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ESPN’s Adam Schefter is getting ripped for an “attempt to do PR” for Minnesota Vikings star running back Dalvin Cook, who is being accused of “assault, battery, and false imprisonment” in a lawsuit filed by an ex-girlfriend.
Late Tuesday night, Schefter shared a vague tweet labeling Cook a “victim” of domestic abuse and extortion. Schefter was fed the information from Cook’s agent Zac Hiller.
Schefter’s tweet provided very little context on the situation before The Star Tribune released their own report on the lawsuit which included photos of a bloody and bruised woman, along with alleged messages between the two. Of course, the legal process will determine the truth in the situation but that hasn’t stopped people from ripping Schefter for presenting the information the way he did.
When you add in the fact that Schefter was outed in October for sending an unpublished story to former Washington Football Team general manager Bruce Allen, who he referred to as “Mr. Editor,” asking if it needed any tweaks.
That has led to the backlash Schefter is receiving for the latest mishap with people calling out his journalistic integrity.
The photos are horrific and make @AdamSchefter's attempt to do PR for Cook before this story came out look even more pathetic. Any other "journalist" at any other media company would be canned for such a stunt. https://t.co/nvOmmhOmL4
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) November 10, 2021
So if there's about to be a DV suit against your client, you can just send Schefter a text message and he'll tweet whatever you want to his 9 million followers? https://t.co/zadmLYWC9J
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) November 10, 2021
Schefter, you disgraceful clown https://t.co/TC5QPRJu1o
— Critical Thinker (@AndyGlockner) November 10, 2021
obviously it’s a developing story and we don’t know everything yet, but just be mindful of the information being presented to you and where it’s coming from.
maybe we should be wary of the guy who called bruce allen “mr. editor” and has become a PR vessel for NFL teams. wait.
— charles (redzone 9-0) mcdonald (@FourVerts) November 10, 2021
So Hiller went to the person he knew would do absolutely zero digging if presented a scoop: Adam Schefter. pic.twitter.com/TBOUUVGtnF
— robertklemko (@RobertKlemko) November 10, 2021
And Schefter is happy to do it because Hiller has fed him every big Dalvin Cook scoop since the man has been in the league. Last night it came time to pay the piper. pic.twitter.com/Falj1Yq8TY
— robertklemko (@RobertKlemko) November 10, 2021
The Star Tribune went and found the lawsuit, which is available on the Internet. But images like these, found in the filing, and @rochelleolson ‘s story took a backseat to Schefter’s reporting in the larger NFL media landscape. https://t.co/bxFWx2a5An pic.twitter.com/8y2eeTtL57
— robertklemko (@RobertKlemko) November 10, 2021
Schefter would later tweet out an updated version of the story citing The Star Tribune‘s report — which has incredibly damaging and disturbing allegations against the Pro Bowl running back.
It will be interesting to see if there is any fallout for Schefter after his latest reporting blunder.
