Gus Johnson’s Unfortunate Night on Beale Street
Media Gossip/Musings March 18th. 2009, 5:30pm
After CBS Sports announcing star Gus Johnson had finished calling Purdue’s demolition of Penn State Friday night at the Big 10 tournament in Indianapolis, he hopped on a plane to Memphis, Tennessee. In about 13 hours, he’d be calling the Conference USA championship game between Memphis and Tulsa.
Johnson’s plane touched down after 11 p.m. and he headed for some late-night food at Blues City Cafe on popular Beale Street in downtown Memphis. There’s some debate over what happened next, but according to a police report, Johnson ended up handcuffed and in the backseat of a police car after 1 a.m. early Saturday morning.
Senior vice president of communications for CBS Sports Leslie Anne Wade told The Big Lead, “It was a misunderstanding, and no charges were filed.” Johnson declined to comment.
According to a police report obtained through the Memphis police public information officer, an employee of the restaurant flagged down cops who were nearby and told them a customer was being belligerent and had refused to leave. Sources say Johnson had become increasingly surly during his dining experience, and complained vociferously about the service and his food.
When cops arrived, officers questioned Daniel Reed of Memphis - a manager at the restaurant, according to a source - while Johnson was detained. The police report states that Augustus (Gus) Johnson and Reed got into a verbal altercation, and police determined neither party had suffered any injuries. Reed declined to prosecute or press charges, and Johnson was released. He was not taken to the police station. The case remains open.
Johnson, best-known for his now-legendary calls of NCAA tournament games like UCLA-Gonzaga and Xavier-Ohio State, will team with Len Elmore to announce Kansas-North Dakota State on Friday, followed by West Virgina-Dayton.
91 Responses to “Gus Johnson’s Unfortunate Night on Beale Street”
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March 18th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Is this hard news TBL? Hot off the metro desk!
March 18th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
You really need an editor.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
what’s a man gotta do to get his bbq
March 18th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
I wonder how that argument sounded like and if he was excitable.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Gus just thought it was a terrible, terrible call on the sauce and that the chef was being over cheficious.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
/cthomashowell
March 18th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
put johnson in the MNF booth
March 18th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Shoulda gone to The Rendezvous
March 18th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Way to write this to make it sound important. What no bikini babes to put up?
Yawn.
March 18th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
My GOODNESS! Johnson … looks around the restaurant, searching for the open waiter. HO! He finds him! Johnson’s unsatisfied with his soup! Ha HA!
March 18th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
“Air Force One does have DirecTV.”
Shocking.
March 18th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
That’d be hilarious if he actually refers to himself in the third person and does play-by-play of himself.
March 18th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
The Oregonian’s John Canzano interviewed Gus yesterday on 95.5 up here in Portland and of couse this dinner dispute wasn’t mentioned. Decent interview of Gus.
Here’s the podcast
March 18th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
This is scraping for news before the games start I think. Agree with the Marine above on MNF …replace that corporate pussy and shill on MNF who never offers any strong opinion and should be a diplomat, Mike Tirico, with Johnson or even better John Saunders, and replace Kornheiser with Darren Woodson or Rod Woodson to offer a defensive complement to Jaws. Heck I never had a problem with “Dan-O” Fouts either. Think of this the next time you hear Tirico trying to push every broadcast some mysterious Spanish/Deportes/North American Union agenda or say “that’s interesting” whenever he disagrees with someone instead of taking them on like a man. At least we know whether drunk or not that Johnson was mad about something and has some balls. They probably messed up his food or were just too slow on service.
March 18th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
i wish someone would cuff agustus’ mouth when he launches into his screaming.
it’s one thing to recreate games on the radio like reagan did 70 years ago, it’s quite another to gin up fake (NFL) plays while the game is being televised just to give himself a chance to srream!
what an assclown.
let me guess, augustus was screaming for a beer and someone took exception to being yelled in their ear? can you imagine?
March 18th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
TBL Tourney Pool #2 now full. Goto #3.
TBL Tourney Pool #3 Group ID #181018
March 18th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I honest to god thought Gus was white.
March 18th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Interesting stat: Jay Cutler is 12-1 when his defense allows 22 or less points a game.
March 18th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
mole, so did I! I had this picture of him looking like this one announcer. Now I don’t know who the announcer that I mistook Gus Johnson for is, and damned if it doesn’t bother til this day. I think I thought he looked something like Randy Cross, who does NFL for CBS.
March 18th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
But I thought he was awful because he has lost more games than he’s won. No one should even mention defense…that part of the game has no point being mentioned when discussing Cutler.
March 18th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Interesting stat: Jay Cutler is 12-1 when his defense allows 22 or less points a game.
as soon as spencer sees that stat, it’s game on part 3 w/ coop & sir spicious
March 18th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Yes, I too, thought he was a white man. But Gus proved me wrong.
I must say I never cared for the guy until about two March Madness’ ago. Yelling is one thing (that’s you ESPN talking heads) but Johnson is excitable and his yelling comes at the right times. He’s not trying to make a point. He’s emphasizing the huge play(s) in a game. Me likey.
Did anyone picture this when they thought of Gus (after knowing he was a black man) talking in the third person in the restaurant asking for a beer?
http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=11903&title=samuel-l.-jackson-beer
March 18th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
major surprised by the continued debate: Roethlisberger vs. Cutler.
No brainer IMO, but hey, i enjoy reading the debate
March 18th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
There has been much ado about nothing over these two above average QBs.
March 18th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
I’d rather have Ben, but I sure as shit wouldn’t trade Cutler when there are so few legit qbs anymore
March 18th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
if someone posts ben’s 4th qtr comeback record, isn’t that game-set-match?
March 18th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
A black man detained for bitching about his service in Memphis, TN? Shocking. At least he didn’t say, “Don’t you know who I am? And it’s good!”
March 18th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Fake Philip Rivers on tw33t3r is hilarious
March 18th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
no because then somebody will say “well his defense gives him the opportunity to make those 4th quarter comebacks” to which then someone else will respond “Roethlisberger has made plays in the clutch, Cutler hasn’t (also my response)” to which someone else says “HOLY SHIT, WHERES THE TYLENOL!”
/Clark W. Griswold’d
March 18th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
19 4th quarter comebacks for Big Ben. 6 last season.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
This is kind of like saying a baseball player hits .233/.301/.367 but has 10 game winning hits in a season, so he’s awesome.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I’m leading the league in ninth inning doubles during the month of August.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
The fact remains the goal is to win the games and you can’t deny that Roth has come up big in the fourth numerous times for Pittsburgh. What’s the argument for Cutler being better? He puts up bigger numbers b/c he always has to throw b/c his team is behind?
March 18th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Ha, interesting stat: Ben was 12-0 with a playoff win his rookie year when his defense allows 22 or less points a game.
Next
March 18th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
My favorite stat line for one of Big Ben’s “comebacks”:
1 sack, minus-8 yards
March 18th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Problem with this arguemnent is how poorly he played in these games leading up to the 4th quater. In the 6 games from last year he had 3tds and 5 turnovers in the first 3 quarters of these games.
I still give the edge to Big Ben, but let’s be honest that system is perfect for him, he’s not exactly disecting defenses back there.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Hell, he was probably still off of his high of calling the game in Indy. Still in game voice mode. You know… still yelling and hyping even though Purdue was up 20 at half
March 18th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Damn, I really didn’t mean to start another debate, I just though it was an interesting stat. It really doesn’t mean that much. Peyton Manning has won 25 straight games when his defense allows 22 points or less. The Broncos and Steelers are built differently, so are the Colts and the Steelers.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
VaTech/Duquesne is in the second OT, pretty decent game.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
LOST awesome so far.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Interesting article on fourth-quarter comebacks and QB “blown saves.”
Not surprised to see Testaverde has the most blown saves.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
CHRISTIAN???? WTF
March 18th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
TBL: This episode has definitely been interesting. I wonder if Claire is still with Christian.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
juliet please.
yes, a double.
thanks.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
jack is fucking worthless. Im loving Sawyer though. cracking me up….
March 18th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Hell yeah! Old Sawyer came back. Putting Jack in his spot. “You reacted.” Great line and what I’ve always disliked about Jack’s character.
Holy Shit, young Ben????????
March 18th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
creepy young ben!
bwwwaahhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaa
March 18th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
That was a great ending. I’ve been wondering when young Ben would show up.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
God damn what a kick-ass show. Why didn’t Sawyer just tell Jack, Kate and Hurley about the fucked up light flashes and their timetravel adventures? Wait, because it’s freakin’ LOST and the answers are few and far between.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
That actually may have been my least favorite episode of the season so far …
March 18th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
anyone watch better off ted? it was alright.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Wait, because it’s freakin’ LOST and the answers are few and far between. Ndub
Yep. I’m still trying to reconcile myself with that issue, but hell, I keep watching.
CHJ - It was one of those Bridge the Plot episodes. Those generally are subpar. I kind of liked this one because it sturdied up some loose ends. And, damn, I was watching the first season on SciFi channel and Kate has aged more than any of them. I’m just happy old, sarcastic Sawyer is back. I still think Jin will be the major character that dies off this season.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
loved it. like sawyer as a leader, like how they’re on a secret team …
next week’s looks awesome. sayid vs. the world, probably trying to kill young ben.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Do you have the box for this?
March 18th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Apparently Brazil has cornered the market in hot asses.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
He must work out.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Box?
Not sure about that episode. Like … what is the point of the show now?
March 18th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
how about we end this cutler -roethlisberger argument once and for and just say this
they’re are both good qb’s but ben has had a better defense and has relied on them when he wasnt having a good game(s) while jay has been forced to throw more because he has shitty defense and when you are behind alot you have to throw more hence the more INTs and with the same defense would probably have 2 rings of his own.i would take them both. and also ben hasnt had brandon marshall so ever since plaz left he really hasnt had a game breaking wr so he has to scramble to give his wr’s time to get open and that causes more sacks than what he would have if he had a plax or brandon marshall. and ben has also had the comfort of having better rb’s while jay is handing off to a rotation of sub-par backs. so jay has receivers and ben has running back if they had both they would both be in contention every year and probably face each other in afc championship game. does this make everyone happy?
March 18th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
I don’t know, I enjoy the debate. It’s a lot more interesting to me than LeBron vs. Kobe.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
You do have to take Spencer with a grain of salt. His hatred for the Steelers is impressive…
March 18th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
i could understand a “manning vs. brady” debate but ben vs. jay? those guys are top ten but the top 2 is manning and brady. those two are interchangeable as far as #1 goes.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
With a Manning vs. Brady debate you’d have the same thing. Do people value who’s a better individual player, or who has more rings? People would call Manning a choker. People would say Brady’s a system QB. Blah, blah. No one can definitively say one way or the other because they’re both awesome and, barring further injury, will retire as the two best QB’s to ever play the game.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
jay cutler is dan fouts.
ben roethlisberger is troy aikman.
-30-
March 18th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
I don’t know, I enjoy the debate. It’s a lot more interesting to me than LeBron vs. Kobe.
+ Infinity.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
jay cutler is dan fouts.
ben roethlisberger is troy aikman.
Ben is gay?
/Asshat’d
March 18th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
well i would say manning is better because one he has funny commercials and two because im tired of seeing brady. thats what im gonna base my argument off of not stats or any intelligence. which seems to be the norm around here anyway so i will fit right in.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Well, Dan Fouts was better than Troy Aikman. And Aikman had not only a great defense, he had one of the best offensive lines in history, a great tight end, and hall of famers at RB and WR. Shit, I think Big Ben is better than Aikman. I really don’t think much of Aikman or Bradshaw.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Has anyone here been watching the hank haney project with Charles Barkley? I fucking love Chuck!
March 18th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
i dont think you can discount a qb with 4 rings amd one with 3 rings. if a qb was not important the ravens would have kept dilfer
March 18th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
golf sucks?
March 18th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
but mrej - aikman only won because of a HOF RB, OL, WR!
cutler only lost because of a shitty D!
roethlisberger only wins because of a great d!
March 18th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Hyperbole much? I think an Office rerun is on.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Mike Mussina is a better pitcher than Pedro Martinez
/Roethlisberger supporters
March 18th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
oden is supposed to return tommorow
no word on when his return to the ir is scheduled…BUST!
March 18th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Didn’t Pedro win a title in ‘04? And doesn’t Mussina have no titles?
/ serious
March 18th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
I was speaking purely in wins, but good point.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
mrejr you really need to work on the whole sentence and paragraph thing. My eyes are shaking from that diatribe in comment 58.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
i think david ortiz and manny ramirez had a little to do with that.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
sorry diesel.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Anyone have any theories on where Faraday is? I’m guessing he was working on the energy core and got shipped out by accident before they had control of it.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
No, I agree. And Pitt’s D had a lot to do with Big Ben’s Super Bowl titles. If I had to choose between Ben and Cutler, I’d probably go with Ben, but I think they’re both great QBs, and Denver shouldn’t trade Cutler.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
a mussina/pedro comparison? really?
or is everyone still drunk from st. pattys?
March 18th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Big Ben is the pitcher who wins 20 games because his offense scores 900 runs.
better?
March 18th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
if denver trades cutler they are dumb and this new coach they have is also a idiot. im sorry but if by going by how the other assts for new england have done in the head coaching role (yes even weiss) i figure they will be begging for shanny to come back in about 2 yrs.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
yeah and jay cutler is the pitcher with great stuff that goes 9-13 because his defense is error prone.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
I agree. It’s definitely debatable whether Ben is a better QB than Cutler, but if someone has two Super Bowl wins at 26, he’s a great QB, regardless of how good his defense was. I mean, lots of teams have had defenses as good as the Steelers have been for Ben’s titles, and they haven’t won.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
I have never heard such blasphemous and egregiously offensive bile in all my days as a TBL commenter. For shame sir. For. Shame.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
whoa lets wait a little bit until we give him the “great” tag. he is good. but great? nah. not yet
March 19th, 2009 at 1:10 am
They both fucking suck, neither carry the surname Favre, Brady or Manning.
/espn’d
March 19th, 2009 at 1:28 am
if you have lost dvr’d go to the 53 min mark right after christian tells sun they have a long journey, the cutback shot to sun has some person w/ red hair or something behind her
random as hell, but completely awesome
March 21st, 2009 at 3:41 am
Some “debate” about Cutler and Roethlisberger …plenty of better and genuine debates …unless you are yet another douchebag from Colorado who can’t help but ignore the scoreboard and facts in their Rocky Mountain high, no contest one has two rings and the other does not. One also has more playoff wins and so on.