Honestly, few broadcasters have fallen so fast, then recovered as well as Jim Rome. Really, his story is a great example of an entertainment comeback.

Sunday is Rome’s 43rd birthday, one he can celebrate with his nationally syndicated radio show,  his ESPN show “Rome is Burning”, and his sport lexicon of terms he’s popularized like “Clones”, “Rack him” and “The Jungle” (none of which my father can understand.

That said, I’ll never forget that night 13 years ago, watching ESPN 2’s new show “Talk 2″ and seeing Jim Everett jump across the table and take Rome down. We jokingly refer to it as “The sport Jack Ruby/Lee Harvey Oswald moment”, a moment I really never thought Rome would overcome.

If you don’t remember, back then Rome was the classic shock jock, in your face, criticizing player after player,  including Everett, who he nicknamed “Chris” (after former tennis star Chris Evert. Google Jim’s name - he comes  up with Rome as much as his career in the NFL).  So, on the show, Rome started again with the Chris bit,  Everett challenged him, and, well, you can see the rest below: (p.s. Props to the producer and graphics operator  for getting  “Don’t call me Chris!!!” up so quick!

[youtube width="425" height="335"]http://youtube.com/watch?v=dOVxitMy47c[/youtube]