7.7.23 - JR SportBrief Hour 1

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This is the JR Sport Brief show here on CBS Sports Radio. Happy Friday night to you. Happy start to your weekend.

I'm just happy to be here. I hope you're safe. I hope you're well. I hope you're smooth.

I hope you're cool. Coming to you live from Atlanta, Georgia. This is when I get started.

10 p.m. Eastern Time, 7 p.m. Pacific. I might be in Atlanta, Georgia, but our super producer and host Dave Sheppard, he's coming to you live from New York City. And we got a busy, busy night. We got a legend joining us, an actor, an entrepreneur. Just he's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Some people love him. Some people hate him.

He's done family movies. He was in NW. Ice Cube is going to join us. We got Ice Cube coming up and we'll be having that conversation with Ice Cube next hour. Why is Ice Cube going to join us? Well, Ice Cube is he's an owner of the Big Three Basketball. So we're going to we're going to have Ice Cube join us next hour.

He has quite a few things that he wants to get off of his chest regarding his new venture, especially as it relates to his relationship or lack thereof. Or maybe an adversarial one with the NBA. But you'll hear from Ice Cube himself. Ice Cube joins us next hour. We got some new updates when it comes down to Damian Lillard and you know what it would take for Damian Lillard to be moved out of Portland to anywhere.

I know he wants to go to Miami. We'll get into that. For my friends out of Chicago, of which I have many, everybody who's gone to Northwestern, Pat Fitzgerald has been suspended for two weeks due to hazing. I knew hazing is always going on, but I thought they, well, I didn't think that, but I didn't know it would be so so prevalent that he has garnered a two week suspension. We'll get into that last night. A few things that we didn't touch on. We're going to get into tonight.

Bill Belichick not getting love and Andy Reid getting a lot of love. We're days away and this shows you how fast time flies. Major League Baseball. The All-Star game is next week. Ken Griffey Jr. is doing something pretty awesome for athletes who attend HBCUs. Shout outs to Ken Griffey Jr. And so we got a lot to get into, but a matter of fact, right at this moment. Victor Wimbenyama.

No, he's not getting into anything with Britney Spears. Victor Wimbenyama is actually playing basketball right now in his summer league debut for the San Antonio Spurs. They're taking on the Charlotte Hornets. Brandon Miller on the opposite side of the court for the Hornets.

And this is what people have been waiting for. We saw Victor Wimbenyama play against the G League Ignite. Put up like 36 points per game in each game like it was nothing. And Victor Wimbenyama right now in 10 minutes of play.

Not too good. Only three points, one of six shooting, all of two from downtown. But when it comes to his length, you can't teach that. Five rebounds and two blocks already in his two blocks. And then he was like he jumped off the floor. Just lifted his hands up.

And so Victor Wimbenyama actually in the news for playing basketball and not being a prospect and not having a security guard. SWAT at Britney Spears. So we got a lot to do.

It's a jam packed show. If you want to holler at me, it's simple. 855-212-4CBS. That's 855-212-4CBS. You can also find me everywhere. I am at JR Sport Brief.

That's at JR Sport Brief all over the place on social media. Shep, how are you this this Friday evening? Did you have a good day? I did, JR. Thank you for asking.

How are you, sir? And more importantly, I know we have a legend on the show and Ice Cube is joining us as well. We have a legend and Ice Cube? Well, I mean, you're selling yourself short. I think when you mention legend, I think you belong in that conversation.

So just saying. I'm a legend. I think you are.

I do. Legends are like relics, man. I'm not no damn relic. Well, what you have been able to build in your career in such a short time, it's legendary. And so we have two legends, to be honest, on the show.

So I'm excited to hear that interview, JR. Well, that's nice. Somebody called me a legend last week and I had to go, what are y'all talking about? I'm young. I'm not old.

I'm young. Well, Djokovic is a legend. He's younger than both of us. Nikola Jokic? Oh, Djokovic, the guy who is the only tennis player that anyone cares about these days anymore. I could call Novak Djokovic a few other things, but I won't. But he is a legend. Good for him.

And let's see how many more years he has left in him. But anyway, let's get this out the way. There were so many people last night talking about this Viktor Wimbenyama Britney Spears thing. I mean, I dove into the valley of the stupid. I had people calling me last night going, hey, JR, you never hit a woman. Who said you hit a woman? Not me.

It didn't come out of my mouth. Oh, JR, if Britney Spears was black, we'd have riots. Well, why are you making it about race? Is it about women or which one is it?

Black women or only white women? Well, we got some updates. And to the surprise of nobody, there's video.

Yeah, video. And I can't believe how many people are just stuck in the valley of the stupid. We got people really arguing about it. And I read this in TMZ story as well. We got people really arguing about whether Viktor Wimbenyama said he was grabbed or whether Britney Spears said he was tapped. Who cares?

She went to reach for the guy. She got swatted at and she accidentally got hit in the face, whether it was with her own hand or what. Who knows?

Who cares? Britney Spears has had issues, unfortunately, for the better part of her life. She reached for someone with security surrounding him and she got swatted away. She said she fell down. Oh, yeah, that didn't happen either. And so now she's putting up messages about all her whole life is this and that.

Just Britney, go go get whatever help that you have always needed. That's it. It's problem solved.

If you needed any additional anything, clarity, finality to this, understand this. The police department in Vegas, out in Henderson, they have closed its investigation. There will be no charges filed against Viktor's security. Because nothing happened. OK. And when I say nothing happened and nothing criminal happened, security guard did his job. Somebody reached towards the man. He swatted her away.

Didn't look, didn't turn. End of story. Case closed. Britney Spears can use a British accent to accost or get attention of another player. This is just unfortunately, I believe, a case of Britney being Britney. And for a long time, this woman has needed help. Maybe she's learned something or maybe she'll put up another sorry, you know, Instagram post about woe is me. Look, I wish that lady nothing but the best. She's been through some things. And now we see Victor when Benyama, of which everyone in their mother has shown up to see this guy play tonight.

You want to talk about greats and Victor when Benyama? We have no idea what the hell this guy is going to look like. I know he looks like he needs a sandwich out on the court as he goes strong to the basket, bounces off and misses a layup and is going to the free throw line.

He's going to be good, I believe, in his first year. What I have no idea is how he's going to last game to game up against grown men because he is he's a freak on the court, man. There's not a moment in time that I look at Chris Staps Porzingis and don't go. Damn, that dude is tall as hell.

Never. I've met Chris Staps. I've spoken to Chris Staps Porzingis. He's she's a giant to think that this dude is another half inch inch taller than Chris Staps is mind boggling to see him run up and down the court. Like a toothpick is also ridiculous as he now has five points, five rebounds and two blocks. He is one of seven from the field.

That's Victor when Benyama. It's just how he's going to hold up. Watching him dribble the basketball tonight.

Is is nuts. The fluidity of which he dribbles the ball makes no sense. He makes he's like an upgrade from Chris Staps Porzingis. He has the fluidity of Kevin Durant and he's bigger than Chris Staps Porzingis. How's he going to hold up?

That's it. Because he's playing against younger guys right now. He's he's up against his peers. He's playing against other dudes who probably won't even make an NBA roster.

What's he going to do? When he runs into, I don't know, Joel Embiid, who is big as hell. And sure, we don't have monster sensors. There's no Shaquille O'Neal. There's no Karl Malone at the power fold who's going to give him an elbow.

We don't have beasts and monsters and super destroyers. That's going to be to his advantage. But man, if he plays more than, I don't know, 60, 65 games, I'm going to give him a lot of credit because he can play.

It's just a matter of how he holds up physically. And I mean, you got a lot of NBA players. I'm looking in the crowd and I see my main man, Steve Smith, former Hawk, former Blazer, former Spur. Steve Smith is in the crowd watching.

Jay Cole, the musician, is in the crowd. Trae Young is sitting courtside with a bucket hat. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar walked into the building to see Victor Winbenyama. I have watched all-star games where Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has looked disinterested and has walked out. Kareem wants to see Victor Winbenyama.

This is nuts. I mean, through all the years that I've been watching basketball, I don't really care about summer league. I care if I'm there.

I'm not there this year, obviously, but I'm not all that into it. I don't remember watching Zion play at summer league. I couldn't tell you whether LeBron James played or not.

I don't remember. But I'm not going to forget this tonight. Victor Winbenyama just having Kareem show up to watch him play. And what isn't even a preseason game? Definitely isn't a regular season game. But it's just a summer league game where you might only know two dudes on the floor. That's Brandon Miller drafted by Charlotte and Victor Winbenyama.

And so I'm not high or low. Victor Winbenyama tonight could shoot one for eleven. He could go one for twelve. It's not going to change anything. It's not going to have any bearing on who or what he can be as a player. But his welcome to America was that Britney Spears nonsense. And I guess the subway in New York City and his welcome to the NBA just right here in front of us is playing in front of Kareem.

In a summer league game. This is nuts. And I'm glad that he's here. Congratulations, Victor Winbenyama.

As the game concludes, I'm sure we might get some sound about Victor not having the greatest of games. But it's good to see that he's here. And a matter of fact, Shep, this is my second day back, right? Yeah, feels like you've been back longer.

But yes, it is your second day back. And unfortunately, the majority of that conversation has been about a pop star. So I'm glad to see that getting back on the court. Yeah.

Well, maybe I'm sure Victor wishes that it was under better circumstances here. But the summer league game. I told you, I don't remember Zion and LeBron. Do you remember them playing in summer league?

So Zion, I remember, got hurt day one in summer league. Wasn't there earthquake and stuff? Yes, yes.

Good call, JR. Yes, that was back in 2019. Did he cause the earthquake? A lot of people felt like he did. But, you know, listen, the Pelicans and Griff, I mean, they shut him down right away.

They were not messing with that natural resource. And that, at the time, was- Was it his knee? I'm pretty sure it was. See, this knee is his foot. Right. And as far as LeBron James, to your point, what I remember about LeBron is what he did against Sacramento. The first game of his NBA career.

But we don't talk about summer league. No. Yeah. LeBron's first game, what was it?

25 and 5 against the Kings. Yeah. And it's funny that you mentioned Kareem. Obviously, he's being interviewed right now at this very second by Cassidy Hubbard.

So, yeah, it's amazing. Kareem is just a miserable guy. He is. Oh, he's smiling a little bit. He's pissed that he's got to do an interview.

He doesn't like talking to the press. You know that. The cap has been that way since the 80s with the Lakers. I interviewed Kareem, I want to say. What year are we in? 2023? Yes. What year did Bleacher Report get started? 2013, 14? Man, it's been around for at least a decade. Yeah. Early on in Bleacher Report.

Hey, how about this? This is some trivia. I'm one of the, you know, I think I am. Yeah, I might be the first video host ever for Bleacher Report.

I did not know that. Yeah, that'd be me. That'd be me. You know who, Jerry, you know who I hosted with last Sunday? You did what? You know who I hosted with last Sunday?

Howard Beck. Oh, did you? Nice. Yeah, so I should have mentioned that. See, I wish you would have told me that.

That would have been my in. Oh, well, don't hold me to such high regard. Fair enough. But I've interviewed Kareem, and yeah, he was nice when I spoke.

I see his, I don't know what she is, but that's his contact person that was right there behind him. And you know, I had a good conversation with Kareem, but you know, as he's gotten older, he just seems miserable. Well, JR, I mean, let's be- Like most, a lot of old people get miserable as they get older. Let's be real about Kareem though, and I don't think this, and I'm not just saying this, this does not apply to you because you think about things on such a macro level. I think he genuinely enjoys those types of interviews and essay conversations where I think a lot of the media is all about asking a very basic elementary question. Ask him about LeBron. Yeah, like I think Kareem gets fed up with that because he thinks it's such a high philosophical level. It's why him and John Wooden got along so well back in the late 60s when they had nothing in common other than they were both highly educated people who were very intelligent and poignantly spoken. And so because of that, I think he is miserable in a lot of these interviews, but you notice when he does talk to people that ask him high order type of questions, he actually enjoys his company.

So that's good to see. Well, the next time I see him, I'm going to ask him, how does it feel to be tall? I want to see how he responds.

Good luck with that. Yeah, and he's smiling on TV. So we got the nice happy version of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar tonight, which is amazing. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar showing up to watch Victor Wenbanyama. I hope they get a photo after the game. I think even of itself, that would be pretty awesome.

And think about this, folks. Victor Wenbanyama hasn't played in a regular season game. He has been hyped up so much over the past year. You know, I mentioned LeBron. I don't remember LeBron in no damn summer league because before LeBron even got to the NBA, it was like two or three years of LeBron, LeBron, LeBron, LeBron, LeBron. Who cares about summer league and boom, he's in the NBA with Victor Wenbanyama. It's literally been like a one year, maybe a year and a half punch in the face and boom. He's here.

We're in the middle of July or the beginning of July, July, August, September and about three and a half months. He's going to be playing NBA basketball against real pros, professionals, not guys trying to make the league make a roster. And LeBron physically, LeBron was ready to play.

It was whether or not he was going to live up to the expectations and the hype. And I mean, damn it, he's exceeded it. With Victor Wenbanyama, it's like we see the skill and the talent that's there. How's his body going to hold up?

I think that's it. Welcome, Victor Wenbanyama. It's the JR Sport Brief Show here with you on CBS Sports Radio. We got a lot to do. Yes, Ice Cube is going to join us next hour. We're going to talk NBA and NFL and Major League Baseball, Ken Griffey Jr., the All-Star game for Major League Baseball in Seattle next week.

There's so much to do. 855-212-4CBS. It's 855-212-4CBS if you want to holler at me. We'll keep you updated on this Victor Wenbanyama stuff. And then unfortunately, there's more news about Damian Lillard?

Again, more news? I'm going to take your calls on the other side. We're going to get things rolling here on CBS Sports Radio.

Don't move. You're listening to the JR Sport Brief on CBS Sports Radio. JR wants to hear from you. Call him now at 855-212-4CBS.

That's 855-212-4227. It's the JR Sport Brief Show on CBS Sports Radio. Victor Wenbanyama is playing basketball for the San Antonio Spurs. It's NBA Summer League and his San Antonio Spurs are taking on Brandon Miller and the Charlotte Hornets. And right now the Spurs lead 45 to 31. Who cares about the score? Victor Wenbanyama, five points, one of seven from the field to go along with seven rebounds in three blocks.

What a shock, right? Brandon Miller also not having the greatest of games. His summer league hasn't gone all that well.

As of right now, he has nine points on two of nine shooting. What does this mean? This means that these guys are learning. That's it.

Flat period. Nothing to see here. And it's nice to see Victor Wenbanyama just on the basketball court. I mean, even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has showed up to see him play. At the same time, I did mention to you, you know, not in the nicest terms, mention Zion. I don't remember Zion playing in summer league.

Shep reminded me he got hurt and then there was an earthquake and he didn't play anymore. I don't remember LeBron in summer league. LeBron James had to hear about this guy for years before he even got to the NBA. And when it comes down to Zion, and I'll tell you about Damian Lillard in a bit. Chris Haynes, you know, of Bleacher Report and TNT. He's reporting that Zion Williamson can be had for the right price.

Yes, you heard that correctly. Even know that we are through and gone past the NBA draft. Zion Williamson can still get moved. A matter of fact, was his birthday. Zion turned 23 yesterday. Happy belated birthday to Zion Williamson. He can still be traded.

Well, here's the question. Who the hell wants Zion? Who wants this guy? Like what sucker is going to wake up and say, yeah, well, let's let's bring on Zion. Have you heard about some of the trade packages that like the Blazers are requesting for Damian Lillard?

And sure, more of a proven track record. One of the best guards, one of the NBA's top 75, 76 players, all this good stuff. Damian Lillard's about to be 33. Zion Williamson is like a decade younger and can't even play.

Oh, my. And by the way, the Portland Trail Blazers, it's been reported that they want four first round picks from whoever. I don't think they care where it comes from. They want four first round picks. And they want two players that can actually play basketball at minimum. And so Rudy Gobert being swapped for four first rounders still has the NBA completely screwed up, even though that took place last summer. This is just completely nutty.

It's wild all over the place. Eight, five, five, two, one, two, four CBS. That's eight, five, five, two, one, two, four CBS.

If a team trades for Zion, I'm going to laugh. That's just it. Dale is calling from Birmingham. You're on CBS Sports Radio. What's up, Dale? How are you doing? Good. What's on your mind?

Victor, being Yama, he's with the right team to get to where he got to be, because I think Pop can work with him and get him there because he used to working with big men. And with the Spears, I think she's been out of the spotlight for a while. And this brings her back. Not in singing, but brings her back into a little of a spotlight. Yeah, well, maybe she's going to drop a new record, Dale.

If she puts out new music, you going to buy it? No. Okay. All right. Well, thank you, Dale, for calling from Birmingham.

Tell me how you really feel about Britney Spears. Everett, he's calling up from Columbia, South Carolina. You're on the JR Sport Reshow. What's up, Everett? JR, how are you doing this evening, my friend?

Very well. What's up? Listen, I wanted to commend you. I'm a former announcer as yourself with ESPN Radio here in Columbia, and I love your enthusiasm that you bring to the table when you're on the air and your excitement that you bring.

But also, I wanted to just, just a moment, not to steal your thunder, because I really enjoy what you were just talking here, sitting on the phone, listening at the show. Just want to give hats and tip my hat to the families of Nikki Marais of McRae, that was a former lady game coach here in Columbia, South Carolina. Yes, sir, unfortunately.

Yes. I want to tip my hat, because I know that their family's hurting right now. It's just, you know, that's just something that I think we lose sight of sometimes. But once again, just love your enthusiasm. And I don't even worry about basketball right now, or these rookies coming through. You know, Zion, I saw him play in high school here in South Carolina. Big kid that just needed some work, and I think he needs to work on his work ethics.

Number one, push away from the table. I think he's done a pretty good job. Jay McCrant, whatever that guy's name, he can't keep guns out of his hands. You know, we've had some talented kids. Ray Allen, Tyrone Corbin, Xavier McDaniels, all those guys that came out of, Kevin Garnett, that came out of South Carolina, that has really made some impact in the NBA. But I'm just hoping some of these younger guys can get themselves together, because I like to see the young man that was drafted by San Antonio really do well. The kid that played here at South Carolina this past year, Gigi Jackson, still has a long ways to go. I don't see him being in the league with Memphis. I think he'll be in the G League.

But, you know, hey, I'd love to see these young guys develop and do well. Oh, wait, wait, wait. Hold on. Somebody dunked on Victor Winbenyama. Wait a minute. The guy, some guy on the bench for Charlotte is gone.

Oh, my God, on his head. Let's see. Yeah, yeah. Chef, that counts, right? Victor Winbenyama got dunked on, right?

Yeah, they're counting it. Mr. Jones, number 23. Yeah, Victor Winbenyama, he got dunked on. Good for him. And now he looks angry.

He looks sad and angry. Good for Victor Winbenyama. Hey, Everett, I appreciate you, man. And thank you so much for bringing up Nicki McCray. Yes, I remember watching her, obviously, in the Olympics, and she was one of the first folks that helped usher in the WNBA. I remember her with the Washington Mystics getting busy, and it was just terrible news to learn that she succumbed to cancer earlier today.

Young at 51 years old. So, Everett, I appreciate you for bringing that to the forefront. You're welcome, my friend. You have a great night. You as well. Thank you, Everett, for calling from Columbia, South Carolina.

Yeah, Nicki McCray, all the best to her and her family. Everett also brought up Greg Popovich, who's happened to, he's sitting and watching his, Chef, is he a pupil? He's a pupil, right? Prize people, Victor Winbenyama?

I would say so, yeah. He's going to teach him some things. Can't teach him not to get dunked on. It happens to everybody. Oh, it's going to happen to Victor Winbenyama a lot.

People are going to be going at this dude's neck. 855-212-4CBS, Manny is calling from Flushing. You're on the JR Sport Reef show. What's up, Manny? I'm good, man. I miss you, my brother. I miss you. You're one of my favorites. You always make me laugh as hell. Well, I'm glad to be back, Manny. I appreciate you, man. What's up?

Yeah, I'm good. I'm just watching the highlights of Victor, my young man. I think he's doing, he's going to be all right. The only thing I will say is he better stop trying to jack up the damn three.

Get him a damn boat. I mean, he ain't, I mean, I don't want to be, I mean, listen, he ain't Steph. He damn sure ain't Dirk Orwinski.

Get to the boat. My God, why doesn't he, I mean, I can't stand Big Strike hit the three. I go like, he's like Steph Curry, Reggie Miller, for God's sake. Yeah, well, I don't, I don't know how much he can operate in the post right now. I know he can shoot over everybody.

I think a larger issue is whether or not he can actually get positioning in the post. We just saw the guy, he got dumped on. It's just, just the nature of the beast. But I think he'll be fine like you, Manny. We got to see what happens. Okay. Yeah. Yeah, that's true, man. Yeah. Man, I can't wait to the interview, that new interview of Ice Cube, man.

Man, that interview you had with Ice Cube, I mean, it was going to be late because Ice Cube is one of those old G's that we need to like, that I love and really respected. And by the way, rest in peace for that, that former NBA player McRae. I'm very sad. I get, it makes me sad when I hear people die from cancer. It just breaks my heart.

It is. It's very sad, Manny. Listen, thank you so much for calling from Flushing. You be well, okay? Thank you, my brother. And please, please enjoy your summer and keep up the good work. Well, thank you, Manny. You too, man. Be smooth. Be cool. Yeah, I'm back now, people. You don't got to worry about nothing. I'm here. I ain't going nowhere. I'll be back next week, every day. And yes, Ice Cube is going to join us next hour, in less than an hour.

So you don't have to wait too much longer than that. We'll ask Ice Cube about the big three. I'm going to ask him about his favorite team, the Las Vegas Raiders. And there's just, just so much going on. It's the JR Sport Reshow on CBS Sports Radio 855-212-4CBS.

That's 855-212-4CBS. There's so much going on. When we come back, I want to tell you about this next story.

Because I don't, is it being swept under the rug? Is it too quiet? Is there so much going on? I want to tell you about something happening or that has happened at Northwestern out in Chicago.

And it's not good. It's the JR Sport Reshow on CBS Sports Radio. You're listening to the JR Sport Brief on CBS Sports Radio. Your show is informative and thought provoking. And I love that about us.

And every chance I get, man, keep it up. It's one of the best shows anywhere. Call in now at 855-212-4CBS. It's the JR Sport Reshow here with you on CBS Sports Radio. Victor Wenbanyama out here having a crap game in 20 minutes. Only five points. And he's the French league MVP.

No real shocker here. And we got plenty of time later to talk more about Victor Wenbanyama. Maybe he doesn't get dunked on again.

There's about a minute left here in the third quarter and we'll see what happens. And I'm also or have been reminded by watching this that the summer league is sponsored by NBA 2K, the video games. And it was announced earlier this week, I think two days ago, that Kobe Bryant or actually yesterday. Kobe Bryant is the 2K cover athlete for NBA 2K 24. So many numbers now.

I can't keep up. This is the fourth time that Kobe has been on the cover. And just more accolades for the dude. It's really just amazing how much Kobe Bryant, to the shock of no one I think, has been recognized post or after his death.

And I think we're going to continue to see more and more and more. I'll never forget. I forgot what medium it was where Trae Young. And this was just, I don't want to say an eye opener, but Trae Young just said, oh, Kobe Bryant was my Michael Jordan. And I guess for him it was because he was too young to remember Michael Jordan. So just another way to remember Kobe Bryant. He's going to be on the cover of 2K 24 when that game drops, I assume.

I think in another month or so. And shout outs to our friends at 2K who every now and then have joined us here on the air to big up the game. 855-212-4CBS.

That's 855-212-4CBS. There's some unfortunate news here on this side. Everything can't be positive and bigging people up.

That's just the nature of the world. Earlier today, Northwestern Football, shout outs to everybody in Chicago, Illinois, out in Wisconsin. Pat Fitzgerald, who's been their head coach since 2006. This man is suspended for two weeks.

Why has he been suspended? Well, it's called hazing. It's something that takes place at schools and colleges and sporting events.

Typically with younger people, and I could even say not even younger people, the NFL forever. It's initiation. We've got to baptize you by fire. We've got to abuse you in the locker room. We've got to tie you to a post. We have to stuff you in a locker.

We've got to turn you upside down in a toilet. And unfortunately, there have been many instances of hazing that have been more sexual. And I should say a sexual assault in nature, which is pretty sad. And so we learned earlier on in January that there was going to be an investigation into hazing taking place or taking place at Northwestern. And we found out today that their head coach, Pat Fitzgerald, he was, quote unquote, not aware of what was taking place. But he is not being absolved of the fact that this took place, whether it be in training camp and last summer.

And so he's gone for two weeks. A matter of fact, here's a little bit more details. This is from CBS in Chicago. The independent investigation launched last December after an anonymous email complaint. Investigators interviewed more than 50 people, players, coaches and staff. They found hazing took place in the locker room and may have started at Camp Kenosha, the Wildcats training camp in Wisconsin. Yeah, well, what a shock, right?

And we've seen this. People are trying or have tried to cut down on hazing, whether it be at the NFL level in this. Shep is fetching donuts for an NBA veteran. I don't even know if they do that anymore.

Right now, carrying my bags. Give me a donut like they don't do that no more. Right. I'm sure they do. Obviously, it's on the hush hush. It's not on the up and up.

It's still not as nearly as bad as doing that in a college university setting. And to the degree that Fitzgerald, obviously they're doing that on his watch for. Yeah. He said that he didn't he didn't know. They never know.

Yeah. He said he said, I didn't know. And and now he's well, this is actually what he said. He said he's very disappointed or was very disappointed when he learned about the hazing allegations.

And he continued on. Northwestern football prides itself on producing not just athletes, but fine young men with character befitting the program and our university. We hold our student athletes and our program to the highest standards. We'll continue to work to exceed those standards moving forward. And the university in whole. They're going to have anti hazing training for coaches, staff members and the athletes. They're going to create an online tool for athletes to report hazing anonymously.

They're going to have a working group of leaders to create a policy on tase. Like it's just how much education do you need? Like I thought you just felt like just don't be a jackass. Don't harm somebody. But, you know, people I think hazing is a matter of exerting power and authority and letting people know that I'm here.

I've been here before you. And if you want to be down, if you want to be a part of the club, whether it be a frat or be a team that you've got to be humiliated. And that's I think we've cut down on it, but it's it's not going anywhere. Unfortunately, it will never disappear completely. And it's only going to be a matter of time before we hear more hazing. I know that the NFL, for instance, like they've cut down on hazing and they don't they don't need this. What's the what's the purpose of it? We've had enough cases where people have gotten hurt.

We've seen extreme cases, unfortunately, where people have passed away. It's it's unnecessary. So close the book on it.

And for Pat Fitzgerald to get a two week suspension with no pay. I'm not going to not going to fight and argue against that point. But look, having a task force and and setting up all this, just give people the boot. Like, what more information do you need if you're going to be harmful to your own teammates?

Just just take a hike. Why play? What are you going to do, suspend the players? Where are those guys at? There's so much information that's that's lacking here. All we know is that there there was hazing that took place training camp up in Wisconsin and before the season.

Get these dudes out of here. There's no place for for hazing in sports. And Shep, do you think the two week suspension, no pay, they went light on him?

And you think it's appropriate? I think they went I think they went light on him. JR, these head coaches always it's never it's never on them, right? They're always so heads in the clouds.

They had no idea this was going underneath their watch. No, I mean, I think I think you really want to send a message. You suspended for the season. I mean, this could have been a lot worse. It could have, you know, could have escalated to someone truly losing a life. I mean, we've seen that before in hazing, especially in the college settings.

So I think a two week vacation, all things considered, very light. If you ask me. Well, I think I wouldn't have given him suspended. I mean, if you're going to suspend him for the whole season, give him the boot.

And look, I know Covid has had an effect on on everybody. And so Northwestern, they've they were good a few seasons ago. But over the past two years, they've been four and 20. They went one and eleven last season. And so if you were going to suspend this dude for an entire year, I think at that point, you might as well have just shown him.

Showing him the door. And so we'll see what happens with Northwestern. But yeah, this is a I don't even want to call it a tap in the wallet or a pocket as he'll be able to to come back to the team. And I wouldn't expect to hear any more issues about or from Northwestern about what's going on.

You don't you don't think that you're going to get issues like this. I think about Northwestern and I think about it as a they have a great sports journalism program. I don't think about hazing. So good luck to everybody out in Northwestern. It's the JR Sport Brief Show here with you on CBS Sports Radio.

Bad behavior is everywhere. It looks like Victor Winbenyama has checked out of the game for now. Maybe for good. A little less than eight minutes left in the game.

San Antonio leads 61 to 48. Winbenyama, one of nine from the field. He's going to have something to think about in Las Vegas that doesn't have anything to do with Britain. It's the JR Sport Brief Show here with you on CBS Sports Radio. Ice Cube coming up next hour.

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