There are no bounds regarding what’s happened in Charlottesville, Virginia over the last couple of weeks. As little as it is in comparison to the real life tragedies which have occurred, the effects of the riots have now also spread into the sports world.
ESPN has a play-by-play announcer named Robert Lee. Lee was originally scheduled to announce the upcoming Virginia football home opener on September 2. However, because his name is similar to Robert E. Lee, the Confederate Civil War general, ESPN has moved him to a different assignment.
“We regret that this became an issue,” said the people who made it an issue. pic.twitter.com/jENzFZpcGo
— Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) August 23, 2017
Some people were immediately upset with the decision.
ESPN hates racism so much that they’re punishing an Asian guy for having an Asian last-name. #RobertLee @espn
— Ken Webster Jr (@ProducerKen) August 23, 2017
It’s easy to mock “slippery slope” arguments until you’re speeding downward into the abyss.https://t.co/ci5VgYJAI1
— J. Jeff Roberts (@JeffRobertsKy) August 23, 2017
This is stupid. Sorry. Someone’s PR team is way too sensitive. https://t.co/9FApzhpQkc
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) August 23, 2017
I agree. If ESPN’s statement is true,they over thought this. You’re not gonna stop the memes. They just gave them more fuel for that fire
— David Moretti (@dvmoretti) August 23, 2017
ESPN claims the decision was mutual, clarifying that Lee will still work another game somewhere else.
Just received this email from an ESPN executive re the Robert Lee controversy. pic.twitter.com/OuBORlWO9f
— Yashar Ali (@yashar) August 23, 2017
Company says that Lee (a young broadcaster who works for ESPN3) was more comfortable not doing this assignment.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) August 23, 2017
Others understood the tough spot ESPN and Lee found themselves in.
Honestly I find this pretty plausible. Imagine if I were named Robert Lee I would prefer to not call this particular game. https://t.co/mWDLzE6t14
— Julian Uzielli (@JulianUzielli) August 23, 2017
I thought ESPN was doing too much to take him off of the broadcast but this seems pretty reasonable https://t.co/sR6LGguAUe
— Nakai (@100milliman) August 23, 2017
Lee is now assigned Youngstown State at Pittsburgh on Sept. 2. Airing on ACC Network.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) August 23, 2017
I kinda feel bad for ESPN. They tried to avoid a sticky situation & got one anyway. If they’d done nothing, there would’ve been an uproar. https://t.co/VHO4mN5fqO
— Audra Spiven (@audra_spiven) August 23, 2017
So far Mr. Lee hasn’t said anything on his Twitter regarding the matter. But I tend to agree with the latter folk.
At first glance, this looks like a poor move by ESPN, an overcompensation to avoid a slight risk of a little mockery. But if Mr. Lee did agree to it, and the fact he’s being moved to another power five conference game in the same time zone on the same network, it’s not that drastic of a move. It’s simply a small gesture to avoid a potentially larger mockery. Tough spot to be in for all parties. And yes, very unfortunate — ridiculous really — that something like this even needs to be considered.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of Crave Sports.
Photo: @SportingNews
