ESPN football analyst Bob Griese was providing color commentary on Saturday between the Buckeyes and the Gophers when trouble bit him squarely in the butt. He made a comment that had him offering up an apology before the credits rolled on the telecast.
An ESPN graphic promoting Sunday’s NASCAR race showed photos of the top five drivers leading in the Sprint Cup race, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, and Tony Stewart.
Fellow color commentator Chris Spielman asked, “Where’s Juan Pablo Montoya?” Griese responded, “Ah…He’s out havin’ a taco.”
It didn’t take long before the comment registered with Griese or he was enlightened by producers, because he made the following apology at the completion of the 37-8 win by Ohio, saying, “Ah…Juan Pablo Montoya is one of the best drivers in NASCAR. I just want to apologize for the comment I made earlier in the ballgame.”
It wasn’t long before ESPN put out their own statement on the gaffe: “During today’s telecast of the Ohio State-Minnesota college football game on ESPN, Analyst Bob Griese made an inappropriate comment when discussing NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya. Bob apologized during the telecast, and plans to apologize again during ESPN’s college football programming after his plane lands. ESPN has spoken to Bob and he understands that his comment was uncalled for.”
UPDATE: October 27, 2009: ESPN has suspended Bob Griese for one week, according to spokesman Josh Krulewitz. He will sit out this week as a network sanction for his inappropriate comment.
View the video below.