A college basketball announcer in Oklahoma is getting serious reactions this week after he was caught on a live broadcast using explicit language and calling a team a racial epithet after the players knelt during the national anthem.
Matt Rowan didn’t realize his microphone was on when the national anthem started playing before the Norman High School-Midwest City quarterfinal match on Thursday. 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.
JOHN FULKERSON, OF THE VOLUNTEERS, SEC TOURNAMENT’S MISS REMAINDER WITH FACIAL INJURIES AFTER ‘DIRTY PLAY’
NOTICE: GRAPHIC CONTENT
“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.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“I will say that I suffer from type 1 diabetes, and during the game my sugar was skyrocketing,” said his statement. “Although I do not excuse my remarks, it is not uncommon when my sugar jumps that I get disoriented and I often say things that are inappropriate and offensive. I do not believe I would have made such horrible statements without my sugar peak.
The Oklahoma High School Activities Association and the NFHS Network issued statements apologizing for the comments.
“While we are investigating the incident, this team will no longer play games for the rest of our championships,” said OSSAA director David Jackson. “This type of behavior will never be tolerated by anyone representing the NFHS or OSSAA.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
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 speakers,” said Migliorno. “We will do everything in our power to support and elevate our team and everyone affected by this incident.”
He added that the school will use a different streaming service going forward.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.