football conference call designed to discuss race while he thought his line was muted." data-reactid="16">Longtime ESPN announcer Dave LaMont apologized this week after being heard criticizing a company-wide college football conference call designed to discuss the race when he thought that his line was muted.
The call came last month after the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis – which sparked widespread protests and movements fighting for racial and social justice across the country. According to the New York Post, “there were touching and moving testimonials from people live and direct while hundreds of people were listening” during the call.
When ESPN’s Maria Taylor, one of the most prominent academic analysts and hosts on the network, began to address the problem and share her own experience, LaMont was reportedly heard from his wife in the background.
While assuming that his telephone line was muted, LaMont described the call as a “vent”.
Taylor, the report said, immediately called him and “warned there could be ramifications if he didn’t stop.”
On Wednesday, he apologized in which he spoke of his “racially integrated home”. His family welcomed defensive lineman Tedarrell Slaton to their home in Florida when he was in high school, because LaMont’s son and Slaton were friends.
“A comment was made to my wife who was heard during the college football call, offending some who heard it,” LaMont said in a statement via The Post. “We have a racially integrated home and I respect and admire those who have shared their experiences. I apologize very much to everyone who called. “
football sideline reporter. The 60-year-old has called both college football and basketball games ever since, previously called Professional Bowlers Association events and more. He also worked as the voice of the Florida Atlantic football program until 2010, co-hosted NFL Sunday on Westwood One Radio and was the voice of the Baltimore Orioles Spring Training." data-reactid="24">LaMont has been with ESPN since 2004, when he joined as a college football reporter. Since then, the 60-year-old has called both college football and basketball games, previously Professional Bowlers Association events and more. He was also the voice of the Atlantic Florida football program until 2010, co-hosted the NFL on Westwood One Radio on Sunday and was the voice of the Baltimore Orioles’ spring training.
While LaMont apologized and immediately acknowledged the incident to its bosses, ESPN “explored” the layoff, the report said. LaMont only told the Post that “he thinks he still works for ESPN”.
The problem, according to the report, has now been transferred to ESPN’s human resources department.
“We have taken this matter very seriously, both now and after, and have dealt with it appropriately,” ESPN said in a statement via The Post. “As per policy, we do not intend to publicly share details regarding individual matters.”
Dave LaMont is said to have described an ESPN race conference call after the death of George Floyd as an “evacuation,” and was immediately called by Maria Taylor. (Kevin Abele / Icon Sportswire / Getty Images)
