For other people with similar names, see Mike Freeman (disambiguation)
Mike Freeman is a "national columnist" for CBSSports.com. He has previously written for the New York Times, Washington Post, Dallas Morning News, Boston Globe and Florida Times-Union. He is also the author of five books including a biography on Florida State coach Bobby Bowden. His book ESPN: The Uncensored History, which alleged sexual harassment, drug use and gambling, was the first critical study of ESPN.[1][2]
In January 2004, Freeman resigned before starting a columnist job at The Indianapolis Star. He admitted he lied about having a college degree, and he claimed this was the only time he falsified his education history.[3] Tom Jolly, sports editor at The New York Times, said that Freeman had not misrepresented himself to the Times, which had no college degree requirement for its sportswriters. "Mike's career here speaks for itself, he did some great work here".[4] Freeman subsequently said "There are no excuses and I have never made any. Never will either. I’ll get my degree this summer or fall and start my pursuit of an advanced degree the following spring."[5]
Freeman's columns have included accusations of racism and sexism against his colleagues in the New York press.[6] He was unsuccessfully sued for libel by golfer John Daly, with a circuit judge ruling that "Freeman's statements were either true or constitutionally protected opinion".[7] In 2002 Freeman called for a tougher program from the National Football League for monitoring off-the-field violence and drug use.[8]