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This is an editorial on behalf of the staff of Big Cat Country
Mark Brunell believes the Jacksonville Jaguars are moving.
Now, Brunell has apologized for those comments a day later after furious backlash via social media.
That apology sounds hollow to us at Big Cat Country and it makes Brunell sound duplicitous and two-faced.
This is not about Mark Brunell the Jaguar. We love what he has done for the team and this city. This is about Mark Brunell the talking head.
Brunell apologizes
Mark Brunell joined XL Primetime in Jacksonville to discuss his Tuesday comments that riled up Jaguars fans.
It is often said that in moments of panic or surprise that people often revert to their natural instincts and beliefs. Brunell, when faced with a question concerning the Jaguars from Mike Golic, stated in no uncertain terms that "all indications" point to the Jaguars moving. Using Shad Khan's recent purchase of Fulham FC as an example of motive, Brunell said that a move wouldn't surprise him. He spoke with a sense of inevitability.
Stating that he was merely parroting what media outside of Jacksonville had been stating in regards to a move, Brunell apologized for what he said regarding the move. He said he didn't mean to offend. He vowed that he will explain how Khan and the Jaguars have made significant investments in Jacksonville, cementing their foundation in the city in later appearances on the network.
Now, Mark Brunell is sorry.
We often tell children to think before they speak. We often tell children that words can have meanings beyond their definition. We often tell children that honesty is the best policy. Brunell missed two of the three, but at least he's honest. He believes, in no uncertain terms, that the Jaguars are on the way out of the city.
Now, Mark Brunell is sorry.
Speaking spontaneously can be tricky. Verbal boxing. Thinking on your feet and reacting to what is said to you and how you should respond. It's much like pocket presence. Quarterbacks train for hours, moving in the pocket to pressure to the point where it becomes instinct. It's automatic. As automatic as Brunell's reply when asked about the Jaguars moving.
Now, Mark Brunell is sorry.
Listen to that ESPN interview again. Golic asks Brunell whether "the team is on the clock". Brunell speaks without hesitation. The manner in which one speaks reinforces the motivation and the degree to which one believes in what they are saying. Mark Brunell said the team will move and the manner in which he said it reinforces that belief. He said that without hesitation. He believes the team is moving.
Now, however, Mark Brunell is sorry.
While much has already been said on what he has said on ESPN, it is what he said the day after on 1010XL that irks us the most:
- Brunell states that his statements were a "poor choice of words", but really, it wasn't if that's what he really meant to say.
- Brunell points to Shad Khan's investments, plans, and statements in Jacksonville as examples of how the Jaguars will stay in Jacksonville. Yet at ESPN, he used Khan's purchase of Fulham FC as an example of Khan's initial forays into London.
- Brunell says that his ESPN comments are a reflection of what is being said outside of Jacksonville, yet as someone from Jacksonville he said that all indications were that the team was moving.
Those statements that he made in order to explain his prior answer muddle what was actually said: that he believes the Jaguars will move. It is clear that Brunell was pushed to come onto 1010XL in order to do damage control. However, his apology rings hollow when placed next to what he said on ESPN. He did not refute his belief that the Jaguars are moving in his apology. He merely said he was sorry for offending anyone and spit out a canned litany regarding the efforts the organization is making toward staying in Jacksonville. It was as if he apologized for nothing at all.
THAT is what irks us the most. It isn't the ignorance in his initial statement and the fervent belief that it projected, but rather it is the hollow apology that felt rushed and almost coerced. The Mark Brunell that spoke to 1010XL wasn't the same Mark Brunell that spoke to ESPN. The comments made to ESPN hold weight whereas the ones made to 1010XL do not. In a rush to repair the damage from his initial answer, Brunell did even more damage. However, two things are now clear:
Mark Brunell believes the Jaguars will move and now Mark Brunell is sorry.