ESPN ramped up its college football coverage over the weekend, building excitement ahead of the unveiling of the 12-team College Football Playoff field. Among its programming highlights, the network showcased an all-star panel of three women—Laura Rutledge, Holly Rowe, and Jess Sims—who broke down the action live from the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, Georgia.
The matchup saw the Georgia Bulldogs upset the Texas Longhorns to claim the conference title and secure the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff. The coverage earned praise from many viewers who appreciated the panel’s insight and expertise. However, not everyone was on board.
T.J. Moe, a sports reporter currently affiliated with Jason Whitlock’s The Blaze, sparked controversy with a critical tweet targeting ESPN’s decision to feature three women discussing college football.
“Who actually wants to watch three women stand around and talk about football? I do not,” Moe wrote, prompting widespread backlash on social media.
Fans and fellow commentators were quick to condemn Moe’s remarks, calling them outdated and misogynistic. Many highlighted the knowledge and professionalism of Rutledge, Rowe, and Sims, pointing out that their expertise rivals or surpasses that of male counterparts in sports media.
“Would definitely rather listen to them than you,” one fan replied.
“Three women who know more about football than you ever will. Probably explains why you’re hurt,” another added.
“Same amount of football experience as Field Yates, Matthew Berry, and Mike Greenberg. Somehow no one complains when they do it,” a third fan noted.
Despite the backlash, Moe doubled down on his stance. In a follow-up tweet, he attempted to justify his criticism.
“This tweet upset some folks, so let me clarify: No one wants to listen to three women talk football. Men are better at it—it’s like asking cats to bark. I issue no apology and no retraction. Most people agree with me, they’re just afraid to say it. Carry on with your outrage,” he wrote.
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Moe went further, claiming that while some viewers might enjoy sideline reporting from women like Holly Rowe, they don’t want women analyzing the game. He alleged that even some women agree with his perspective, though his comments have yet to find significant support.
The controversy surrounding Moe’s comments comes at a time when the sports media landscape is becoming more inclusive, with women taking on increasingly prominent roles across major networks. ESPN, in particular, has been a trailblazer in promoting gender diversity in its coverage.
As for Rutledge, Rowe, and Sims, they’ve earned reputations as some of the most knowledgeable and engaging voices in the industry.
With the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff set to kick off the weekend of Dec. 21, ESPN’s coverage will continue to showcase a broad array of talent, reflecting the changing face of sports broadcasting.
