Date: 17th November 2000

Gov. Ventura Body Slams His Critics


Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura has defended his decision to become a color commentator for the soon-to-be-launched XFL (for "Extreme Football League").

At a news conference on Thursday, Ventura was prepared for the first question: whether his extracurricular job would interfere with his duties as governor. He replied: "Did coaching high school football interfere with my role as governor? No one seems to criticize me when I spend three days a week coaching high school kids on a regular basis. State offices are closed on Saturdays and Sundays anyway."

Appearing at the same news conference, WWF chairman Vince McMahon said "Nobody can add color commentary to our brand of football the way Jesse Ventura can." Commenting on the choice of Ventura, Washington Post TV writer Lisa de Moraes wrote today: "Think of Ventura as the anti-Dennis Miller. You can bet that NBC and WWF did when they signed him."

Source: Studio Briefing