Sideline Reporter Jailed For Refusing To Reveal Her Source

WASHINGTON, DC--CBS sideline reporter Bonnie Bernstein was jailed Tuesday afternoon after refusing to reveal the source of her allegations regarding running back Priest Holmes. Pressure mounted on Bernstein after she was subpoenaed by a grand jury on Monday, but she refused to budge, saying that her journalistic integrity was more important than her freedom. She is currently being held in the Alexandria Detention Center outside Washington DC .

The prosecutor in the case, Randall Fitzgerald, said Bernstein could be facing a long prison sentence if she fails to comply.

“Under federal law, Ms. Bernstein is required to disclose her sources to the government,” said Fitzgerald, who is investigating Bernstein’s claim that Holmes enjoys playing Madden 2006 in his spare time and occasionally takes his teammates to dinner. “She knows the consequences of her actions. If she continues to refuse, her short stint in jail could turn into a lengthy prison sentence, which would actually be great news for people who watch football.”

Fitzgerald is hoping Bernstein’s arrest will send a message to other sideline reporters.

“Sideline reporters have gotten out of control,” he said. “Every time I turn on a football game, they are there spouting facts and figures that could very well be complete lies. Is Peyton Manning really a cut-up in the locker room? Does Donovan McNabb help out at a community center once a week? Is Jamal Lewis really happy to be back on the field with his teammates? This is the kind of bullshit the American people need to know.”

Bernstein’s report was initially aired during the first quarter of Sunday’s Jet-Chiefs game. Standing on the Chief’s sidelines, she looked into the camera and made what Fitzgerald called “shockingly irresponsible” allegations about Priest Holmes.

“You know, Priest Holmes has been one of the NFL’s top players on the field, but very few people are aware that he is also one of the top players off the field as well,” Bernstein announced, in the middle of a Chiefs scoring drive. “Holmes loves to play Madden 2006 in his spare time, and rumor has it, he’s the man to beat in the Chiefs locker room.”

Later, she said Holmes “likes to treat his linemen to dinner” on days when he runs for over a hundred yards.

Holmes has admitted to occasionally taking his linemen to dinner but has vehemently denied being into Madden 2006. Holmes, too, would like to know where Bernstein got her information.

“I don’t play Madden 2006. I hate that game,” Holmes said. “I really would love to know where Bonnie got her information. Who’s your source, Bonnie? It’s time to come clean with the American public. Everybody knows I stopped playing Madden after 2004 when it started to get really lame. As for the dinner allegations, yes, there is some truth there. But that’s an extremely personal thing. I didn’t want that revealed publicly. I feel so...so naked, so exposed. Bonnie, how could you?”

CBS sports issued a statement in support of Bernstein and applauded her for upholding her journalistic integrity. According to the statement, “The job of the sideline reporter is one of the most important jobs in our society. Like all sideline reporters, Bonnie is a tireless crusader for truth, and we applaud her for confronting those forces which seek to silence her. In the meantime, we’ll be replacing her with that bimbo who does the weather.”

Bernstein’s lawyer, Alex Stein, does not expect his client to budge anytime soon. He told her family recently to expect a prolonged stay behind bars.

“I have spoken to Bonnie and she is resolute,” Stein said. “She is bored, yes, and a little depressed, but she is not wavering in her commitment to keep her sources secret. She also wants her fans to know that she will issue her own statement next Sunday. It will be read by another sideline reporter, during a crucial moment of the Chargers-Broncos game. Stay tuned!”