Watch: Desmond Howard calls out reporter Pete Thamel

Desmond Howard on the set of ESPN College GameDay. Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: ESPN analyst Desmond Howard calls out reporter Pete Thamel, gets blasted online

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 11/25/23

ESPN analyst Desmond Howard was ripped after he criticized Pete Thamel for reporting inside Michigan Stadium instead of among Wolverines fans outside the stadium after he received a threat.

"So, we've been doing this 12, 13 weeks. He's always been in the crowd giving his reports," began Howard.

"I'm like, 'What the hell is Pete in the stadium for?' ... Put your big boy pants on and do it in the crowd like you have been doing," he continued.

Host Rece Davis corrected Howard, saying that "the lunatic fringe" had threatened Thamel, prompting the move inside the stadium.

Desmond Howard discussed Pete Thamel not being in the crowd. "I'm like, 'What the hell is Pete in the stadium for?' ...Put your big boy pants on and do it in the crowd like you have been." Rece Davis then said "He's got, from the lunatic fringe, some threats." pic.twitter.com/yzWmeSK822
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 25, 2023

"He's got security, he'll be okay... These are nice fans. They're not going to do anything," dismissed Howard.

"It only takes one," said Davis, correcting Howard again.

Thamel has been on the front line of Michigan's sign-stealing saga that has already resulted in the firing of former analyst Connor Stalions and linebackers coach Chris Partridge, as well as a three-game suspension for head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Instead of the program taking accountability for its cheating, Michigan has used Howard and other alumni as proxies in their media battle. It's telling that Howard was more upset about Thamel protecting himself against an unhinged sect of Michigan fans than his alma mater blatantly cheating by using an illegal sign-stealing scheme.

The Michigan fan (or fans) who threatened Thamel should have been the only one to receive criticism, but leave it to Howard to once again turn Michigan into the victim.

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