Chris Russo ‘got in trouble’ at ESPN for bringing Jessica Mendoza into gummy controversy

Chris Russo’s gummy shtick connected ESPN airwaves whitethorn beryllium getting nan axe aft he “pissed off” ESPN executives.

In nan latest section of nan gummy bit, during his play quality connected “First Take,” Russo explained that he took a gummy and explained he shared it pinch MLB expert Jessica Mendoza.

“I had a gummy this morning; I’m flying. Oh, I’m flying. I had a gummy. Right earlier he did nan Yankee nonsense,” Russo said of Stephen A. Smith during nan show.

“I said fto maine spell gobble one. And I went backmost pinch [Jessica] Mendoza, and I took a gummy.”

After making nan comment, Awful Announcing noted that Russo repeated connected aggregate occasions that Mendoza didn’t really person thing to do pinch his gummy routine.

“It’s not meticulous and I sewage successful problem for that,” Russo said to Jimmy Traina connected his “SI Media” podcast, on pinch impermanent big Sal Licata.

“Because I put Jessica Mendoza successful nan mix, and I shouldn’t person done that…I indicated that she was successful nan mix. And that wasn’t nan correct point to do. So I’ll return nan deed for that. She flew to Oregon correct after, I person not heard from her. But ESPN did…what are you gonna do? You can’t please everybody.”

Russo explained that ESPN executives had antecedently not mentioned immoderate issues pinch nan spot astir taking a gummy, though that had mostly consisted of individual stories of him doing it connected his ain clip and not connected ESPN’s airwaves.

It is unclear if Mendoza herself is upset to person been included. Mendoza is simply a gold-medal winning softball subordinate who predominantly useful arsenic an MLB and assemblage baseball/softball expert for nan network.

Russo first talked gummies connected ESPN successful Sept. 2023, wherever he boisterously elaborated connected his Saturday plans centered astir an Oregon-Colorado shot game.

“Here’s what I’m doing this play … I will get a tally in, return nan 2 dogs, Bo and Riley, for a walk. At astir 12 o’clock, I’ll beryllium down, make an early cocktail. Cut a gummy successful half,” Russo said.

“At astir 3:25, erstwhile I’m sauced, I’m not driving, successful nan house, 3:25. I’ll put nan telephone into Fat Rob. 718-504 … ‘Rob ya cognize what, what nan hell. I can’t guidelines for Oregon. Alright, I’ll dress connected TV. Put 10 dimes connected Colorado and Deion to triumph nan game,’” Russo said while chuckling.

Russo, a New York power legend, signed an hold to proceed appearing connected ESPN in Feb. 2024.