TV ‘magic’ creates sensational injuries

By Jim Tubridy

Anyone see the Bulls-Lakers game on Feb. 3?

If not, here’s a brief description of what happened:

Horace Grant was driving downcourt on a two on one break. He got the quick pass and drove for the basket. Just as he went up for the shot, Magic Johnson fell in front of him and Grant’s foot caught Johnson in the back of the head.

Johnson was knocked unconscious and lay on the court for several minutes while trainers worked on him.

What followed was thoroughly insensitive television coverage.

In between shots of the concerned looks on the players’ faces and close-ups of Johnson lying on the court, the replay of the injury was played over and over.

Thanks to the magic of instant replay, the viewers were treated to several different views of the injury. That’s right, they had the reverse angle, overhead angle, court side angle and behind the basket angle. Hell, if it were possible, they probably would have provided satellite photos.

They also went so far as to show us all of these angles in slow motion and normal speed until Johnson was finally lifted to his feet and walked off the court.

Did it stop there? Why, of course not!

NBC repeatedly interrupted game coverage to get updates from some no-name network ghoul standing outside the locker room door.

The diagnosis? Johnson suffered a concussion and slight amnesia and would be taken to the hospital for observation.

Great! Johnson suffered relatively minor injuries, he’s in good hands, he’ll be alright. That’s good! Now back to the game right?

Wrong! Next thing you know the camera shifts to a parking lot where Johnson is being lead to a waiting ambulance.

“We’re here in the parking lot waiting for Magic Johnson to be led to the ambulance and … wait here he comes, Magic! Magic! Are you all right? What went through your mind just before it happened? Magic! Magic?”

That is a direct quote from another NBC ghoul who not only was questioning Johnson but had a microphone and a camera stuck in Magic’s face. The poor guy was still so disoriented that he went the wrong way until a trainer led him to the ambulance.

So what’s the point, right?

The point is the visual media has once again shown their insensitivity to an athlete’s serious injury.

Yes again. Anyone remember Joe Theisman’s broken leg. Oh that was a fun one. The cameras captured his lower leg snapping in half from countless angles. Then, while Theisman was being treated on the field, the network repeated the shot along with graphic color commentary from the announcers.

Naturally, everyone was concerned with the injuries these players had suffered but there’s a big difference between concern and sensationalism.

Sensationalizing serious injuries like these and many others is irresponsible and should be stopped. It not only nauseates the average viewer but it kills the credibility of the media.

If you have witnessed either of these incidents, then you probably agree with this column. If you don’t agree, then stay the hell off the highway because you are probably one of those jerks who causes gapers’ blocks.

Be good.