TV Sports Ghouls Rule at the British Open

They could hardly contain their excitement at the British Open. Who? The Fans? No. All the little sports ghouls at ABC who couldn't contain themselves. Unlimited and ungodly references flew through the airwaves that the winner's father was dead.

But in their view, the perfect storm of all sports cynicism had arrived. It came with the opportunity, freely and frequently taken, to mention that the runner-up's mother had just died a week ago.

You could almost see them metaphorically dancing on the graves of Tiger Woods father, and Chris DiMarco's mother. They're doing it over at ABC's affiliate, ESPN.com, right now.

Did Woods genuinely feel the loss of his father at a moment of triumph? Of course. Did Mike Tirico, Terry Gannon or any of the other 'reporters' who it mentioned fifty times? Come on.

DiMarco looked sober, reflective and dignified while discussing the loss of his mother in his interview with Gannon after the match. Did Gannon and his cohorts who mentioned it fifty times? Gimme a break.

Week after week, especially at pro golf tournaments where there is so little to say, the ghouls look for the person upon whom they can focus their crocodile tears, while cynically hoping it boosts their ratings.

Tiger's father died over two months ago, and the sports ghouls still won't let him rest in peace. When Tiger missed the cut at the U.S. Open they still played "highlights" of his relationship with his deceased dad over and over to try to hold audience share.

I remember when Stuart Appleby tragically lost his young wife one year. For that whole year the sports ghouls on all three networks piously, without the least bit of regard for Appleby, mentioned it every time he played.

This weekly disgrace and cynical exploitation in the sports world really needs to stop.