BYU vs. Rick Reilly — the sequel

My previous blog on Rick Reilly’s column seemed almost as unpopular as the column itself.

I said people needed to chill out about the ESPN writer’s opinion piece on Jimmer Fredette. Some viewed Reilly’s column as more than a commentary on a BYU ballplayer; they felt it was religious bigotry. To wit: Reilly doesn’t like Fredette’s game, and Fredette is a Mormon, so Reilly hates Mormons.

To those who insist Reilly had an ulterior motive, I can only offer this observation from the man whose name is on the front of Fredette’s jersey: “He who takes offense when no offense is intended is a fool, and he who takes offense when offense is intended is a greater fool.”

With that in mind, I did appreciate the humorous approach by a restaurant in Orem: yfrog.com

Fredette is the national player of the year. One of those awards was picked by sports writers from across the country. So I doubt there’s any great anti-Fredette groundswell in the media, or in this case, any anti-LDS undercurrent. As for hurting Fredette’s stock, remember this: general managers and player personnel directors pay no attention whatsoever to what the writers are saying. Neither does Fredette, if you ask me.