Dan Le Batard and his co-host Stugotz spent part of Tuesday’s radio show breaking down footage of the Ditka fart like the Zapruder film. Late in the program, Stugotz called Mike Ditka and explained in advance why his presence was requested on-air. Evidently, when his co-workers could only hear his side of the conversation, it sounded like he was getting berated. According to Stugotz, Ditka’s initial impression was that he was being interrogated as part of a “serious news story.”
Cris Carter, who, as you remember, appeared to be the direct recipient of Ditka’s passed gas, called in first. “I’m pretty certain that Boom made a noise with his mouth [to pooh pooh my Giants pick], because he’s a big Philly fan,” said Carter. This scenario sounds implausible. Was this a cover-up? Nevertheless, Carter says he studied the tape. Acknowledging that Ditka once fell asleep on-air during Countdown, Carter reiterated his theory that Berman made a sound with his mouth. Otherwise, wouldn’t there have been a noxious scent?
Then, Ditka joined the program (audio above). The Coach staunchly denied responsibility for the fart noise. “I’d’ve claimed it,” he proclaimed. Like Carter, he pinned the noise on Boomer mocking Carter for picking the Giants. While we have no reason not to take their words for it, one cannot rule out that the ESPN broadcasters corroborated the story with each other before going on the radio. We need to hear Chris Berman’s side of the story before we’re sure.
Related: Dan Le Batard Talks to Us About His Shows, Papi, and Bill Simmons