Hey,it's Franklin!!

No,this isn't about the cartoon turtle that most of you with pre-schoolers know so well,but about the firing of ESPN play by play announcer Ron Franklin for comments towards colleague Jeannine Edwards.
Now I am not going to touch the harassment in the workplace issue,but what has been absolutely hilarious has been the back and forth on this issue on ESPN's own site.
It seems like Edwards looks (she isn't unattractive) are being attacked as well the job she does as sideline reporter.
I haven't seen Edwards doing very many football games,but I do remember her often on ESPN's Horse Racing coverage and found her to be quite knowledgeable and more than competent in that role.
What seems to be a bigger deal to many is women covering football games.
Here is my issue with that-women doing play by play? No problem with that.
ESPN has two women doing football play by play,one that I would say was pretty good (Beth Mowins) and another that I rank among the worst (Pam Ward).
Women being the color analyst on a football (note,not all sports) game? Bigger issue as the color analyst should be someone that can bring some experienced insight to the job such as being a player or coach and on that part,a female would be lacking a bit.

The biggest topic to me is this-sideline reporters in general are a waste of time-male or female.
Put the gender issue aside and tell me what this job brings to the broadcast?
The same coaches interviews at halftime occur whomever the person is goes through this gig-
Reporter-"Coach,you are down 36-0 at the half,what do you think you can do to turn things around in the second half"?
Coach-" Well,obviously (Reporters name) we have some adjustments to make,but we'll get out there and do our best in the second half.
Reporter-"What will you say to your players in the locker room"?
Coach-"We need to play better"
Reporter-"Thanks coach".
Now,some of these reporters I like better than others,but the job really is more of an annoyance than anything else and that is regardless of gender.
I think if networks smartened up and eliminated this job that they would not only improve the quality of the broadcasts,but would lose of much of the dialogue that goes about female sports announcers.
This job will make anyone look less than adequate with the obligatory boneheaded questions that "must" be asked and taking that away will allow the person doing that job to show their sports knowledge in a different job-one that can prove their credentials.

As far as Ron Franklin goes,I always liked his work,but he is reaching his late 60's and comes from the final generation that didn't have to deal with everyone as equals.
One must step lightly in the workplace and I cannot believe this is the first time this has happened or Franklin would have likely gotten off lighter.
ESPN has a sketchy track record in this area between Dana Jacobsen's drunken ramblings,Mike Tirico's 1990's incidents etc (Read this book for more),so they are likely a bit touchy at this particular time on any misdeeds.

This seems also gives me an excuse to re-use what I have been told by three readers is their all time favorite photo blog as well!