Insult?

[billisonboard]

I need some help here because I can be a bit dense. The following comment was made by a football commentator during a recent game. Apparently some found it insulting.

"Everybody's a fan. In particular, the ladies that I met," he said (via Chris Bumbaca of USA Today). "They have really specific questions about the game, and I'm like, 'Wow.' You're just blown away by how strong the fans are here in this town." link

Would someone help me understand why?

[mary2029]

I would think it's like saying "some of my best friends are black."  

ETA: As a female, I wouldn't be insulted by this. However, I definitely would not feel complimented. 

[flan327]

I love football

I'm a little confused about penalties though

I ask my husband who doesn't MOCK me

[flan327]

Would a female commentator ask a man if he likes ballet? Or knows how to quilt?

[billisonboard]

Dec 3, 2020 15:42:42 GMT -5 flan327 said:

Would a female commentator ask a man if he likes ballet? Or knows how to quilt?

Do you mean an announcer of a televised ballet saying something like:

""Everybody's a fan of ballet. In particular, the gentlemen that I met," she said (via Chris Bumbaca of USA Today). "They have really specific questions about the dance, and I'm like, 'Wow.' You're just blown away by how strong the fans are here in this town."

[flan327]

Is there a point?

[justme]

Why is it surprising to him that women would have specific questions about football?

[billisonboard]

Dec 3, 2020 15:37:23 GMT -5 mary2029 said:

I would think it's like saying "some of my best friends are black."  

ETA: As a female, I wouldn't be insulted by this. However, I definitely would not feel complimented. 

Thanks for something to consider.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

It is insulting because he is shocked that a woman can be knowledgeable enough about football to ask targeted questions.   That we're not all Rachel and Phoebe from the Thanksgiving Friends episode.

It's a stereotype that women do not like sports or even if we do we cannot possibly understand it like men can.

[billisonboard]

Dec 3, 2020 16:02:55 GMT -5 justme said:

Why is it surprising to him that women would have specific questions about football?

Appreciate that perspective as to why someone would find it insulting.

[flan327]

Dec 3, 2020 16:06:22 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

It is insulting because he is shocked that a woman can be knowledgeable enough about football to ask targeted questions.   That we're not all Rachel and Phoebe from the Thanksgiving Friends episode.

It's a stereotype that women do not like sports or even if we do we cannot possibly understand it like men can.

Never liked Friends

If you ask me to watch a Dallas Cowboys game or put on makeup

I don't own any makeup...

[Tiny]

Dec 3, 2020 15:51:24 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Dec 3, 2020 15:42:42 GMT -5 flan327 said:

Would a female commentator ask a man if he likes ballet? Or knows how to quilt?

Do you mean an announcer of a televised ballet saying something like:

""Everybody's a fan of ballet. In particular, the gentlemen that I met," she said (via Chris Bumbaca of USA Today). "They have really specific questions about the dance, and I'm like, 'Wow.' You're just blown away by how strong the fans are here in this town."

Not quite the same thing... the audience for ballet hasn't traditionally ONLY been women.  (and it's traditionally been men creating the music, doing the choreography and staging, and the ballerinas were kind of 'sexualized" for the male audience...)   So, a man being interested in ballet (and all the parts around it - besides the star dancer) wouldn't be too far fetched.  A guy most likely wrote the music, created the sets, dressed the dancers, and told the dancers how to move. 
 
Perhaps ""Everybody's a fan of The Chicks with Sticks knit/crochet Holiday Competition!"  In particular, the gentlemen that I met," she said (via Chris Bumbaca of USA Today). "They have really specific questions about the patterns and techniques and yarns, and I'm like, 'Wow.' You're just blown away by how strong the fans are here in this town."

Maybe something like that would be a better example.  I do know men knit/crochet - but it's mostly a woman's hobby. 

(atleast I strongly suspect all the pattern books of intricate crochet doilies and baby clothes and what not from the 30's thru the 50's that I own  were not created by men...  And in my wandering of the internet looking for patterns/color combo ideas -  I have not come across a guy selling his patterns/displaying his latest project.... plenty of women do it though.  ) 

[flan327]

And years ago women were were not doctors or engineers or police officers

IF they actually worked outside the home, maybe they were teachers or cashiers

[mary2029]

Or... 


"Everybody's a good parent. In particular, the men that I met," he said. "They have really specific questions about raising their children, and I'm like, 'Wow.' You're just blown away by how strong the parents are here in this town."

[swamp]

Dec 3, 2020 15:35:10 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

I need some help here because I can be a bit dense. The following comment was made by a football commentator during a recent game. Apparently some found it insulting.

"Everybody's a fan. In particular, the ladies that I met," he said (via Chris Bumbaca of USA Today). "They have really specific questions about the game, and I'm like, 'Wow.' You're just blown away by how strong the fans are here in this town." link

Would someone help me understand why?

the implication is that women don't know enough about football to ask really specific questions about the game. 

[flan327]

Dec 3, 2020 16:31:39 GMT -5 mary2029 said:

Or... 


"Everybody's a good parent. In particular, the men that I met," he said. "They have really specific questions about raising their children, and I'm like, 'Wow.' You're just blown away by how strong the parents are here in this town."

Based on how many men?

[justme]

The NFL came out and said 47% of its fans are female. An announcer for football should know this fact and not be surprised that women know about that sport.

[Artemis Windsong]

When my DD was about 12, she was tired of football being watched so much. I told her to get interested because it's not going away. She is avid now.

I have watched for years but still ask questions. Mainly because I'm not glued to the game.

A lot of people are having fun with the $1 million pool thing. I'm not signed up but do listen when friend's picks are being made.

Edit:  The comment was in poor taste.  It is getting a lot of attention!

[kadee79]

If you go back far enough...it's saying we women are too stupid to understand football...yes, it used to be used like that.

With as many female sports casters as we have now in media...this guys should be more aware of what is going on around him in this sport & other sports too.

Just like years ago women weren't allowed to drive cars in any kind of auto races including drag racing.  I was one of the few that got to take a car thru the trials at Lion's Drag Strip in Long Beach, Ca....home of Big Daddy...only he was just another guy at the track back then.  We weren't allowed to drive them during the actual race...just the trials.
BTW, I beat my competition...and Lion's isn't there any more either.

I can likely do a "guy" thing that most males today can't do....I can jack up a vehicle & change a tire...a tire with a tube too!
My Daddy wasn't having any dumb girls...which is why my son can cook & clean...I wasn't having any dumb boys.