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rationalfan
06-06-2009, 10:14 AM
From PFT and Mike Florio:


ESPN’s recent Outside The Lines report focusing on the allegations of Rasheedah Watley against Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall portrayed Watley as the victim and Marshall as the villain.

But there was more to the story that wasn’t, in our view, sufficiently presented by ESPN.

Marshall’s camp submitted documents to ESPN that seem to undermine dramatically Watley’s credibility.

And Marshall referred indirectly to the effort to derail the story during his live interview with Bob Ley.

“I think we have a lot of paperwork, we sent it over to you guys,” Marshall said. “Sworn testimony from Rasheedah Watley. It’s evidence that, you know, this is clearly about money.”

In fairness to ESPN, the report made reference to a key letter from Watley to Commissioner Roger Goodell, in which Watley states that Marshall never harmed her. But ESPN adroitly pooh-poohed the letter, quoting no portion of it and claiming that she later recanted when meeting with NFL Security.

Here’s what the letter, dated July 29, 2008, had to say: “My name is Rasheedah Watley, I am the ex girlfriend of Brandon Marshall. I read in the newspapers that he is in trouble with the league because of me. I will let you know that he never hurt me or hit me, I was pressured by my family to make up certain things [to] get money. I was told to say that Brandon hit me and hurt me so that I could get him to pay to keep me quiet. I want you to know he never did.”

Here’s how ESPN described the letter, without reading any of it on the air: “Watley herself admits she sent the NFL mixed signals. After pressing charges against Marshall in Atlanta, she says at Marshall’s request, she sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, denying Marshall has ever abused her. Watley told Outside The Lines she later recanted during a meeting with NFL Security, saying then that the abuse did in fact happen.”

(ESPN claims the NFL was asked to confirm that Watley recanted the letter while meeting with NFL Security, and that the league declined to comment. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told us that he has no record of this specific request being made.)

So why didn’t ESPN quote from the letter, or at least mention the suggestion that Watley’s family was pushing her to make allegations against Marshall in order to cash in?

“The letter was a single paragraph,” ESPN spokesman Bill Hofheimer told us. “We paraphrased it. We also obtained the letter at the 11th hour, so paraphrasing was the cleanest way to report it at that point.”

Even though reasonable minds might differ as to the “cleanest” procedure for presenting a one-paragraph letter (our position would be that the cleanest way to present a one-paragraph letter is to, you know, read it), we doubt that anyone would seriously dispute that the fairest approach would have been to read . . . the . . . letter.

We’ve also seen communications from Watley’s lawyers, demanding payment of $500,000 in 2006 and $100,000 in 2007. Neither of these documents received the kind of attention they merited in the segment.

Moreover, the ESPN report contained no mention of evidence suggesting that Watley potentially was the aggressor in conflicts between Watley and Marshall, or that she has admitted in counseling sessions that she reacts to stressful situations at times with violence.

Indeed, we’ve seen portions of sworn testimony in which she admits to biting Marshall on the shoulder and poking him in the eye.

“I just remember Brandon picking me up and I was swinging my arms,” she said under oath. “I was biting, I was kicking, I was scratching, I was screaming.”

And as a result of that incident, she acknowledged that he didn’t retaliate. Instead, Marshall put her down and went to the bathroom to inspect the injuries she had inflicted on him.

So why was this information not included? The Broncos, we’re told, are concerned that ESPN had preconceived notions regarding Marshall’s guilt.

And we can understand why that would happen, especially with Watley and her parents telling passionate stories of persistent, one-sided abuse. But the goal should have been to obtain and to present both sides of the story.

In this case, we think ESPN failed.

In our view, it’s even more important to be fair when discussing issues of NFL player misconduct. Given the fact that so many of them get in trouble, they are targets for false allegations. Though, in this case, it’s possible that Marshall did some things he shouldn’t have done, ESPN should have done more, in our opinion, to present to its audience the evidence that undermines the claims being made against him.

BroncoTech
06-06-2009, 11:01 AM
Sounds like Watley is bipolar and ESPN isn't much better.

MasterShake
06-06-2009, 11:03 AM
Sounds like Watley is bipolar and ESPN isn't much better.

Sounds like Brandon needs to try escort services. You pay them to leave, not to stick around and get you in trouble with the NFL.

WARHORSE
06-06-2009, 11:05 AM
Sounds like Watley is bipolar and ESPN isn't much better.


If I could double salute a post, it would be this one.:salute:

Denver Native (Carol)
06-06-2009, 12:36 PM
What a piece of CRAP ESPN is - and their excuse - they obtained the ONE PARAGRAPH LETTER at the 11th hour - so paraphrasing was the cleanest way to report it at that point.

Truth is - they had the whole THING ready to roll, so if they considered the one paragraph letter - THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTHING TO REPORT: How could they have done a STICK IT TO BRANDON MARSHALL TABLOID OTL, if this would have been what they based it on:

Here’s what the letter, dated July 29, 2008, had to say: “My name is Rasheedah Watley, I am the ex girlfriend of Brandon Marshall. I read in the newspapers that he is in trouble with the league because of me. I will let you know that he never hurt me or hit me, I was pressured by my family to make up certain things [to] get money. I was told to say that Brandon hit me and hurt me so that I could get him to pay to keep me quiet. I want you to know he never did.”

dogfish
06-06-2009, 12:53 PM
So why didn’t ESPN quote from the letter, or at least mention the suggestion that Watley’s family was pushing her to make allegations against Marshall in order to cash in?


because they were more interested in doing a smear job on a high-profile athlete than doing any actual investigative reporting. . . less effort on their part, and controversy produces ratings-- it gives lowest common denominator fans who are jealous of athletes' wealth a reason to feel self-righteous. . . . bob ley is an ass clown!

Lonestar
06-06-2009, 01:19 PM
So I guess this means that BM is innocent of everything up to and including showing great maturity and restraint in everything he has been involved in during his stay with the Broncos.

He is nothing but a misunderstood guy that has only been in the wrong spot at the wrong time.

Did anyone ever think all of this recanting just might be part of a PR firm.
My questoions are. Why does he just seem to be involved in all the shit storms he has been linked to or been around.

How is whatley paying for this chefs school she is going to?
Why is she being so sweet all of a sudden?

Perhaps hush money?
Sounds like things are coming together VERY convienlently awfuully fast and smoothly.
Inquiring minds wish to know.

Sent via Blackberry.

underrated29
06-06-2009, 01:33 PM
And why isnt he at voluntary mini camp too, right? I mean that is your next question isnt it.

And its pretty convenient that he is not there because of a hip surgery. To convenient if you ask me.


I think he should be here rehabing by chasing his girl friend around thats how you get your hip strength back up.

BroncoWave
06-06-2009, 01:36 PM
So I guess this means that BM is innocent of everything up to and including showing great maturity and restraint in everything he has been involved in during his stay with the Broncos.

He is nothing but a misunderstood guy that has only been in the wrong spot at the wrong time.

Did anyone ever think all of this recanting just might be part of a PR firm.
My questoions are. Why does he just seem to be involved in all the shit storms he has been linked to or been around.

How is whatley paying for this chefs school she is going to?
Why is she being so sweet all of a sudden?

Perhaps hush money?
Sounds like things are coming together VERY convienlently awfuully fast and smoothly.
Inquiring minds wish to know.

Sent via Blackberry.

JR now that Marshall is your new whipping boy, you need to create a fancy new nickname for him like you did for "Mikey" and "Jaysus".

frauschieze
06-06-2009, 01:50 PM
So I guess this means that BM is innocent of everything up to and including showing great maturity and restraint in everything he has been involved in during his stay with the Broncos.

He is nothing but a misunderstood guy that has only been in the wrong spot at the wrong time.

Did anyone ever think all of this recanting just might be part of a PR firm.
My questoions are. Why does he just seem to be involved in all the shit storms he has been linked to or been around.

How is whatley paying for this chefs school she is going to?
Why is she being so sweet all of a sudden?

Perhaps hush money?
Sounds like things are coming together VERY convienlently awfuully fast and smoothly.
Inquiring minds wish to know.

Sent via Blackberry.

*twitches*

You mean to tell me that you can't even take a report that says ESPN didn't tell the whole story and did shoddy reporting and which admits that it's possible Marshall "did some things he shouldn’t have done" and from that deduce it's a conspiracy theory and he's guilty of everything he's ever been accused of and more? Your wild, sarcastic conclusions bewilder me since you are normally of the position that we don't know the whole story in situations. That's exactly what this story was all about: More information that was not presented to the public that is relevant.

I guess you're not happy unless you are completely, irrationally bashing someone affiliated with the Broncos.

Lonestar
06-06-2009, 02:09 PM
JR now that Marshall is your new whipping boy, you need to create a fancy new nickname for him like you did for "Mikey" and "Jaysus".

Hmmmmmm may have to think about that one.. not that he is my new whipping boy..


*twitches*

You mean to tell me that you can't even take a report that says ESPN didn't tell the whole story and did shoddy reporting and which admits that it's possible Marshall "did some things he shouldn’t have done" and from that deduce it's a conspiracy theory and he's guilty of everything he's ever been accused of and more? Your wild, sarcastic conclusions bewilder me since you are normally of the position that we don't know the whole story in situations. That's exactly what this story was all about: More information that was not presented to the public that is relevant.

I guess you're not happy unless you are completely, irrationally bashing someone affiliated with the Broncos.


Perhaps it is irrational to YOU now.. but I was right about mike and his DAFTING, more or less correct about jay and his wanting out of town for MORE than Josh looking at Cassell.. Usually pretty spot on with my W-L projections and I'm pretty sure a of a few other things..

I have always had a way of seeing things that are not QUITE right and was the company fixer when there were stations and districts that needed to be shaped up..

Perhaps it is an insight or the ability to shift through the BS and see what is really going on..

I find it to be a huge coincidence that BM has been like LINUS is think it was in Charlie brown the guy with the little swirly cloud above his head all the time..

With all the crap that has happened to BM just since he has been a bronco now all of a sudden it is all getting cleaned up and he is a stellar fella, with all the loose ends being tied up one by one..

Either he is the most unlucky SOB to walk the face of the earth or he has a fixer, trying to make him look perfect. SO he can get that huge payday before he becomes a RFA for the next two years..

timing is everything folks and all you have to do is follow the money..

http://broncosforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39924

SR
06-06-2009, 02:12 PM
pa pa pa pa pa poker face.

frauschieze
06-06-2009, 02:14 PM
I don't agree with your point of view but have no desire to argue about it. You'll always think you're seeing things for what they are and I'll never agree that you were right about "Mikey" (because you weren't ;)) and that is enough to make me doubtful on the rest.

And the character from Peanuts was Pigpen. Linus always carried his blue blanked around.

BroncoWave
06-06-2009, 02:27 PM
Hmmmmmm may have to think about that one.. not that he is my new whipping boy..

:lol: I trust that you will come up with something creative!

deacon
06-06-2009, 02:38 PM
Anyone who has been involved in as much garbage as BM surely isn't completely innocent. At the least he's a terrible friend picker. However that doesn't excuse ESPN for what they did. It's just possible BM isn't the criminal he's been portrayed to be and most (if not all) of this business was the result of having a bi-polar girlfriend who's family saw a quick buck on the horizon. I choose to believe that's probably a lot of it.

Lonestar
06-06-2009, 02:45 PM
I don't agree with your point of view but have no desire to argue about it. You'll always think you're seeing things for what they are and I'll never agree that you were right about "Mikey" (because you weren't ;)) and that is enough to make me doubtful on the rest.

And the character from Peanuts was Pigpen. Linus always carried his blue blanked around.


thanks about Pigpen it has been a decade or more since I last saw that strip or TV special..

as for mike I realize many folks thought he walked on water and I agree in his early years he was a great OC.. but past that I will never agree he was much of a HC and a complete joke as GM/vp..

after a few years I think everyone will be able to look back and wonder why it took Pat so long to make the move..

Denver Native (Carol)
06-06-2009, 06:32 PM
So I guess this means that BM is innocent of everything up to and including showing great maturity and restraint in everything he has been involved in during his stay with the Broncos.

He is nothing but a misunderstood guy that has only been in the wrong spot at the wrong time.

Did anyone ever think all of this recanting just might be part of a PR firm.
My questoions are. Why does he just seem to be involved in all the shit storms he has been linked to or been around.

How is whatley paying for this chefs school she is going to?
Why is she being so sweet all of a sudden?

Perhaps hush money?
Sounds like things are coming together VERY convienlently awfuully fast and smoothly.
Inquiring minds wish to know.

Sent via Blackberry.

Wathley's letter, the one which ESPN ignored, was written a little less than one year ago - so, she is not being so sweet all of a sudden. Secondly, I am sure that most on here would have to admit they they also got in shouting matches with people they dated, or even married.

How is Whatley paying for this chefs school she is going to - just like everyone else pays for schools they go to - either mom/daddy pay for it, they get student loans, etc. Her going to chefs school is nothing more than what many others have also done, and will continue to do.

Lonestar
06-06-2009, 06:40 PM
Wathley's letter, the one which ESPN ignored, was written a little less than one year ago - so, she is not being so sweet all of a sudden. Secondly, I am sure that most on here would have to admit they they also got in shouting matches with people they dated, or even married.

How is Whatley paying for this chefs school she is going to - just like everyone else pays for schools they go to - either mom/daddy pay for it, they get student loans, etc. Her going to chefs school is nothing more than what many others have also done, and will continue to do.


yes the letter to the Commish was indeed a year old .. but knowing that if BM is suspended she gets nothing ever. Even at that point in here life there was some hope he'd marry her..

Do you think there was any incentive there at all to write letter to Goodell...

and if you do not think that BM or one of his surrogates are paying for chefs school well I have some ocean front property here in town for sale.. PM me and I'll show it to you..

horsepig
06-06-2009, 07:26 PM
Hmmmmmm may have to think about that one.. not that he is my new whipping boy..




Perhaps it is irrational to YOU now.. but I was right about mike and his DAFTING, more or less correct about jay and his wanting out of town for MORE than Josh looking at Cassell.. Usually pretty spot on with my W-L projections and I'm pretty sure a of a few other things..

I have always had a way of seeing things that are not QUITE right and was the company fixer when there were stations and districts that needed to be shaped up..

Perhaps it is an insight or the ability to shift through the BS and see what is really going on..

I find it to be a huge coincidence that BM has been like LINUS is think it was in Charlie brown the guy with the little swirly cloud above his head all the time..

With all the crap that has happened to BM just since he has been a bronco now all of a sudden it is all getting cleaned up and he is a stellar fella, with all the loose ends being tied up one by one..

Either he is the most unlucky SOB to walk the face of the earth or he has a fixer, trying to make him look perfect. SO he can get that huge payday before he becomes a RFA for the next two years..

timing is everything folks and all you have to do is follow the money..

http://broncosforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39924

Damn it Jr., I'm getting tired of having to remind you of names.

"Pigpen".

horsepig
06-06-2009, 07:38 PM
My question jere is: why is he having trouble with the new one too?

They were gonna get hitched and now there's more charges and crap.

I think he needs to find a nice girl named Margaret oir Elizabeth or even Zsa Zsa ("bad house keeper, are you kidding me? I'm a great housekeeper, I've kept everyone of them").

red98
06-06-2009, 09:45 PM
I don't agree with your point of view but have no desire to argue about it. You'll always think you're seeing things for what they are and I'll never agree that you were right about "Mikey" (because you weren't ;)) and that is enough to make me doubtful on the rest.

And the character from Peanuts was Pigpen. Linus always carried his blue blanked around.

I love you Frau, you are the bomb. Or whatever the kids say these days.