Has Jeff O'Neill from TSN always been a jerk?

[Hank Chinaski]

Just because one dude from the GTA spouted his mouth off against Winnipeg, all of Toronto is demonized now? Some of you Peggers are just as objective as O'Neill was last night in your disdain for anything Torontonian.

I have no disdain for Toronto. Great city, plenty of great people there.

You're absolutely kidding yourself if you think this is an isolated incident. "One dude from the GTA", right. Have you read some of the stories in this thread?

There's a mentality that is prevalent in Toronto (specifically with their media), and it rubs lots of Winnipeggers the wrong way. Doesn't mean that the vast majority of people there aren't decent people.

 

[AnonoJet]

generalize much, don't we?
a lot of you should be ashamed at your comments. in your defense of winnipeg, you have to put down and generalize toronto.
some of you are as daft as O'Neill. there, I said it. but at least you don't look like a giant toe like he does.
O'Neill lives in Toronto. therefore all of toronto is bad.
my brother was beaten up at a winnipeg bar. therefore all winnipeg bars are bad.
if you guys have an issue, have an issue with O'Neill. otherwise, you're as bad as him.

and some of you are blind to the truth that a large # of players have zero desire to play in Winnipeg. it is a small city. it is a wee bit colder than Florida or San Jose or Phoenix. on most winter days, it is 20 C colder than Toronto. its nightlife pales in comparison to Manhattan, Toronto or Miami's nightlife. the team has a history of losing - both versions. but some players would jump a the chance to move to Winnipeg. O'Neill generalized, but he sounded like a jackass when he overstated a reality.

sorry, dudes. it's true.

Read one of my earlier posts. I went out of my way to say that Toronto is a great city. I would not have raised this if it was isolated. You likely have to live here to get it. When you hear this stuff so many times, and when it almost always comes from Toronto, you get sensitive to it.

 

[moosehead81]

Jeff O'Neill is the same guy who though Nazem Kadri running over and concussing Niklas Backstrom was "a dive", and the Backstrom was fair game because "he was outside the crease".

O'Neill, Steve Simmons, Damien Cox...it's all the same thing. Say really dumb, agitating and arrogant **** so that you get your voice heard above the GTA media din.

You're sure right about Damien Cox who we'll likely see a lot more of starting next year when Sportsnet gets the whole shebang. Not looking forward to that.

 

[Arthur Fonzarelli]

Tim Wallach is my fave all time player

Not Tim Raines, Gary Carter or Andre Dawson? Come on Gary Carter ate Wheaties!

EDIT: At least I thought he did. I went searching for the Wheaties box to support my claim, but instead found out he died last year. Now I'm sad.

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=388022

FURTHER EDIT: I found this quote:

"Then Expos second baseman Delino DeShields, commenting on Carter's influence on the club's young players that season, said, "I grew up on Gary Carter. He was like Wheaties to me."

"Eat my Wheaties and watch Gary Carter play baseball."

but doesn't appear here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_athletes_on_Wheaties_boxes

 

[puck stoppa]

I love the Raptors and Blue Jays! Too bad McGrady and Carter never played together longer, so many top ballers leaving for greener pastures.

 

[pucka lucka]

I love the Raptors and Blue Jays! Too bad McGrady and Carter never played together longer, so many top ballers leaving for greener pastures.

It is kind of ironic that the Raptors have a pretty big problem attracting and keeping players.

 

[BigZ65]

It is kind of ironic that the Raptors have a pretty big problem attract and keeping players.

As Jalen Rose puts it, players "don't want to have to pay the Queen and Uncle Sam."

 

[Klinger]

Jeff O'Neill makes a silly comment and people in the forum start attacking each other over it. He will be out of work come next season and life will move on. Should this thread just be closed and shelved?

 

[SCP Guy]

If it was anyone who's opinion actually mattered and had any clue what he is talking about I might give a crap... But since it was Jeff O'Neill who cares lol

 

[ps241]

Quote:
Jeff O'Neill @odognine2
@ValParker7 ill take getting fired telling the truth you loser. Figure your life out


Have another cocktail Daffy

 

[Andy6]

If it was anyone who's opinion actually mattered and had any clue what he is talking about I might give a crap... But since it was Jeff O'Neill who cares lol

Because this is exactly the sort of thing that a lot of people in Toronto believe, and by broadcasting it on national television, TSN reinforces a negative stereotype about Winnipeg. I have lived there for nearly 30 years and I get this attitude all the time. It is not good for the city of Winnipeg. In this particular case, the claim is demonstrably false, so let's see TSN make that clear.

 

[roccerfeller]

generalize much, don't we?
a lot of you should be ashamed at your comments. in your defense of winnipeg, you have to put down and generalize toronto.
some of you are as daft as O'Neill. there, I said it. but at least you don't look like a giant toe like he does.
O'Neill lives in Toronto. therefore all of toronto is bad.
my brother was beaten up at a winnipeg bar. therefore all winnipeg bars are bad.
if you guys have an issue, have an issue with O'Neill. otherwise, you're as bad as him.

and some of you are blind to the truth that a large # of players have zero desire to play in Winnipeg. it is a small city. it is a wee bit colder than Florida or San Jose or Phoenix. on most winter days, it is 20 C colder than Toronto. its nightlife pales in comparison to Manhattan, Toronto or Miami's nightlife. the team has a history of losing - both versions. but some players would jump a the chance to move to Winnipeg. O'Neill generalized, but he sounded like a jackass when he overstated a reality.

sorry, dudes. it's true.

here's the thing though; this has turned into a city topic (really guys? come on hf jets is better than this)

but this city talk is becoming a ridiculous tangent... the main issue is O'Neil - under the context of a TSN host - is saying something that is not at all constructive to the point nor entirely related to the point originally being made during that discussion

basically he is doing a bad job at doing his job, and thats the stupid part.

 

[Puckschmuck*]

here's the thing though; this has turned into a city topic (really guys? come on hf jets is better than this)

but this city talk is becoming a ridiculous tangent... the main issue is O'Neil - under the context of a TSN host - is saying something that is not at all constructive to the point nor entirely related to the point originally being made during that discussion

basically he is doing a bad job at doing his job, and thats the stupid part.

The problem is, his comment (or at least part of it) was directed specifically at the city, therefore making it (at least partially) a "city" topic. If people didn't make those kinds of comments, then this thread would not exist and we'd be all in "kumbaya" mode right now

 

[Hank Chinaski]

here's the thing though; this has turned into a city topic (really guys? come on hf jets is better than this)

but this city talk is becoming a ridiculous tangent... the main issue is O'Neil - under the context of a TSN host - is saying something that is not at all constructive to the point nor entirely related to the point originally being made during that discussion

basically he is doing a bad job at doing his job, and thats the stupid part.

True enough. In the end, it's O'Neill that made himself look like a jerk.

I've said my piece on what I think is something endemic to the Toronto media. I've vented, that's the last I'll speak of it.
I hope that people from Toronto don't see this as a shot at their city or the people that live there. C'mon, YWGinYYZ is one of my favourite people on this site.

 

[JustGivingEr]

Worst thing he said was about moving Buff to the wing.

Does he know anything about the Jets?

 

[Polar Vortex]

Don't be harsh on the guy. He has a fear of flying and that contributed to his early retirement.

So he's a ***** as well?

 

[Whileee]

Exactly what I think.
I am cheesed about what he said to jets fans on twitter not what he said about Winnipeg.

What he said about Winnipeg was false. He said that as a franchise they have trouble convincing guys to sign long-term. This is after the Jets have basically locked up their entire core of young players long-term. I don't get bent out of shape over slagging Wpg per se, but an analyst is supposed to understand the situation and give insightful comments.

 

[LadyJet26]

Proof that O'Neill knows nothing...

He said Kesler is a depth player on the Canucks. Lol. He's the Canucks best defensive forward you idiot.

 

[jetsairforce]

Interesting to see some of the lack of class here talking about lack of class.

Soooooo what are we supposed to do? Say thank you?

 

[pucka lucka]

Proof that O'Neill knows nothing...

He said Kesler is a depth player on the Canucks. Lol. He's the Canucks best defensive forward you idiot.

And possibly Team USA's #1 centre.

 

[EpicGingy]

Interesting to see some of the lack of class here talking about lack of class.

You may have a bit of a point, but not all of it is unwarrented.

Jeff O'Neill is a complete **** and quite frankly deserves some of the things being said about him in this thread. This isn't the only comment that has made him look like a complete jackass.

EDIT

However I don't agree with all the Toronto bashing. I live quite close to the city and the Leafs fans are mostly decent (hey, I share blood with some of them). The outcries of a loud few don't outweigh the thoughts of a quiet many.

 

[Whileee]

Worst thing he said was about moving Buff to the wing.

Does he know anything about the Jets?

Yup, that was another pearl that shows how ignorant he is about the Jets franchise. He said that once Trouba develops the Jets can then move Buff back to RW.

Brilliant analysis.

 

[Prot]

Interesting to see some of the lack of class here talking about lack of class.

Here's the thing Ralphy... let's say... hypothetically you're a radio personality. You'd probably be aware that maybe when you want to say something negative, even if partially truthful, you'd be certain to word it carefully.

You'd do so because you know you're being watched, and listened to by a wide audience. Staying on moral high ground and making statements with care of how they're worded is part of the job.

If you discard all of that.... you're fair game. If you want to throw out disparaging comments (partially unfounded, and certainly not entirely truthful) then you're going to get a backlash.

Of course if this is your goal (not sure why but some people love this stuff) then you better grow thick skin.

Personally I have said nothing on this matter, because I know it is only a half truth stated by someone I have no respect for nor care at all for what he thinks..... Unfortunately when you throw the gauntlet like that, you gotta expect some people will pick it up and slap you in the face with it.

 

[Sixty Minute Man]

I heard the comments by O'Neill and I agree that he comes across as an ignorant tool. I understand how and why people are upset.

 

[JC Numminen]

It's Absolutly insane that yandle and Ryan didn't make it but apparently Byfuglien shouldn't of even been close - O'Neill

Listening to him, he just seems unprofessional. Has nothing to back up what he says. Just that Ryan is one of the sens best players... I don't know maybe I'm just paying to close of attention to him now