OutKick Criticizes ESPN's David Dennis Jr. for Inflammatory Article on Lane Kiffin

OutKick recently praised ESPN for moving away from identity politics and divisive rhetoric. The network has parted ways with several commentators known for racially charged commentary, including Mark Jones, Clinton Yates, Elle Duncan and Sarah Spain.

A few such voices remain. David Dennis Jr. is among them.

This week, Dennis wrote an article for ESPN.com and Andscape titled "Why Lane Kiffin’s ‘Ole Miss’ virtue signaling falls flat." The piece reacted to Kiffin saying, then apologizing for saying, that some black families felt uneasy about their sons and grandsons playing for Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi.

Dennis began by saying he would use the name "Ole Miss" only once. "This is the last time I’ll use that name, by the way, as its origins are related to slavery as well," he wrote.

He accused Kiffin of showing no real concern for diversity. "His actions before and since taking the University of Mississippi job haven’t shown any care about diversity, or that the lack thereof in Oxford bothered him. Instead, this just looks like virtue signaling to justify his controversial move to Baton Rouge, which is insulting to people actually affected by what the University of Mississippi represents."

Dennis expressed further anger over Kiffin's new job at LSU. He called Louisiana "ground zero for last month’s Supreme Court ruling that essentially gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965." "The state is currently working to eradicate black representation from its congressional delegation," he added. "At the same time, there’s a groundswell movement calling for black athletes to avoid SEC schools because of the potential demolition of the Voting Rights Act."

OutKick asked Dennis to explain his claim about eradicating black representation. He did not respond.

Dennis ended the section by urging Kiffin to speak out. "If Kiffin is so concerned with recruits being turned off by the anti-black nature of a state’s politics, he might want to hurry up and use his power to effect change. He may want to say something about preserving everyone’s right to equal representation."

The article drew attention Thursday night after OutKick founder Clay Travis posted about it on X. "ESPN, which is the only partner on SEC athletics, employing a writer who posts articles ripping coaches and stirring up racial angst through politics, is absolutely insane to me," Travis wrote, sharing a screenshot. Dennis has blocked him.

Dennis follows a pattern. He once said Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad campaign "mortified" him.

Other examples include a piece on Hulk Hogan published hours after his death. Dennis argued Hogan should be remembered mainly as a racist. "When you are a racist that is your legacy above all else," he wrote. "Hulk Hogan died being known as a racist who also became famous as a professional wrestler."

Dennis treated Kobe Bryant differently. Bryant faced a rape accusation and made homophobic comments, but Dennis's obituary, "Remembering Kobe Bryant, a Man Who Never Trusted in Tomorrow," praised his off-court character and omitted those issues.

OutKick asked Dennis about the difference at the time. He did not reply.

Travis noted that Dennis harms ESPN by depicting SEC schools and fans as racist. Dennis has also criticized fans of WNBA star Caitlin Clark. "I hope the people who say they are staying away from the WNBA now that CC is gone actually keep to their promise," he posted on X in 2024. "These are about to be all-time series and their toxicity isn’t needed. Let us enjoy things."

Clark's fans drove most WNBA viewership that year. Sports media reporter Ryan Glasspiegel headlined his summary: "ESPN employee says he wants lower ratings for ESPN property."

Dennis lacks a sports reporting background. His work has centered on race, civil rights and his father. ESPN hired him amid the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests and George Floyd riots.

The network features him on shows like First Take, SportsCenter and NBA Today.