ESPN releases statement on moving Robert Lee from UVA game |
After the recent tragic events in the Charlottesville protests, ESPN has decided to move their announcer Robert Lee from working the William and Mary vs. Virginia football game to the Youngstown State at Pittsburgh game.
The issue was that some people might be offended that his name resembled the dead Confederate general, Robert E. Lee. “We collectively made the decision with Robert to switch games as the tragic events in Charlottesville were unfolding, simply because of the coincidence of his name. In that moment it felt right to all parties. It’s a shame that this is even a topic of conversation and we regret that who calls play by play for a football game has become an issue.” Lee is an Asian-American announcer with over two decades of experience covering play-by-play for basketball, football, lacrosse, softball, and soccer for ESPNU, ESPN3, Big East Digital Network, and Siena College. First place at stake in @BigSouthMBB! @UNCAbasketball and @Winthrop_MBB in rematch of '16 title game. @hupnlstN8 and I on @ESPNU at 9! pic.twitter.com/z8o1lNqsbG Just received this email from an ESPN executive re the Robert Lee controversy. pic.twitter.com/OuBORlWO9f New: internal memo from ESPN prez John Skipper about the Robert Lee decision pic.twitter.com/3yFk4hbDRb
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