You know that last climactic scene in the movie Scarface where Tony Montana makes one last defiant stand and screams “Say hello to my little friend!!!” Montana ends up dying in a barrage of bullets, he knows this going in, but in his last moments he gives literally zero f—s about that. All he cares about is bringing anyone and everyone he can down with him. He gets shot hundreds of times but screams “I’M STILL STANDING!” After all, he’s Tony F’N Montana.
Bill Simmons has reached the Tony Montana zone.
After just being suspended for 3 weeks by ESPN, and already having one suspension for ESPN on ESPN social media violence with his criticisms of First Take, Bill Simmons is at it once again.
Simmons appeared on Colin Cowherd’s show yesterday. We already shared a portion of that appearance when he said Roger Goodell “bent the truth” with regards to Ray Rice. A sly wink to his previous suspension.
Mike & Mike pulled out a different sound byte – one where Simmons referenced the Angels’ signing of Albert Pujols and comparing it to the first four games of LeBron James’ return to Cleveland. While it might be early to come up with any proclamation of LBJ in Cleveland thus far, Mike Golic issued a stinging indictment of Simmons both personally and professionally. Via The Big Lead…
“I think it’s one of the most ridiculous statements I’ve heard four games into a season in my life in any sport,” said Mike Golic. “That’s what I’ll say about Bill Simmons. So, you know, he grabbed a headline, which is something I know he loves — and that’s one of the most ridiculous lines I’ve ever heard in any sport in my life. Four games into a season. I don’t even … that’s ridiculous.”
That’s when Bill Simmons found his “little friend” and went to work…
What Mike and Mike did today was absolute garbage. I would say I lost respect for that show, but I never had it. http://t.co/LRd8YzFfO8
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 6, 2014
Have the balls to call me to discuss it on the show. Don't pull it out of context just because you need fodder for a segment. Pathetic.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 6, 2014
For an ESPN Radio show to pull an interview out of context from another ESPN Radio show, then play the moral authority card, is disgusting.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 6, 2014
But hey – I'm just a guy who can't evolve, right? http://t.co/XJ0GWbc5gJ
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 6, 2014
I believe this is what we call “scorched earth.” While there’s going to be a lot of attention on Simmons’ remarks, don’t lose sight of Golic starting this feud with a rarely-seen public attack on The Sports Guy from within ESPN. Those initial comments certainly show the polarization that exists with regards to Simmons both inside and outside Bristol. Regardless, it’s ESPN’s worst nightmare with another high-profile feud between two of its biggest personalities.
Oh, and… did I mention that Simmons’ contract with ESPN is up next year?
Here’s my only response to all of this. Let the games begin…
UPDATE: Golic just sent this tweet, expressing that he has reached out to Simmons to mend fences.
Spoke to Bill, all is good. I will discuss on show
— Mike Golic (@golic) November 6, 2014
For the record, a network spokesperson tells AA that ESPN does not plan on releasing a specific comment regarding the matter.
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