790/The Zone has fired radio hosts Nick Cellini, Steak Shapiro, and Chris Dimino from the Atlanta station’s “Mayhem in the AM” morning show for mocking former Saints safety Steve Gleason who suffers from Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The crew was inspired by a letter Gleason composed for the Monday Morning Quarterback by typing with his eyes to put on a skit in which they “interviewed” him using a computerized voice and also joked about his life expectancy.
790/The Zone general manager Rick Mack immediately went into damage control and suspended the wannabe shock jocks but has since issued a statement announcing their firing.
We deeply regret the offensive programming that aired this morning on “Mayhem In The AM” on 790 The Zone, related to former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason and his battle with ALS. We suspended the three individuals involved immediately following their comments and have since terminated their employment. 790 The Zone, our owners, sponsors and partners in no way endorse or support this kind of content. We sincerely apologize to Mr. Gleason, his family and all those touched by ALS.
This distasteful skit is a sign of the times, where sports journalist are more worried about making controversial news-making comments, than having an educated discussion about sports…where controversy inspired reporters that yell, scream, and make off the wall comments are more successful than those with journalistic character. I’m still trying to figure out what made these grown men think that joking about a terminal disease that leaves those that suffer from it devastatingly debilitated was funny. Well…I guess they’ll have a lot of time of their hands to think about it.