There is a certain amount of respect that journalists are expected to display for stories like the gruesome Alex Smith injury.
Clearly, The Washington Post did not get that memo. The paper plastered a picture of Smith’s mangled right leg, along with the headline, “Broken Promise” after Sunday’s devastating injury, drawing the ire of fans on social media.
Because the picture of Smith’s injury isn’t something that should be casually shared, we’re not doing it here. But we will share with you some of the comments made by people on Twitter who were upset with The Washington Post for running that picture, and the tasteless headline underneath it.
“…so out of taste.”
“Man you gotta give some sort of warning with that picture. Goodness.”
“Seriously using that picture?”
“This is an awful photo selection and even worse headline.”
“Real classy.”
“You are trashy and you are classless.”
“This is terrible, and you all should be ashamed.”
“Did they really lead with ‘Broken Promise?’ That’s (expletive) up.”
It’s hard to argue with any of these comments.
Smith was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance after breaking the fibula and tibia in his right leg, and he needed emergency surgery. He’s out for the season, which is a shame because this awful injury couldn’t have happened to a better man.
To plaster an image that shows his injury in such a stark way, and then adding insult to injury with the phrase “Broken Promise” is a disgrace.