The Who is scheduled to gig at the 2010 Super Bowl in Miami and Jose Lambiet of the PALM BEACH POST reports that three Florida child abuse groups are already calling for the NFL and U.S. immigration officials to stop Pete Townshend, a former registered sex offender in the U.K., from performing at the game.
In 2003 Townshend was investigated by U.K. police after he was caught visiting a website that featured child pornography. He was later cleared, but forced to register as a sex offender for five years. TheSmokingGun.com reports that, “at the time of his arrest, Townshend admitted using his credit card to visit a web site offering child porn, but told cops he was just conducting research.”
TSG also notes that Townshend once wrote on his website the following: “The pathway to ‘free’ paedophilic imagery is–as it were–laid out like a free line of cocaine at a decadent cocktail party: only the strong willed or terminally uncurious can resist.”
The NFL did officially respond to one of the groups, Child Abusewatch.
In his response to Daly’s request to drop The Who, the NFL’s Joe Browne, head of public relation, pointed out that Townshend viewed one child abuse photo and didn’t download the material. Browne also wrote that Townshend has been known to support children’s charities. The NFL, Browne added, “has worked hard in recent years to ensure the (halftime show) is suitable for . . . mass audience.”
The authorities in Britain know a lot more about Townshend’s habits than I do, so I’m not going to question their judgement in deeming the guitarist being fit to walk among his countrymen.
But honestly, couldn’t the NFL find halftime entertainment that wouldn’t prompt a protest over something as unseemly as kiddie porn?
I have to believe the NFL knew about Townshend’s background, which is all the more reason not to go there. Not saying that’s fair to Townshend, but when you’re dealing with an event of this magnititude, you can’t afford to take any chances. (Like having someone as part of that entertainment responsible for his very own 8-page entry on TheSmokingGun.com.)
8:10 am on December 23rd, 2009
If Pete Townshend is a sex offender, then Pete Rose is gay….
8:21 am on December 23rd, 2009
Good thing the NFL stop having modern day groups to play it safe.
9:58 am on December 23rd, 2009
“out here in the fields” now i get it pete!
10:33 am on December 23rd, 2009
The guy was cleared, in Britain no less. This is a country that bans parents taking photos of their children in parks, because other parents might think they are perverts.
This should really be a non-issue. Then again, any rock bank from the 60s/70s (and later I’m sure) probably did have underage groupies, so they’re all probably child molesters.
But getting cleared of kiddie porn charges is no small feat, if Townsend managed to prove his innocence, that should be more than good enough for the NFL.
3:36 pm on December 23rd, 2009
God I hope this angle works, please get a decent band for the half time show. The geriatric band thing has run its course.
4:30 pm on December 23rd, 2009
I have to disagree here. In some ways the NFL should be applauded for not succumbing to the hysteria here. Townsend was basically cleared. I guess from a PR point of view they probably shouldn’t have gone with Townsend, but it’s nice to see they’re willing to work with someone who was cleared of these types of charges.
That said, they’ll probably cave if this story gets more traction.
6:20 pm on December 23rd, 2009
@Joshua How did he prove his innocence? What was he innocent of? He had to register as a sex offender… strange that he would have to do that if he were innocent……
9:03 pm on December 23rd, 2009
He did somethin’
As a result of his admission he was placed and kept on the Violent and Sexual Abusers Registry in the UK for five year 2003-2008. His DNA was taken. He had to report regularly to the police and inform them whenever he left home or traveled. He has what the London Times stated as a lifelong criminal record.
http://www.abusewatch.net/CAN_NFL_Townshend.php
12:35 am on December 24th, 2009
Libel.
9:49 am on January 5th, 2010
“After four months of investigation by officers from Scotland Yard’s child protection group, it was established that Mr Townshend was not in possession of any downloaded child abuse images. He has fully co-operated with the investigation.”
-Scotland Yard statement
More facts are available here: http://www.petetownshendisinnocent