When I heard Jeff Fisher wore a Peyton Manning jersey while introducing former Colts coach Tony Dungy at a fundraiser Tuesday I laughed, thinking it was a funny gesture – but also shook my head knowing that inevitably some overly-sensitive fans would be offended.
Sure enough, later that day he was questioned about the move on his weekly radio show.
“It was for a very, very worthwhile cause, charity,” Fisher said. “I was introducing Tony, just having fun with it and I really apologize if I offended anybody, but if you’re offended over the nature of that type of thing, then I think you need to rethink things … This is a very worthwhile and needy benefit and I was honored to be there. … I’m sorry if I offended anybody but if I had to do it again, I would do it again.”
Perhaps the comment he made at the event – “I just wanted to feel like a winner” – is more what was found objectionable. Okay, I can see why Titans fans might be a little uptight about that. But come on – he’s an intelligent guy and a fantastic coach who found a way to poke fun at himself and his team during what has been a surprisingly disappointing season.
So what? I know fans take the game seriously. I’m one of them. But what’s he supposed to do? Take the gaspipe?
I thought it was great that he showed he has a sense of humor. And at the end of the day winning and losing a National Football Game pales in importance compared with many, many other things.
So give the guy a break. He’s letting loose during a tough season. He’s coming off a 13-3 campaign in 2008 and he’s earned the right to have a bad year mixed in once in awhile – and if the Titans and their fans no longer want him there will be 20 or so teams out there canning their own coaches at the end of the season to bring Fisher on board.
Andy,
Nice reporting of the story and (what do you know?) I actually agree where you come down on this one. :)
Fish has been good for the NFL and Tennessee fans. Some aspects of their team really did look good in the beginning but tough losses look like they’ve taken their toll. Now they’re mailing them in.
Maybe in some weird way he’s trying a gag to lit a fire under Tennessee so he doesn’t lose them for the season. The guy really is a master manipulater of his teams. Just when it seems like his teams are turning into junk he turns them into an NFL surprise or at least an 8-8 season.
You just wonder, after 15 years, how much longer he can do it in Tennessee? Maybe with McNair’s untimely death and a couple year of VY distraction he’s lost some juice and is ready for a break? Looking at the other great coaches like: Cowher, Walsh, Dungy, Gibbs, Johnson etc… this is about the time there’s some burnout. And some comeback like Parcells, Walsh (Stanford), Gibbs and some don’t like Johnson, Madden and I believe Dungy.