Retired NFL star falls into social media hole by comparing Mike Vrabel scandal and Jonathan Cooper arrest
Former NFL Safety Justin Simmons Draws Criticism for Social‑Media Post About Monday Night Football Broadcast
BOSTON, MA –
Former Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons, who earned four All‑Pro selections over nine seasons, sparked a backlash on Twitter after he criticized ESPN’s Monday Night Football broadcast for mentioning a suspended player.
During the March 24, 2024 game between the Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs, ESPN’s Joe Buck noted that Broncos linebacker Jonathan Cooper was absent from the lineup because he is on the league’s exempt list while awaiting a November 10 trial on four charges, including felony second‑degree assault by strangulation of his former girlfriend. Simmons took to X (formerly Twitter) immediately afterward, arguing that the network had overstepped by discussing Cooper, who was not in the stadium.
“I’m saying that since he’s not playing or on the sidelines, the network shouldn’t bring him up,” Simmons wrote. “That’s absolute bs. Shame on the production on Monday Night Football and the crew. They’re supposed to cover the game, not a player who’s not there.”
Simmons compared Cooper’s situation to that of former New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, who has been embroiled in a highly publicized affair with former reporter Dianna Russini. Simmons claimed that Vrabel’s story was not mentioned on television, while the Broncos story was. The comparison was quickly refuted.
“Nobody can say that the Vrabel–Russini relationship is illegal,” one commenter replied. “It’s a moral issue, not a criminal one. The NFL exempt list is a different matter entirely.”
Simmons’ post attracted a flurry of replies. Many pointed out that the Vrabel scandal had been covered on national television. NBC’s pre‑game show had included a timeline of the affair, and the Patriots’ opening game against the Seattle Seahawks featured a segment on Vrabel’s relationship. The network’s coverage was deemed appropriate by many, as it was relevant to the team’s season.
“Mike Vrabel’s situation was discussed on TV and that was the right thing to do – just as it was correct for Cooper’s situation to be mentioned on Monday Night Football,” a commenter wrote.
Simmons defended his position in a follow‑up tweet: “I have a lot of people in my comments saying an affair is not the same as an alleged conviction. That’s true. But I thought MNF or any network hosting a game is supposed to talk about just that the game, not players who aren’t there or even playing.” The tweet was met with further criticism, with many arguing that networks routinely discuss off‑field issues that may impact a team’s performance.
Cooper, who was suspended for the first half of the season, faces a trial that is expected to bring further scrutiny to the NFL’s handling of player conduct. Vrabel, meanwhile, remains on the Patriots’ roster but has not faced criminal charges related to his affair.
The incident highlights the growing tension between former players, media coverage, and the public’s expectations of sports broadcasters. Simmons has not yet responded to the latest wave of criticism, and ESPN has issued no official statement regarding the discussion.
