Trying to sugarcoat it? Basketball announcer blames DIABETES for dropping N-word bomb on high school girls who took a knee
A basketball announcer has claimed diabetes caused him to rant about ‘f***ing n*****s’ after a girls high school team decided to take a knee during the national anthem at a game in Oklahoma.
Broadcaster Matt Rowan was caught on a hot mic venting his disgust at the decision by Norman High School players to drop to one knee before their game against Midwest City in Sapulpa on Thursday.
“They’re kneeling? F***ing n*****s,” a muffled Rowan was heard saying on an NFHS Network stream. “I hope Norman gets their ass kicked. F**k them. I hope they lose. They’re gonna kneel like that?”
Hey @NFHSNetwork looks like you forgot to cut the Mic!!! "F****** N******" is the one that really got me!! Tell us how you really feel!! THIS IS WHY THEY KNEEL!!!@Migliorino_Nick@tohara_o@NHS_AthDept@gonormantigerspic.twitter.com/mmWQAecLaF
— Frankie Parks (@CoachFParks) March 12, 2021
The racist comments went viral as social media users condemned Rowan for the remarks – although the announcer has now attempted to put them down to his blood-sugar levels.
“I will state that I suffer Type 1 Diabetes and during the game my sugar was spiking," Rowan said in a statement.
“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.”
........in the statement, Matt Rowan blames his racist comments and use of the n-word on type 1 diabetes. HE BLAMED RACISM ON HIS SUGAR SPIKE. pic.twitter.com/g8LzRjTiQX
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) March 12, 2021
Rowan also invoked his family life and religion in a desperate bid to shore up his defense, stating: "I am married, have two children and at one time was a youth pastor. I continue to be a member of a Baptist church."
In follow-up comments to TMZ, the 44-year-old said “[the N-word] should never be thought much less muttered.”
“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.”
Folks should notice that the announcers were NOT saluting and honoring the flag while the National Anthem was being played but instead they were hurling racist slurs at high school athletes who were quietly & respectively kneeling.
— Senator Boren from Oklahoma (@MaryBorenSD16) March 12, 2021
Rowan, who owns and operates the streaming service OSPN, has already been stood down for the remainder of the tournament, while Norman High School Superintendent Nick Migliorino condemned the comments and supported students’ right to kneel.
“We condemn and will not tolerate the disgusting words and attitudes of these announcers,” he said.
“We will do everything in our power to support and uplift our team and everyone affected by this incident.”
Also on rt.com ‘Taking the knee can’t change systemic racism’: Ex-footballer John Barnes supports players deciding not to kneel (VIDEO)State public schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister echoed those sentiments, calling Rowan’s slurs “sickening and vile.”
“My heart aches for the young female athletes who were subjected to this hateful and disgusting tirade,” he added.
Social media was equally unforgiving of Rowan.
“Funny how, while facing adverse health, whether it's alzheimers, using adderall, or high blood sugar, these people default to showing their hate for black people,” wrote one Twitter user.
“These weak a** apologies shouldn’t be accepted,” fumed another response.
Funny how, while facing adverse health, whether it's alzheimers, using adderall, or high blood sugar, these people default to showing their hate for black people.
— LoudnClear✊🏿🇺🇸 (@LoudnC) March 12, 2021
I have Type 2 Diabetes so I can sympathize with his plight. When my sugar spikes I call Matt Rowan the n-word uncontrollably.
— Herb Lawrence (@Ecnerwal23) March 12, 2021
seems legit pic.twitter.com/QcyalT9P7P
— sadPuppy🐶 (@r4_tio) March 12, 2021
“If this guy is truly sorry, he needs to kneel when the anthem is played, on his own, in public, every time it is played for the rest of his life. The ridicule he will hear & deal with...oh well, black people deal with it everyday. ....diabetes my a**,” claimed another.
If this guy is truly sorry, he needs to kneel when the anthem is played, on his own, in public, every time it is played for the rest of his life. The ridicule he will hear & deal with...oh well, black people deal with it everyday. ....diabetes my ass.
— Lance Wyllie (@LanceWyllie) March 13, 2021
After Rowan’s excuse, Twitter was quick to drag up the infamous defense used by comedian Roseanne Barr back in 2018, when she claimed the sedative drug Ambien had caused her to fire off a series of racist tweets which led to her ABC sitcom being canceled.
Things that WON'T make you say something racist: Ambien, diabetes, alcohol, your religious affiliation, a bad day, etc.Things that WILL make you say something racist: being a racist. Full stop.
— ThisEpiphany (@TheDopestMom) March 13, 2021
In case you’re wondering:1) Low blood sugar does not cause racism.2) Ambien does not cause racism.3) Ignorance and hate cause racism.Carry on.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) March 13, 2021
On that occasion, drug maker Sanofi had moved to assure its users that "while all pharmaceutical treatments have side effects, racism is not a known side effect of any Sanofi medication."