Chucky Hates ESPN4

A few months ago, Toledo football player Harvey McDougle was charged for his part in a point-shaving scheme. He was suspected of "offering bribes to teammates so the point spread would be covered". At that time no other Toledo football players were suspected of being involved. However, as the investigation has continued another Toldeo player, former star quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, has had his name mentioned. Mostly by ESPN.

One of the other names that has surfaced during the investigation, sources confirmed, is Bruce Gradkowski, the Rockets' starting quarterback in the 2003-05 seasons who now is a backup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Authorities have not spoken about Gradkowski's possible connection, but sources say investigators are examining his playing time in a number of games under scrutiny as they follow up on an allegation that Manni had offered a Toledo player $10,000 to sit out particular games.

"I don't know what to say about that," said Gradkowski, coming off the field after a recent Bucs' training camp practice. A Tampa Bay public relations assistant, who had been made aware of the focus of the interview, walked beside Gradkowski and deflected follow-up questions.

Apparently some members of the press weren't satisfied with that answer so they asked Bucs' head coach Jon Gruden what he thought of Gradkowski's name being mentioned in connection with the point-shaving scheme. Of course, Gruden's response didn't let us down.

I don't watch ESPN," Gruden said after the Bucs' 31-24 exhibition victory Thursday night against the Houston Texans. "I don't believe half of the [expletive] people on the channel, personally."

"If Bruce Gradkowski is throwing games at Toledo, why in the [heck] does he lead the NCAA in passing percentages? That is a crock," Gruden said. "These reports make me sick, really. I don't believe there is any truth to it and I'll go to my grave believing that -- and I hope ESPN3 or 4 has some real sources behind this story."

Haha...ESPN4? I think that's the channel where they air Berman's food show, "Boomer's Buffet Busting". Though, that quote does make me curious as to which people are included in the "half" that Gruden believes.