Jay Mariotti Is Erin Andrews' Knight In Shining Shlubby

On Thursday's "Around The Horn, " there was a brief mention of Erin Andrews at the end of the show, just as the credits rolled, and Mariotti could be heard yelling something to the effect of "Why would bring her up today of all days?" This, to me, indicated that the controversies surrounding the sideline princesses' wardrobe and the subsequent backlash were the topic of office gossip in the chilly, medicinal confines of Bristol HQ. And, being chivalrous, he doesn't approve of talking about a colleague that way, even in jest.

Today, Mariotti addressed the aftermath of the EA onslaught and came up with " Leave Erin Andrews Alone" as his column crank for the Chicago Sun-Times. Mariotti lights up Nadel and the others who've joined in the "caveman"-like bashing of his colleague in his own charming, woefully out of touch way. (For example: "she's known throughout the sports kingdom as an attractive woman — ``a hottie,'' in the vernacular — especially among Internet stalkers." Mr. Hip!)

Mariotti digs deeper into the problem and suggests that the resentment of Andrews is more pointed because she, LIKE HIM, is employed by ESPN. That also means HE actually knows the woman behind the creeping hemline. :

Full disclosure: I work for ESPN on a daily TV show. But that experience also allows me the perspective to know what Andrews is after. All she wants is the interview, the good sound clip. What do you want her to do, wear a burlap sack? A lot of male sportswriters I know are more insulting in their conflicts-of-interest on their beats. That's a bigger journalistic crime than her wardrobe.

There's an anti-ESPN backlash in my business, which smart people at the network laugh at and ignore. On top of it, more than a few male media people are resentful of women colleagues. Nadel came off as crusty and out of touch. But then, he did get himself some attention.

That means that Mike Nadel will finally get an idea of what it's like to be Erin Andrews. And Jay Mariotti.

Leave Erin Andrews Alone [Chicago Sun-Times]