Joe Theismann Thinks Tony Kornheiser Is 'Out of Place' on MNF, Nobody Disagrees

Yesterday we found out that Joe Theismann was unimpressed with Chris Cooley inadvertently posting nudie pics of himself. And today, in part two of Dan Steinberg's wide-ranging interview with the former Redskins quarterback, we learn that Theismann still has lingering feelings about how things went down on Monday Night Football, and, in particular, former boothmate Tony Kornheiser.

"I still think Tony's out of place," he said. "Tony was hired to do a job in a football booth that, first of all, didn't suit him. And it didn't suit the venue, the venue being football, period. Tony doesn't belong in a booth. What he adds and what he brings, ok, has a place. But it doesn't have a place in the booth, and I think he's gonna retire after this year....

"And you've got to remember, I got fired from ESPN because I talked about football. And now, their main emphasis after two years of trying to do it the other way, is going back to talk about football."

I was as down on Theismann, teevee analyst, as anybody, but I can't disagree with his contention that "Tony's out of place." That's a nice way of putting it, I'd say. Between playing the role of village idiot and fawning over Brett Favre like he's Peter King, Kornheiser has squandered much of the credibility he earned during an impressive 30-year stint as one of the country's best sportswriters. Solid work, that.

I have no idea if Mr. Tony will retire after the 2008 season or if this is just wishful thinking on Theismann's part, but, well, I don't think many people would miss him. It's sorta sad, really. Not to worry, though; there's always room for one more buffoon on Around the Horn.

Most Hated Figures in Sports

It's time for all sports fans to drink the 'Hatorade.' From Scott Boras to Bill Belichick to Chris Berman to Dan Snyder, run down AOL's choices for the most loathsome figures in sports. 'Monday Night Football' commentator Tony Kornheiser? Yep, he definitely made the list.

Getty Images/ AP

50) Kyle Busch: The 23-year-old has earned himself a reputation around NASCAR tracks as "Kid Conceited," professing he'd rather be hated for who he really is than pretend to be someone he is not.

Reed Saxon, AP

49) Tonya Harding: The disgraced figure skater still tries to stay relevant in the sports world (even taking up boxing) years after trying to have Nancy Kerrigan whacked... in the knee.

Al Bello, Getty Images

48) Sonics owner Clay Bennett: Especially unpopular in the Pacific Northwest, the owner of the former Sonics franchise will forever be known for taking the NBA out of Seattle.

Elaine Thompson, AP

47) Becky Hammon: This WNBA star tossed aside her South Dakota roots and represented Russia at the Olympics after being left off the U.S. roster - despite the fact that she doesn't speak Russian.

Dusan Vranic, AP

46) Tim McCarver: A lot of baseball fans aren't fond of the former catcher's commentary, as some would rather turn the sound down than listen to a FOX broadcast with him and Joe Buck.

Kathy Willens, AP

45) Pete Carroll: The architect of Southern California's football powerhouse has made himself a hated man around the rest of the country with a program that doesn't seem clean to its detractors.

Michael Conroy, AP

44) Marco Materazzi: The grating Italian defender made himself a household name by insulting French star Zinedine Zidane during the 2006 World Cup Final, allegedly telling the star his sister was a whore. The insult earned Materazzi a bald head to the chest, and a permanent place in the YouTube Hall of Fame.

John MacDougall, AFP/Getty Images

43) John McEnroe: The former "bad boy" of tennis continues to grate at fans even in his middle age, as he proved recently when he was kicked out of a senior tournament for arguing with the umpire.

Friedemann Vogel, Getty Images

42) Joe Morgan: The Baseball Hall of Famer has moved on to ESPN's broadcast booth, and certainly hasn't won many friends among baseball fans with his pointed comments at certain teams and players around the league during Sunday night broadcasts - even spawning the "Fire Joe Morgan" website.

Getty Images/ firejoemorgan.com

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)

9-27-2008 @ 12:40PM

Nathan said...

I don't understand the last line in this article

9-27-2008 @ 12:20PM

Anthony said...

The guys a jerk period. I can remember a game in Oct 2006 where the Cardinals were playing the un-beaten Bears. And he's says why did the Cards even show up? Any analyst when the games were on ABC would have never said a degrating thing like that. They would have done their best to make it sound appealing in a proffesional way. The game ended up being great to watch and the Cards should have pulled the upset. He is terriable and MNF is not like it use to be since going to ESPN. Sunday Night Football is the new king now they have the true professionals.

9-27-2008 @ 9:17PM

Seaha said...

I agree, Kornheiser dose not belong in a football booth, if fact, he does not belong in sports. Anyone ever watch Pardon the interruption? That's a show where two village idiots prove they know absolutely nothihng about sports in general, nada.

9-28-2008 @ 1:43PM

SDB said...

Joe Theisman was never good at his job, he was the best, just ask him.
When he was in Washington he was tolerated because he could play the game, but every time he opened his mouth I wanted to puke. The guy is an egotist who abandoned a wife and family for a B list actress. At least Tony K is a decent human being who doesn't take himself so seriously to the exclusion of everything else. And, he's funny.

9-27-2008 @ 2:14PM

DonR9 said...

I disagree with the assessment that Kornheiser is such a detriment to the broadcast. For me, at least, it's important that I enjoy the commentary. Too much "jock-talk". Tony's commentary is lucid, entertaining and pertinent. I hope he stays. Theisman was always too much of a know it all for my taste. I could never identify with him as someone I'd like to have a beer with. I'd love to have a beer with Tony some time.

9-27-2008 @ 2:18PM

DEVON said...

JUST BE QUITE DONR9 YOU MUST BE A DORK JUST LIKE HIM. HE IS WORSE THAN DAN DEERDORF WAS JUST STOP. HE GIVES ME A HEADACHE JUST LIKE YOUR OPINION ABOUT THIS GUY JUST GAVE ME GO HAVE THAT BEER AND BE QUITE

9-28-2008 @ 9:43AM

Stoney said...

Give me a break. Watch "The View" if you want "jogging bra" commentary. I want someone who knows what the hell they are talking about. Someone who has seen the field at eye level and not from a pressbox or HD cable. I'm from D.C. and grew up with Mr. Tony as well as "Joey T". Say what you want about Theisman , but there aren't many people in the world of sports that know's more about football or that can better descibe how an "X" plus an "O" equals a "TD". I love "TK" in the "dash" not the "tube".

9-28-2008 @ 12:58PM

Dday said...

Well said Don.

9-30-2008 @ 1:23AM

alex said...

I agree with DonR9. He said it perfectly. Tony is better than Jealous Joe.

9-30-2008 @ 2:01PM

dave said...

thank god for radio.

9-27-2008 @ 2:51PM

Joanie said...

I call Kornheiser, Tony HORNBLOWER. He is just horrible......has no place in the booth. I despise watching games in which he broadcasts..... He needs to pick up his pen again and put down the microphone.

9-28-2008 @ 8:24AM

Dave said...

All you TK haters... look, a girl agrees with you. That tells me all I need to know about this...

9-27-2008 @ 2:50PM

B-Radley said...

I couldnt agree more with what Theismann was saying. If you actually take the time to listen to what Kornheiser is saying, it adds no value at all, he basically just rambles on about the OBVIOUS. He probaly talked for about 20 mins last game about that it was a must win for San Diego, obviously. Then another 20 mins. After Rivers slow start on Monday, he mentioned over and over again about how this is what they did not want to do, especially after starting 0-2 and then he asked Jaws if he agreed, OBVIOUSLY he agrees, my little brother could have made that assessment. Pay attention to him closely and you'll realize he just rambles. He may be worst than Bryant Gumble on NFL Network last year...

10-08-2008 @ 5:59PM

Sarita said...

Sounds like sour grapes to me from Theisman. I mean after all, he was fired by ESPN. I enjoy Tony Kornheiser and his humor both on PTI and MNF. Why does everyone have to be cut from the same cloth to be considered a successful contributor to MNF? Tony, keep your head up, you do have faithful fans out there.

9-27-2008 @ 2:28PM

John said...

Tony's ok. He does have the best hair.

Bob said...

Joe was just being kind. Mr. Cornweiser is an idiot in the booth. I can not stand listening to him. My friends feel the same way. The guy does not belong is right. Cornnail needs to find another venue. He is lost there!

9-27-2008 @ 2:35PM

Pat L said...

Tony is good at MNF but not great like he is on PTI or his radio show. He would agree with Theisman's comments. Why would Tony quit when they are willing to continue to pay him? MNF is breaking cable ratings records this year. Ryan Wilson doesn't know what he's talking about. Tony hardly needs the work. He would never end up on Around the Horn because he hosts PTI and will as long as he wants.

Go Satch!

9-27-2008 @ 3:32PM

Chanin said...

OH, PLEASSSSSSEEEEE!!!! Like Joe Theismann was such a great commentator?? All Joe EVER did was insult and degrade everyone he spoke about, in the process of tooting his OWN horn. No one EVER did anything as well as Joe did it! If you listened to him to him as a copmmentator, it was more than obvious that Joe has to degrade people to make himself feel good. Good ridance to bad rubbish! Now if he would just crawl back under his rock..........

9-27-2008 @ 4:36PM

Sandy (Diehard Football Fan) said...

I think MNF needs a complete overhaul. Nonone mentioned how pathetic Ron Jaworski is. Every other word out of his mouth has to do with the Eagles. You could of cut the tension with a knife when Tony brought up about Reid's sons being incarcerated--it was written all over Jaworski's face. Say what you want about Joe T. but he was informative and he knew what he was talking about--not bad on the eyes either. Get some 'Younng Blood" on the set and stick to football!!!!! Until you do my MNF games are few and far between.