Sports commentator and Blaze Media host Jason Whitlock inadvertently became the subject of internet mockery after posting on X about an inappropriate ad he claimed to have encountered while checking the 2023 NFL standings on ESPN.com.
Whitlock shared a screenshot displaying a seemingly lewd birthday decoration ad with explicit language.
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The internet swiftly responded, with many playfully teasing Whitlock for his apparent lack of awareness regarding targeted ads based on previous search history and algorithms. Former ESPN personality Katie Nolan reposted Whitlock’s message on X, leading to a statement from the Elon Musk-owned app about targeted advertising.
She later expressed regret for retweeting his post, acknowledging that she couldn’t resist sharing it because it was too amusing to ignore.
In response to the online banter, Whitlock engaged with users on X, defending his post and expressing he won’t delete it. He acknowledged understanding programmatic ads but reiterated concerns about what he perceived as sexually suggestive ads on ESPN.
Katie then wondered why Whitlock chose to respond to her tweet, when clearly so many were poking fun at him:
Whitlock continued his stance in subsequent posts, referencing an ad for Temu, an online marketplace, and emphasizing his complaints about the alleged sexualization of ads on ESPN. He mentioned his former affinity for strip clubs and debauchery, asserting his awareness of internet content promoting explicit material.
Claiming algorithms are “rigged” against him with “paid aggregators” writing smear stories, Whitlock affirmed he won’t back down from addressing what he sees as inappropriate content. He linked his critique to larger societal issues, expressing discontent with the mainstreaming of sexualized content in various forms.
Whitlock shared a photo of a black T-shirt with a sexual message, emphasizing his opposition to the normalization of explicit content. He touched on his history with ESPN, where he had two stints, claiming his departure was due to a clash of values regarding masculinity.
While some may focus on his search history, Whitlock asserted that corporate influence and mainstreaming of explicit content were the real issues. He concluded by challenging corporations’ alignment with the porn industry and raising questions about the acceptance of explicit content in mainstream media.
Whitlock’s online posts highlight his outspoken views on societal and media issues, with a particular emphasis on his perception of the normalization of explicit content in mainstream platforms.
