Summary
In this episode of The Drive podcast, host Peter Etia interviews Robert Abbott, a documentary filmmaker and six-time Emmy award-winning producer, about his investigative work on the ESPN 3430 documentary, The Last Days of Night. The documentary explores the untold story behind the scenes of Bobby Knight's termination from Indiana University. Robert Abbott shares his background as a journalist and how he became interested in storytelling, particularly in people with fascinating stories. The podcast contains profanity and is not suitable for all listeners.
The context of the podcast is about Abbott's investigation into the abusive behavior of basketball coach Bobby Knight. Abbott interviewed various people to confirm allegations made by player Neil Reed that Knight had grabbed him by the throat, kicked the university president out of practice, and brandished soiled toilet paper. The journalist also learned from a professor that Knight had gotten into a physical altercation with his own son during a hunting trip in Argentina. Despite facing resistance from the university and Knight's supporters, Abbott persisted in his investigation and eventually published a story on CNN. The story was based on interviews with multiple sources who spoke on background or off the record due to fear of retaliation from Knight. The journalist's investigation took nine months, during which he built relationships with sources and confirmed the allegations against Knight.
The podcast also discusses the legacy of former Indiana University basketball coach Bob Knight. The speaker acknowledges Knight's violation of the university's zero tolerance policy and his subsequent firing. Despite his flaws, Knight is recognized for his coaching abilities and the quality of individuals he recruited. The speaker believes that Knight's story serves as a cautionary tale and acknowledges the work done by the interviewer in bringing attention to the issue. Additionally, the speaker expresses gratitude for the validation brought to a victim of Knight's behavior.
The podcast also delves into the psychology of individuals like Bobby Knight, who have extreme highs and lows. The host talks about his own struggles with similar traits and how he found therapy helpful in dealing with his inner critic. He also discusses his journey to interview former players of Knight to gain insight into his coaching style and behavior. The host talks about how he was able to get three players to talk about their experiences playing for Knight, including confirmation of physical contact between Knight and one player. The host believes that many people can relate to having a harsh inner critic and lack of self-compassion, and he finds Knight's extreme manifestation of these traits fascinating.
Overall, this podcast episode provides a detailed and nuanced look into the investigative work done by Robert Abbott on the abusive behavior of basketball coach Bobby Knight. It also explores the legacy of Knight and the psychology of individuals with extreme personalities.
