Rome, Everett Defend Their Positions

Jim Rome didn’t apologize Thursday, and neither did Jim Everett.

Both Rome, the TV and radio talk-show host, and Everett, the former Ram quarterback, defended their positions in their Wednesday night confrontation during a live interview on ESPN2’s “Talk 2” program in Hollywood.

Rome defended his questioning of Everett, who pushed aside a table and knocked the talk show host to the floor.

Everett, traded to the New Orleans Saints last month, objected when Rome repeatedly called him by the name of female tennis star “Chris Evert,” a derisive reference to Everett’s perceived reluctance to be hit on the football field.

“I stand by what I did,” Rome said on XTRA radio. “But I regret it happening.

“I regret hitting him with (the Chris reference) a third time. But he got in my face and challenged me.”

No punches were thrown. Rome wasn’t injured, but he complained that coffee was spilled on his jacket during the fracas. He said he doesn’t plan to press charges and that he tried Thursday to invite Everett back on the air, but couldn’t reach him.

Everett, speaking to the New Orleans media Thursday from his Las Vegas home, wouldn’t say if he would accept the invitation, nor did he regret what he did.

“Number one, I don’t condone the physical abuse-type thing,” Everett said. “I really don’t condone my actions, but I was put in a position that I was going to be in a journalistic-type interview and, instead, I was put into what I felt was taunting.

“I don’t regret what I did. I mean, I have to live with the actions and I’m prepared to face whatever repercussions there are.”

Rome said Everett did not apologize Wednesday, but accused him of “looking for ratings.” Rome denied that the confrontation was a publicity ploy, adding that producer Mark Shapiro had twice warned Everett he would be called “Chris.” He said Everett did not object.