OT: Packers Official Allegedly Intimidated Reporter Over Story

Report: Packers official tried to intimidate journalist over Letroy Guion story

Posted by Michael David Smith on October 31, 2015, 9:58 PM EDT
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We noted last week that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had uncovered a previously unreported allegation of domestic violence against Packers defensive lineman Letroy Guion. The Packers apparently weren’t happy with that report — not because their player has a checkered past, but because a journalist chose to report about it.

The Journal Sentinel‘s Bob McGinn writes today that a Packers official tried to bully one of the reporters who worked on the Guion story, Michael Cohen.

According to McGinn, while Cohen covered Packers practice on Monday, Packers director of player development Rob Davis continually gestured at and stared at Cohen, then walked up to Cohen while Cohen was looking down taking notes and stuck his head about a foot from Cohen’s head. Davis is a former NFL player who was listed at 6-foot-3 and 284 pounds during his playing days, so it’s easy to see why someone could feel intimidated having Davis invade his personal space. Cohen attempted to remain professional and extended his hand, but Davis refused to shake it.

“No, we haven’t met,” Davis said to Cohen, according to McGinn. “And I don’t want to know you.”

Davis later claimed he wasn’t trying to intimidate Cohen, but as McGinn describes the situation, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that that’s exactly what Davis was doing. And that’s an unfortunate reaction from the Packers. They’re not claiming that anything the Journal Sentinel wrote about Guion’s off-field troubles was inaccurate; they’re just upset that the Journal Sentinel is conducting journalism rather than serving as an arm of the Packers’ PR department.

The Journal Sentinel should keep conducting journalism. And the Packers shouldn’t allow team employees to try to intimidate journalists for doing their jobs.



I posted the full article because certain paragraphs wouldn't make sense by themselves and save you all the time to click and read. Anyways, this doesn't sound too good, and although it's word against word, the allegation to me is most likely truthful. Don't want to jump to any actual conclusions, just thought I'd post it and see what you all think.

even if true noone will care

Typical Patriots. Intimidating reporters with another team's official.

I wonder if they intimidate refs into allowing Rodgers use overinflated footballs

Oh.. well… the reporter. We mustn't upset the precious reporter.

Reporters are vile scum. I don't care. I'm so sick of people thinking they're on a pedestal and immune from any blowback because they're "reporters." **** them.

Regardless of what someone might have done, I hate that scummy profession so much that I basically just think "Well done."

Eh this isn't that big of a story.

Let's switch the name Cohen with Felger and see what happens to the sympathy meter.

Kinda surprised by some of these reactions....

Bullying a journalist is complete BS.

Think about what we do on this forum.

Free speech is free speech.

robertweathers said:

Kinda surprised by some of these reactions....

Bullying a journalist is complete BS.

Think about what we do on this forum.

Free speech is free speech.

Click to expand...

Carlin can sum up how I feel.


Basically the journalist has every right to tell his story and Guillon's co-workers now have every right to be mad about it and to not like the guy anymore. Obviously they don't actually have unlimited rights but they don't have to keep kissing the reporters butt. Making things uncomfortable for those who smear you is something we all wish the Patriots would do.

signbabybrady said:

Carlin can sum up how I feel.

"Personally, when it comes to rights, I think one of two things is true. I think either we have unlimited rights, or we have no rights at all. Personally, I lean toward unlimited rights, I feel for instance I have the right to do anything I please. But – if I do something you don’t like I think you have the right to kill me. So where you’re gonna find a fairer ****ing deal than that. So the next time some ******* says to you, I have a right to my opinion, you say, oh yeah, well I have a right to my opinion, and my opinion is you have no right to your opinion. Then shoot the **** and walk away. Thank you."

Basically the journalist has every right to tell his story and Guillon's co-workers now have every right to be mad about and to not like the guy anymore. Obviously they don't actually have unlimited rights but they don't have to keep kissing the reporters butt. Making things uncomfortable for those who smear you is something we all wish the Patriots would do.

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Love Carlin!! I agree..if you want to say something bad prepared to take the heat.

Keep in mind it's Packers FO mgt that is bullying the reporter- not players.

PATS16N0 said:

Oh.. well… the reporter. We mustn't upset the precious reporter.

Reporters are vile scum. I don't care. I'm so sick of people thinking they're on a pedestal and immune from any blowback because they're "reporters." **** them.

Regardless of what someone might have done, I hate that scummy profession so much that I basically just think "Well done."

Click to expand...

You're wrong. Just like lawyers, accountants and used-car salesman there are a few bad apples in every profession but to say "reporters are vile scum" simply is ignorant. The vast majority of reporters in America are conscientiously impartial and professional; your gripes most likely lay at the feet of opinionated columnists (there is a BIG difference). Be thankful that we have a free press in this country -- it's an important public service.

signbabybrady said:

Making things uncomfortable for those who smear you is something we all wish the Patriots would do.

Click to expand...

Most of the material advantages that you depend on to make it possible to do whatever you want wouldn't exist is the press were kept from shining the light.

betterthanthealternative said:

Most of the material advantages that you depend on to make it possible to do whatever you want wouldn't exist is the press were kept from shining the light.

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Nowhere did I say the press doesn't have it's rights. Just pointing out that they aren't the only one with rights. You have the right to write it and I have the right to be mad about it and give you dirty looks over it.

I hear refusing to shake a guy's hand is treated as a misdemeanor in the Midwest.

PATS16N0 said:

Oh.. well… the reporter. We mustn't upset the precious reporter.

Reporters are vile scum. I don't care. I'm so sick of people thinking they're on a pedestal and immune from any blowback because they're "reporters." **** them.

Regardless of what someone might have done, I hate that scummy profession so much that I basically just think "Well done."

Click to expand...

signbabybrady said:

Carlin can sum up how I feel.

"Personally, when it comes to rights, I think one of two things is true. I think either we have unlimited rights, or we have no rights at all. Personally, I lean toward unlimited rights, I feel for instance I have the right to do anything I please. But – if I do something you don’t like I think you have the right to kill me. So where you’re gonna find a fairer ****ing deal than that. So the next time some ******* says to you, I have a right to my opinion, you say, oh yeah, well I have a right to my opinion, and my opinion is you have no right to your opinion. Then shoot the **** and walk away. Thank you."

Basically the journalist has every right to tell his story and Guillon's co-workers now have every right to be mad about and to not like the guy anymore. Obviously they don't actually have unlimited rights but they don't have to keep kissing the reporters butt. Making things uncomfortable for those who smear you is something we all wish the Patriots would do.

Click to expand...

Tunescribe said:

You're wrong. Just like lawyers, accountants and used-car salesman there are a few bad apples in every profession but to say "reporters are vile scum" simply is ignorant. The vast majority of reporters in America are conscientiously impartial and professional; your gripes most likely lay at the feet of opinionated columnists (there is a BIG difference). Be thankful that we have a free press in this country -- it's an important public service.

Click to expand...

I really like the fact that these 3 strong Posts capture the Spectrum of Response to this Incident.

My Perspective is pretty similar to Brother Sign's: I am a fanatical Advocate of Freedom of the Press, but I believe that America at its best is a Meritocracy: One should pay Full Price for one's Sins.

Mind you: I only consider it a Sin if it's an Offense against another.

I have no Idea who Cohen is or what kind of a Writer he is...But I don't get the impression that the Packers are the kind of Organization that's likely to promote a guy all the way to Director of Player Development if he's a Thug. Nor do I subscribe to Tune's assertion that the Reputations of Car Salesmen and Reporters are sullied by "a few bad apples." Seems to me that the good apples are the Exception, not the Rule.

Be careful not to "bend over backwards" to say anything remotely critical about the Packers, everyone.

memento said:

I hear refusing to shake a guy's hand is treated as a misdemeanor in the Midwest.

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Very interesting. On the one hand, that's commendable: If anyone were ever to refuse to shake my hand, my reaction would be decidedly hostile. It's a clear Insult, and warrants an hostile response. It'd be great to know that if I get arrested for beating some Chump into HamBurger, he'll be charged, too.

But on the other hand, what if Cohen has behaved contemptibly and deserves the Insult?

That's another reason, from my perspective, to admire our man Doc Holliday: When Sheriff Behan offered his hand and Doc refused it, he actually apologized for doing so: "Forgive me if I don't shake hands."

He pronounced his Enmity in unmistakable terms, yet refused to insult the man.

Perfect.

Tunescribe said:

You're wrong. Just like lawyers, accountants and used-car salesman there are a few bad apples in every profession but to say "reporters are vile scum" simply is ignorant. The vast majority of reporters in America are conscientiously impartial and professional; your gripes most likely lay at the feet of opinionated columnists (there is a BIG difference). Be thankful that we have a free press in this country -- it's an important public service.

Click to expand...

Nice meeting you at the game the other day.

signbabybrady said:

Nowhere did I say the press doesn't have it's rights. Just pointing out that they aren't the only one with rights. You have the right to write it and I have the right to be mad about it and give you dirty looks over it.

Click to expand...

C'mon, it was a lot more than a dirty look. In some jurisdictions, getting in someone's personal space with an expression like that is considered a threat and intimidation, and translates to assault. And the attempt is clearly to change the behavior of the journalist. You don't have that right, and to suggest that people should behave that way is to undermine society. The NFL wouldn't exist if that's the way we run things, as well as many of the foundations of society.

Carlin was a great comedian. Unlike others, I don't exactly live my life according to his teachings.

Kinda sad to see that some view rights through a lens of "might makes it."