The topic I’m referring to isn’t so much a topic really as it is a person. And that person is Erin Andrews.

What I want to know is this: Was Erin Andrews’ outfit out of line?

Andrews is a looker. She’s also a sports fan. Combine the two and you’ve got the makings of one fine, knowledgeable sportscaster.

Women have had to work just a little bit harder through the years in order to gain respect in a male-dominated profession. And before all of you fellas start going off about how I’m being sexist … please. It’s a fact of life. Just ask Robin Roberts or Michelle Tafoya.

They have not only had to prove themselves to their co-workers and bosses, but also to the viewing public that they know what they’re talking about. It’s a hard thing to do. How do you embrace your femininity and sports related masculinity together? How do you present yourself? Do you use your beauty or your brains to your advantage?

I’m not an idiot and neither are you. We know that having a pretty face is an asset. It’s the nature of being on television. But some people, Mike Nadel in particular, seem to think that Erin Andrews went a little too far in embracing her femininity. He said she crossed the line. He referred to her “skimpy outfits” and her uncanny ability to “play the sexpot” while interviewing in the Cub’s Clubhouse.

He not only insulted her personally he also insulted her intelligence and patronized her by saying, “Are you doing a baseball game today or a modeling assignment?”

The Chicago Sun-Time beat writer, Gordon Wittenmyer, agreed with Nadel, remarking that Andrews misinterpreted the “clubhouse” as the “nightclub.”

Wisconsin reporter Trenni Kusinerek, weighed in from the female perspective. She was quoted as saying, “I wish she’d realize how damaging it is to an entire gender when she carries herself in that manner. It sets us all back to a time where female sports reporters were all seen as husband hunters who were only in the business to catch a cheap glance.”

This issue has sparked a debate between sports columnist around the country, from The Palm Beach Post and the Chicago Tribune.

So … was Erin Andrews’ outfit out of line? (Don’t forget to cast your vote in the poll!)

My argument is this:

Honestly, I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. It’s a better ensemble than most of the pantsuits I see on a regular basis.
But, if I am comparing her to the likes of Michelle Tafoya, then I would have to say that she could stand to dress a bit more appropriately. Tafoya looks beautiful and professional without compromising her position. She pulls off that balance between being feminine in a male dominated arena.

There’s an essence of professionalism that one must exude as sports reporter — for men and women. And Andrews needs to take that into consideration. Maybe she’s perfectly comfortable and confident with what she wears. Even so, I would not resort to calling her a “sexpot.” She’s not Paris Hilton. She’s obviously extremely knowledgeable about the sports she covers.

Do I think she’s setting women back a few years? No, I don’t. But I can understand the argument. We women talk often about how we want to be respected for our knowledge and not our looks. And Andrews has definitely shifted the focus away from that.

The bottom line is that Andrews has a responsibility to act and look professional on television, not only for the sake of ESPN but also for the sake of her viewing audience, the teams and players she interviews, young women who aspire to be sportscasters, other sportscasters and herself. I don’t think she intentionally dresses “sexy” but this incident may cause her to dress a little more conservative in the future.

The results of the Brett Favre poll are in! The question was: Where is Brett Favre going to end up? Well, some of you seem to think he’ll be traded, others think he’ll return to back up Aaron Rogers. But we now know that a trade is almost eminent. None of you thought the Packers would release him.

For previous editions of For Argument’s Sake, go here.

Photo provided by Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Was Erin Andrews’ Outfit Out Of Line?