Announcer says spiked blood sugar caused racist remarks
People living with diabetes should be aware that racism may be a side effect for high blood sugar.
An Oklahoma high school sports announcer made that claim after he called players on a girls high school basketball team the n-word.
Matt Rowan, a contract sports announcer for the National Federation of High School Network, voiced comments after thinking his mic had been turned off.
On March 11, Rowan and another announcer, Scott Sapulpa, reported a playoff game between Norman High School and Midwest City High School.
As the “Star-Spangled Banner” played, the Norman High girls basketball team took a knee. Rowan’s watermelon sugar erupted.
“They’re kneeling? F**k them. I hope Norman gets their a** kicked,” he said. “F**k them. I hope they lose. C’mon Midwest City. They’re gonna kneel like that? Hell no. F ***** g n ***** s.”
Rowan, a Type 1 diabetic, later apologized with an explanation that his blood sugar had spiked. Rowan noted his condition has caused disorientation and ranted speech.
“While the comments I made would certainly seem to indicate that I am a racist, I am not,” he said. “I have never considered myself to be racist, and in short cannot explain why I made these comments.’
This situation underscores a proliferation of U.S. racism as Rowan hurled remarks while his announcing partner Sapulpa said nothing. When people remain silent in the face of racism toward blacks, anti-semitism, police brutality, urban gun violence, antiAsian vitriol, etc. then hate and harm metastasizes.
The United States of American needs introspection of this 400-year race cancer that shows minimal signs of remission. And with the Death of George Floyd Derek Chauvin trial on tap in Minnesota and televised from opening gavel to verdict, U.S. society teeters on high alert for myriad forms of retribution no matter what jury members conclude.
Racial tension atop pandemic exhaustion could tailspin U.S. social and financial recovery, plummeting America into darker circumstances.
Should Chauvin escape second-degree murder, third-degree murder or manslaughter charges, plywood manufactures may not have enough boards to cover every window from Anchorage to Zephyrhills.
The N-word produced a more repugnant personal reaction during my younger life. The Oklahoma situation attracts because of the subterfuge and insidious nature of racism that invokes reference to — Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The hot microphone knows.
Interestingly, Rowan disputes his racist persona, unwilling to address his deplorable human condition, unable to accept his mirrored reflection. Rowan offered the standard, “I’m not a racist”, believing that simple declaration serves as absolution.
The National Federation High School Network (NFHS) and the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association
(OSSAA) terminated dealings with Rowan and his company.
If not for the open mic feed, Rowan walks away with only Sapulpa and God as witnesses. The Rowan apology included, “I am a family man. I am married, have two children and at one time was a youth pastor. I continue to be a member of a Baptist church. I have not only embarrassed and disappointed myself, [but] I have embarrassed and disappointed my family and my friends,” before his diabetes mention.
For the record, Norman High School girls’ basketball team consists of diverse players and coaches.
In a following contest, Norman High School played again, and knelt again during the National Anthem. This time, they were joined by their opponents, Tulsa Union. And, the Tigers won again.
Of course, Norman High delivered a beautiful end to all this ugly behavior. Days after Rowan’s remarks, the Tigers defeated Bixby, 48-37, to complete an undefeated season and won the school’s second consecutive Class 6A state title.
Norman Mayor Breea Clark took to social media.
Watching this city come together to support and celebrate those young women is easily one of the top 5 moments as mayor,” Clark posted on Facebook.
“The character, bravery, and resiliency of these athletes is inspiring!”