A women’s basketball team from an Oklahoma school that was subjected to a racist speech by a broadcaster won the state championship 6A on Saturday.
Norman High School defeated Bixby High School, 49-37, to win his second consecutive state championship. The team won the title in 2019 and failed to end the season last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The team ended the season 19-0.
The team was thrown into the national spotlight on Friday after announcer Matt Rowan was caught in a microphone giving a racist speech to the team after they knelt during the national anthem. Rowan apparently did not notice that his microphone was on.
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Those listening on the NFHS Network could hear Rowan while he used harsh language and a racial epithet aimed at Norman players who decided to kneel.
“Are they on their knees? F — them, ”Rowan can be heard saying. “I hope Norman gets kicked in the ass … F — ing [epithet]. “
He continued, “I hope Norman gets kicked in the ass. F — them. I hope they lose. Come on, Midwest City. Are they going to kneel like that? Of course not.”
Rowan, the owner and operator of the streaming service OSPN, filed an apology on Friday, blaming his use of racist language on his blood sugar levels.
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Norman High School superintendent Nick Migliorino said the school district supports students’ right to express themselves freely.
“We condemn and will not tolerate the disgusting words and attitudes of these announcers,” said Migliorno on Friday. “We will do everything in our power to support and elevate our team and everyone affected by this incident.”
Norman coach Michael Neal said after the team won the championship that it wants the girls to remember what they had to go through to get the title at the end of the season.
“I want them to remember every step of the way and everything they did, every negative and bad moment that happened to them – and then what happened in the end,” he said, through The Oklahoman.
The team also received support from the WNBA Players Union.
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“For our young sisters, the future stars of our sport and rising leaders in this country … you have shown great courage and conviction in your decision to kneel for justice,” said the organization on Sunday, while congratulating the Norman girls.
“You clearly love this country and you want it to love you back. We are with you. You have our support.”
Paulina Dedaj of Fox News and AP contributed to this report.