You might just know Skip Bayless as the blowhard on ESPN who says outrageous statements just to get attention. (Versus, basically, every other personality on ESPN who does exactly the same thing.) Among his greatest hits are his on-going hatred of LeBron James and his belief that Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were boycotting a golf event because it was sponsored by Mercedes.
(ESPNer Bayless reiterated stand on Aikman’s sexual preference)
So you might be surprised - shocked, even - to learn that Bayless used to be more than a talking head seeking out controversy: he used to be a writer seeking out controversy. THE STARTING FIVE has Part One of an exhaustive interview with Bayless about his columns and books, focusing on his expose “Hell-Bent: The Crazy Truth About the’Win or Else’ Dallas Cowboys,” which created a scandal for allegedly “outing” Cowboys QB Troy Aikman. And Bayless isn’t backing down. Sort of.
First off, Bayless is disappointed that all people remember about the book is the “gay thing” - he is more proud of reporting that Aikman allegedly dropped an N-bomb on receiver Kevin Williams in a heated exchange on the sidelines. And Bayless never said Aikman was gay - he just reported that other people said Aikman was gay. Still, he’s sticking with his sources:
“A number of the Black players – with whom I was close – contended that he was bisexual.
They didn’t like him to start with because he was distant, knee jerk emotional, quick tempered. His friends on the team loved him for one reason and that was because he could play. When it was time to play, he performed.
Deep down…trust me…the stars on that team…the Black players…and you know who they are…they didn’t like the guy (Aikman).”
First off - see, Billy Wagner, Skip isn’t gay; he was close to the “Black players” on the Cowboys. (Although why “Black” is capitalized, I don’t know.) But secondly, the rumors about Aikman bring gay or bisexual were totally credible: players who hated him told Bayless that he was. And Barry Switzer told Bayless he had heard rumors as well, which I’m sure had nothing to do with the fact that the Switzer/Aikman relationship had turned into “open warfare” (Bayless’ own words).
A few other interesting notes from the interview:
- My wife made my birthday dinner this month using recipes from Bayless’ brother Rick’s cookbook. I don’t know how I feel about that.
- Bayless was part of the first “Sports Reporters” with Mitch Albom and Michael Wilbon, and Bayless the “original live wire” who learned how to push Wilbon’s buttons (but they are friends - see, he has black friends!) and created the format of “PTI”, “Around the Horn” and “1st and Ten.” I’m sure in his mind, he should be the one getting massive heat about ruining “Monday Night Football” instead of Tony Kornheiser.
- He pushes to have black debate partners, because he likes to have “both sides represented” - see he can’t be rac-…I think you get the idea.
3:19 pm on February 25th, 2009
I tend to skip anything Bayless says or writes.
3:22 pm on February 25th, 2009
If this bisexual rumor was true, you'd think some guy who did the deed with Troy would have come forward by now.
3:30 pm on February 25th, 2009
Anytime there's another story about the Cowboys' cuckoo house, I enjoy it.
3:36 pm on February 25th, 2009
Racism, homophobia, Skip Bayless - this story has so many unsavory aspects.
3:41 pm on February 25th, 2009
I capitalize Black and White, Mother and Father. It's a personal thing. Thanks for the link.
4:01 pm on February 25th, 2009
Joe Buck might be moving his seat in the Fox booth a few inches farther away come September.
4:16 pm on February 25th, 2009
An All-American he-man like Troy? I don't believe it!
4:25 pm on February 25th, 2009
It could be possible that if the black players already had a strong dislike for Aikman, they could me making up false rumors about him & his sexual preferences.
4:46 pm on February 25th, 2009
This is all about Skip selling more books, isn't it?
6:24 pm on February 25th, 2009
Is he friends with Arod?
6:37 pm on February 25th, 2009
These same players who would slander Aikman have Troy to thank for getting them their Super Bowl rings.
6:59 pm on February 25th, 2009
gay see joe buck
10:29 pm on February 25th, 2009
"If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then by golly it must be a duck."
Sincerely, Terrell Owens
11:34 pm on February 25th, 2009
Having lived in Dallas for 39 years, Skip B. was hated when he was here by all, for the blowhard that he is
1:19 am on February 26th, 2009
Skip Bayless is a raving moron who will say anything to get attention. It is shameful that ESPN allows him gainful employment.
2:20 am on February 26th, 2009
ESPN also allows employment to a raving moron like Lee Corso.
11:22 am on February 27th, 2009
Skip Bayless is a douchebag and a liar.http://www.dallasbasketball.com/fullColumn.php?id=1377
8:04 pm on August 29th, 2010
I have lived in Dallas all my life and have seen Troy Aikman on a number of occasions. He currently lives just a couple of miles from me. He has been married to his wife, Rhonda, for 10 years and has three children. Prior to marrying, he dated Sandra Bullock and Janine Turner. He is not gay or bisexual, and never has been. Get over it!!
8:27 pm on August 29th, 2010
Skip Bayless is the same sportswriter who, just after Larry Bird was drafted in the NBA, predicted that Larry Bird would be a miserable failure in the NBA and would be cut within three years — primariy because he was white. He wrote this in a column in the Dallas Morning News, where he was employed at the time. He took great pains to ridicule Larry Bird for being a country farm-boy who would fail because he rarely had to play against the black man. Bayless’s column reeked of racism and sarcasm. Guess who’s laughing now. Bayless is a humorless sarcastic racist who gets in his licks as fast as he can with his current employer before they fire him — once again.
4:10 pm on December 3rd, 2010
Everyone knows Skip Bayless is a talentless a**-clown-a sort of good ol’ boy
Jim Rome-so why is ANYONE TAKING HIM SERIUOSLY IN THIS CASE-OR EVER?(Wait-THEY AREN’T!!!)I’ve no idea if Aikman’s gay and/or racist,but why are only Bayless and discredited former Cowboy assistant and Oklahoma Sooners Head Coach John Blake making this allegation?
2:54 pm on August 8th, 2011
Skip, what kind of name is SKIP? what a piece of ugly, lying, irresponsible, talentless, shit ball he is, and always has been! I too live in the Dallas area and know Troy Aikman. He doesn’t have a gay bone in his body! And when it comes to prejudice, he is extremely prejudiced against lazy, unprofessional, slackers regardless of what their skin color! One of the ONLY players to support Michael Irvin at his court proceedings was Troy. Not because he approved of Michael’s behavior, but because he supported his Friend, Michael. I’m sure if Troy was tearing Kevin Williams a new one, it was because of repeated errors by Kevin. Troy expected nothing more or less out of anyone than he did himself, regardless of the skin color.