ABC college football analyst Bob Griese apologized Saturday a comment he made about NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya during the network’s broadcast of Ohio State’s 38-7 victory over Minnesota. The network was promoting its broadcast of Sunday’s NASCAR race from Martinsville while showing the top five drivers in the Sprint Cup Series standings on screen. Fellow broadcaster Chris Speilman asked where Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya was (Montoya dropped from the top five after finishing 35th last week at Charlotte). Griese replied, “He’s out having a taco.” As the game neared its end, Griese offered an on-air apology. “Juan Pablo Montoya, he’s one of the best drivers in NASCAR,” Griese said. “Just want to apologize for the comment I made earlier in the ballgame.”(USA Today)(10-24-2009)
UPDATE: ESPN broadcaster Bob Griese has been suspended one week for a remark he made about NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya. ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz says Griese will not be working a game this week. Krulewitz says ESPN has spoken to Griese and “he understands the comment was inappropriate.” During ESPN’s broadcast of the Minnesota-Ohio State game Saturday, a graphic was shown listing the top five drivers in NASCAR’s points race. Fellow analyst Chris Spielman asked where was Montoya, who is Colombian. Griese replied he was “out having a taco.” He has twice apologized on air for the remark. Montoya is declining to comment on Griese’s suspension. He brushed off the remark Sunday, and said he’d never heard of Griese.(Associated Press)(10-27-2009)
