Detroit News columnist Rob Parker was harshly criticized last month after he badgered Lions coach Rod Marinelli over his daughter's marriage to his defensive coordinator. Now he's out of work because of it:
"He doesn't work here any more," Managing Editor Donald Nauss said. He said Parker resigned on Friday. Asked whether this followed a suspension of his column, Nauss said, "I can't talk about personnel matters."Parker reportedly was demoted from columnist to general assignment reporter because of the incident, and he apparently resigned because of that demotion.
Marinelli's Lions became the first team in NFL history to finish a season 0-16, and the Lions' defense was the worst in the league under coordinator Joe Barry, who is married to Marinelli's daughter. At Marinelli's press conference following the Lions' Week 16 loss to the Saints, Parker asked, "Do you wish your daughter would have married a better defensive coordinator?"
Parker later apologized, but Marinelli said he did not accept the apology.
Parker also appears on ESPN, which did not take any action over his comments.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-06-2009 @ 8:15PM
jvsiii3 said...
Good for him. He crossed the line. He still has ESPN. He'll be fine. Still, couldn't have happened to a nicer a##h##e.
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1-06-2009 @ 8:27PM
Douglas said...
At least Parker had the GUTS to resign when he thought he was hurting his employer.Marinelli didn't resign when it was pointed out how much he was hurting the Lions.You tell me which man had more honor.
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1-07-2009 @ 7:20AM
CurveBall said...
Parker didn't resign because he hurt his employer. He resigned because he didn't want to be a general sports reporter, a job he is also unqualified for. Rob Parker needs to make sure that the story includes Rob Parker. If that means making up facts about college football players or acting like an unprofessional clown at a presser, he's willing to go that extra mile.
Now its time for ESPN to man-up.
1-06-2009 @ 9:10PM
runlikehell634 said...
parker didn't resign for the good of the paper. he took his ball and went home because they dared to demote him. he is a twit.
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1-06-2009 @ 9:14PM
Rashad said...
This made a bad situation worse. Parker is guilty of making a bad joke. Everyone new it. Marinelli tried to play hard ball by not accepting Parker's apology. They made a mountain out of a mole hill. Maybe the Lions owner can make a bad joke like Parker so he can be demoted.
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1-06-2009 @ 10:43PM
jdunnfla said...
This knucklehead forgot rule#1 which is that the PLAYERS and the COACHES are the news items.... NOT the reporter. He deserved what he got. Even though Lions were winless, their coach is a good guy who deserves some level of respect.
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1-06-2009 @ 11:26PM
John said...
It was over the top, however it's nice to see reporters asking hard questions instead of lobbing softballs. Furthermore, Howie Long referenced through good and bad. Just when was the good? 10-38. Lost 23 of his last 24. Oh yeah, they were 6-2 at the halfway point in 2007. Finished 1-7 and then 0-16. Yeah Howie the good and the bad.
1-07-2009 @ 12:08AM
T said...
however it's nice to see reporters asking hard questions
a tough question? it was a bad joke....im not happy bout having a bunch of chris matthews clone bootlickers either but dont give props when its not warranted
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1-07-2009 @ 12:41AM
Daniel Trillo said...
I have some good news and some bad news for Lions Fans,
the good news is the Lions can only get better, the bad news
is that you'll have to wait 8 more months.
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1-07-2009 @ 12:46AM
Dan said...
Not to be a spelling/grammar jerk, but it's spelled y-e-a-r-s not m-o-n-t-h-s.
1-07-2009 @ 5:19AM
giant fan since 57 said...
Apparently Parker thinks he's Dan Rather.
I will say, hovever, that if the Dolphins can go from one win th winning the division the next year, I see absolutely no reason the Lions couldn't be competetive next year with the right coaching staff and a new attitude from the ownership. Just my opinion.
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1-07-2009 @ 9:27AM
jaybro said...
The guy tried to get to the root of the problem while every other reporter danced around it. Freedom of the press works only one way - in favor of the people who own the presses.
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1-07-2009 @ 9:40AM
bigkenbrwn said...
EVERY FOOL KNOWS THAT FAMILY IS OFF LIMITS
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1-07-2009 @ 11:07AM
Dave said...
What took him so long to leave? Wonder how he would react if someone questioned his family?
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1-08-2009 @ 3:24PM
mike said...
Not defending rod marinelli....0-16 speaks for itself..but this goes right to the top..william clay ford...dont understand team like miami last year at..1-15 can turn around we fans...suffer through this every year..and the statement by rod parker totally in bad taste...what if another columinist said wrote something about his family,,he should have been fired..
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