The Press Box The NFL Stuffs Thanksgiving, the Pentagon’s Photographer Lockout, and ‘Spotlight’ and the End of the Reporter Hero
Mar 13, 2026
They unpack the Pentagon barring photographers over unflattering images and what that means for press access. They debate adding a Thanksgiving Eve NFL game and whether it hints at an 18-game season. They analyze the ESPN–NFL Network consolidation and the fate of high-profile insiders. They revisit Bam Adebayo’s huge scoring night, a collapsed Raiders–Ravens trade, Tony Dungy’s NBC exit, and Spotlight’s portrayal of reporter heroism.
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Pentagon Blocks Photographers Over Unflattering Pete Hegseth Photos
- The Pentagon barred press photographers after publishing images it found unflattering of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, undermining press access during wartime briefings.
- Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson argue the move is petty and harms credibility because the Pentagon still wanted network camera coverage yet punished mainstream photojournalists.
Public Service Includes Enduring Unflattering Photos
- Hosts emphasize that public officials who seek media visibility must accept unflattering photos as part of the job, not restrict access.
- Joel Anderson notes the administration values TV-friendly appearances, so optics drives press-control decisions more than substance.
NFL Expands Holiday Windows Toward More Football
- The NFL is expanding high-visibility windows, adding a Thanksgiving Eve game and further cannibalizing traditional viewing patterns.
- Bryan Curtis warns adding midweek holiday games risks diminishing scarcity that makes NFL broadcasts special.