On Tuesday, NFL insider Jay Glazer made it known through a variety of channels that he’d be dropping a bombshell of a report during his appearance on Fox Football Now on Wednesday night.
Glazer, who had dropped big news in the past and is respected within the industry, went on Fox Sports Radio and said, “I am breaking big, big news tomorrow night on Fox Football Now. I mean big, national news tomorrow. I’m not kidding around.”
When the hosts teased him about what the news might be, Glazer chided them for mocking him.
“You guys are making fun of it. It’s not news to make fun of,” Glazer said. “It’s big news.”
People began speculating Glazer had the inside dope on potential discipline for the Patriots for videotaping the Bengals’ sideline, Peyton Manning signing with a media company or the rumored Odell Beckham trade to the Vikings.
On Wednesday morning, Glazer gave a little more info about what was coming and then threw more gas on the hype fire.
The news I have tonight is not transactional news, not a player getting traded or signed. Woke up to seeing y’all going ape-you-know-what guessing what it is. It’s not what you think. Fox Football Now tonight 11 ET/ 8 PT after race
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 15, 2020
So, after more than 24 hours of hyping up his report, Glazer took to FS1 at 11 p.m. and delivered the news that … L.A. Rams center Brian Allen was the first NFL player to test positive for coronavirus and was well on the path to recovery.
Breaking news from @JayGlazer: Los Angeles Rams C Brian Allen is first NFL player to test positive for Covid-19. pic.twitter.com/pkGeD2GHJ2
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) April 16, 2020
To which the internet, rightly so, collectively said, “Big deal.”
I know the main takeaway is that Brian Allen will be Ok and no one in his family was infected.
That aside, Jay Glazer just pinched a loaf on twitters curiosity.
It has to be said and I’m sure that on twitter, it’ll be said in much harsher tones. #NFLTwitter pic.twitter.com/qiKSo0PeD1
— Michael Hauff 😷 (@TheFFRealist) April 16, 2020
JAY GLAZER: I have HUGE NFL news 👀👀
US: omg is it a tradeGLAZER: no but it’s HUGE get ready to FALL ON UR ASS
US: pls tell us 😩😩GLAZER: ok Brian Allen of the Rams has coronavirus
US: oh wow that's sad i hope he's not really sickGLAZER: no he's totally fine
US: pic.twitter.com/XKRPkXzvA7— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) April 16, 2020
nobody:
Jay Glazer: I HAVE HUGE NEWS THAT WILL THE SHAKE THE SPORTS WORLD IN THE MIDDLE OF A GLOBAL CRISIS
also Jay Glazer: pic.twitter.com/ujyMJU8689
— Kayce Smith (@KayceSmith) April 16, 2020
Why, at this stage of the pandemic, anyone in any walk of life having a positive test for COVID-19 would be surprising, is newsworthy or is deserving of such a degree of hype is unclear.
Maybe if Allen was on his deathbed it would be newsworthy, but then Glazer using his story to pull a self-serving publicity stunt would be in extremely bad taste and even more deserving of criticism.
As is, the whole thing was a huge waste of time. At least we all have a lot of it.
Subscribe here for our free daily newsletter.
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.
