By Fred Mitchell
Veteran NBC sportscaster Bob Costas today dismissed the Bears' decision to not provide interviews for Sunday's "Football Night In America" as "no big deal."
"I don't consider it a personal snub in any way. In fact, I wasn't involved," Costas told the "Waddle & Silvy Show" on WMVP-AM (1000).
Costas said he'd had no contact this week with Bears coach Lovie Smith, quarterback Jay Cutler or anyone in Bears management.
"The way this usually happens is that a request for whatever interviews we would like to put on the pregame show on 'Football Night In America' goes through the P.R. department of the club. Then, usually, whoever is asked agrees because it's a Sunday night prime-time thing.
"In this case, I think the Bears calculated -- and it is very understandable -- that any reasonable questions that would be asked that would be topical can't have an especially positive spin on them. And I don't even think they are running away from those questions. Those questions have been addressed. So anything they say now is just 'yak.'
"So they might as well just let their play speak for them on Sunday. And I think their response to this would have been the same had it been CBS or FOX or ESPN, asking for the same interview, because the questions that have to be asked this week are fairly obvious."
Veteran NBC sportscaster Bob Costas today dismissed the Bears' decision to not provide interviews for Sunday's "Football Night In America" as "no big deal."
"I don't consider it a personal snub in any way. In fact, I wasn't involved," Costas told the "Waddle & Silvy Show" on WMVP-AM (1000).
Costas said he'd had no contact this week with Bears coach Lovie Smith, quarterback Jay Cutler or anyone in Bears management.
"The way this usually happens is that a request for whatever interviews we would like to put on the pregame show on 'Football Night In America' goes through the P.R. department of the club. Then, usually, whoever is asked agrees because it's a Sunday night prime-time thing.
"In this case, I think the Bears calculated -- and it is very understandable -- that any reasonable questions that would be asked that would be topical can't have an especially positive spin on them. And I don't even think they are running away from those questions. Those questions have been addressed. So anything they say now is just 'yak.'
"So they might as well just let their play speak for them on Sunday. And I think their response to this would have been the same had it been CBS or FOX or ESPN, asking for the same interview, because the questions that have to be asked this week are fairly obvious."
Costas said he had no hard feelings toward the Bears as a result of the team's decision.
"I interviewed Jay Cutler earlier this year. I have seen him a couple of times," Costas said. "This is the third Bears game we've done this year. I have a cordial relationship with him. Don't know him that well. Everybody thinks Lovie Smith is a terrific guy. No problem.
"There will be a time down the road when they feel more comfortable doing it. It's their prerogative. It's a decision I think we all understand."
"I interviewed Jay Cutler earlier this year. I have seen him a couple of times," Costas said. "This is the third Bears game we've done this year. I have a cordial relationship with him. Don't know him that well. Everybody thinks Lovie Smith is a terrific guy. No problem.
"There will be a time down the road when they feel more comfortable doing it. It's their prerogative. It's a decision I think we all understand."
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That is some inspirational stuff. Never knew that opinions could be this varied. Thanks for all the enthusiasm to offer such helpful information here.
Completely unprofessional by the Bears. They should be fined. If the Bears are doing well they wouldn't mind doing the interview would they? Can't have it both ways. The fans are entitled to hear some answers. Show some accountability.
The fact that this organization has no accountability from the top down is one reason they fail.