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Dunlap, Switzer Turn Twitter Beef Into Charity Drive

Brandon Contes

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Ryan Switzer of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Colin Dunlap from 93.7 The Fan proved that good can come from a social media spat after the NFL wide receiver and sports radio host turned a Twitter quarrel into a charitable “reception challenge.”

As Bleacher Report first noted, during the Steelers’ Week 11 victory in Jacksonville, Dunlap reacted to a goal-line target of Switzer by tweeting, “So the plan was to throw to Switzer? Yikes.”

Switzer later saw the tweet and took exception to the analysis replying, “You and I both know you have some quarrel with me. It’s fine. I apologize for whatever it is I upset you with. Just keep it professional, please. The “yikes” in your tweet was unnecessary. You’re applying I’m not good at what I do. Which I am. I don’t speak on your profession.”

The morning radio host defended his original tweet, but also provided a peace offering to Switzer, suggesting a performance based charity donation.

“Talking about sports is what I do. Sometimes that involves criticism. It’s my goal to never make it personal. [Ryan Switzer] felt I did, I felt I didn’t. It bothers me and demands olive branch. That said, for every catch he has rest of season I’ll donate $20 to his charity($500 min).” Dunlap wrote on Twitter.

Switzer took Dunlap up on the offer, selecting a charity that is very meaningful to Dunlap and his family, the oncology program at UPMC Children’s Hospital where the morning radio host’s 7-year old daughter, Darran Dunlap is a patient being treated for leukemia.

“Great idea. You hear that Colin Dunlap? I’ve picked my charity of choice. And I’d like to double down. $40 from me for every catch the rest of the season/playoffs to the oncology programs at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.” Switzer wrote on Twitter after a follower suggested the “reception challenge” should benefit the children’s hospital oncology program.

What started out as a Twitter disagreement over an NFL play call, quickly turned into a positive impact.  The Ryan Switzer Reception Challenge page at givetochildrens.org allows the public to provide a pledge per reception or a flat fee donation.  In less than one week, the challenge surpassed its $5,000 goal and is currently closing in on $10,000 while still accepting donations.

Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.

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Charley Steiner Injured; Tim Neverett to Handle Dodgers Radio Play-by-Play

“This will be the first Opening Day that I will have missed since 1976, when I wore a younger man’s clothes.”

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photo of Charley Steiner
Courtesy: Los Angeles Dodgers

As the Los Angeles Dodgers get set to take on the St. Louis Cardinals in their first home game on Thursday, team play-by-play voice Charley Steiner has revealed he will not be doing games at the beginning of the season due to a severe back injury.

Through the Dodgers, Steiner posted a statement which said, “Over the winter, I landed on the Injured List with three compound fractures in my back. (I don’t recommend it.) With the start of the baseball season upon us, the Dodgers are ready to go – but I’m not. This will be the first Opening Day that I will have missed since 1976, when I wore a younger man’s clothes. I look forward to returning to the mic later this season. In the meantime, go Dodgers!”

TrueBlueLA.com reports Tim Neverett will handle play-by-play duties while Steiner recovers. Neverett called the first two regular season games with Rick Monday as the Dodgers started the season in South Korea. Neverett and Monday did not travel with the team, however, they called those games in a studio back home.

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Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi Put a Bow on The Ronnie & TKras Show After Nearly 10 Years

“Finally, Tampa Bay can sleep easy knowing this hideous show is finally over.”

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Photo of Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi
Courtesy: iHeartMedia

After nearly 10 years, The Ronnie & TKras Show with Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi came to an end today as the duo broadcast their final show on remote with many listeners, friends and co-workers on hand. Earlier this month, WDAE announced changes to its programming lineup which will take place starting tomorrow. Ronnie Lane will take on a new role as host of the Tampa Bay Rays pre-game show The Inside Pitch. Tom Krasniqi will continue on in afternoon drive with producer Chris Mathis for The Drive.

Their final show kicked off with station voice Jim Cutler saying, “…Finally, Tampa Bay can sleep easy knowing this hideous show is finally over.”

And with that went three very fast hours of looking back on a nearly decade-long run for Lane and Krasniqi. “It seems kind of surreal, doesn’t it?” said Lane.

Mathis had several special guests lined up for the final show and many others left voice messages which were played coming out of breaks. Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht and Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford took part in the final show. Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks also called in and, at first, identified himself as “Pete from St. Louis” before asking what the hosts thought of the Rays bullpen.

“I’m telling you man, when I hear all of these tributes it really brings a tear to my eye, Ronnie,” said Krasniqi. “It’s a surreal moment…It makes me feel so fortunate and blessed to be in this position sitting next to you all these years. This is one of those moments where I am almost speechless and just so incredibly overwhelmed by the support and the love that everyone has shown here today.”

Lane responded, “…Our time together is really coming to an end. I might get a little emotional before this show is over, but we have had a great time and been through many ups and downs…This business is crazy and for us to be able to do what we are doing and doing it on our terms…And for a company that believes in both of us to give us this opportunity to go in different directions with the same company is truly amazing…It doesn’t happen like this always in this business, usually it’s an ugly goodbye.”

As the show came to an end, Lane reminded everyone, “It has been a blast, but we’re not freakin’ leaving!”

“We’re not leaving folks,” ‘TKras’ said. “Thanks very much for being a part of our lives and thanks for having us as part of yours. Onward and upward. You are dismissed.”

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Tyler Murray Added to WEEI Red Sox Radio Bench

“Coming up on 13 seasons in [minor league baseball], it’s not lost on me how fortunate I am to have this opportunity.”

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Photo of Tyler Murray and logos for WEEI and the Boston Red Sox
Photo Credit: Ashley Green

The voice of the Worcester Red Sox, Tyler Murray, has been added to the Red Sox Radio play-by-play bench. WEEI made the announcement on their X account, saying, “On the heels of calling the Hockey East Tourney this weekend [and] adding to his excellent work [with the Worcester Red Sox], happy to announce that Tyler Murray will be helping to build our [Red Sox Network] bench this year! Tyler’s 1st series in the big leagues will be April 5-7 [with Will Flemming].

Murray, who has also called college hockey games on NESN plus college football and basketball games, said on X, “Coming up on 13 seasons in [minor league baseball], it’s not lost on me how fortunate I am to have this opportunity. Thank you to [WEEI brand manager Ken Laird] and [Audacy Boston Senior Vice President/Market Manager Mike Thomas], and to everyone who has reached out. Your support has honestly been overwhelming, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Murray’s first series will be the Red Sox taking on the Los Angeles Angels on the road, April 5-7.

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