(Reuters) The Oklahoma City Thunder suspended television play-by-play announcer Brian Davis for Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs for an on-air comment he made during the team’s regular-season finale on Wednesday.
The team announced the suspension yesterday.
During the Thunder’s game against Memphis on Wednesday, Davis said point guard Russell Westbrook was “out of his cotton-pickin’ mind” after Westbrook tallied an assist en route to averaging a triple-double for the second consecutive season.
The term is viewed by many as offensive as picking cotton was a primary duty of black slaves in the South. Davis is white and Westbrook is black.
Upon learning of the suspension, Davis provided ESPN with the following statement: “It is with great remorse and humility that I accept this suspension for the insensitive words I used during Wednesday’s broadcast. While unintentional, I understand and acknowledge the gravity of the situation. I offer my sincere apology and realize that, while I committed a lapse in judgment, such mistakes come with consequences. This is an appropriate consequence for my actions.”
The Thunder open the playoffs at home against the Utah Jazz tomorrow afternoon.