Nov. 18, 2021; Mercedes-Benz Stadium; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) during a timeout during the second half versus the Atlanta Falcons. Brett Davis of USA TODAY Sports is required credit.
Ben Volin, a reporter for the New England Patriots, revealed some intriguing details concerning Mac Jones’ alleged dissatisfaction with the team on Wednesday, but he was a little evasive about the source. Is that because a random user on social media tricked the seasoned journalist?
When Volin presented a scoop that he knew would make headlines, he was a guest on “The Greg Hill Show” on WEEI. Jones has an attitude problem, according to someone who should know, and there are problems between the Patriots and their former first-round choice, he claimed. Volin admitted that he received the knowledge from someone who messaged him directly.
“Mac, sure, his attitude problem is visible in the building and everyone knows it,” a user said in the reporter’s direct message. Use that information as you see fit.
Volin said that a Patriots reporter did not divulge the information. He said that he would not categorise it as a report, but he didn’t seem overly sure of the source. More of his remarks are audible here.
It appears that Volin might have been duped. Shortly after he made the remarks live, Barstool Sports released an article detailing how one of their fans claimed to have duped Volin. This person admitted to Barstool that he manufactured a story about Jones and sent it to Volin in a direct message on Wednesday morning. He posted what he claims to be a snapshot of the conversation. The information seems to support what Volin told WEEI.
Yeah I did. I made it up to see if he was really this stupid and I cannot believe he ran with it. pic.twitter.com/uMK8UjCCkH
— Nolan (@nolanc79) October 19, 2022
Did Volin give material on the air that was entirely unverified? It appears to be very likely.
Volin may already be aware of Jones’ dissatisfaction with the Patriots. Jones has been sidelined with an ankle ailment, but rookie Bailey Zappe has filled in admirably. Zappe may replace Jones even after Jones has fully recovered, according to rumours. Bill Belichick didn’t exactly dispute it, so Jones might believe his coach is placing him in a difficult situation.
The purported direct message is most likely not Volin’s first tip that there is hostility between Jones and the Patriots. But it does resemble the one he mentioned in his radio appearance.
Ben Volin, a journalist, was exposed for utilising a false source in a Mac Jones report.
