*Post Updated*
An announcer (later identified as Matt Norman) called the Norman High School girls’ basketball team the N-word for kneeling during the National Anthem, but what he didn’t know is his mic was hot.
Watch the video below:
The announcer’s racist comments caused widespread outrage, and the Norman Public Schools superintendent Dr. Nick Migliorino released a statement Friday morning condemning the comments and vowing to use a trustworthy announcing crew moving forward.
Last night during the Norman High School girls’ basketball game versus Midwest City in the Oklahoma 6A State Basketball Tournament, National Federation of High School (NFHS) Network announcers on a live stream broadcast made racist and hateful comments targeted at our Norman High student-athletes. The announcers were contracted by OSSAA for the state tournament.
We condemn and will not tolerate the disgusting words and attitudes of these announcers. This type of hate speech has no place in our society and we are outraged that it would be directed at any human being, and particularly at our students.
We fully support our students’ right to freedom of expression and our immediate focus is to support these girls and their coaches and families, particularly our Black students and coaching staff. It is tragic that the hard work and skill of this team is being overshadowed by the vile, malignant words of these individuals. We will do everything in our power to support and uplift our team and everyone affected by this incident.
Moving forward NPS will rely only on our long-standing, community partner SportsTalk Media to live stream the remainder of the tournament, as we have full confidence in their proven ability to respectfully support our student-athletes.
I believe that announcer should be identified and held accountable for his actions (fired).
Matt Rowan blamed his racist remarks on a diabetic episode. I’m not kidding.
I will state that I suffer Type 1 Diabetes and during the game my sugar was spiking.
While not excusing my remarks, it is not unusual when my sugar spikes that I become disoriented and often say things that are not appropriate as well as hurtful.
I do not believe that I would have made such horrible statements absent my sugar spiking. I’m absolutely speechless for my rhetoric.
I want to offer my deepest apologies to these girls because I hurt them. I want to take ownership of my actions.
Never my intention to hurt anyone. I am sickened by what I said. I am so sorry for what I said.
Diabetic racism, eh? Well, this is a new one.
Your thoughts…
Source: newson6
