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NFL Investigates ESPN Over 'Football' Timeouts

The Hollywood Reporter, Wednesday, October 20, 2010 10:41 PM

The NFL said Tuesday that it is investigating allegations that coaches during Monday Night Football were asked to call timeouts so that ESPN could squeeze in some TV commercials. The situation had NFL purists and fantasy football players outraged that the outcome of a game could be influenced by concerns related to TV broadcasting.

In the situation Monday, the Jacksonville Jaguars were losing 23-3, and the Tennessee Titans had the ball with less than two minutes left. Quarterback Kerry Collins handed the ball to Chris Johnson, who scampered 35 yards for a touchdown that the Titans clearly did not need to win. Fisher insinuated that it was ESPN's fault, but later backpedaled. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio called some timeouts for the benefit of the TV broadcast, but wouldn't comment.

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football, television

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