In one of the most mind-boggling stories we’ve seen in a while, Philadelphia Eagles beat writer Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer was ejected from the press box Sunday.
Eagles beat writer @Jeff_McLane being ejected from the press box for discussing press box etiquette w pr staff. pic.twitter.com/5IUdTdFEof
— Marcus Hayes (@inkstainedretch) January 1, 2017
Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News chronicled the bizarre tale, which we’ll share here.
During confusion over a penalty a while ago, we were all trying to figure out the call. An Eagles staffer yelled for us to be quiet. (1)
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
(2) Many of us took exception, Jeff most vocally. He then went to the staffer and calmly discussed why the admonishment was inappropriate.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
(3) A while, later, security guard comes and tells Jeff he is being ejected "for violating the fan code of conduct."
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
This is the most vengeful, petty Eagles regime I've dealt with since I started covering the team in 2002. #Ejectthat
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 1, 2017
Eagles beat writers have all come to McLane’s defense, calling the decision to eject him ridiculous and unprofessional.
No doubt, more information will become available, and McLane presumably will be invited to give his side of the story by every single major media network out there. The Eagles haven’t done themselves any favors, it seems, by pushing to the brink what appeared to be a very minor objection by the writer.