As the years of calling out racism and injustices continue, many people who push to ‘cancel’ people due to their racism being caught on camera, in public, or even on social media seem to always be met with a weird apology from said racist person. The apology either comes from a very long YouTube video or a typical iPhone note app typed paragraph. However, for an Oklahoma announcer, he’s not particularly giving the world his apology in neither. The high school basketball announcer issued an apology for his racist and insensitive comments, but followed up his apology by stating that it was his diabetes that made him say such a comment.
In a video at a girls’ high school basketball game, announcer Matt Rowan was heard making offensive and racist comments when it was known that a couple of players on the basketball team were kneeling during the National Anthem. Rowan wasn’t aware that his mic was still on, as he expressed his dislike of the kneeling situation.
“I hope Norman gets their a– kicked,” an announcer continued. “F—— n——.” were the words that came out of Rowan’s mouth, which caused him to have to sooner issue an apology days later.
In a lengthy response about his behavior, Rowan believed the microphone was off. In his statement, he stated, “During the Norman High School girls basketball game against Midwest City, I made inappropriate and racist comments believing that the microphone was off; however, let me state immediately that is no excuse such comments should have never been uttered.”
Rowan goes on to explain that his diabetes could have been the cause of his hurtful comments. “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,” he said. “I do not believe that I would have made such horrible statements absent my sugar spiking.” He explained in his apology.
The Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA) said the broadcast team for the state tournament game against Midwest City High School was hired by the National Federation of High School (NFHS) Network, which owns the video rights. Which the NFHS released a statement stating that the network was, “sickened by the comments.”
The NFHS did issue an apology on their behalf to students and families. They also add that the incident was under investigation and the announcer would have no relationship with the NFHS Network moving forward.
Although this isn’t the first time a person blamed an illness for their cruel ways, hopefully, it’ll be the last. Even though it’s still many people who may share the same thoughts as Rowan, it dodges a lot of accountability when you blame your illness for your comments that hurt others.
