ESPN’s Monday night broadcast drew backlash from some former NFL players after the network addressed Denver Broncos defender Jonathon Cooper’s legal situation during the Chiefs-Broncos game.
Kansas City hosted Denver in ESPN’s first Monday Night Football broadcast of the season, and the Chiefs rolled to a 31-10 win. During the game, sideline reporter Laura Rutledge explained why Cooper was not available for the Broncos.
She said he is on the commissioner’s exempt list after being arrested twice in June, and noted that he is facing domestic violence charges involving his girlfriend. Rutledge also said Cooper pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of assault by strangulation along with three misdemeanors, and that his trial is scheduled for November 10.
“Well Joe, we’re seeing this Broncos defense struggle, and it is worth remembering that Jonathon Cooper is not with the Broncos right now, as he is on the Commissioner’s Exempt List after being arrested twice in seven days in June for domestic violence charges,” Rutledge said during the broadcast.
Former Broncos safety Justin Simmons was among those who pushed back, arguing ESPN should have stayed focused on the game. “That’s absolute bs btw.
Shame on all of the production on Monday night football and the crew. You’re supposed to call the game.
Coop isn’t playing the game and isn’t on the sidelines,” Simmons wrote on X.
That criticism opened the door for more debate online, with some former players and fans pointing to what they saw as uneven treatment from ESPN. One post referenced Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini, saying, “I’d be okay with it if they talked about everyone’s problems. Not a peep about Vrabels fuckery during the patriots broadcast.”
Not everyone agreed with the complaints. Some defended ESPN’s choice to mention Cooper, saying the network was simply explaining why an important player was absent.
“It’s part of the story. You’re acting like they convicted him or found him guilty.
They’re simply explaining why he’s not there,” one person wrote.
The exchange has added fresh scrutiny to ESPN’s handling of player controversies on its broadcasts.
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