SportsAsToldByAGirl Spotlight: Michelle Beadle

Photo Credit: Twitter

Many who know Michelle Beadle know her mainly due to her job at ESPN, hosting SportsNation. However, Beadle brings an interesting perspective to sports that is not only refreshing and progressive, but her take on very serious issues especially those specifically with women which what makes her worthy of the spotlight. While her accomplishments might be overshadowed, she has a strong stance on very important issues like domestic violence that are usually brushed under the rug by men and she deserves even more credit than those who refuse to discuss the tough issues.

Like many young people, Beadle didn’t start with sports and went to law school before going to the University of Texas at San Antonio and with help, she became an intern for the San Antonio Spurs. Even though she started as an intern, she was able to become a reporter for the team and has not been shy about sharing her love for the team even now. Beadle would jump from multiple networks before finding a home at ESPN in 2009 as one of the co-hosts of SportsNation. Beadle would leave ESPN for NBC in 2012 before coming back again in 2014 to become a co-host of SportsNation once again.

However, one place where Beadle really lets loose is her Twitter account which features her commentary on all issues in sports. The latest issue that has swept the sports world is Deadspin releasing the Greg Hardy case photos showing the bruises left on Nicole Holder.  She decided to step out about the issue instead of sweeping it under the rug. One of her most recent tweets sums up everything that most people who despise Greg Hardy think, “Yapping on and on about who has said what about whom doesn’t change the fact that Greg Hardy is a pile of excrement. But please…continue❤️” which really hits the nail on the head.

Greg Hardy is not the first person that has gotten a reaction out of Beadle, though. When she was supposed to be covering a Floyd Mayweather fight, her credentials were revoked along with fellow female sports reporter, Rachel Nichols. While many wondered why their credentials would be revoked, the answer was obvious to their fans and followers. Nichols and Beadle didn’t shy away from bringing up Mayweather’s past, especially his history of domestic violence. While Mayweather’s publicist tried to cover it up, it was clear that their credentials had been revoked due to their stance.

If not the biggest reason that Beadle is so important, is her very public criticism of First Take host, Stephen A. Smith when she addressed his comments on Ray Rice’s suspension for domestic violence. During the segment, Smith insinuated that women were to blame for men putting their hands on them and Beadle did not hold back in a series of four tweets, directed at Smith. Her tweets show a clear-cut example of how men should be dealt with in the wake of domestic violence instead of allowing them to discuss freely without a fear of consequences. Smith was eventually suspended, but the damage was already done.

So I was just forced to watch this morning's First Take. A) I'll never feel clean again B) I'm now aware that I can provoke my own beating.

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014

I'm thinking about wearing a miniskirt this weekend…I'd hate to think what I'd be asking for by doing so @stephenasmith. #dontprovoke

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014

I was in an abusive relationship once. I'm aware that men & women can both be the abuser. To spread a message that we not 'provoke' is wrong

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014

Violence isn't the victim's issue. It's the abuser's. To insinuate otherwise is irresponsible and disgusting. Walk. Away.

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014

Beadle represents the new wave of females in sports media and it looks like she won’t be going away anytime soon. Her refreshing stance on issues is what makes her so unique and why she deserves more credit than she gets, especially the headline of her saying inappropriate things to Aaron Rodgers. She is another example of a woman who is not getting the respect she deserves, but should and slowly but surely, hopefully, she will become as well-regarded as her male counterparts.