Rueben Bain Jr.’s Measurables and JD Vance’s Humiliations. Plus, Scott MacFarlane on Life After CBS.

In this episode of The Press Box, hosts Brian Curtis and Joel Anderson dive into a series of high-profile media and political stories. The conversation begins with a deep dive into the controversy surrounding NFL draft prospect Reuben Bain, whose involvement in a fatal 2024 car crash—resulting in the death of 22-year-old Destiny Betts—was only recently reported by Ollie Connolly of Read Optional. The hosts express outrage that this information was suppressed for months despite Bain being a top-tier prospect, questioning the ethics of media gatekeeping and the NFL’s undisclosed vetting process. They argue that the draft’s obsession with quantifiable metrics (like arm length) while ignoring serious off-field incidents reveals a dehumanizing trend in sports journalism. The discussion then shifts to J.D. Vance’s series of political humiliations, including being sent on diplomatic missions by Trump that backfired—most notably lecturing Pope Leo on theology, a moment the hosts mock as 'hopesplaining.' The episode also covers the successful non-profit acquisition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, preventing its closure by Alden Global Capital, and the ongoing media consolidation crisis. Scott McFarlane, former CBS News correspondent, joins as a guest to discuss his departure from network news, his move to the ideologically driven Midas Touch Network, and his belief that legacy media’s neutrality enables the spread of lies. He critiques CBS’s minimal coverage of January 6th and argues that news organizations must now take a clear point of view to combat misinformation. The episode closes with a nostalgic 'J-School' segment reflecting on Dave Chappelle’s recent public radio investment and a personal reckoning over his past use of transphobic slurs, underscoring the responsibility of public figures in shaping cultural discourse.