Rey Maualuga Gets Blasted by Women's Sports Foundation, Apologizes to Erin Andrews

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Rey Maualuga moved to number one in the blogosphere's collective heart recently when he did a little shimmy-shake behind Erin Andrews. It was baller and hysterical all at the same time. Well, not so fast, my friends. Turns out Donna Lopiano, a former CEO of the Women's Sports Foundation, didn't think so.

"[Maualuga is] my first-round pick for 'offensive' player of the year" and his dance behind Andrews "another example of a narcissistic, high-profile athlete believing that any behavior, no matter how inappropriate, is acceptable because of his status. For those who would laugh off, celebrate or enable this behavior, think twice. Ms. Andrews could be your sister, daughter or wife."

Since this is a serious matter, I'm not going to make the seemingly requisite "Erin Andrews as my wife" blogger joke. You know how I know it's serious? Rey even apologized (Go on. Kiss it.) according to a statement from USC.

"The situation was addressed immediately," the statement said. "Rey both e-mailed and spoke to Erin and apologized to her. He realized he made a mistake and used poor judgment. He deeply regrets his actions."

I see the inherent sexism that could be pulled out of this little stunt, but I also kind of tend to think that Andrews would (and probably did) laugh this whole thing off. That being said, it's still pretty awkward anytime a football player pulls off a sexist-related act on the field towards a female reporter, so, yeah, this is probably how it should have worked out.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-07-2009 @ 5:35PM

shawnawassee said...

I'm a former professional athlete (male) and I can tell you that I thought Maualuga's behavior was both ignorant and immature. He demonstrated a complete lack of respect for Ms. Andrews. As soon I saw his lewd actions, I wondered whether Pete Carroll and the USC athletic department would admonish him for the poor judgement and the obvious diregard for the opposite gender. If Maualuga would have done that in a place of business, he would likely have been fired, if not sued and deservedly so. Though he has apologized for his bad judgement, one must wonder about perception of women and to what degree that perception will manifest itself in the future. I wouldn't want this guy around women unless she was certified psychiatrist.

1-07-2009 @ 6:28PM

T said...

So a woman hired because she is hot doesnt wanna be viewed as a sex object..makes sense.........He still shouldnt have done it

1-07-2009 @ 6:52PM

Skippy said...

Erin Andrews, simply put, is the best journalist in the business.

PALIN-JOE THE PLUMBER 2012!

1-07-2009 @ 7:03PM

Erie Doctrine said...

hmmm....i wonder if there would be an outpouring of resentment and anger if her had performed this "shimmy-shake" with a USC cheerleader instead of Erin Andrews?

1-07-2009 @ 8:38PM

buck said...

You people need to get a life. What he did is what every red blooded American male does. Get a life and get over it.

1-07-2009 @ 10:19PM

Stephanie Stradley said...

This part of the blogosphere rates his behavior #8347923487, not number one. Non-funny and pretty sick.

1-08-2009 @ 12:17AM

coach bobo said...

get a life? hey buck, why don't you get a WIFE - and when some red-blooded american dumbass degrades her in front of 100, 000 people, and a million or so surfers - you can yuck it up. silly caveman.