Unsurprisingly, the sports world continues to be a hotbed of latent racism and cultural insensitivity. The latest example: Creighton University basketball coach Greg McDermott.
Following the loss of his team, the Bluejays (currently ranked 14th in the NCAA), McDermott urged his players to “stick together” and “stay on the plantation.”
Following the outburst, the university’s athletic director Bruce Rasmussen met with University President Rev. Daniel Hendrickson and other senior administrators to determine proper disciplinary action against McDermott, and ultimately decided to suspend the coach indefinitely for his racist and offensive actions.
Eric Olson of The Associated Press reported that McDermott publicly apologized Tuesday and again Wednesday, following the announcement of his suspension. He tweeted: “I made a mistake and I own it. Mistakes come with consequences, and I accept and agree with the suspension.”
I made a mistake and I own it. Mistakes come with consequences, and I accept and agree with the suspension. https://t.co/pYOT0X0nMx
— Coach McDermott (@cucoachmac) March 5, 2021
“Coach McDermott and the team have accepted that, effective immediately, he is suspended for all team activities, including Saturday’s home season finale against Butler,” said Rasmussen.
“McDermott used deplorable language that is inconsistent with the university’s values and commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment,” the university said in a released statement. “While an apology is a start, and while we believe this was out of character for Coach McDermott, in no way does it diminish the fact that his remark was hurtful to many and has absolutely no place in the Creighton community. We have offered our full and unconditional support to those affected by his words.”
According to Olson, the length of the suspension was not specified and additional sanctions against McDermott for his actions are still being considered.
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