George Hook threatens to sue Johnny Sexton

CatFromHue

Looks like the Hook monster has **** the bed at someone calling him out on what he writes.

The paragraph's in question

In an article on February 27th last entitled “Full steam ahead;: Johnny Sexton speaks his mind”, Sexton spoke of his frustration with commentary about whether he might have been suffering from concussion and hiding it.

In relation to Hook, the article states: “‘He thinks I should have retired when I was 21,’ says Sexton, laughing. ‘He’s still in the O’Gara camp even though Rog has retired. Look, what can you say to that? I don’t know if he actually believes that. You’ve got to take it with a pinch of salt, and people have to promote themselves, they have to sell papers. People look after themselves at the end of the day.’”

Hook's problem

In a letter addressed to Sexton at Leinster Rugby, solicitors acting for Hook said their client deeply valued his good name and honesty and had worked tirelessly to promote player welfare in rugby.
“He has, as have many sports broadcasters and journalists, expressed their concern about your welfare in light of the number of head and upper body injuries you have suffered from.”
The article, it said, “very clearly questions our client’s integrity and objectivity; that our client does not believe what he writes or broadcasts about nor cares about the accuracy and that he is generating controversy over player welfare, including yours, from brain trauma arising from concussion in order to further his own career and to sell newspapers.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/george-hook-threatens-to-sue-johnny-sexton-1.2560826

The full article in question
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/full-steam-ahead-johnny-sexton-speaks-his-mind-1.2550374

Look's like Hook is very soft skinned here, to say the least. He's spent his whole TV career giving his opinion and then when someone gives their's back to him he threatens to sue!

Pathetic really.

Kristopherus

An idiotic idea from Hook !!!!

Victor

Concerned for him. Sends solicitors letter. :rolleyes:

Richard Hillman

When I seen the thread title, I thought he was going to sue him for the emotional trauma caused by Sextons brain-trauma's.

Turtwig

Someone didn't just allegedly give their opinion though, they supposedly subtly implied that another individual was being deliberately disingenuous to make money.

That is a very precarious thing to publish. It'll be interesting to see how this is resolved.

Billy86

Absolute farce, Sexton was clearly very angry from his words but what he said wasn't even that bad - he pulled back at the end.

Arghus

That's ludicrous. You can't realistically sue somebody for saying that! The fact that he's even making noises about it beggers belief! Highly doubtful that any of this will go much further: Any legal team worth it's salt would shred Hooks case in seconds.

Kristopherus

Arghus wrote: »

That's ludicrous. You can't realistically sue somebody for saying that! The fact that he's even making noises about it beggers belief! Highly doubtful that any of this will go much further: Any legal team worth it's salt would shred Hooks case in seconds.

Yeah, they'd very quickly have him hooked:D.

Teferi

ProfessorPlum

Hook should watch his own back. He pretty clearly implied that the medics were knowingly allowing Sexton to play through concussion. That's a much more serious allegation.

I'm actually quite disappointed at this. I like George, don't agree with most of what he says but he's good entertainment at times.

This is extremely thin skinned. He was being sensationalist in his diagnostic attempts and he fully knows it.

I'd have laughed at his guff in the past, not now. Would rather see him retire at this point but the indo seems happy to have him the voice of the anti Joe brigade which he's had his sights on for a while, and is making Sexton his current crusade.

The criticism he got for such beauts as "Joe has lost the dressing room" after the first 4 games with Leinster along with the "sending them out to lose" against South Africa obviously stung and it's clear now he doesn't take these things on the chin.

I hope this blows back on him badly.

OldRio

It's all rather sad.

jooksavage

This is bulls$^*. Hook has never been OBJECTIVE about anything on his show. In fact, he's frequently swatted away criticism by insisting "this is my show/opinion, etc." Half his selling point is that he's a contrary old bluffer with one foot in the 1950s. Sexton could have gone a lot further. I can't belive Hook is so thin-skinned.

jooksavage

ProfessorPlum wrote: »

Hook should watch his own back. He pretty clearly implied that the medics were knowingly allowing Sexton to play through concussion. That's a much more serious allegation.

1000 times this

calico77

Sextons and irfu solicitors could have a field day with hook given what he has said

jelutong

What does the lovely Ingrid think of this carry on I wonder?

AndyBoBandy

jelutong wrote: »

What does the lovely Ingrid think of this carry on I wonder?

I bet she's thinking "Shut up George, you bloody baffoon"

ixus

What was the name of the Scottsih player 6/7 years back he used to call a ruck inspector, hides from the game? Used to make a big deal about it. Could have damaged his professional career at the time. He loves making remarks like that.

A fool that should have been long chucked aside from commentary.

rafatoni

Hook has made a show of himself here.

Invites guests on his show and they have a deabte, the minute they have him on the ropes.and prove him a spoofer.

"Youre wrong, your talking horse manure" blah blah

Just rants and talks nonsense at times..

Note, i do actually flick between him and cooper when driving home from work.

ClanofLams

Hook is an attention seeking blowhard who knows little about modern rugby and less about anything else. He hasn't a notion of suing Sexton, remember a few months ago he was 'considering' a Dàil run. This will go the same way.

jjpep

George hook has a good name to lose??

Spudman_20000

jelutong wrote: »

What does the lovely Ingrid think of this carry on I wonder?

Poor George, he's probably still trying to recover from his public castration by his wife on the Late Late

vienne86

Sexton must be thoroughly sick of Hook. I used to really like George, while disagreeing with a lot of what he said, but I have lost all respect for him now.

Gmaximum

chooey wrote:

As the title says, yesterday I was woken up with a phonecall to say that I needed to get to my mothers house ASAP as she was found unconscious. I got there as the ambulance men were taking her away and when we arrived at the hospital we were taken to the little room and we knew she was gone. I'm devastated- she was my best friend, my support, always had my back. It was a big birthday for her this month and she had so many surprises planned and she was looking forward to everything. What makes it worse is I'm 10 weeks pregnant and I was going to tell her tomorrow on Mother's Day and now I will never get that chance and I'm so worried I'll miscarry with all the stress. I just feel empty. Thanks for listening

vienne86 wrote:

Sexton must be thoroughly sick of Hook. I used to really like George, while disagreeing with a lot of what he said, but I have lost all respect for him now.

Agree the grumpy old man act was amusing at times. He's just becoming a characture of himself

Blackclaret

Hook obviously taking on the MO of his employer , pretty poor legal advice though. If Sextons brief cant make a case that anything said by a broadcaster in the media is effectively to further their enrichment in one way or other, they may as well pack it in.

stephen_n

"solicitors acting for Hook said their client deeply valued his good name"

I don't think they could have written that without cracking up laughing.

Gandalph

George Hook is an absolute scourge to the sound-waves, how anyone can listen to him is beyond me.

mansize

Never liked hook, says things to be controversial- but doesn't like it thrown back at him.

Best thing RTE ever did, putting him out to pasture

NiallBoo

Hypocrisy from George hook?

Never thought I'd see the day...

nc6000

George Hook is an absolute fool and I'm glad he's gone from RTE Rugby coverage, they should have got rid of him years ago. It's so much better without him.

I have noticed an increase in 'controversial' articles from him since he's off the TV. I don't read any of them, I just notice the headlines when reading the paper. He seems to be doing his best to keep his profile up and get some attention.

MugMugs

So I woke this morning. Gave myself a full body scratch and read the papers.

Scrolled through bookface and saw a link to the Irish Times article.

I double checked, triple checked and checked some more to make sure I wasn't looking at WWN.

This is hilarious. A man who thrives on spouting drivel has taken exception to somebody biting back? I hope he takes this to court. I'd love to see Sextons Barrister toss this one out.

pjmn

Confirms everything I've ever thought about the fool that is George Hook.

Podge_irl

mansize wrote: »

Never liked hook, says things to be controversial- but doesn't like it thrown back at him.

Best thing RTE ever did, putting him out to pasture

They didn't, he retired. They should have been shot of him years ago.

gladrags

Good to see someone has set up a thread on this.

How many more loud mouthed crass boors,will RTE pay exhuberant salaries to,in order to up their ratings.

He can dosh out bile,but when someone takes him to task,he runs for his mammy.

Well said Johnny.

You are entitled to express your opinion.

Zzippy

Folks, just a reminder that personal abuse of players, coaches and pundits is not tolerated on this forum. OK to discuss the issue but please bear the charter in mind when referring to individuals.

Zzippy

Zzippy wrote: »

Folks, just a reminder that personal abuse of players, coaches and pundits is not tolerated on this forum. OK to discuss the issue but please bear the charter in mind when referring to individuals.

Poor George is going to be writing an awful lot of letters otherwise!

BBDBB

looks like it's another big pay day for the respective solicitors in the offing

Both sides offer opinion on the situation and on the other parties view of it, in a nutshell it's a bizarre thing to try and resolve in court. Both used the same medium to communicate their views so it's hardly unfair

Get over it George, having a newspaper column doesn't give you a hold over the truth, same as any journalist

jelutong

What's the rugby equivalent of a soccer own goal ?

rsh118

Has he started wearing Denis O'Brian hair?

calico77

jelutong wrote: »

What's the rugby equivalent of a soccer own goal ?

Rhys Priestlands clearance from behind his own line from a block down .....

jelutong

jelutong wrote: »

What's the rugby equivalent of a soccer own goal ?

marienbad

Just another guy that can dish it out but can't take it . Irish life is full of them .

sydthebeat

jelutong wrote: »

What's the rugby equivalent of a soccer own goal ?

Google James o Connors worst clearance kick ever

Buona Fortuna

Quite saddened by this. I quite like Hook, as crochetty old B's go.

Its not as if Hook has to sit there quietly and take it like any other Joe Soap, if he wants to have a go back he's radio and sports columns and its all good for circluation.

This is just stupid and IMO looks really bad on Hook.

Agent_47

Think the old boy has lost the plot, have you heard his ramblings of late on the radio? He is seriously losing his train of thought. Someone on his show brought up a new film to review, Hookie thought it was a western from the 50's staring X and had to be gently reminded it was a new film being reviewed. The sooner he is off air the better as I feel his ramblings will be the end of his career and all that he will be remembered for.

Diabhal Beag

Hookster should stick to his American Politics fandom so I can avoid him completely.

My name is URL

The old windbag threatened to assault Ivan Yates live on air a few days ago

No doubt after he decided to launch this claim

His hypocrisy is just amazing. He goes on and on about having strong views and not being afraid to express them but the minute someone has a bad word to say about him he throws a fit and begins legal proceedings. lol

Always the way with bullies though I guess.. fragile egos and thin skins

stanley1980

George Hook is a buffoon and this is just further evidence. Bases his show on attention-seeking rants. No matter what the topic or the interviewee he makes everything about himself. The man is an ego-maniac. Can give it out but can't take it like all blowhards.
I like Newstalk in general but I just can't understand how this fool is on the airwaves particularly when they've actually got decent people like Shane Coleman who are immeasurably better. Genuinely can't wait till he's gone.

Zzippy

OK, closing this thread as quite a few people clearly aren't able to read and continue to post personal insults, also some are borderline actionable. And if he's that quick to sue a person who can clearly afford lawyers, he might decide to sue boards, which we don't want and boards probably can't afford