The Hollywood Reporter released a cover piece Wednesday detailing the rocky relationship between sports columnist and podcaster Bill Simmons and former employer ESPN. During his decade-plus at ESPN, Simmons became arguably most famous sportswriter in America. Toward the end, he created Grantland, a well-regarded sports and culture site that was shuttered shortly after Simmons’ departure. Throughout the interview, it was clear that Simmons still had some old wounds that had not completely healed.
"They've now gotten rid of everybody who is a little off the beaten path," Simmons told THR. "Ask yourself this: 'Who would work there that you respect right now?'"
That's quite the statement, especially considering so many of Simmons' friends and former Grantland colleagues still work at the Worldwide Leader. Soon after, he realized his mistake and issued an apology via Instagram.
If you can't see what it says, here you go: "I feel terrible that one particular quote came out in a way that didn’t portray how I actually feel about the dozens of people that passed through my life when I worked there (many of whom are still there). It’s 100 percent my fault -- I’m sure I was trying to make some larger point and screwed it up because I suck at giving interviews."
Simmons went on to name many of the "talented people" with whom he worked during his time at ESPN, and ended his apology by labeling himself "a jackass."
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