Well, Torts is at it again.
Just a week after Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella told reporters that his star player Artemi Panarin pooped his pants, Tortorella is once again making headlines for his unconventional press conferences.
This time, he paused a press conference to answer a reporter’s cell phone–and chatted with the reporter’s mom.
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The phone belonged to Tom Reed, a reporter for The Athletic. The phone was on the podium to record Tortorella’s post-practice comments when Reed’s mom started calling. Tortorella picked up and had a nice little chat.
Mrs. Reed? Mrs. Reed? This is John Tortorella. I’m in the middle of a press conference here.
No that’s ok. I’d rather talk to you than your husband–I mean your son.
I’ll be done in about five [minutes]. I’ve seen you’ve called a few times, so it’s rude of him not to call you back, but he’s busy right now. It’s nice talking to you. Ok, have a nice day.
This is not Tortorella’s first phone-related incident. On more than one occasion, he has been very annoyed with reporters who have forgotten to put their cell phones on silent during press conferences.
Here’s what Reed had to say about Tortorella’s impromptu phone conversation with the reporter’s mom:
If it’s not one thing, it’s your mother.
— Tom Reed (@treed1919) February 25, 2019
