Boomer Esiason Paternity Leave, C-Section Rant Overshadows Former NFL Star’s Charitable Foundations

When Boomer Esiason made the unfortunate comments about New York Mets outfielder Daniel Murphy taking paternity leave on his radio show last week, it left a bad taste in listeners’ mouths. And while he has since apologized on air, the comments directed toward Daniel Murphy and his wife Tori, suggesting she should have gotten a C-Section prior to Opening Day, have overshadowed Esiason’s various charitable works in many fans’ minds.

The controversy started Wednesday on WFAN’s Boomer & Carton show, a sports talk program broadcast in the New York metro area. Esiason went on record as how he would’ve handled the situation if it were him:

“Quite frankly I would’ve said ‘C-section before the season starts,” he said on air. “I need to be at opening day.”

On Friday, Esiason retracted his statement, offering up a sincere apology and further clarifying his remarks:

“I was not telling women what to do with their bodies. I would never do that. That’s their decision, that’s their life and they know their bodies better than I do. And the other thing, too, that I really felt bad about is that Daniel Murphy and Tori Murphy were dragged into the conversation, and their whole life was exposed. And it shouldn’t have been.”

Ultimately Esiason, who told listeners he was “truly sorry” for his remarks, took full ownership for the flap:

“And that is my fault. That is my fault for uttering the word ‘C-section’ on this radio station. And it all of a sudden put their lives under a spotlight, and for that I truly apologize.”

The unfortunate side effect to this kind of negative press is that Boomer Esiason is actually involved with a number of charitable foundations that help those suffering from unique ailments – especially children. For example, the Boomer Esiason Foundation helps kids battling the genetic disease Cystic Fibrosis. According to their web site, the foundation was launched after Boomer’s own child, Gunner, was diagnosed with the life-threatening ailment, and the foundation is committed to raising both funds for research and awareness for sufferers:

“In 1994, Esiason launched the Boomer Esiason Foundation, a dynamic partnership of leaders in the medical and business communities joining with a committed core of volunteers to heighten awareness, education and quality of life for those affected by cystic fibrosis, while providing financial support to research aimed at finding a cure. Since its inception, the Boomer Esiason Foundation has raised more than $85 million to support research toward a cure for CF, as well as programs directly benefiting the CF community.”

Hopefully, Esiason’s apology offered up for his Daniel Murphy paternity Leave and C-Section comments can help rectify Boomer’s image back to that of a hero in the CF community.