Adam Schefter, the renowned NFL insider for ESPN, recently shared a quirky and humorous anecdote from his early days in sports journalism. During an appearance on This Is Football podcast with Kevin Clark, Schefter recounted one of the most unconventional moments in his career when he broke the news of NFL player Dale Carter's suspension in 2000.
When Clark asked Schefter to describe the strangest place he had ever broken a story, Schefter took a moment before laughing and revealing the unusual situation.
"I had just spent time with this woman for the first time and got a text that Dale Carter was being suspended for eight games for substance abuse," Schefter said, chuckling at the memory.
Clarified on X
Clark, amused by the story, called it "the greatest episode" he had ever recorded, adding to the comedic nature of the tale. The revelation quickly caught attention, with headlines from various media outlets humorously suggesting that Schefter broke the news during the act. However, Schefter took to X (formerly Twitter) after the episode aired to clarify the timeline of events. He confirmed that while he had indeed received the text during the encounter, he reported the news after the event had concluded.
Carter's suspension
Dale Carter, a former NFL cornerback known for his impressive career with the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and Minnesota Vikings, was suspended for substance abuse violations in 2000. At the time, he was playing for the Broncos and was handed a season-long suspension, which he appealed but was ultimately upheld.
Sports Journalist legacy
At that point in his career, Schefter was a reporter for the Denver Post, where he was beginning to make his mark in the world of sports journalism. He would later transition to the NFL Network in 2004 and join ESPN in 2009, further cementing his reputation as one of the most trusted voices in sports reporting.
Schefter's personal life is also notable, as he has been married to Sharri Maio since 2007. The couple has a daughter, Dylan, and Sharri is also the mother of Devon, who tragically lost his life in the September 11, 2001 attacks. Schefter’s 2018 book, The Man I Never Met, details the story of Sharri’s late first husband, Joe Maio.
