The biggest story from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis wasn’t a record-breaking 40-yard dash-it was the heated exchange between Jordan Schultz and Ian Rapoport at a Starbucks in a hotel lobby. The confrontation, reportedly stemming from conflicting reports on the Las Vegas Raiders’ interest in Matthew Stafford, quickly became a viral moment.
Schultz later addressed the situation without delving into specifics, but he did acknowledge the now-infamous photo of their exchange, obtained by Awful Announcing. The image captures him smiling while speaking to the NFL Network reporter, with the Starbucks logo prominently in the background.
Ian Rapoport discusses Aaron Rodgers’ future with the New York Jets
Rapoport shares his side of the story
Rapoport finally gave his perspective on the Awful Announcing Podcast, calling the situation “ridiculous.”
“I’m not blind to the world,” Rapoport told host Brandon Contes. “Looking back, it was a little amusing. I was part of it, I guess? I really, honestly, was just standing there. But I was part of it, I guess? It was sort of amusing, and people got a real kick out of it. I mean, doing something like that in front of 50 reporters-I’ve never seen news travel faster.
Freaking [Mike] Florio had the whole thing, including what [Schultz] said to me, two hours later-ridiculous. Now, as a professional gossip, I respect it. It was all amusing… The crazy thing, for me, is like, I didn’t do anything. I literally just stood there while somebody screamed in my face. That has not happened very often.
Uber stock rumors and an unexpected confrontation
One of the most bizarre elements of the altercation was the rumored accusation that Rapoport had claimed Schultz was offering sources Uber stock in exchange for scoops.
“I didn’t know people gave that to players,” Rapoport said. “I had no idea. It was weird. I don’t know. I had nothing to do with it. I stood there while someone yelled at me, turned around, and left. It did get a lot of publicity, though. But then it’s like, ‘Go back to work,’ you know?”
Despite Schultz appearing friendly in the viral photo, Rapoport clarified that the encounter was far from amicable.
I don’t hardly know him. We’ve interacted a little bit,” Rapoport explained. “He DM’d me a ton when he was, I guess, sort of just getting started or whatever. We haven’t had a lot of interaction. I would not say it was very friendly… We all compete very hard, but the thought of someone like [Adam] Schefter yelling-I can’t even imagine. We work hard, but it’s not personal. That was the strange thing for me.
Ultimately, Rapoport confirmed that everything Florio wrote in his Pro Football Talk exclusive was accurate.
He said something about him giving Uber or Starbucks stock to players or something like that,” Rapoport recalled. “Which I was like, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’ It was all pretty fast. Literally, I stood there. I was like, ‘What?’ And then I was like-because he was right in my (face)-‘Could you back up, please?’ And then, screamed some more, said the rest of what Florio wrote, and then I left.
