Jermaine Jenas' attempt at contrition in a heartfelt video message to his followers on social media was interrupted by his dog's call of nature. Jenas has been quiet on social media since a scandal over sending inappropriate texts to female colleagues. The former Tottenham and England midfielder lost his job with the BBC, where he presented the One Show and appeared on Match of the Day, and has yet to return as a pundit on TNT Sports.
The 41-year-old has also been fighting to save his marriage to wife of 13 years, Ellie, in the wake of the fiasco. After doing an interview with The Sun in late August, Jenas has stepped away from the limelight to reflect upon his actions and, in a video on Instagram, has attempted to explain his next steps, while thanking fans.
Jenas filmed himself talking to the camera while out walking in the countryside with his dog, only for the pet to upstage him in the most embarrassing way. "Hello you lot. I've obviously been missing for a while on the socials," he began before his dog interrupted by stopping for a call of nature.
"The timing... Like I'm trying to say something important, decides to take a s***! I have to come back to you. I got to pick this up. Life, eh? It keeps coming out here, all this s***!"
After picking up his dog's poo, Jenas continued: "It's been collected. I just thought it was important for me to jump on here and actually just talk to you lot and just say thank you, really, for the level of support that you've shown me. You know, it's clearly been a difficult period for me, but one that I'll definitely grow from.
"You know, we're human beings, it is what it is. You'll learn from it and become a better person. I think those are the things that are important in life. None of us are perfect and we've just got to find a way to keep moving forward, look after our babies and our families in the best way we possibly can - and that's something I will be trying to do.
"But yeah, I think just mainly thank you really. It's been really nice, the level of support that you've shown me on here. It's been a nice eye-opener as well. I've kind of lost connection with my followers along the way and it's been nice to re-connect with a lot of you who have been kind enough to send me messages. I've tried to get back to as many of you as I possibly can and I'll continue to do so.
"There's some exciting stuff that I've been working on. So hopefully you'll have that to look forward to very soon. And hopefully I'll be back just talking about what I love really, which is football. I've been living the life of those Spurs fans who've been up and down and up and down.
"Forest got a great result up at Anfield and have been playing well. So I've been watching but I'm looking forward to kind of getting back and just talking about what I love most. So last of all, thank you very much and, yeah, I'll see you soon."
The former One Show host and Match of the Day pundit admitted to sending inappropriate messages to two female BBC colleagues in an interview with The Sun last month. But he claimed he did 'nothing illegal', and did not send sexual videos or photos. Since the news of his sacking, the Daily Mail published allegations that Jenas sent unsolicited messages to a BT Sport staff member, which he has denied. Jenas's video, while intended to be a sincere apology to fans, also reflects the uncertainty surrounding his future in broadcasting. The dog incident adds an element of humor to the situation, potentially serving as a reminder that despite the controversy, Jenas remains grounded in his personal life. The incident is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of maintaining a sense of humor even in difficult times.
Jenas's Apology: A Step Towards Redemption?
Jenas acknowledged the mistakes he made but expressed his commitment to "grow" and "learn" from the experience. He acknowledged that he has "been missing for a while on the socials" and thanked fans for their support during a difficult time. The footballer expressed his desire to learn from the experience and become a better person. He also highlighted his plans to focus on family and personal growth. Jenas's apology shows a willingness to acknowledge his wrongdoing and make amends. However, the road to redemption is long and challenging. His return to the spotlight is uncertain and will depend on his ability to rebuild trust with his audience.
Will Jenas Return to Football Broadcasting?
Jenas hinted at a potential return to TV, teasing his followers with exciting projects in the pipeline. "I've got some exciting stuff I've been working on, so there’s plenty to look forward to soon," he said. "Hopefully, I'll be back talking about football, which I love." It remains to be seen whether Jenas will be able to return to football broadcasting. However, his positive message and hints at future projects suggest he is determined to rebuild his career.
What's Next for Jenas?
Only time will tell if Jenas will be able to rebuild his career in broadcasting. His apology shows a desire to learn and move forward. It is possible that his apology will resonate with audiences and allow him to return to the screen. But there is no guarantee of his return. The scandal has shaken his career and reputation, and he will need to work hard to regain the trust of viewers. The next few months will be crucial for Jenas as he navigates the aftermath of the scandal and the potential for a comeback.
