlets try to get it right. We hope to make a statement that if sites are going to behave like this, there are consequences and they are long overdue for that."

I haven't seen the petition, and as far as I know neither has anyone at Gawker. Denton County's web site has a record of the filing and nothing else. We'll have more on this next week, I'd imagine.

Former ESPN, radio sports analyst files lawsuit against Gawker Media in Denton County [Frisco Enterprise]

During Mr. Salisbury's very public meltdown, another individual in the Dallas radio market said that Sean's odd behavior could be attributed to some financial trouble he's been having. Well, on September 11 of this year (never forget?), a "Notice of Acceleration" was filed on Richard Sean Salisbury's home.

When it rains.

I emailed Sean for comment. Nothing yet.

Here's the listing for his home. [Zillow.com]

******

Tonight: I'm headed over to Wogies in the West Village to watch the WFC continue their quest for a repeat in the winter wonderland in Denver. All NYC-area Philly fans should patronize this fine establishment whenever you seek the company of like-minded individuals from the 215. So far, no stabbings.

I'll only be around for two days this week at Deadspin but you'll be in good hands. Tomorrow is Columbus Day, so like a good Italian-American I will lay around all day eating prosciutto and mocking Native Americans. Then, Thursday/Friday, I'll be headed to Vegas for the Blogs With Balls 2.0 extravaganza. I believe Eydie Gorme is the keynote speaker this time around.

Thanks for your continued support of Deadspin. Everybody stay positive. It'll all work itself out.

A couple Lions fans celebrated their team's historic victory with a spot of lower-bowl grab-ass that ended with the two of them re-enacting the Ned Beatty piggy scene from Deliverance. And Detroit was happy once again.

Jerry Jones sold 30,000 "party passes" for the regular-season debut of his new football palace, where, in a standing-room section, every passholder was treated to great views of 29,999 other passholders. The scene turned briefly into something out of Lord of the Flies. Sucks to your pass mar!

This lass had a message for Jesus Christ Football Star, and she wore it on her shirt. It's tough to see here, but please note the gray-haired lady in back, looking on in slowly dawning horror.

Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested for allegedly choking his girlfriend, Internet creature Tila Tequila. The case against Merriman was eventually dropped, but he was nonetheless tried and convicted in the high court of Tila Tequila's Twitter account.

A day after LeGarrette Blount decked Byron Hout, Dash made the persuasive argument that the smirking jackass who started it all got exactly what was coming to him.

The bold-face-type enthusiasts of Fire Joe Morgan reunited for one glorious day on our site and, afterward all that was left of poor Allen Barra was a couple mindlessly contrarian opinions and some hair.

Someone dug up an ancient video of a skeevy Cris Collinsworth in which he declared, absurdly: "I like girls that aren't too bright because you can trick 'em a little bit...high school girls love me. Fourteen to eighteen, I'm a big star with them." And then, even more absurdly, he apologized — and not for that Cosby sweater.

Football, as choreographed by Bob Fosse.

In a handicapped stall at Cowboy Stadium, a guy in a Michael Irvin jersey decided to do to a woman what Jerry Jones did to 30,000 fans with Party Passes. We got the video.

And, lastly, there are the Salisbury-Daulerio Letters, a correspondence that stretched across three batshit posts. It was, as AJ noted, the meltiest media meltdown of them all. Sean has not been heard from since. Nor have we heard from his attorneys and "powerful Pr firm .. from NYC." He is out there, though. Somewhere. I like to imagine him on a beach on South Padre, sipping a tall, fruity drink and pecking away at his ESPN tell-all, espn exposed. He nears the end of the book. He thinks for a moment. He considers a passing cloud. And then he taps out the last line, a line to rival them all — Fitzgerald, Hamlet, Bogie to Claude Rains. Sean Salisbury looks at the screen and smiles wryly. "Sent," it reads, "from my iPhone."

It's usually because they're just so absurd or really lack even the most tenuous of news angles to give them the go-ahead. Other times it's because they're just absolute horseshit. But every Friday until we get sick of running them, we'll present to you some of these not-so-shiny gems. All items should be treated as [Sic'd]. Enjoy...

Duly Noted

•

Dear AJ,

I usually find Deadpsin extrememely entertaining, but this email exchange with Sean Salibusry is just sad. I'm not trying to be unny here, there is something gong on in this man's life... maybe alcohol, addiction? To watch (or rather read) someone self destruct is disturbing. Let him have his say in private. He needs help, not a snarky audience taking shots at him.

•

On today's sportscenter, they had Sean Salisbury comments on the internet, and when they had to give some background, they just said "we won't elaborate on that," and promptly moved on to whatever topic they had next.

•

AJ,

Be careful man. I once had a roommate where something triggered and he kind of just lost his mind and went crazy. He would talk and write emails that basically looked exactly what Salisbury is saying to you. I'm just saying watch out, this dude is obviously out there, and whether its true or not feels that he and his family are threatened. I love the site, keep up the good work.

•

AJ

Salisbury sounds depressed, delusional and possibly suicidal.

Ease up on him, man. If he jumps off a building, you don't want any responsibility for that.

Seriously. This is not angry criticism. It's a request for sympathy.

Leftist Filth

Your stupid little article about Jay Feely was well.... stupid. Before making stupid comments about someones political beliefs, maybe you should try educating yourself first, if thats at all possible. Take your little blogs and your stupid little website and shove it up your ass.

The Yalie Is Aggrieved

To whom it may concern,

There is a picture on the front page of deadspin.com that needs to be removed immediately. This is the only contact information I could find on the site, can you please point me in the right direction to have these pictures taken down. It has the subject regarding the Yale/Harvard game.

If this is not done immediately, we will have to take legal action.

Thank you!

•

Nick-

I am writing to you about the story on the front page of Deadspin.com about the college football season.

The story about the Yale/Harvard game with pictures of a man passing out happens to be about friends of mine.

I really need to know who I can email to have those pictures taken down as they are quite embarrassing for my friend.

Please let me know what I need to do to get this taken care of. Thanks

-Steve

The Truth Is, You're A Moron

I read on the Onion.com yesterday that Dallas released Jerry Jones, but I can't find anybody else reporting it. Is there any truth to this?

This Is How You Audition For The Comments Section

"I check out your site everyday, along with other sports blogs. Caught a guy a went to school with posing behind LT today. Wanted to get set up to comment, thinking I could come up with something funny since he sleep walked and pissed on my door."

Just Type "FUCK.AND. NO" On Your Keyboard

Is there anyway to fix my RSS to eliminate all feeds from Drew?

Thank You For Reminding Me

I thought you might be unsure, so I just wanted to let you know you're still a douche who leaves the world just a little more shit filled with each day you spend you time on the interwebz. Congratulations on ascending to near the top of the noble world of paparazzi.

Last night about 11 p.m. EST, Salisbury went back to his iPhone to pump out a few more bewildering emails, with the same whiplash emotion he'd been showing the past two days. He says, after last night's blast, that he's finally done. I'm as curious as everyone else as to whether there's a lawsuit and tell-all book forthcoming but we'll all have to wait to get that answer.

Gawker's yet to be contacted by any attorney at this point, and if that does happen, we'll deal with it then. Based on the scatter-shot lunacy of some of the emails, I'm still unsure as to whether the vicious attorney and agent are actually real people or a sock puppet and an empty beer bottle vacationing with him and his iPhone at the beach. I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.

For now, I'll say this: It's been an extraordinary couple of days watching this unfold and there's absolutely a part of me that feels empathy for the man. Yet, as in most of these instances of nagging discomfort, it's tough to put things back in the bottle and, as I said in the intro, he requested these final email exchanges be printed as part of his ongoing effort to restore his reputation and save his career. He's a good analyst and should be given another chance at some point to prove that. First, I think he has to get out of his own way if he's to have the career revitalization he desperately seeks.

Anyway, back to the iPhone(s):

From Sean Salisbury wrote:

Remember u were told other than todays book name email as well as this email were off record as u also stated so u will be accountable

Sent from my iPhone

From me:

Uh no. Not how it works. Emails are on record. Always

Sent from my iPhone

From Sean Salisbury:

I'm shocked you know the laws of fair journalism. Lol

Sent from my iPhone

From Sean Salisbury:

Thx keep em coming

Sent from my iPhone

From Sean Salisbury:

I don't know if my last email. Just to remind today was off record as we both stated. As I knew u would do u made it seem today on ur site as if u were getting emails and not asking to talk to me. You always think ur getting last laugh. These r off record. Not that it's a big deal but I do have ur off record email. So when u need an email for the record u may ask so none of these r for ur website this is our talk today. I emailed lawyer just so he knows thx

Sent from my iPhone

From me:

No, I said phone conversation would be off record. Email conversations are on record. Always. I'll add in my email conversations tomorrow in a follow- up post to clarify the spots where we were conversing but whatever. What is done is done. I gave you plenty of opportunities yo go off record via phone

Sent from my iPhone

From Sean Salisbury:

Nevermind my lawyer just emailed and said keep them on record he is right. Ur doing exactly what we need so thank you. I need the message out. Agent is right

Sent from my iPhone
From Sean Salisbury:

Don't want off record want it all on record. I am very grateful I finally got mine out there and the hurt u guys have caused. And I wanted it all on record that's an easy way to get message out there the true way. You will not hear from me again I did what I needed to do now the lawyers take over so thank you for getting todays out there as well and I didn't even have to talk on phone. Take care and good luck.

Sent from my iPhone

You too, Sean.

From Sean Salisbury:

Lawsuit of ur lives. I havnt been this excited in a long time justice will finally be served and I will be laughing the whole way

Sent from my iPhone

From Me:

For real? I don't get it, honestly.

From Sean Salisbury:

These hurtful thing u guys do usually come from the like of you who get not respect and are jealous that ur life is relegated to rumors and lies but it's about to stop through the proper legal matters and I can hardly stop smiling the rest of our contact will be thru legal people so get all the digs in you can because u guys are about to revitalize my career and bank account

Sent from my iPhone

From Sean Salisbury

So you know I got some pics and smut on you that are gonna give you a taste of how it feels. I'm a sly dude. No more lies about me but the truth about you and the clearance of my name will happen. Get a lawyer

Sent from my iPhone

'Til the next episode...

And...more:

From Sean Salisbury:

Suing u guys is not helping cause. I've been informed by powerhouse people that I can take care of this with the lawsuit. What cause you think you guys can ruin my reputation anymore than you have by telling people I'm suing you. I deserve my reputationback not a bunch of lies and crap. The book will take care I'd the whole espn nonsense and trust me you will have enough stuff on people for the rest of ur deadspin life. How can u guys hurt my reputation any worse

Sent from my iPhone

From Sean Salisbury:

I can live with you but deadspin has tried to ruin me for the last time. You can't joke about this all u want my man but it's reality. Whether I like you or not this is about lies and they will get fixed and u guys will clear my name

Sent from my iPhone

Who's exhausted?

Another update:

From Sean Salisbury:

What suing u guys for lies and ruining a mans reputation. You guys can hurt me any worse. Damage has been done. But it will get fixed only thing that can happen is my life gets betterand reputation gets fixed and all the money that goes with it. But reputation is what matters to me. Money yawn. Plenty of that who cares but all that can comeof this is good for me

Sent from my iPhone

And Another:

From Sean Salisbury:

And I have hired a powerful Pr firm as well. From NYC. Should have done this 3 years ago

Sent from my iPhone

And another:

Me:

You're on a phone, right?

Call?

From Sean Salisbury:

No thx u guys have fucked me over for the last time. No matter what I say u won't and never havebeen fair or honest with me. You write a sentence then u make a snide comment. Pr firm and lawyer will give you more than you ever thought possible as well as my publisher but they aren't talking abot book until it becomes a blitz that [redacted}espn will not believe hell heads should start ducking now and they should get there [redacted] prepared for some major reputations ruined there too off the record. Stars lights are gonna dim in a hurry. 13 years of journal damn I'm a smart guy

Sent from my iPhone

Another update:

From Sean Salisbury:

You have all u need and the truth. No calls like I said you guys have lied and ripped me and ruined a reputation now all ur sources and print will be heard in court and I will win and I will get name cleared and with all the stuff going on and government enacting laws to protect celebs and the defamation u guys and others put out. No better time to sue and will. Timing is perfect Plus I love that you guys keep writing ur nonsense.

Sent from my iPhone

From Sean Salisbury:

I will never discuss on phone. All my emails r true and if you think writing about them bothers me and that ur hurting ur not. Hell write I want the message out. Already had a few "nervous" people text me today. So be as rude and negative as you like I save everything. Get the word out we (lawyers)coming after deadspin first. I know you thing this is funny cut same things ur laughing at now will make you cry later. Trust me I been there. So did I give you enough stuff to write more derogotory stuff about me. Trust me there is a method to the madness

Sent from my iPhone

From Me:

On Sep 23, 2009, at 5:45 PM, "A.J. Daulerio" wrote:

Then tell me who you think threw you under the bus at ESPN and I'll
know it's you. Remember? We had that conversation off the record. You
named a name. I never said who it was.

From Sean Salisbury
7:01 PM (6 minutes ago)

I know who it was and I have so much saved up. Well it's me because I did my interview with you from my office with open sports and Rogers and cowen listening in. And I'm sorry but I am not out of control at all very hapy poised and methodical. You of course after I gave u that interview made a bunch of bullshit remarks about it. Buddy I'm not one bit out of control. Keeping u in loop and the private investigator I hired found out plenty on the bus tosser. No issue. The book and lawsuit r coming and ur source will be subpoened. Not out of control just getting my reputationand career back the career that was and still is a needle mover ratings my friend cannot be denied. And neither will my good reputation

Sent from my iPhone

From Me:

That's crap, Sean. I transcribed everything you said and I was trying
to be fair — but just like this email, you sounded a little crazed,
vindictive and delusional.

Look, good luck with this stuff. I hope you get it sorted out.

I'm sure I'll hear from you soon.

From Sean Salisbury:

It will get sorted. Crazed. Nah. If u had someone lie about ur life u would be a bit passionate. Vindictive nah but I will be vindicated for all the lies. Hey I'm a dad trying to raise kids and get reputation cleared and a lawsuit will bring everyone to carpet. So feel free to go on ur deadspin and call me those names. The only thing delusional is the lies about me but let ur source know it will get sorted the true honest and legal way. Be anxious to read about my vindictive ways. But I cannot wait till it all gets settled as calm as could be just four years late but it will be sweeter now consider this ur interview now lawyer gets to fix it. Thx bud I hope u write about this. Vindication is sweet. Be good my man

Sent from my iPhone

From Me:

Okay. Please try to keep it together.

From Sean Salisbury:

Keep what together. Is that one of ur condesending remarks. I am together happy on the beach and raising my kids. I have never in my life not been together. I was raised right. So I'm not quite sure what u mean. I'm a but more concerned with you u concerned with me. Damn dude u can try that reverse stuff and act as if I have some issue my only problem is seeing u guys get what u got coming. Try putting that on ur site that u r concerned with me keeping it together lmao. You go and spin it like that. My life is a vacation and part of that is making sure u guys don't try and ruin another reputation. I'm together

Sent from my iPhone

From Sean Salisbury

These emails r from beach. I hope u can get it together lol

Sent from my iPhone

From Sean Salisbury:

Now that I gave u warning about lawsuit. Don't forget to get the name if the book write ok. Thx man

Sent from my iPhone

For those unfamiliar with the long history this site has had with Sean Salisbury, it's time to get familiar. A former NFL quarterback, Salisbury is a man who, for most of his post-football career, lived comfortably in mid-level popularity working for ESPN as an NFL chatterbox and jock-bully foil to John Clayton's football egghead. Then the story of the (alleged) cell phone incident hit the internet and his reputation — so he claims — became permanently tarnished.

He's tried to bounce back, going as far to begrudgingly agree to an interview with us to set the record straight and tell the world he's not the penis-showing menace many people suggest. That chapter of Deadspin history seemed closed, until one former employee came forward and told her version of how Sean showed a cell phone pic of "his baby" to many ESPN employees at an off-campus bar.

He eventually latched on to Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan until he was fired last week. One person claims that there was another incident with a woman, the station manager had "no comment" on that rumor initially, but then claimed that Salisbury's dismissal was not because of inappropriate conduct and was amicable.

Then, yesterday, out of nowhere, he responded to me via email from his iPhone. Many, many times. [Sic]'d.

From Sean Salisbury:

This is salisbury and I just want u to know ur guys lies and
carelessness about CBS and espn stories has not only ruined my
reputation but has cost me jobs so prepare urself for a lawsuit so big
I will own deadspin u will be asked to give up ur sources so since u
guys have cost me more than alot of money my only goal in my career is
to ruin u like u have me. Sadly I tried to be honest with you and you
have continually written lies. So you and a few major media networks
arebeing sued. And put this on ur careless website. I kept a journal
for 13 years at espn and a tell all book will be released in months to
come. Book title: espn exposed. The truth inside the r rated
company. So ur lies about a cell phone incident that is a lie and
the reason I left CBS radio that u guys lied about. The time has come
and I won't stop until the truth is told and deadspin is exposed.

Sent from my iPhone

From Me:

Uh, woah? Dude, I tried to contact you last week about the incident
and heard nothing from you. That was the rumor. If you want to go on
the record with something I'm more than happy to do that. If you want
me to run this email, then fine. Because I let you speak and have your
say and we ran all that. Remember? The two-part interview?

If you want to deny that rumor, that's fine and I'll put it in print.
But don't act like we're pulling this stuff out of thin air because
there's way too much consistency with a lot of these stories. Sure, it
could have all been innocent fun and all that but you've yet to
explain that situation because you are bound by a non-disclose
agreement with ESPN. Most of the stuff about you on Deadspin was done
well before I came here. If you want to talk this out, that's fine. If
you want us to do something, that's fine. If you want to talk to our
legal department, I'll give you their info.

ajd

From Sean Salisbury:

My email is the record u guys have lied and backstabbed me for the last time I owe u no answer nor will I dignify the lies with any response. For the record. U guys r being sued be a vicious attorney as is CBS and espn. And I will win with the proof. And yes for the record that book is being written and will rock the foundation of that company. Stuff that the sports world will not believe. I'm done being nice so prepare urself and u go ahead and put all of it on there because with the things I know folks are gonna be running for the hills. I will restore my reputation in a huge way. And by the way the girl u guys tracked down after two years who lied about the cell phone shit that u guys ran with a few months ago is the same woman who begged me on three different occasions to have sex with her and I said no. So she will be exposed as well. Damn I can't wait for all this

Sent from my iPhone

From Sean Salisbury:

U guys always have some bullshit snide remark after anything u right. I don't give a shit what u put in there because everything I emailed u is true and I will make sure the world knows
That I promise
Sent from my iPhone

From Sean Salisbury:

Your dumbass rumor was from a caller with no truth. I don't need to deny lies but you will be accountable. So go ahead and write what you want and try and make a joke but u will be exposed dude. no more!

Sent from my iPhone

From Sean Salisbury:

I'm not bound to any non disclose with espn. They are going to be hit between the eyes and forced as you will be for the truth. So my lawyer will be in touch

I'll keep you updated on any further developments and let you know if and when Sean Salisbury will be the new editor of Deadspin.

Update: Reputation restoration project is afoot, apparently. [Dallas Morning News]">DMN]

105.3 station manager Tom Bigby called Salisbury's departure "a mutually agreed upon parting of the ways," while Sean says it's all about the money he's losing by being tied down to a radio gig in Big D:

"I loved doing the show," Salisbury said. "But there are conflicts that cost me a lot of money."

Meanwhile, all traces of Salisbury's connection to 105.3 The Fan have been removed from the station website, so yes, this sounds like a completely amicable breakup. Nothing to see here folks, so just move right along, okay?!

Dallas Morning News

According to one source close to the station, Salisbury "freaked out a station promo girl after sexting her". Program director Tom Bigby had no comment about the alleged incident but said that a formal press release about Salisbury's dismissal is forthcoming. Damn.

The old number we have for Salisbury isn't working, but hopefully he'll have a comment about this at some point.

From one reader:
I listen to The Fan in Dallas pretty much every day, particulalry in the afternoon when Salisbury is on. About a month ago when the cowboys were preparing to go to camp, salisbury was doing a show on location somewhere. On air he asked out one of the promo girls to go to San Antonio with him to cowboys camp. He got her number off air on commercial break and later bragged on air about getting the girl's number. They even posted a picture of her on the 105.3 website to prove how "hot" she was. I think her name was Julie if I remember correctly. Anyways, no idea if this is the same girl that is making this accusation but I thought this sounded like it could be the same girl.

Sean Salisbury Out At The Fan [DallasBasketball.com]

It's hard to believe that it's been more than two years since the Lil' Sean Incident, when Salisbury allegedly whipped out a cell phone camera and showed around a photo of his penis at an ESPN party. It's always been assumed that that was the motivating factor leading to his later dismissal from ESPN. Salisbury, though, denies that it even happened. He now works CBS Radio in Dallas at KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan, co-hosting a show with Newy Scruggs. He claims that he's not angry anymore; life goes on, and the saga of Lil' Sean drifts into murky legend.

But then suddenly, from out of the woods, comes an eyewitness account. Here is a woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, who is a former ESPN employee and says that she saw it all. She was at the party in which Salisbury allegedly passed around a photo of his BattleBot. She swears it's true, that she saw said photo, and is prepared to tell about it. Let's get right to the details.

"It was a former employee's going away party, held at one of the few decent bars near the ESPN campus. I had to work that evening, and so showed up around 11 or 12. I walked in and the place was pretty packed. I said hi to a few friends and then Salisbury came up to me. He was always very nice to me, (I) never had any issues with him, maybe b/c I was dating another co-worker and Sean wasn't stupid enough to get him angry. Anyway, he said hello and asked if I wanted to see a picture of his baby. I knew he had kids, but thought they were all older, but what did I know, maybe he had recently had another. So, of course I said sure.

"The picture was on his cell phone, and needless to say it was not a child. It was a shot of him lying on his back, on his bed, naked, with an erection. The photo was taken from the edge of the bed, I don't know if he did it himself or had some help. I also didn't look long enough to tell whether or not he should have been so proud of the photo in the first place. I wasn't shocked or appalled, just kind of stunned really.

"For the rest of the night Sean asked every new person who walked in the door if they wanted to see a picture of his baby, and would then subject them to a photo of his penis. Most of the other females in attendance started warning others as they arrived what he was doing, so eventually everyone caught on. To me the funniest part is that one of the guys there who was kind of a hanger-on with a lot of the talent and analysts kept asking to see the picture over and over again. He thought is was great!

"It wasn't a huge deal to me, I just thought it was a stupid thing to do. Why Sean thought showing off that picture, at what was essentially an ESPN party, was a good idea is beyond me. I don't know that he ever got reprimanded for it, but I'm sure it was brought up when he did eventually get canned. Things spread like wildfire at that place, I'm sure it was only a matter of days before Norby knew.

I'd like to point out once again that Salisbury denies all of this. But it's very close to the version that's most often repeated when people talk about the story of "Sean and his baby." So this isn't breaking news by any means, but the more independent sources who emerge with essentially the same tale, the easier it is to believe.

Sean Salisbury [Deadspin]

Knowing darned well that their ad would never see the light of a flat-screen TV, PETA pretended to buy Super Bowl ad time and produced a commercial, entitled Veggie Love, that NBC promptly rejected as being too risque (NSFW, unless you work on a pirate ship).

The network watched the ad and then gave notes, as they say in Hollywood. Among the things NBC wanted cut: "licking pumpkin," "touching her breast with her hand while eating broccoli," "pumpkin from behind between legs," "rubbing pelvic region with pumpkin," "screwing herself with broccoli (fuzzy)," "asparagus on her lap appearing as if it is ready to be inserted into vagina," "rubbing asparagus on breast,", and, most shocking of all, "licking eggplant."

What would have happened in that Super Bowl halftime show if, instead of her nipple, Janet Jackson had shown a squash?

Meanwhile, PETA continued its feud with often pantsless former ESPN personality Sean Salisbury. You may remember last week, when PETA met with Michael Vick in their offices, and then called for an MRI brain scan on the quarterback before the NFL readmits him to the league. This ticked off Mr. Salisbury, who wrote about it in his column over at Open Sports.com. Hey, reasoned Salisbury; who are you owl huggers to tell a big, manly football player what to do when he gets out of the slammer?

PETA Assistant Director Dan Shannon had a reply to that (excerpt reprinted here via email):

While PETA agrees with Mr. Salisbury’s take that people deserve a second chance, we would respectfully suggest that the sympathy for Vick expressed in his blog would be better directed towards the real victims in this case—the dogs tortured and killed by Vick and Bad Newz Kennels. Mr. Salisbury closes his post by saying he’s off to go turkey hunting. Hopefully he doesn’t confuse the turkeys he’s shooting at with the one writing his column.

Best,
Dan Shannon
Assistant Director
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

The thought of Sean Salisbury turkey hunting gives me endless joy. What a battle of wits!

Oh, and Whoopi Goldberg reenacted the PETA ad on The View. Thankfully, it's safe for work. Is there a People for the Ethical Treatment of Lettuce?

But now, on to other PETA business.

• Their campaign to rename fish "sea kittens" is not really gaining much momentum, as far as I can tell.

• The above is totally true.

• And has nothing to do with this.

• "(Gasp!) Cat juggling!? Turn it off! Turn it off!"

• 11-year-old Mexican bullfighter kills six bull calves in one day. PETA not amused.

• An event in which rabbits and foxes are hunted with trained golden eagles is called "The Super Bowl of Kazakhstan."

• Will the bunny make it to the safety of PETA headquarters in time? Run, Mr. Fluffy!

Promise me, PETA, that you'll never, ever go away. Now if you'll excuse me, I have sea kittens to sautee for dinner.

People For The Ethical Treatment Of Vick [Open Sports]
NBC's Sexually-Explicit Super Bowl Ad Rejection Makes Us Blush [The PETA Files]
The Day I Spent With Michael Vick [The PETA Files]
World Record For Cruelty? [The PETA Files]
Save Our Cats From Fishermen [Video Gum]
Super Bowl Kazakh Style; Eagles Take On Bunnies, Foxes [Asylum]

Salisbury was a nominee last year, notching 62.4 percent. I am not sure if that interview will help that figure, or hurt it. But he's not on ESPN anymore. Again, don't know if that helps or hurts.

But is he a Hall of Famer? Seventy five percent is the threshold for induction. Vote below: Polls will be open until next Monday afternoon. Vote as if tomorrow does not exist.

Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you're viewing this in an RSS reader, click through to view in your Javascript-enabled web browser.

This whole interview process was like trying untangle the world's biggest ball of Christmas lights — especially writing the transcription. After five minutes of listening it's pretty obvious that it'll take years to straighten it out and it might be better just to plug 'em in and hope for the best. But I think it fits in that it does truly "humanize" Salisbury in a way — for better or worse — which has been part of Deadspin's m.o. since the first Kyle Orton drunk photos raced across the internet. Sean uses semantics when it comes to the "cellphone" rumor and that's the way it has to be. There are plenty of other stories floating around as to what exactly prompted his ESPN suspension in 2006 (wasn't his dick; wasn't an intern; he was ratted out, are the most talked about ones) but that is really kind of secondary to why he felt this interview needed to happen. I believe he truly wanted to attempt to clear his name from all of this (probably won't happen) but also wanted to step out from behind the two-way mirror and just let people know, ' I 'm a real, flawed person, but it really fucking sucks to be called a fetus-faced windbag.' That's a brave step for anyone to take. But I don't think he was trying to do it as a way to alter the way blog items are written about him or to change the way commentors destroy him. He'll take that stuff and not like it — but he'll learn from it too.

Anyway, on to the conclusion of this mess.

Is it fair to say that all of this stuff that has happened to you in the last two years – the death of your father, the job situation, the internet “rumors”...well, how did you work through something that emotionally?

SS: I’ve got no choice, A.J. I’m a Dad. I’ve got a 15-year-old son, a 14-year-old son, and a 12-year-old daughter. I’m single. And I’m a dad. And between my ex and I living close to each other and trying to manage things with kids and going to sporting events and a soccer mom…— believe me: the most exciting part of my life is when Adam Sandler lets me play in his movies every once in a while or watching my kids play sports. I don’t do much. But I’m telling you – my life the last two years, A.J. with my dad’s death, with an assistant of mine that I trusted my life with who stole six-figures from me, while my dad is dying so I didn’t know about it until after they were gone, to changing jobs after 12 years with a company that I loved that I had some of the best friends in the world at, it was a great company and an unbelievable sports business. I can’t remember from 2006 to a little after March of this year and …
No doubt the last two years have changed my life and have also changed the way I look at things, but they have also been the two most miserable years of my life. And I’ve lived a charmed life, man. They say it comes in threes, but mine came in about 8’s. A lot of my friends have been supportive and I’ll recover from this and with my new start at OPENsports which I think, and not just because I’m a part of it, I think it’ll be innovative, technologically – you’ve gone on some of it—we’lll have some quality, quality stuff on blogs and on video and I’ll be on every day doing it and expand on things and I’m just blessed to be a part of it and get paid to do something I love. And this is my first venture hard into the internet, which to be honest with you, the reason I haven’t taken a radio or TV job, yes, I’m waiting for the perfect one and a lot of them are taken, I’m really content right now doing this and I think it’s going to be a fun season, I’m giving inside information that people aren’t going to get because of the relationships that I have, just like your relationships, and hopefully we can make OPEN Sports the best in the business. I don’t like second or third place – I’ve done that enough when I was a quarterback. With my background and the people in OPEN Sports if people want the best information they’re going to get that—hard-hitting sports information and it’s going to allow the people to be involved which I like. I need another John Clayton with me, buddy and I think we’re going to blow this thing up.

And to mention, I’d like to put this out there: A.J., the most asked question I’ve had in my life or the last 12 years is “Do you like John Clayton?” And you know what, since 1986 when I was a rookie and John was a beat writer covering the Seahawks, John Clayton has been one of the closest to me. I’ve known him longer than anyone at ESPN. And all of that stuff we did was not scripted. Most of the time our 4-down segment was…we’d give ‘em our answers they’d ask us 20 questions during the day, they’d surprise us when we were going to go on. We loved each other walking to work, we’d go on there and try to beat each other’s brains out just like you would with your friends in a one-on-one pick up game. Never once were John and I offended by each other. That’s business. And we had a blast doing it. And I can guarantee you 4-downs – and I mean this with as much love for John Clayton—it’ll never be the same. Just like the old SportsCenters. You can never do what Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann did. This might be a pat on the back for John and I but I’m going to say it anyway: 4-Downs will never be the same. Period. Just like at PTI if Tony and Mike retire? You ain’t getting another PTI like Tony and Mike ran it. So, I was fortunate to be a part of that. I love John Clayton. People need to know that. Those arguments and stuff weren’t fake, but off the air…one of the first two people that called me when I left ESPN was John Clayton. So, I miss those guys and I’m fortunate that I learned a lot and to get the degree I got from ESPN was pretty damn good, but now I’m moving on to the doctorate because I’m not real good with the internet.

Yeah, obviously.

…And OPENsports is going to open up a can of worms that people are going to love.

Well, not to get all squishy on you…but can you tell at this point in your career…just how reflective you are you being about all this stuff? Did you always have this in you? Or was this a formal process you had to go through to get to that softer side in order for you to contine?

Well, I’ve always had it, but you know what, A.J.? Those guys that are supposed to have an ego and macho and pride and all that – and God knows I have an ego just like the rest of us – anybody who’s an athlete, and hey I wasn’t a great athlete — or a journalist, or who goes on TV...hey we got egos. When we go on TV we want to look good and wear the right suit. So yeah, I’ve been reflective. I never felt the grass was greener. I may come across like that because I’ve got an explosive personality or because I’m opinionated. People will meet you and a lot of people will tell me that I can be a completely different guy off the air. I read two books a week. I sit in bed and read more than anything. If you walked into my house and in my bedroom I’ve got 100 books that I’ve read. And so I’m not as dumb as I look or as I sound. So, yeah, I’m probably a little bit more reflective because there have been things that have been snatched from me: PRIVACY. And things that I’ve snatched away from myself, moving on from a secure comfortable career and a great place at ESPN. I’ve gone out on a limb just to make a change, but I believe in it. And I believe in my skills. And I also believe in the people around me and the support group I’ve had. I’m more reflective now….or should I say…I’m a more calculated thinker. Because I’ve been damaged, and for a while there my reputation was damaged by some – not by all, the ones who know me or the ones who were close to the situation get it and know that wasn’t the case – and you know comebacks are always awesome. I’ve only been away from five or six months but I’m going to come back in full force and it’s going to be hopefully great stuff and I’m not going to give you guys anything to write negative about me except hopefully my opinion or something I said about the New York Jets.

Now that you’re fully aware of that atmosphere that exists online—whether it be us or somebody else – you’re putting yourself out there now, almost asking for scrutiny in one aspect, but you’re also saying , essentially, okay, “I’m not going to be out at a bar drinking right now.” Is that something you’re comfortable with? Or is that a complete lifestyle change?

I’m not afraid of criticism. I put myself out there. What athlete in college or professional sports – or who sacrifices vacations to put themselves in professional sports – doesn’t put something out there for criticism. Every time you line up behind center you’re putting yourself out there for criticism. Every time you put something on the air, or I put something on the air. You gotta be able to take the criticism. But you take the positive stuff but you also have to be able to be hit over the head with a sledgehammer. I don’t have a problem with that. We’re all sensitive. If everybody was saying something good about me? About my talent or what I did? I’m not doing my job. That means I’m sitting on the fence the whole time and people would turn the channel. The best people in this business, the Howie Longs, the Terry Bradshaws, the Troy Aikmans, they’re what we call “needle movers”, man. I’ve tried to pride myself on that. Dan Patrick was a needle mover. Tony and Mike Wilbon. Those guys are needle movers. I’m not trying to say bad about some guy’s personal life…hey, if a guy throws five interceptions, he sucked that day! It’s nothing personal. You suck that day. Some days we all suck. Heck, some of us more than others. I don’t have a problem with putting myself out there because this is what I do. If I was scared I’d have a bunch of dogs around me. And as far as socializing? I’m a single guy…I’m allowed to go out to a sushi place and if I’m sitting around with my buddies having sushi, I’m allowed to do that. It’s not like I’m going to hide out. I’m not going to do that! Let’s say you and I are hanging out on a Saturday night and we’re watching college football and LSU plays Georgia, Georgia at LSU, and we’re sitting in a college bar eating chicken wings and somebody wants to write something about it? LET ‘EM. I don’t care about that. I’m not going to be peeing off of some roof or doing those things. I’ll try to do the right thing like I always do and try not to do something dumb, which is what I think everyone of us when we leave the house tries to do or when I go on the air and try to say the right thing….on my separation…cause I work hard. I’m not afraid to put myself out there. My life revolves around putting myself out there. And if I’m going to criticize players I sure as hell better be able to take it if somebody wants to criticize me if they don’t like my broadcasting. Because you know what? At least I have the guts and the balls to go out and do it and will continue to do it. But it has changed my perspective, you’re head is always on a swivel, wondering which one of these 10,000 people is looking for a reason to bait you into a fight so they can punch you in the mouth so they can sue you.

For the record, I wasn’t planning on doing that…Do you think your ESPN career has hurt you in some way? They’re the biggest in the industry and making that transition onto something else is not always a smooth one. There are not that many Dan Patrick jobs out there….

There’s not a lot of those gigs out there. But you know what? There were not a lot of those out there when I got mine in the first place. I got two sideline games 12 years ago and I had to prove myself after playing football making a $1,000 or $1,500 a game. And I was not the superstar, Hall Of Fame quarterback or running back that walked off the field and into a studio and they gave him a job because you had to give him a job. I wasn’t that guy. I can tell you this, I had a lot of great help around me and a lot of unbelievable production people, but I put in my time. I served my time. Whether people want to believe it or not, I spent 12 years being as good as there was on TV doing what I do. And that’s being a football analyst. And I know what I am and what I am not. Howie, Terry…you know, I may not be in their class name-wise, but you want to talk about information, opinion, passion, I do it as well as anybody. My career at ESPN didn’t hurt me, some of the “rumors” did – or should I say “the rumor” the “alleged” cellphone thing. But as far as what I put on the air? I’ll put my stuff against anybody. Because you know what? I based my opinion on facts I received from coaches, players, and insights. You know what the problem is with 80% of the analysts out there? They’re afraid that the depth of their opinion will hurt somebody’s feelings. You know what? I’m not. I’ve had to criticize guys that I hang out with in the off-season. Hey, that’s just life. My career at ESPN did nothing but help. They gave me a forum – a foundation—now am I going to get back from it…are there many jobs out there at NBC or CBS? Nope. But I’ll get one of those. Because when network’s start to realize that Hall of Fame quarterbacks, or running backs, or wide receivers, they’ll always make the best broadcasters, God already knows there’s a whole bunch of them that weren’t any good and aren’t good, okay. But that being said, they always get ‘em. They always get the insight. But what people start to realize if a guy gets a job because of who “he was” he probably won’t keep that job because he won’t work hard enough to do it. The Howie Longs, the Terry Bradshaws, the Chris Collinsworths…there’s a reason why they keep ‘em….the Tommy Jacksons…but I tell you this I’ll put myself up against anybody. And I wasn’t a Hall of Fame quarterback, but I can promise you this, there’s no guy that’s coming out now that’s going to put better work on there than mine...

At any point during while this stuff was going down [the suspension, the rumors] did you feel like your job was in jeopardy? Did you see the writing on the wall or were you blindsided?

You know what, when I went in there the last time before I left, A.J., the day I shook hands with the two executives and left and we decided that they weren’t going to renew my contract and I was ready to move on. I actually thought I was going in at least a couple of days before that. I knew when I went in for that meeting that I thought I was going to leave, but the week before that I thought I was going to have a promotion. Oh, I knew there was a chance that they weren’t going to renew the contract. But Im’ not changing who I am on the air. Blindsided? No. If you would’ve told me that in February? No. I think we all wonder about when our contract comes up – am I going to get paid? Do they want me back? –I think there’s an insecurity that goes with it. I don’t know how to do much, but I know what I’m doing on TV, and radio, and on the internet in talking about football and this is what I do and will continue to do it’s just a matter of where I end up…with OPEN Sports which I’m going to be at for a long time…but if there’s any radio or TV outside of what I’m doing with them…No, I wouldn’t say I was blindsided. I there was a part of me that thought it could happen and when it did happen it was alarming because, man, 12 years? But I picked up and left and moved on an didn’t say anything negative and will continue not to. I couldn’t be somebody else giving my opinion on TV. If you want vanilla, you want the wrong guy. There are plenty of guys out there that aren’t going to tell you shit.

But the incident is a huge cross to bear, no? Any place you go, people are going to ask what happened at ESPN? They'll ask themselves "Is there going to be a problem? And "Why should we put you on the air again?"

They could ask! You know, people are out there raping and abusing and doing all that stuff, you know... I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING! If you do your due diligence and want the truth, I have it, man. That was 2006! I’m not a risk. If I did anything wrong …if something like that happened…why wouldn’t they fire me on the spot? I worked two more years. So, I worked for 12 years and my resume speaks for itself. Now, has there been some damaging rumors, some damaging info that’s been out there, some setbacks? Yes. Now, bullets have been flying for two years at me. And you know what? I never pointed the finger at another person and I take responsibility when I make a mistake. But I also know when I need to defend myself when I need to, especially when it’s a LIE. If somebody wants to go vanilla, and they want vanilla, and are there some people out there who won’t hire me because they think I’m too opinionated...sure. Hey, think about some of the people in sports and in broadcasting. You know, eventually things go away, and what I “allegedly” did is completely G-rated because it wasn’t there in the first place, but number 2….I’m not stupid enough to do something like that, but I know it’s going to be out there. You know what? Three years I’m going to continue to work on this…I’m no risk. I don’t do drugs. I don’t do anything. I don’t abuse kids. I don’t hit women. I raise money for charity and I’m a dad. So, I’m not worried about it. It’s damaged me a little bit right now, but during this process I’ve discovered a company that I love in Open Sports. I’m happier in my broadcast career than I’ve been in 10 years.

That’s what’s surprising too and this is just my and plenty of other people’s opinions…but you put a guy like Emmitt Smith on the air who seems …not ready. He’s not articulating as well as he possibly could..and on air just for the sole fact that he’s a Hall of Fame running back he gets his job. We’re supposed to take his word on things over somebody like you…who basically has been doing this for a longtime. Is there some notion at ESPN that people want to see people that they recogn…

Absolutely. Absolutely. That’s the reason I worked on NFL Live for 11 years and never did Countdown at 11. There’s no question. There’s no doubt. If you’re a Hall of Famer or a big-time player, you will get the first-look. They will move somebody out for a guy, just because he’s got a name. And I can tell you as a broadcast fan—forget me being on TV – just as a fan, you and I are sitting around, in about two broadcasts I can tell you whether a guy sucks or not. I worked with Emmitt at the Super Bowl and I love Emmitt. Is he a better running back than he is a broadcaster? Absolutely. That’s just like saying am I a better broadcaster than a quarterback? Not even close. Emmitt’s getting better. The thing is, they will always put that guy on before they put a guy on that’s been there that’s just the nature of the business, but I got news for you: eventually that’s going to have to come to a close because the guys that give you their best information and opinion are the ones the fans want to see. We’ll take a backseat for a while but eventually the cream rises and eventually you put the guys in there you’re supposed to. ESPN likes star power and that’s okay. But you know what? They can’t replace a guy like Tommy Jackson who in my opinion is the best they got there and has been great for a long time.

Is there anything else that you’d like get off your chest…?

No, man. I just thank you and appreciate it. Thank you for allowing me after two years, you’re the first people that I’ve told this to. All I want to do is put it behind me and focus on football and having fun and doing my job at OPEN Sports. I’m excited and I think if you get it out there the people will like it and you know what A.J.? We all go through some adversity. I blew out my knee twice as a football player and didn’t get drafted but fortunately I was able to fool ‘em 10 years and play. Now, you know what? Temporary setback. I’m just a normal guy, man. When people hang around me they’ll find out “Man, this is the guy that used to go out and watch football with 8 strangers off the street?" I’m not comfortable wit the fact that people actually think I’m a star. I’m not a star. Just a guy who talks football who I hope provides good information. I miss ESPN but I’m excited about the next venture more than I could ever imagine.And you know what? I don’t have any bitterness. ESPN’s not going away, but I’m not either.

So you’re not angry. Okay.

No, I’m not going away. Is there a part of me that’s been angry through the process? YEAH. You go through all of these thoughts. Do you feel sorry for yourself? You’re bitter...You have to convince yourself...You’re insecure...You’re confident....You’re humble....You’re…mad. You go through all of those. But you know what? I’m not angry anymore. People always say that when one window or door closes another one opens? I’ve discovered something in the last five months that I realize that it’s okay not to work 18 hours per day, 7 days a week. And this was a favor for me. It actually turned out to be a blessing. I’ve always been close to my kids but I’ve had the time of my life the last five months and it actually makes it very difficult to go back to work. But I have to because I have bills to pay and a family to feed but it’s been one hell of run, man, and I’m about to start the next phase and get it going and put the nonsense behind me and there are always going to be people out there that believe what they want to believe, but I’ll tell you this: this story is over and you guys will be the ones that get the message out there. I don’t need to explain myself anymore and dignify it. I got it to you and I’m going to leave it at that.

Well, alright…

Read Part I

He admits in the interview that the last two years have been the "most miserable" ones of his life: the death of his father, the suspension at ESPN, not having his contract renewed at ESPN last March, and, of course, those stories ("rumors...lies!")about him on the internet a lot of which had originated or were trumpeted by Deadspin. (There's a reason why Sean Salisbury was a Deadspin Hall of Fame nominee last year — not for good reasons, either.)

Due to its length it will be broken up into two parts. The second one will run tomorrow. It is edited for clarity and brevity, but not as much as either one of us or you, frankly, would like. But it doesn't feel right to present it any other way.

Part one, after the jump.

So….how are you?

SS: I’m…great. Probably since about last March, I’ve not worked much but it’s been a changing part of my life, A.J. When I left ESPN and I decided – and they decided – we’re both going different directions…you know, when you leave something like that there’s going to be an empty place because for 12 years I was with a company and I loved the people I worked with and worked for. They gave me a platform . For a guy that was an average quarterback, to be a broadcaster for 12 years…whenever you do something for 12 years whether it’s marriage, or job, or family you’re drawn to it. So those people treated me great and I have no qualms about leaving it, at the time I needed to do some other things. But these last five months for me have probably been as peaceful as I have had in a long time. And this is the longest I’ve been without work for a while so it was time to go back and get a job. And fortunately with OPENSports, I’ve got the beginning of something special and this is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.

Good. Was there a part of you that did want to leave ESPN? Was it time to go?

[T]here’s a part of me that wanted to stay at ESPN. And yes there was a part of me that wanted to go. And ESPN has been so good and so dominant and they’re all-encompassing: When you’re with ESPN, you’re an ESPN guy. I get it. The ESPN brand is as big as any brand on the planet right now, especially the sports planet. So, yeah there was a part of me that wanted to stay there. But I also know that after 12 years, financially, if you’ve worked as many hours as I have as a broadcaster — and what I’d like to think according to them was a productive 12 years — you want to get paid like it. But that’s not the main reason…it was time for me to head out. You know, I got my undergraduate degree at ESPN and I need an MBA and a doctorate and that’s what I’m working toward. They were awesome to me. And they wanted to go in a different direction and it wasn’t just me it was my contract was up, they honored the contract, and they decided to go in a different direction and so was I and so did they. And I’m okay with that, they’ve got good people there…It hurts to leave something that you’ve been doing for a long time but I also know in order for me to branch out and challenge myself I need a new challenge and so did they. No hard feelings. There’s part of me that wakes up every morning and says “Huh. It’d be nice to be there.” But I’ve never found myself more excited in the past 8-10 years to be doing something new and I think here at OPENsports with the innovation that we have we’re going to make it the best in the business. I’m just a mouthpiece for it. The people behind the scenes make it go and I’ll just talk opinionated football and give them good stuff and hope that in return that validates why we’re on the air.

There was all of this rumor and speculation about why you left ESPN. One of the main things was that you (supposedly) took a picture of your genitals on your cellphone and showed it around to interns. I’m sure you’ve heard those rumors before. Anything about them remotely true?

I’ve heard ‘em. I’ve lived ‘em for two years. There’s a lot of bald-faced lies in there. I don’t have to do a lie detector, but the truth of the matter is, I would. It changed my life, man. What was said. It was hurtful. The “alleged” cellphone incident took place in 2006 “supposedly.” When someone comes up to your kid at school and asks them about it because they’ve Googled your name and it’s lies and it’s not true…It’s changed me, A.J. And my feelings have been hurt. We’ve all done silly things, but I can tell you now – and I’ll make this real clear and to the point: One, the reason I haven’t addressed it in two years is because I wouldn’t want to throw other people under the bus and I wouldn’t want to shock the world. And number two is, I’m a team guy who’s always protected the guy next to me and will continue to do it. Number three is, I haven’t addressed it because it’s so absurd and such a bald-faced lie from what the speculation is out there from media outlets, and internet and bloggers that hop on and want to beat you up because they don’t like my opinion in football. It NEVER happened. And I have written proof at my house on an ESPN document that states that it didn’t happen. And, A.j. …let’s think about this now: What in the world would anybody stupid enough…first of all, I wouldn’t know the difference between an intern and a p.a. I know they’re more talented than I am. And they make everybody at ESPN sound better and look better. And they’re the true heroes. If you want to get mad at me for catering Monday Night Football food for the p.a.’s and the camera people and the production people so they could have something to eat on Monday night? I’m guilty of that. The other thing…a bald-faced lie. I have the written proof. Plus, at that time at a Disney company? Who would be nuts enough to do that? And anybody else, you too, would’ve been fired on the spot. I worked two more years. My departure at ESPN had nothing to do with that. As for speculation, they can say whatever they want, but I can tell you now, written proof, it never happened, and you’re the first people I’ve spoken to publicly about this. It hurt me. It caused me some problems with other people employment-wise when I was looking for something. It’s caused me some heartache because people look at me and say “Hey, did that really happen?” And the sad thing about it is, we all do fraternity pranks from the time when we’re 10-year-olds until when we’re adults because we’re all kids. But that never happened. The way it was described was complete lie and I have proof. And I have verbal proof from ESPN but they didn’t want to open up a Pandora’s Box for legal issues. All I wanted was to clear my name. And I have proof and it’s written proof from them and I can tell you now that it never happened. I wish …for my family’s sake…

I’m a pretty boring guy. I get way too much credit. Single, yes. Hey, who doesn’t go on a date? But I’m a pretty boring guy. I raise three kids and I sit at home and I get teared up when I watch Michael Phelps win at the Olympics…and I know that sounds corny but it’s true…

Yeah, that really sounds corny…

SS: There’s not enough time in the day.... It’s not true. It never was true. It wasn’t an issue then. It’s not an issue now. It will never be an issue. Unfortunately, people jump onto something that is so blatantly wrong, that you suffer the punishment for it…You know, I sit here and I kid about it, but you know what? It’s actually changed my life and has hurt me — the things that have been said about me the last couple years. That’s not me..

But do you have any clue as to where something like that would originate from? Obviously, you know, we have heard things. We’ve gotten clarifications on it. When it happened. Why it happened. Do you know what story it originated from to get to that point?

SS: I can tell you this. I know for a fact the situation that was going on before me with my friend Harold Reynolds and, you know....I’m not going to get into here or there what happened with that. I’m not privy to “he said/she said.” What I am privy to is that I know for a fact that in 12 years I was never in a human resources meeting until then. And I never, ever, ever, EVER, would have been in that meeting room, as was told to me, for the unfortunate circumstances around the legal part with what was going on with Harold. Had that not occurred, I would not have been in that office, as told to me by the person that was in that office.

But because of …

And , you know why, A.J.? And let me ask you this. You know, people say “sources.” There’s never been a an executive at ESPN or inside ESPN human resources that has ever come out – and I’m DEFENDING ESPN on this part, I’m not throwing them under the bus – nobody has come out from ESPN and said, “Yep, this happened, that happened. He did this…” Nobody’s ever done that. And I love the way John Skipper and George Bodenheimer run that company. I love Mark Shapiro. But nobody’s ever come out and said , this, this and this …so it’s all be speculation. And “sources” that said this, to this, to this, to this, to this. And if that’s the case, then we get a source that says everybody’s gay in Hollywood and that Britney Spears has a three-headed baby…come on! We’ve all done silly things, but I guarantee you I never did anything that silly nor would I. And you can get all the “sources” you want and they’ll speculate and they’ll come out of the woodwork. And, yeah, that’s right, I was the King of England and won the Heisman trophy.

Well, you were the king in Canada at one point, let’s not forget that…

That was a very, very quick point. Same as my career in the NFL. 10 years but easily forgotten. I have nothing but great things to say about ESPN because of the opportunity they gave me. It’s not them, it’s people out there that I think at times are irresponsible. That’s why there’s no pictures out there, there’s no nothing. That’s why in 12 years if people want to speculate about it and say that’s the worst thing that I’ve done….well. I don’t beat people, I raise my kids, I raise money for charities, I try to do the right thing with a lot of good help. I’m a normal guy that’s trying to carve out a living that got actually hoodwinked on something that he shouldn’t have because I wouldn’t throw other people under the bus.

So you feel like you were the fall guy? That you’re paying for other people’s sins?

Hey, I’m not perfect. As far as that one situation? Do I think that the suspension should have happened? Absolutely not. Was I suspended for “other stuff” than what other people speculate about? In my mind, yes. I can guarantee you, I know for a fact, had other situations surrounding that not had happened – I don’t know if I’d still be at ESPN because that was two years ago and I should have been long gone and somebody put legs on it. That had nothing to do with according to them and me with me leaving ESPN…they wanted something else and they could get somebody cheaper and maybe they thought they could get somebody better. That’s okay too. There are people who may think they’re better. That’s their right. They do the hiring.

But never once was that a problem for why I left or anything else. The last two years have been very, very…you know we try to be tough guys and stuff. But the last two years have been very gut-wrenching for me because I don’t lead that life, and like I said – I’m not perfect. But when you say “fall guy” for somebody else? I wouldn’t say I was a “fall guy” for somebody else. But I definitely protected other people. And I know darn well that I wouldn’t have been in that situation had it not been for a couple of other situations surrounding that company. I was a good person to use.

Isn’t that a popular party line — that there’s so much hypocrisy at ESPN, not with your situation specifically, but when Harold’s situation came up – that the talent is getting reprimanded and suspended for things even though that plenty of the executive level people are engaging in similar behavior — fostering the same type of “relationships”.

Oh, there’s no question. I think that happens at any company or at any walk of life, I think there’s hypocrisy everywhere. Again —- I’m not he said/she said. I love Harold Reynolds and I know Baseball Tonight isn’t the same without him and there’s some good people out there. I’m not going on anything other people said – I never saw anything like that happen. You try to walk down the hallway with blinders on, you’ve got to protect the other people. Do I think there’s hypocrisy and you could look at it and say Harold Reynolds shouldn’t have been fired? Absolutely. Now, I’m not saying anything as far as the people who had the complaints about him – I don’t know. I’d be a liar if I said I was privy to inside human resources information because anytime human resources releases something on somebody and gives a source out they’re liable to have themselves sued. I don’t have any inside information, I didn’t talk to Harold about it because you know what, he’s moving forward and he’s going to carve out a good career. It’s unfortunate that stuff like that happens. Do I think there’s a hypocrisy? Yeah. Because you crawl up the ladder and down the ladder at ESPN and there’s plenty of stuff going on that nobody hears about. It’s unfortunate for Harold. And I like the fact that he’s just done his business. [He's] minded his own business, and he could put it behind him. The Harold Reynolds I know was a man who did his job and was friendly. At times if you smiled at somebody they’d take it wrong, but I don’t know the inside stuff. But do I think there’s hypocrisy out there? No question.

But do you think the reputation that ESPN talent have for promoting a frat-house type atmosphere had something to do with the way the company just started singling people out? Do you think they were trying to change the morale ?

If you look at some of the coverage right now, it’s a lot more vanilla than I’m used to watching. As far as a fraternity atmosphere, that’s complete B.S. You’re sitting in a news room. What’s a fraternity atmosphere? John Kruk and I sitting and talking about baseball? You know what? You’re in the TV business. You’re in the production business. Those production people are working 12,14, 16, 18 hours a day and don’t get paid that much to put something unbelievable on TV. People are going to cuss. People are going to say something in the heat of the battle. People are going to get into an argument with a producer like I have. Somebody’s going to tell a dirty joke and somebody’s going to laugh at it. And then there’s another party that’s going to get offended. Are you KIDDING me? I hope that someday you get a chance to walk into the newsroom at ESPN and see. Our Christmas Party – for the most part – was never a fraternity-like atmosphere. You know when you go into a locker room, A.J.? You have to be respectful of people. You’re not going to touch people inappropriately, you’re not going to say something inappropriately or at least try not to. You’re going to do everything possible to provide a safe, comfortable environment for everybody. But you know you’ll walk into a locker room sometimes and you’ll have a really religious guy sitting next to a guy who was single sitting next to a married guy …and you know what somebody may want to tell a dirty joke? You don’t want to hear it? Get up and move! Things are going to happen, but I’ve always believed that if somebody is saying something to you…go to the source. You know if you have a problem with some guy saying something to you in the news room? There’s no reason to run upstairs. Why? Now, if they’re offending you inappropriately I can understand that. That’s called business and respect. The same way I raise my daughter and my children. Or my mother was being talked to. Or my sister. You know what? People all going to laugh at dirty jokes and we all have. ESPN runs a tight ship. Before me and they always have. There’s always going to be people who’ve done something wrong, who have to go to a meeting with their boss and then there’s going to always be people who do the perfect stuff. And there’s nobody in between. I think the way ESPN handles the atmosphere, the newsroom—some people mess up, some don’t, some are bigger than others , some aren’t– but I can tell you this it’s nothing like a fraternity atmosphere. I’d almost go to the other side and say because it’s become so…”Oh My Gosh!” that I don’t think there is as much morale there as should be. And that’s not saying anything against the people that are there. They’re so afraid to even smile at somebody or tell somebody they have a nice tie on or your hair looks pretty, you have to think “Oh my gosh, what if that person takes it wrong?” Whether it’s male or female. Fraternity-like? No. I was blessed for 12 years to work with guys like John Skipper and George Bodenheimer of creating unbelievable business. But also, you know when you’ve crossed the line. We’ve all done it at some point in our life. You know, when you tell a dirty joke and you’re like “Oh my gosh why did I do that?”

So my impressions of you in Miami as being this big ladies man were a little off.

Let’s back up. I’m single. In that picture you don’t see me drunk. I won’t ever let anyone take a picture of me with alcohol I won’t let that happen because it’s a bad example for the kids. I won’t even get a glass of water in my hands in some photos. The other side of it is, I’m honored that you thought I was that much of a ladies man because at that party people were coming up to and talking to me, it is the Super Bowl. Just like the World Series, just like the Olympics, people know who you are…I’m not even a star, A.J. I’m surprised you even wanted a picture. I devalued you. But if an attractive lady comes up to me and I’m single, shoot, why wouldn’t …

But I think I described you as having that ex-athlete air about you—that swagger – that draws people in…

The swagger, I take that as a compliment. But it doesn’t matter what religion, race, tall, short, if a kid wants an autograph or somebody wants a picture…I treat everyone the same. Now. Am I honored that you think women like me? Am I single am I allowed to go on a date? Yeah. I’m all of those things. To say I’m a ladies man? I don’t know about that. I think there’s a perception about any athlete. If you smile and laugh and joke with people then they’re like “he can get any lady he wants.” If that were the case, then I’d be seeing if you could set me up with Eva Mendes.

I see you in a room with Irvin, Stuart Scott, Alex Brown from the Chicago Bears who’s playing in the Super Bowl that year and I don’t see as many people talking to them. Irvin is a star, Stu Scott’s a star, yet I don’t see as many ladies around them...

Maybe they felt sorry for me, A.J.

I don’t think that was the case. I think you pull it. I think you’re sandbagging me here.

I don’t have that much game. Irvin, superstar, great guy. Stu Scott, talented guy, he’s won many Emmys and then….It’s like Sesame Street. "One of These Things is Not Like the Other"? Then there’s Sean. I’d like to say it was my ruggedly handsome good looks and my charming personality. I just think we were at a small place and there were people around, it was after Sports Center, and we go over there and are trying to help a guy out. Put it this way: I had a good time and had a lot of laughs. Nobody hates eye candy and I just wish I was a little more of it.

The next day.... I think both of our lives changed in some aspect. Did you know what was happening? Did you have conversations with Stu Scott the next day? Because even I didn’t know how viral it had become because I was running around like an idiot most of the time.

That’s okay you had a lot of parties and a lot of people to take pictures with, buddy. Let me be totally honest with you: yeah, my life changed. My dad died. I lost my hero, my best friend, so you go through difficult times. Then in March I changed jobs and looking for another part of my career. But going back to that, A.j., I don’t care if people write that they disagree with my opinions and they hate you, I actually love that — because they’re still watching and they’re listening because they love to hate you. And there’s some people that like you or there’s some people that are on the fence. I’m not usually a guy who’s on the fence. That’s okay. That’s how I carved a niche. I work hard and I prepare and I will not miss one game of the entire season and I’ll have 9-10 TVs and DVR and watch every single game until the season’s over. I’m just doing my job. It’s just when it crosses over...

Like, I said I don’t get arrested, I try to be a good dad…we all have our weaknesses. And yeah, we’re supposed to be macho and hard-asses about it…but you know what? It CRUSHED me to read some of the things that were said about it. And it hurts me. And Stuart Scott? The text message and stuff? It hurts him. He’s got a family and stuff. And the truth of the matter was it wasn’t true. The person he was talking to [Michelle Beisner] was actually a great friend of both of ours who actually comes to my golf tournament and volunteers her time to raise money for kids to go to college. And it’s those times where people speculate on things, which is unfortunate, and yeah we’ll say it doesn’t matter, but it’s like going into a stadium and being booed. Nobody likes to be booed. So the tough guy image…[trails off, catches breath.]

So yeah, my life has changed. I don’t socialize like I used to. When I go to colleges and stuff I’m very cognizant of the fact that there are people out there to hurt you. But I’ve been very blessed man. I really have. And this isn’t a woe-is-me. I’ve screwed up plenty of times. I was married 17 years and when you fail at marriage you sometimes feel that you failed at life. And I know that. And I’m trying to be better. But one thing I do know is that even if there is a small portion of people that believe stuff that’s on a website or the cellphone thing which I told you DID NOT happen…you can create anything. Heck, I’ve even had people say I was a good quarterback so you KNOW people lie. But this is not woe-is-me. If I never worked again, well, I played 10 years of professional football, I was raised by an awesome family and I’ve been working in the broadcast business for 12 years which quite frankly if anybody tells you different — we work hard, but my dad was a blue collar guy — we’re stealing money. We’re talking about sports which you and I could do on a Saturday sitting around. I go to college games not because I’m covering them but because I like it. I’m blessed. 99% of the people that come up to me – even though they may rip you while you’re on air – they treat me great. Then there’s that one percent that says, “Hey, I heard you did this…” Of course it’s hurtful. But I’ve been very blessed and I can overlook the negative and – I’m being honest now—I don’t have a whole lot of complaints about the way I’ve been treated. The thing is people are entitled to their opinion and most of ‘em are classy and handle themselves well and the ones that don’t? I don’t have any answers for them anyway.

Tomorrow...part II: On John Clayton, his role as a broadcaster, and more and more of what it was like to be the" ESPN guy that sent his junk around on a cellphone" for so long.

Surprisingly, OPEN Sports is not an online gambling site based in Antigua. No, according to its "About" page, it is here to "super serve you with a next-generation, sports experience guided by a user-first philosophy, deep content and new and innovative applications. We will empower you to make OPEN Sports YOUR personal sports site." And what better to compliment YOUR site than a hot splash of Salisbury during the NFL season?

Here's his first "take":

Brilliant. Now, just so you know, I have put in a request for an interview via the Open Sports pr machine. So far the response has been positive (through them) but they are aware of Sean's inextricable ties to Deadspin and have said they're "waiting to hear back" as to whether he'll actually consider it. I've expressed my hopes that both he and I could both put our pasts behind us and we can move on to a more open and honest relationship from here on out. Does that sound sincere enough? Hope so.

Salisbury's Take [Open Sports]

His Sean "Big Mouth" Salisbury site has been taken down, depriving us of constant updates on his current goings-on. We assume his next job — FOX analyst seems about right — will give him a lesser profile, which should definitely benefit him. We can see him working well with Kenny Albert.

And no, sorry: He's not in Our Five.

So: Do you like the Sean Salisbury? Do you not like the Sean Salisbury? Go to it.

Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you're viewing this in an RSS reader, click through to view in your Javascript-enabled web browser.

Yes, the show that Salisbury once hosted (and also Carmen Electra, Bill Nye and the Sklar brothers) is returning to ESPN this June.

ESPN has made BattleBots an offer: BattleBots will hold a Collegiate BattleBots Championship, featuring robots built by students enrolled in institutions of Higher Education. The Collegiate BattleBots competition will air as a series on ESPNU and ESPN2. This competition will be open to Colleges and Universities, and Student Teams who are enrolled in institutions of Higher Education. This will be a middleweight (120 pound) competition as governed under the current BattleBots rule set — But, BattleBots is allowing an additional 40 pounds to be added as bonus weight, thus making the total weight 160 pounds! So get creative.

That's just mean: That's like firing Stuart Scott and then bringing back "Teammates." We are sorry, Sean.

(But seriously, though: "Battlebots" rules. We can't wait.)

ESPN & BattleBots: Gearing Up For College And Pro Competitions [BattleBots]