Announcer suspended for comment about Colombian NASCAR driver
College football announcer Bob Griese has become the latest sports commentator to demonstrate that ethnic or racial humor is out of bounds. ESPN today suspended Griese for a week for an on-air comment he made during the Minnesota-Ohio State game.
During a promotional spot, a graphic was shown listing the top five drivers in NASCAR’s points race. Fellow analyst Chris Spielman asked where was driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who is Colombian. Griese replied: “Out having a taco.”
Griese has apologized several times.
Here’s USAToday’s Sports TV critic Michael Hiestand’s take on the matter:
Saturday, veteran ESPN/ABC college football analyst Bob Griese did what any rookie sports announcer should know is absolutely forbidden in sports television: Refer to race or ethnicity.
And later in Hiestand’s column:
Whether such on-air comments seem intended to be negative, positive or simply banal, they simply aren’t allowed in the norms of TV sports. And it doesn’t matter what ethnic stereotype is involved: An announcer would be wise to quickly apologize for saying that, say, a big tackle named Dusseldorf enjoys bratwurst.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Steve Parker is the deputy managing editor for news, and oversees the Post-Dispatch's front page. STLtoday's online news editors are on his newsroom team. Parker has been at the paper since September 1980. 
See Kevin Horrigan’s piece titled “White Men Can’t Jump” on the Platform. Apparently it is taboo to refer to stereotypes of all except whites…..
Good Job Bob,
All I gotta say, how can a professional speaker in this day and age make a comment about ones ethnicity, do you not remember Don Imus. Good grief. Don’t let him announce any games in Georgia or Alabama… better put him on the 5 second cut out thingy incase of a wardrobe malfunction.. I do like JPM’s response…… Who’s Bob Griese. That was classic..
Being a coach and White I have been called all sorts of names, Cracker. Saltine, whitey, I will tell you why I have yet to file a complaint, I like so meny other Caucasian people (that’s what we want to be called) we let it roll like water off our backs, it aint woth the trouble to lower yourself to an indigent sports player who be better dan mos uf us..
What would have happened if he said he is out having a brat and a beer? Is that racist against Germans? You people need to get a life and worry about something that REALLY has some meaning. I will bet JUAN didn’t care one way or the other, he is to big a person for that to bother him.
I love Bob Griese– he was my childhood hero. He has been an upstanding and classy person for decades. He tried to make a dumb joke and it backfired.
What a stupid thing to say! He assumed Montoya was from Mexico and said something about tacos. A better slur would have been about coffee. Just shows that announcers say whatever pops into their heads without thinking first. NASCAR does that also. They shouldn’t speak unless they have something relevent to say and think first.
I had not heard the comment until I heard the comment.
It was the most non-threatening, non-abrasive, non-intentional-to-hurt non-sarcastic, non smart-mouth. And in a most friendly tone.
Unbelievable.
You better be careful on Parker’s blogs - unless you are a favorite - if a favorite you can print whatever you want and say whatever you want, but if you take issue with that blogger you’ll be deleted! Happens to a friend of mine all of the time! Discrimination is loud & clear and running wild here! Just wait, this will be deleted, too! Ain’t got the …. to leave it up!
This certainly is not headline news. I sure Montoya would just as soon this whole story went away and fast. The thought police may say otherwise, but Griese meant nothing by it.
There are arguments to be made on both sides, here. Sadly it didn’t take long for the race card to be thrown down. Juan Pablo is the most sensible of the whole lot…and saying he never heard of Bob Griese was classic! I’d expect no less. Certainly, Griese should have thought about his words before putting his mouth in gear, but I don’t think he should be lynched for an unfortunate remark. As for Don Imus…he’s a whole ‘nuther story. He knew his crack was racist and he didn’t give a hoot. Come on, folks. Put it to rest.