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ESPN Accused Of Blatant “Double Standard” By Former NFL Players Over Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini During ‘Monday Night Football’

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Mike Vrabel And Dianna Russini (Photo Via Imagn Images)

Some former NFL players are calling out ESPN for having a “double standard” after the network talked about Denver Broncos defender Jonathon Cooper’s legal trouble during Monday Night Football.

Kansas City Chiefs hosted Broncos on Monday night for ESPN’s first broadcast of the season, and the Chiefs got an easy 31-10 win.

During the game, sideline reporter Laura Rutledge explained why Cooper wasn’t playing. He’s currently on the commissioner’s exempt list after getting arrested twice back in June.

Cooper is facing domestic violence charges involving his girlfriend. He pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of assault by strangulation along with three misdemeanors, and his trial is set for November 10.

“Well Joe, we’re seeing this Broncos defense struggle, and it is worth remembering that Jonathon Cooper is not with the Broncos right now, as he is on the Commissioner’s Exempt List after being arrested twice in seven days in June for domestic violence charges,” Rutledge said during the broadcast.

She also mentioned Cooper’s importance to Denver’s defense.

Former NFL Players Call Out ESPN

Jonathon Cooper placed on leave by the NFL.
Jonathon Cooper (Photo by IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Justin Simmons, a former Broncos safety and four-time All-Pro, criticized ESPN after the broadcast. Simmons felt the network should focus on the game instead of Cooper’s legal situation.

“That’s absolute bs btw. Shame on all of the production on Monday night football and the crew. You’re supposed to call the game. Coop isn’t playing the game and isn’t on the sidelines,” Simmons wrote on X.

Other former NFL players and fans then raised questions about ESPN’s coverage of Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini.

One person wrote, “I’d be okay with it if they talked about everyone’s problems. Not a peep about Vrabels fuckery during the patriots broadcast.”

Others defended ESPN’s decision to discuss Cooper. They argued that the network simply explained why an important player missed the game.

“It’s part of the story. You’re acting like they convicted him or found him guilty. They’re simply explaining why he’s not there,” one person wrote.

The reaction has now put ESPN’s handling of player controversies under fresh scrutiny.

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