Sports

Rob Parker Asks Rod Marinelli a Controversial Question After Loss

by Jon Azpiri | December 21, 2008 at 06:25 pm

3530 views | 1 Recommendation | 6 comments

Detroit News columnist Rob Parker asked Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli a question during the team's post-game conference that many think crossed the line.

After the Lions historic 15th straight loss of the season to the New Orleans Saints, Parker asked Marinelli a series of tough questions about Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry, who happens to be Marinelli's son-in-law. Parker continued to grill Marinelli about Barry, but the head coach instead took full responsibility for the team's poor defensive performance. Parker then followed up with this question:

"On a light note, do you wish your daughter would have married a better defensive coordinator?"

Broadcasters on FOX TV quickly blasted Parker for the question after they aired the Marinelli press conference video.

Regardless of what your opinion of Rod Marinelli and Joe Barry are as coaches, there is no place for people like Parker in the press room. I think FOX's Terry Bradshaw said it best when he called Parker a "flat idiot." Actually, each of the analysts on FOX's wrap-up show took turns bashing Parker. Michael Strahan said that Parker shouldn't be a reporter; he should be an ex-reporter. Howie Long said something like "Rod has handled this with class; Rob has no class."

This isn't the first time this year that the Detroit News columnist has stirred up controversy. In October, Parker was suspended from his column after falsely reporting that Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins was involved in a fight between Spartan football and hockey players.

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pauly (not verified)

at 18:53 on December 21st, 2008

ROB WE KNOW IT SUCKS TO BE A LIONS FAN RIGHT NOW, ITS A TEAM SPORT ,BUT THAT COMMENT WAS ABSOLUTLEY WRONG !

Patrick Gray (not verified)

at 06:52 on December 22nd, 2008

You know I know the Lions are horrible but Parker crossed the line he disgraced the other writers in the media that's why most people don't like the press. I can tell you this Rod despite the terrible season has handled himself so well with the press I can tell you this if Parker would have said that to me I would be facing an assault charge and probably would have gotten fired for doing something bad. Bottom line this is game and I know that's their business the coaching and the writers but you don't get personal like Parker did.

swood (not verified)

at 14:08 on December 22nd, 2008

the question parker asked was just another way to highlight the obvious poor decision rod made by hiring his son-in-law. With him as defensive coordinator, the lions have had the worst ranked defense 2 YEARS IN A ROW. Yesterday the saints scored td's on ALL 6 of their possesions! maybe if he looked outside the family, he would've found a guy that could do a better job. Instead, they are 2 main reasons that their team is the worst team in the history of the nfl. I feel no sympathy for either of them, and I would have asked the same exact question if i was there.

KSS61 (not verified)

at 14:43 on December 22nd, 2008

What was so bad about the question that Rob Parker asked. Last year detroit had the worst defense in the nfl, then they start the 2008 season down 17+ points in the first quarter of their first three games. Mr. barry should have been fired then, but why not? Because he's his son-in-law? Being the team player Rod says he is, I wonder if Rod was asking himself that question for the sake of the team. I would have asked the same question also if i was there.

JayAv (not verified)

at 08:32 on December 23rd, 2008

Lighten up people. That question was obviously a joke and it was hilarious. On a serious note, Marinelli has probably thought that himself, at least he should have and he needs to lighten up. What else can he do but try find some humor in his situation? Life's a lot easier if you can laugh at yourself. Take heart Detroit fans look at our Falcons and the Dolphins. With a regime change you can turn it around in a year.