Willis sacked by FSU
He's a member of Florida State University's Sports Hall of Fame and helped the Seminoles win 10 games as their quarterback in 1989. Now, Peter Tom Willis is the school's former radio analyst, fired apparently for being too critical of the of the school's recent lackluster play on the gridiron.
Willis had teamed in the FSU radio booth with Gene Deckerhoff for the past 10 seasons.
"They felt like I was too critical of the program and the team the last few years," Willis told the Palm Beach Post. "I hate that. That was not my intent. My intent was to call it like I see it for 10 years. But if people are upset with me because I was telling the truth, if that's going to upset people, maybe I shouldn't be there."
Willis said that he probably "stepped over the line" when he said the Seminoles resembled a "high school offense" during the 2005 game at Clemson. That comment, according to Post sources, upset coach Bobby Bowden.
For Mr. Willis and all of his celebrated accomplishments at FSU this is a disheartening story to read. A wise person one said you can't be a phrophet in your own city. Hopefully, Mr. Willis can put his talents and love for sports into another media arena. In todays society, the fans are looking for honest sports journalism.
Posted by: Jbrister | April 16, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Agreed, jbrister. The fans aren't stupid. They appreciate it when the home announcer tells it like it is. They didn't need Willis to tell them things weren't right with the 'Noles.
Posted by: H. Burns | April 16, 2008 at 05:59 PM