In an ESPN Front Row article written four years ago, the company described Adam Schefter's job in the following way:
"The key to all of his work is a small but handy cell phone. He works day and night and around the country through his phone."
When Schefter was accidentally terminated by ESPN Friday morning, the company's football guru lost his mojo.
Sources: Someone at ESPN "accidentally" placed @AdamSchefter on the terminated list. Devices have been deactivated. Looking for suspects
— Seth Markman (@tunasweasel) August 21, 2015
Since 2011, Schefter's devices have multiplied. It is not just about one phone anymore. In a 2014 article in The Washington Post, Schefter was revealed to use an iPhone to talk and a BlackBerry to type, not to mention the computers and other devices he uses when access is available. Schefter is constantly on the phone with sources trying to release news before his competitors. He attended zero games in the 2013 season, but served as the most powerful breaking news reporter.
Schefter has 3.97 million Twitter followers, more than @POTUS (3.74 million) and Donald Trump (3.81 million).
Schefter borrowed a device to tweet an update:
Been through this before. Not any easier to take 2nd time around. Do want to thank all the great people at ESPN. https://t.co/vI4j6mDObm
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2015
IT just told me HR confirmed to them that I have not been fired (whew). Now they need to figure out how to re-activate my Iphones and laptop
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2015
Before rumors start: @AdamSchefter not leaving ESPN. #FranchiseTag https://t.co/R8zacguCbs
— bill hofheimer (@bhofheimer_espn) August 21, 2015
While Schefter was "fired," he got support from friends such as former colleague Rachel Nichols (although he did not have a working phone to see such messages):
@AdamSchefter I am trying to picture you without a working phone. Having some trouble even conceiving it Hope it's back soon.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) August 21, 2015
When Schefter started at ESPN in 2009, the company did not know he needed an unlimited phone plan.
$6,114: @adamschefter's cell phone bill for his 1st month at ESPN. Plan at the time didn't have unlimited data plan.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 10, 2015
If there was ever a time to punch a quarterback or negotiate with a free agent without word leaking, today is the day. Schefter does not get caught napping often.
This is Adam's wife, Sharri, hijacking his Twitter and proving that he does sleep... pic.twitter.com/el5M3LopoH
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 21, 2014
