Evan Russell not available tonight (Friday) now AVAILABLE

[PC Jr.]

And not that it matters to anybody, but I see some of you differently now for the comments you made.

I didn’t make any comments. But if I did, I’d like to be seen as slimmer, younger and a genuine threat to stretch Alabama’s pass defense.

 

[vol66]

The shame is getting a little thick in here. Some of you need to take a lesson from the Russell family.

This. Not one crow thread yet. Not one.

 

[TennEddie]

Yes he will.
The Russell family won't want anything to do with a law suit against him.

But the University of Tennessee certainly needs to.
You cannot allow slander like this to go unpunished.

 

[chuckiepoo]

@BruisedOrange
Of course, you could always just trust ESPN to protect Tennessee's reputation during their broadcasts…
Fify

 

[Ttucke11]

I bet ER gets a standing O when he comes up to bat tonight if he indeed does play. Will be great! No shame in anxiety. I used to be of the incorrect opinion that it was mental weakness. After experiencing it myself, it truly is the worst feeling in the world. Happy the Russell's are handling it with grace, and hopefully ER gets the full support tonight from the fans!

 

[txbo]

But the University of Tennessee certainly needs to.
You cannot allow slander like this to go unpunished.

There's no malice here. The guy is guilty of piss poor journalism....but that's no crime.

 

[AllThingsTN]

If there is one thing I can say from this; the Russell family is absolute class. Very happy that Evan is ok.

 

[I4Vols]

Let me ask a Serious Question?

What happens when the Vols pull into Omaha and there are Signs in the Stands that state VOLs Use PEDs, Tennessee Cheats.

I can't imagine but it could happen....

ESPN will show it on SportsCenter and the guys holding the signs will look like Kif, Sabin & Sankey

 

[Weezer]

Yes he will.
The Russell family won't want anything to do with a law suit against him.

Shouldn't even be about a lawsuit. ESPN should demand more integrity from their on-air staff and fire him for spreading a false, unfounded Twitter rumor that wasn't even sourced. It's about professionalism. and Eklund failed in every single way. ESPN shouldn't want to be associated with someone who fails so utterly.

 

[sechamp2012]

ESPN announcer Troy Eklund won’t survive this.

It's sad he was probably scrolling Twitter while doing a game and a renowned troller who admits to trolling other teams put this info out on Twitter and Ecklund decides to go with this anonymous troller. So the Arkansas fan troller will probably aid in the downfall of someone he probably cheered for in the past. Ironic....

 

[txbo]

Shouldn't even be about a lawsuit. ESPN should demand more integrity from their on-air staff and fire him for spreading a false, unfounded Twitter rumor that wasn't even sourced. It's about professionalism. and Eklund failed in every single way. ESPN shouldn't want to be associated with someone who fails so utterly.

Yea, I never joined the cancel culture club. I would agree some internal discipline is appropriate....but not fired.

 

[PC Jr.]

I bet ER gets a standing O when he comes up to bat tonight if he indeed does play. Will be great! No shame in anxiety. I used to be of the incorrect opinion that it was mental weakness. After experiencing it myself, it truly is the worst feeling in the world. Happy the Russell's are handling it with grace, and hopefully ER gets the full support tonight from the fans!

I hope he goes off and has a career game.

 

[volman128]

And no one knew he was sick before the game. That’s why there were rampant rumors.

I mean, when it was announced he wouldn't be available to play I immediately assumed he was ill or possibly injured. Not sure why anyone would assume otherwise.

 

[volsagain]

The shame is getting a little thick in here. Some of you need to take a lesson from the Russell family.

I agree. BUT anyone in that position should know better than to blast a athlete and his school without having any facts should not hold that job. I think it's really because he's a hog fan and didn't care if it were true or not. I just have a hard time letting someone off with the type of behavior on national TV.

 

[Weezer]

I think Vitello could have done a better job of handling the matter. You can say more to allay suspicions without being specific. Instead, he gave a cryptic response--he's sick--that was sure to invite speculation. If he was in fact sick, why not say: "We think he came down with a stomach bug"--or "he developed flu-like symptoms and we hope he'll be back in a day or do but he's still being checked out. Doesn't appear to be anything too serious." He might also have said, if this were the case: "He hasn't tested positive for Covid or failed any tests of any kind." Or, alternatively, "He's got a personal matter that he's dealing with--it doesn't involve any failed tests or rules violations or anything like that--and we hope to have him back soon." My point is, you can say more, eliminate suspicious speculation--without saying too much.

I don't think it's on TV in any way. Of course, people are going to speculate, but when supposed news sources run with unfounded rumors, it should be the responsibility of someone in the athletic department to immediately shut them down. Someone in the AD should have quickly let it be known last night, very publicly, that a failed test was not even close to being accurate. TV should only be focused on his team right now. We have people in the AD who are paid to handle these things.

 

[Weezer]

Yea, I never joined the cancel culture club. I would agree some internal discipline is appropriate....but not fired.

I don't see this as cancel culture. If you suck at your job, that's cause for firing IMO.

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

I mean, when it was announced he wouldn't be available to play I immediately assumed he was ill or possibly injured. Not sure why anyone would assume otherwise.

We all want to give our guys the benefit of the doubt. But there are several media types with program connections that were unaware of an illness or injury. Folks then draw their own conclusions. It’s wrong to assume drugs without any evidence, though.

 

[txbo]

I agree. BUT anyone in that position should know better than to blast a athlete and his school without having any facts should not hold that job. I think it's really because he's a hog fan and didn't care if it were true or not. I just have a hard time letting someone off with the type of behavior on national TV.

I've seen up close the hours that go into working events like this. It makes a mistake like this more likely.

 

[Sudden Impact]

I agree. BUT anyone in that position should know better than to blast a athlete and his school without having any facts should not hold that job. I think it's really because he's a hog fan and didn't care if it were true or not. I just have a hard time letting someone off with the type of behavior on national TV.

IF true, the Hog Fan that posted the tweet was 12 years old....not verified but reason to believe it was a 12 year old that did this...which supports negligence on behalf of a Network and commentator....The problem is that Elkund took it a step further than the post and brought the whole team into play and the testing of the team. He Embellished it beyond the Tweet. That is close to Malice....

 

[ReadCT]

ESPN announcer Troy Eklund won’t survive this.

Troy will be fine

Like all TV talking heads, he reads the words put in front of him on a teleprompter; he cannot be expected to fact check every word and fact of every story

It is the ESPN producer and editors of the telecast that are going to be in some journalistic jeopardy

 

[Zues1]

ESPN announcer Troy Eklund won’t survive this.

Good,

 

[cardvolfan]

I think Vitello could have done a better job of handling the matter. You can say more to allay suspicions without being specific. Instead, he gave a cryptic response--he's sick--that was sure to invite speculation. If he was in fact sick, why not say: "We think he came down with a stomach bug"--or "he developed flu-like symptoms and we hope he'll be back in a day or do but he's still being checked out. Doesn't appear to be anything too serious." He might also have said, if this were the case: "He hasn't tested positive for Covid or failed any tests of any kind." Or, alternatively, "He's got a personal matter that he's dealing with--it doesn't involve any failed tests or rules violations or anything like that--and we hope to have him back soon." My point is, you can say more, eliminate suspicious speculation--without saying too much.

You haven’t dealt with HIPPA. He said only what he could say. Let it be.

 

[volsagain]

I've seen up close the hours that go into working events like this. It makes a mistake like this more likely.

I really don't believe you would still want this guy representing your company in this manner. I know I wouldn't.

 

[cardvolfan]

I bet ER gets a standing O when he comes up to bat tonight if he indeed does play. Will be great! No shame in anxiety. I used to be of the incorrect opinion that it was mental weakness. After experiencing it myself, it truly is the worst feeling in the world. Happy the Russell's are handling it with grace, and hopefully ER gets the full support tonight from the fans!

You will see an ovation tonight the likes of which we’ve never seen before. It will be rousing, emotional, and heartfelt.

 

[The Ron Mexico]

There's no malice here. The guy is guilty of piss poor journalism....but that's no crime.

Also, there are unsubstantiated, unconfirmed (as of yet) reports that TROY EKLUND MOLESTS GOATS. I hope those accusations are false, but until I hear otherwise, I will be forced to think that TROY EKLUND MOLESTS GOATS. Probably. Allegedly.