Boomer Esiason Apologizes for Criticizing Mets Pitcher Amid Personal Struggle

The popular radio host initially condemned Jorge López's outburst but later expressed regret after learning about his son's chronic illness, acknowledging the toll it can take on mental health.

Amidst a torrent of criticism directed at New York Mets pitcher Jorge López for his on-field antics, a prominent voice in sports radio has taken a step back and extended an apology. In an unprecedented move, WFAN host Boomer Esiason has reversed his harsh words after discovering the "serious situation" that López is facing in his personal life.

Following López's ejection from Wednesday's game and subsequent comments that seemed to disparage his team, Esiason, a former NFL quarterback, expressed outrage on his morning radio show. He denounced López's behavior as "embarrassing" and advocated for his immediate removal from the team.

"You can't have a player acting this way, saying these things, and you have to immediately get rid of them," Esiason asserted. "This is part of a locker room culture problem, if you ask me."

However, as the show progressed, Esiason was informed of a crucial piece of information that changed his perspective entirely. López's 11-year-old son suffers from familial Mediterranean fever, a chronic illness that requires an organ transplant.

Upon learning of this revelation, Esiason's tone shifted dramatically. He acknowledged the tremendous stress and emotional burden that such a situation can impose on an individual.

"I can totally understand why you may lose it on the field the way that he did," Esiason empathized. "And I could also totally understand now, why internally, (the Mets) may have handled it a little bit differently than I would have liked it."

Drawing from his own experience with a son who has cystic fibrosis, Esiason highlighted the complexities of balancing personal and professional responsibilities amidst such challenges. He admitted that he had previously played while struggling with his son's health, understanding the immense difficulty it entails.

"There was a year where I had to play without knowing what Gunnar was going through," Esiason confided. "And I know exactly how difficult that is trying to balance those two things."

In recognition of the gravity of López's situation, Esiason extended a heartfelt apology for his earlier comments. He emphasized the importance of recognizing mental health issues, especially during Mental Health Awareness Month.

"I just want to offer an apology to Jorge López from what I said this morning about how I thought Carlos Mendoza should have handled it," Esiason stated.

Rather than advocating for López's dismissal, Esiason suggested an alternative approach. He proposed that the Mets provide him with a mental health break to address his personal struggles.

"Why wouldn't the psychology of the Mets sit down with Jorge López and maybe put him on a 15-day mental health break? I’m just saying, it is Mental Health Awareness Month," Esiason suggested. "We can make fun of it, because it's the Mets, and it's a mess and everything else, but there's something serious going on in this young man's life."

Esiason concluded his apology with a message of support for López and his family. He expressed hope that López would receive the assistance he needs and wished them all the best.

The Mets, who designated López for assignment following the incident, have since described his actions as "unacceptable." However, in light of the revelation about López's personal situation, Esiason's change of heart has sparked a conversation about the importance of considering mental health in sports.