gwilks98
06-02-2005, 06:22 AM
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/0602nflnb0602.html
Define "whoops" please...
49ers decry use of vulgar team film
Wire services
Jun. 2, 2005 12:00 AM
An in-house video meant to prepare San Francisco 49ers players for dealing with the media backfired on the NFL team Wednesday when it was learned that it featured racist jokes, lesbian soft-porn and topless blondes.
The 15-minute video, a copy of which was sent anonymously to the San Francisco Chronicle, features the team's public relations director, Kirk Reynolds, impersonating Mayor Gavin Newsom in the mayor's office and other places around town.
The mayor is outraged, the team's owners are embarrassed and Reynolds has lost his job.
Reynolds said he made the video to coach players on handling media questions in diverse San Francisco, and never meant it for public consumption.
"Did I push it too far? I did," Reynolds said. "The ideas of the tape are appropriate for the locker room - though some of the subjects were inappropriate for the values of this organization - and mine, frankly."
The video was shown to players last August during training camp. It was part of a diversity workshop. In a statement Wednesday, team owners Denise and John York called it offensive, inexcusable and "absolutely contradictory to the ideals and values of the San Francisco 49ers."
An NFL statement supported the Yorks' viewpoint.
Reynolds did not immediately return a call seeking comment from Associated Press. But team spokesman Jason Jenkins told AP that Reynolds "has planned to leave for some time."
Define "whoops" please...
49ers decry use of vulgar team film
Wire services
Jun. 2, 2005 12:00 AM
An in-house video meant to prepare San Francisco 49ers players for dealing with the media backfired on the NFL team Wednesday when it was learned that it featured racist jokes, lesbian soft-porn and topless blondes.
The 15-minute video, a copy of which was sent anonymously to the San Francisco Chronicle, features the team's public relations director, Kirk Reynolds, impersonating Mayor Gavin Newsom in the mayor's office and other places around town.
The mayor is outraged, the team's owners are embarrassed and Reynolds has lost his job.
Reynolds said he made the video to coach players on handling media questions in diverse San Francisco, and never meant it for public consumption.
"Did I push it too far? I did," Reynolds said. "The ideas of the tape are appropriate for the locker room - though some of the subjects were inappropriate for the values of this organization - and mine, frankly."
The video was shown to players last August during training camp. It was part of a diversity workshop. In a statement Wednesday, team owners Denise and John York called it offensive, inexcusable and "absolutely contradictory to the ideals and values of the San Francisco 49ers."
An NFL statement supported the Yorks' viewpoint.
Reynolds did not immediately return a call seeking comment from Associated Press. But team spokesman Jason Jenkins told AP that Reynolds "has planned to leave for some time."