Earlier in the game, as a promotional preview of ABC's coverage of the NASCAR Chase for championship aired, a graphic listed the top five drivers in the Chase standings. When analyst Chris Spielman asked where the Colombian driver was, Griese quipped: "He's out having a taco."
As the broadcast came to a close, Griese apologized for the remark, saying "You know, he's one of the best drivers in NASCAR."
More Coverage: Griese Suspended for Montoya Remark
In a statement released later by ESPN, the network called the remark "inappropriate." "ESPN has spoken to Bob and he understands that his comment was uncalled for," the statement said.
During ESPN's Saturday night telecast of Florida and Mississippi State, Griese apologized further:
"Earlier today on our game I made an offensive comment regarding Juan Pablo Montoya as part of a NASCAR promo," he said by phone. "It was regrettable and I should not have said it. I really enjoy NASCAR and I follow it closely and would like to take this opportunity to apologize to Juan, NASCAR and everyone else who heard my comment."Bob Griese, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Miami Dolphins quarterback, shouldn't catch too much flak for the insensitive comment -- especially considering Griese has never slipped up like this before.
As Kyle Koster over at the Chicago Sun-Times blog noted, this also isn't the first time a television analyst made a south-of-the-border joke. When a portion of ESPN Deportes' play-by-play aired during a Monday Night Football game last season, Tony Kornheiser remarked: "I took high school Spanish and that either means 'nobody is going to touch him' or 'could you pick up my dry cleaning in the morning." He later offered a "100 percent apology" during the broadcast.
However, Griese's comment is a reminder of the scrutiny Montoya has endured since his NASCAR crossover in 2006. Not just because of his heritage, but due to the fact he represents diversity -- and ongoing change -- in the sport.
Montoya currently sits in sixth place in the standings, 195 points behind dominant leader Jimmie Johnson. There's no doubt Montoya is on the rise, with six Top-5 finishes this season, four of which have come over his last five races.
Comments (Page 1 of 15)
Bob Griese is a racist
Another supersensitive crystal brain and body.
Got to be a liberal!.
he was out haveing a taco I say him at taco bell just before the race
Somehow I fail to believe that most of the bubba-think mindset NASCAR fans were offended by the flippant comment made by Bob Griese. The most offensive things in their minds is that their "sport" is being invaded by outsiders such as women and foreigners. God and Jesus created NASCAR to be the domain of dumb-sounding Southern White men. Their little world will come close to motorsports Armageddon when top contenders in NASCAR come from the ranks of Latins, Asians, Arabs, Jews, and homosexuals.
Listen toots, if Griese said, "He's polishing his lowrider", or "he's mowing my lawn", or "he's rolling a fat one", or "he's out filing for workman's comp" ... maybe that's a little racist.
But saying that he's eating a taco makes him "racist" is a stretch, don't you think?
atleast he didn't say he was eating the new black taco,then jesse jackson could step in.
Now THAT was funny. Great pun, Sue!
fentex5 said...
Somehow I fail to believe that most of the bubba-think mindset NASCAR fans were offended by the flippant comment made by Bob Griese.
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When you make such comments about NASCAR fans you show just how little you truly know about them. Most NASCAR fans are NOT the one-toothed beer-guzzling rednecks you see on TV at the races.
Its embedded in them ,If possible they need to be reprogrammed
hookmrl said...
he was out haveing a taco I say him at taco bell just before the race@@@@@@@@@@@ I saw him, too. It was in the fast drive thru lane. I swear it's true.
Adios
Doesn't anyone have a sense of humor any more?
I bet you are a Obama (ONE BAD ASS MISTAKE AMERICA) supporter. I guess if he had said something about a white man/women having a steak or if a black man/women was having some soul food, he would still be a racist. Obama needs people like you, a complete idiot.
since when are taco's racist?....
Taco's are technically Mexican - Juan Pablo is Colombian....
If - and it is an if- the comment were about coffee - coffee beans - cocain....... Then we may have an issue to discuss...........
You've NEVER said anything that you wish you hadn't said? Get over yourself!
fentex5, what can I say about you comment??? lol It's full of non facts and the views of a little person that is basically and idiot. The way you happen to think by what you did say in that "post" of yours, I guess it's fair to say you're a racists as well right? You did call all NASCAR fans "bubba's" and even go so far as to actually believe you know how they think. People liek yourself are very fuuny, listening to the things you say and how you actually do BELIEVE what comes out of your mouth...it's very funny yet in a very sad way. lol As far as what was said on ESPN well, we all make mistakes when we talk of others. That's not to exsuse what he said but other than to say we, no of us, are perfect in any way, especially when we talk of others like people get paid to do on TV. As far as him being racist? I have no idea and I sure wouldn't pin another with that label by one statement. I do believe though if everyone was complately honest about the whole "racist" issue, we ALL are racist in some way or another. Only some are more so to a degree that if effects their way of living and belief system. What this man did say does not put him in that level of racism at all. It was only a comment which was his way of wanting to add some humor at that time even if he failed bad or not, it was only one comment and not so bad at that. So before you go labeling others as a racist, take a good look at yourself and the things you happen to and do throughout your day and I'm prettys ure that even you wouldn't be ubove saying soemthing close this what he did at times. Given that, does that mean you're a racist as well? No, I didn't think so. Also fentex5, justy to set the record staright, I'm a huge NASCAR fan and yes, I was offended by what he said but only if what he said was to cut down Jaun and not to be in a joking way between them. After all, you have no idea if these two are even friends or not. No, he souldn't have said what he did but people should also know there is much more to people than what you happen to see or hear in a few seconds of time. On the other hand, I guess we all should just label people with just the few words they happen to say in any given moment and put them in the right group, just as you seem to do right.
Sue,
Not even close to a true statement.
Bob Griese is an incredible man who has done more positive things for minority kids and families in south florida than this writer can explain.
All without any public acknowledgement for his actions to this day.
Plase, please cut Bob slack for this statement, it was in pure humor in his mind and not one iota of racism whatsoever. He is a great man from this dolphin fan's point of view.
Balony. If he were a Brit and they said he was out for a scone or tea and crumpets I don't think anyone would have said a word. I see absolutely no difference.
when a person of another ethnicity makes a comment that is meant to make a dig on someone ethnically, that is a slur. when the dig is based on a stereotype, that is a racist slur. griese qualifies. doesn't matter if it's funny to someone else. doesn't matter if the person is being too sensitive or society has gotten too politically correct. doesn't matter what type of people patronize nascar. what matters is he knew what he was saying when he said it and thought he could get away with it. you can't. he meant it as an ethnic joke, and it showed exactly what type of person griese is. his apologize was half-hearted like most of the apologies we hear today.
Dear Renee,
You are everything that is wrong with America today.
signed,
everyone with a grasp on reality.
so