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Josh Innes pissed off listeners, callers, and anyone tuning in to WIP yesterday expecting to hear anything remotely resembling reasonable sports talk, when he trolled listeners for the better part of an hour by shouting that Chip Kelly was a racist for once using the term jingle-footed to describe the type of running back he dislikes. Innes’ boss, Andy Bloom, called in to verbally tug Innes and inform listeners that it was all a joke.

[Background: Yesterday, a quote Chip had made at Oregon about his preference for running backs who hit the hole over guys who dance around in the backfield (jingle-footed) made the rounds. It could’ve been read as a DeMarco Murray- LeSean McCoy Mad Lib and actually provided some insight into the type of back Chip prefers, which has been speculated for some time now.]

Innes, who, like most reasonable people, thinks the Chip Kelly is a racist narrative is ridiculous, was simply trying to prove a point that you can make just about anything sound racist. The whole thing was kind of funny (though there is a point where trolling your audience has inverse consequences), but it’s a slippery slope when invoking slavery as part of your shtick. Callers were initially incensed about Innes’ (faux) opinion, and later because he dedicated 45 minutes of radio to troll listeners – and consummate professional Jody Mac, who was co-hosting with Innes yesterday – about a sensitive topic.

Innes told one outraged caller, who was black and didn’t get the joke: “You’re dumb– I’m not saying that because you’re black, but because you’re stupid.”

You can form your own opinion about the bit. But here’s one of mine: Andy Bloom is tool.

Bloom, WIP’s operations manager, who once told me on the air that Innes wasn’t “his guy” more than anyone else at WIP is his guy, called in to defend his guy and inform listeners that it was all a joke (presumably before a riot broke out). That’s when he got all sucky-sucky with his guy:

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Andy: “So for those of you writing, texting, it’s a joke. You’ve had a joke played on you by the best in business– Josh Innes.”

Josh: “Well thank you, Andy, I appreciate it.”

Andy: “I’m sorry I have to end the joke, but I’m driving and I, I, I can’t text when I’m driving.”

No, but you can blow someone.

You can hear the full, hour-long segment here (5 p.m. hour).

…

In other news: Rob Ellis, who – true story – was once demoted by Bloom without being told about it before he read it…. here… will fill in for Mike Missanelli on 97.5 today. It’s not a permanent thing, but – just my opinion here – I wouldn’t be shocked if we eventually hear Ellis on 97.5 in a more regular role. MUSIC: