ESPN college football analyst and NFL Hall of Famer Bob Griese was suspended one week by ESPN after an off-color remark about NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya.
This is not the week to work at ESPN. First, an affair with a crazy production assistant got baseball analyst Steve Phillips fired. Now Bob Griese gets a temporary boot.
The comment in question? During Saturday’s Ohio State-Minnesota game, ESPN ran a NASCAR graphic and co-analyst Chris Spielman wondered where Montoya was.
As his name was not in the Top Five in points standings, Griese mused that Montoya was “out having a taco.” Mmm. Not how to reach out to a key demographic.
We don't expect Juan Pablo Montoya will be inviting Bob Griese over for tacos anytime soon. The guy may not even like tacos. And they both work on weekends.
He apologized twice during the broadcast and ESPN issued a release disapproving of his comment. We're guessing that the disapproval was not because Montoya is from Colombia, whereas tacos are generally considered to be Mexican.
Luckily for Bob, he got off with just a one-week slap on the wrist. Note to analysts: Jokes with an ethnic bent, regardless of your intent, don't generally play well.
Share
124 Comments
October 27th, 2009 4:27 PM
Who cares! Get in the real world and hear the jokes and comments. People should get off the sensitivity craziness.
October 27th, 2009 4:29 PM
He probably was out eating a taco. He sure cant drive a racecar.
October 27th, 2009 4:31 PM
Amen, Mr. Gump
October 27th, 2009 4:32 PM
Maybe Griese knew for a fact that Montoya was eating a taco at the time. Anyone ever think of THAT?! where's the benefit of the doubt.
October 27th, 2009 4:33 PM
If Griese had said that Mario Andretti was out eating Lasagna it would have been a non issue. Please lighten up people!!!
October 27th, 2009 4:37 PM
What in the world is wrong with us today???? If I, a whiteman, should say oh shit, then I am a race monger because shit is a varation of colors and is not pure white. On the other hand a man of any other color can say or use any words and not offend anyone, go figure!
October 27th, 2009 4:41 PM
I intend on boycotting ESPN and all of its sponsors products for 1-year as a result of this idiotic decision to suspend a good man for a statement so harmless. What a bunch of morons- the ESPN executives and its corporate attorneys. If anyone was offended by that comment- he or she should have their head examined.
October 27th, 2009 4:42 PM
Griese should look at a map AND GET THE RIGHT ETHNIC FOOD FOR THE RIGHT COUNTRY.
October 27th, 2009 4:43 PM
ESPN is a joke!! I don't hear Montoya making a big stink of this BS!
October 27th, 2009 4:44 PM
what babies, Hall of Fame Bob should work for CBS; at least they let you play with the hired talent. It's a shame how a BS- 4 letter network lays down (pardon the pund) to this constant crying from the babies in America.
Please man-up America