Everett Hits Passing Shot at ESPN2’s Rome

Former Ram quarterback Jim Everett, upset by comments made by ESPN2 talk show host Jim Rome during a live interview Wednesday night, attacked Rome in the network’s Hollywood studio.

Everett became upset when Rome repeatedly called him “Chris Evert,” a reference to the female tennis star and Everett’s questionable courage to take a hit, during an interview on “Talk 2.” Everett shoved a table between them away and knocked Rome backward off his chair.

Everett then jumped on Rome. No punches appeared to be thrown, and they were separated by studio workers.

Rome said he was not injured in the incident and that Everett did not apologize afterward.

“He didn’t directly apologize to me, but he seemed remorseful,” Rome said. “He said as he left, ‘I’ve had to put up with this stuff for three years in L.A., and I just snapped.’ ”

Everett, traded by the Rams to the New Orleans Saints on March 18 for a seventh-round draft pick in 1995, was unavailable for comment.

Reports from New York last fall quoted some of Everett’s Ram teammates referring to the quarterback as “Chris Evert,” for his lack of willingness to take a hit.

“Overall, we felt very unfortunate (about the incident),” Rome said.

“Our producer had called Jim in Las Vegas and asked him if he had any problems being called Chris Evert. The producer said we wanted him to be comfortable. If he didn’t feel comfortable, then he shouldn’t come.”

But Everett became upset with the reference after Rome questioned him about the quarterback’s “phantom sack” in the Rams’ 31-3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the 1990 NFC championship game.

Everett: “You better take a station break. You have been talking behind my back.”

Rome: “Well, now I’m saying it to your face.”

Everett: “I bet you won’t say it again.”

Rome did.

Everett then went after Rome. The network cut away, but returned later to Rome, who said: “Hated for something like that to happen. But that’s that.”