Mina Kimes is accustomed to facing negative attention online, and she knows how to respond effectively. When NFL aggregator account Dov Kleiman started criticizing her ESPN coverage regarding the government’s removal of a historical article about Jackie Robinson’s military service, Kimes was ready to engage in the confrontation.
After reposting Kimes’ commentary on the matter, Kleiman claimed that “many football fans are calling for ESPN to fire NFL analyst Mina Kimes” and posted an open-ended question to his followers about whether she should be let go.
Should Mina Kimes be fired?https://t.co/jlsPdYDhZ3
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 20, 2025
Kimes initially praised Robinson’s “courage in the face of racial discrimination” during her segment on Around the Horn, emphasizing that such courage “must be recognized to fully understand and celebrate his legacy.” This was part of a broader effort within sports media to counter the U.S. Department of Defense’s removal of a webpage highlighting Robinson’s military service, which was seen as part of a governmental initiative to eliminate topics related to diversity and inclusion from public history. The backlash against this decision, notably led by MLB insider Jeff Passan’s reporting, included a peculiar statement from the Defense Department that was later revised; by Wednesday night, the department had republished the page.
In response to Kleiman’s posts calling for her firing, Kimes referenced a rumored incident involving Kleiman and actress Jennifer Lawrence, saying, “I see @NFL_DovKleiman keeps posting weird stuff about me today. Flattered bc I think this means I now have something in common with Jennifer Lawrence?” Over the years, it has been speculated that Lawrence filed a restraining order against Kleiman, and users who mention this in his replies often find themselves banned.
I see @NFL_DovKleiman keeps posting weird stuff about me today. Flattered bc I think this means I now have something in common with Jennifer Lawrence?
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) March 20, 2025
While Kimes’ humorous dig was well-received, it might not be relevant in the grand scheme. For years, Kleiman’s real identity has been a subject of speculation within sports media, with various posts and videos contributing to the mystery surrounding the person behind the aggregation account. Last year, a Barstool Sports personality suggested that the original user had sold the account.
Given the rumors surrounding the alleged restraining order against Lawrence, which surfaced in 2023, it’s uncertain if the individual currently advocating for Kimes’ dismissal is even the same person involved in that incident. Regardless, if Kimes succeeds in shedding light on the peculiarities surrounding the NFL’s most notorious social media account, the precision of her statements may become inconsequential.
