Broadcaster Apologizes for Making 'Insensitive' Racial Comment During MLB Game
NESN studio host Kacie McDonnell issued an apology during a Boston Red Sox broadcast Tuesday night for what some believed to be an ethnically insensitive comment she had made the day before.
“I’d like to take a minute to apologize to our viewers, in particular, those who I offended by an insensitive comment in my report last night,” McDonnell said during the game against the Minnesota Twins, according to Awful Announcing,
“There’s no excuse for my use of hurtful words and again for that, I am truly, truly sorry,” she said.
At the start of a segment called “The Social Stretch” during Monday’s Red Sox-Twins game, McDonnell presented a viral video of a fan eating a jar of mayonnaise at a Memphis Redbirds minor league game.
The fan proceeded to spill some of the mayonnaise onto his sleeveless undershirt.
Take me out to the #ballgame… with a tub of mayonnaise? This man was enjoying a lot of #mayo at a #Memphis Redbirds baseball game. pic.twitter.com/FINUJBirEg
— KOKH FOX 25 (@OKCFOX) June 17, 2019
McDonnell first commented by saying it was “disgusting” that the man was eating straight mayonnaise.
She then remarked on the type of shirt he was wearing, calling it a “guinea tee.”
Red Sox play-by-play man Dave O’Brien and color commentator Jerry Remy seemed to ignore the comment.
However, there were at least a few unhappy fans who noticed.
Wonder what derogatory ethnic slur that @KacieMcDonnell will use on tonight’s @RedSox broadcast on @NESN. Can’t believe this didn’t get more negative buzz last night @BostonGlobe @BostonDotCom
— riccio14 (@riccio14) June 18, 2019
Umm, did Kacie McDonnell of NESN just say someone was wearing ” a guinea tee” shirt? Nice to know you, Kacie.
— Jim Raftus (@JimRaftus) June 18, 2019
It’s a ethnic slur and frankly based on previous suspensions and diversity issues the Red Sox/Globe/Nesn, she should be fired or serve a lengthy leave of absence
— Digger (@Takethisbread) June 19, 2019
@NESN @NESNClubhouse nice to hear a little bit if racism along with the mayonaise snipit. @LouMerloni@RedSox @KacieMcDonnell
ITS NOT CALLED A “guinea” tee. Moron that is a blatant racist comment! Uhghttps://t.co/ZAmGec59SH— SportzPizza? (@SportzPizza) June 18, 2019
According to Urban Dictionary, a “guinea tee” is a “white, ribbed, sleeveless tee-shirt. Known also as a wife-beater singlet or a muscle shirt. Worn primarily as an undershirt, as its name implies, generally worn as a normal shirt on any given day by Italian-Americans.”
Dictionary.com says “guinea” is a “contemptuous term used to refer to a person of Italian birth or descent.”
As of early Wednesday afternoon, NESN had not announced any disciplinary actions taken against McDonnell.
Some supporters defended her on social media.
Two guys just replied to me and said it’s not offensive. People get offended over the dumbest stuff. Search Kacie McDonnell’s name there are people tweeting at John and Linda Henry calling for her to be fired…. holy sensitive
— Dan Lazinsk (@Dlazi) June 19, 2019
Very much Italian here and if this offends you, you are soft. Good god the world is so over sensitive
— Samantha Marasca (@Pnut1177) June 19, 2019
@KacieMcDonnell I hate that you had to apologize
— Who (@joeybluffs) June 19, 2019
Yeah I want to know why she has to apologize for that? Some real cry babies out there
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) June 19, 2019
According to Boston.com, NESN declined to comment on the issue Tuesday.
Filling in at @boston25 tonight!
Feels like being back home. ?? (@FOX29philly)
Back on @NESN Sunday!! ? pic.twitter.com/Mb49PuDr5p
— Kacie McDonnell (@KacieMcDonnell) April 13, 2019
Since McDonnell issued an apology on the air, it seems as though the network has addressed the issue internally.
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