More Theismann on Kornheiser

The headline on this massive Joe Theismann profile/Q&A from Washingtonian is "Theismann Sounds Off." Not sure if I'd agree; mostly it's pretty much as flavorful as cheerios over white toast >strike>vanilla. As far as I'm concerned, the best quote comes right at the beginning:

"I talk too much," Theismann says. "I was egotistical and self-centered in my early years. I'm not proud of that. After people actually meet me, they'll say, 'You're really not the prick I heard you were.' "

Anyhow, because it's now biologically impossible to interview Joe Theismann without talking about ESPN and Tony K., eventually he's asked to talk about ESPN and Tony K, at great length. At this point, Tony's primary role appears to be generating articles in which Theismann talks about Tony, but heck, I'll play along:

People assume you and Kornheiser didn't hit it off. True?

Not at all. What's funny is that I worked my ass off to help Tony understand how to broadcast from a booth. From simple things like not having water bottles when they come to us on camera. I was the one who made sure he had his face cloth up there, that he kept it in front of him, helping him put his earpiece in.

How do you think Kornheiser's doing?
I don't know. But let's be honest--it's Tony's show. The show is about Tony. But in the middle of last year, Tony was talking about leaving. I said, "You can't go. We have a chance to do something special here. I don't want you to leave."
He'll tell you that. I wanted Tony to be there. I wanted him to stay. He talked about only doing two years. He's finding out how hard it is, being on the road. This has not been easy for him by any stretch. But this has become Tony's show.

Etc. I've helped other men put their ear pieces in; it's really the ultimate sign of friendship and bonding. Later Theismann calls Tony "the most neurotic person I've ever known in my life," which just means I have to try harder. By the way, is it Monday yet?

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Comments

Pretty vanilla? Dan, how could you! Your coup de gras as a bogger/blogger came among your first posts, one about the very unvanilla flavor vanilla and the misuse of the word. I demand a retraction!

Posted by: lavar | December 4, 2007 3:05 PM | Report abuse

Regarding the link, is Theismann's shirt unbuttoned in that photo while kissing the Suber Bowl trophy?

/trying to erase image out of my head

Posted by: onside kick | December 4, 2007 3:25 PM | Report abuse

I've actually heard the same thing about Tony K., that he's neurotic and abrasive about his fame. I guess he has to be...

Posted by: Matt | December 4, 2007 3:47 PM | Report abuse

I don't get all this talk, from Tony and now from JT, about how damn hard it is to be on the road to do a three-hour football game. Hey guys, a lot of us have mundane jobs that involve much more than one trip a week, and we're certainly not pampered like you are. Yet we survive to fight another day...