Controversy surrounding Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has spilled into the media world, sparking a public feud between two NFL reporters.
The tension began when The Athletic reporter Zac Jackson revealed he received aggressive, personal messages criticizing his recent coverage of Sanders. Jackson implied the messages came from someone claiming to be related to Josina Anderson, a former CBS and ESPN insider who has been notably supportive of the rookie quarterback in her coverage. Jackson then accused Anderson of “inciting” the backlash.
Jackson shared excerpts from emails he’s received in recent weeks that defend Sanders and attack Jackson’s credibility and character.
“So Shedeur is to forget about what happened in the summer. Aren’t you the same mutt who lied about him last month and what happened during the draft? Called out by Deion Jr. in your hit piece. You cowardly, pathetic creature. I don’t understand why you and many of Cleveland media write vile lies about the young king,” one message said. “He’s all that you will never be. You have no one to blame about where you are in your miserable life. Blame your parents, as you had a 400 year head start on this society. Your envy and jealousy is telling. Wash the grease and mousse. Brush those yellowing teeth and bathe, neanderthal.”
Browns Reporter Zac Jackson Responds to Messages on Podcast
Jackson paraphrased his response to the message on his podcast, “Zac Jackson and Friends.”
“With all due respect, which is none, I’ve never lied about Shedeur. I have no idea what you’re talking about or why you’re so angry with me. You’re ridiculous,” Jackson said. “I said run along, play in traffic. Something like that. Oh, and something I said was that you sent this message to me twice, so clearly you have mental issues.”
The sender replied again, injecting race into the exchange.
“The fact that you responded lets me know I hit a nerve, and I’m surprised you can even read. I’ll let my sister know you actually had balls to reply, but find it odd you haven’t responded to Deion Jr. Typical white cowardly boy afraid to deal with a Black man. I have all the help I need, Brutus. Go write another lie so you can feel superior giving your insecure ass a feeling of power, which is all you got. Have the life you deserve. You live behind a keyboard tearing down Black men who you envy and can never be, and I’m the one that needs to get help? You and your kind are a cancer to humanity.”
Josina Anderson Responds, Threatens “Appropriate Action”
Jackson went on to claim that Anderson’s behavior contributed to the hostility directed at him.
“So this person is claiming to be related, and is claiming to pass this message along,” Jackson said, per Awful Announcing. “That tells me, Josina, that you’re inciting this kind of (expletive). And it’s (expletive). Your mental issues are not my problem. And your opinions are not my problem either.”
Anderson responded online, threatening “appropriate action” in response to Jackson’s comments.
“This defamatory accusation from (Zac Jackson) of The Athletic on his podcast, is categorically false. I do not have a sister named ‘Sheila Anderson,’ nor do I have a sister who reached out to Zac Jackson in any form or fashion,” Anderson wrote on X. “I listened to the reported podcast, and I can’t believe that Jackson would so recklessly share that story on his platform without checking with me first and verifying the false claim. I will handle this with the appropriate action.”
Sanders will start his third consecutive game on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
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