Nothing Like Missing the Beam in Your Own Eye

In the Gospel (Matthew 7.3) we are admonished about judging others with the question: "Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?"

Today we get a classic example from Matthew Futterman's column in the Wall Street Journal. He is chastising NFL television analyst John Madden for some factual errors in recent games he has called. In the article, Futterman makes the following assertion:

As a broadcaster, Mr. Madden remains the standard-bearer of the old guard -- the gruff, barstool voice that harkens back to a time when a famous group of linemen were known as "the Hogs" and clumps of mud got stuck in players' facemasks (most teams now play on artificial turf).

Actually, more than half the teams play on natural grass surface. So, while criticizing someone for errors made during live broadcasts, Futterman who has the luxury of checking his facts before submitting his column and the oversight of editors makes an error which most regular football fans would catch. Methinks Futterman owes Madden an apology.

As an aside, I'm not a big fan of John Madden's announcing style. 30 years ago it seemed original. Now his act has worn thin and seems forced or contrived.