Bob Griese gets sacked for one game!

[ethurst22]

Because Bob Griese said that Juan Pablo Montoya was probably out eating a Taco, ESPN suspends him for a week.

Now Griese IS a nice guy but isn't this a little TOO MUCH? Griese has apologized TWICE already!

When that golfer (I forgot his name) said that Tiger Woods is probably eating watermelon or fried chicken, there was an uproar in the media and Tiger Woods said that it was insensitive but when people ask him if he's black, he gives a response by rattling off 8 subcultures within his DNA.

Now I'm a black guy and I may get hit for saying this and I've always been open minded. Just because a white guy says something to this nature doesn't always mean that he's a die hard racist. You can clearly tell when someone is using a racist tome against you.

Griese probably thought this was okay because when he was playing with Dolphins DT Manny Fernandez, Mannys nickname was "Taco" because of his Mexican/Spanish heritage.

How do U guys or gals feel? Did Griese cross the line?

[Rick]

This is ridiculous.  People are WAY to sensitive about minor stuff like this.  Who knows maybe Montoya had a Taco for lunch that day.

I'm white and I love tacos...we have em once a week!

[NADS]

How he only got a week is beyond me.  It's by far not the worst thing I've ever heard, but considering his line of work and the sensitivity Rick mentions I think he got lucky.

[Phishfan]

It's by far not the worst thing I've ever heard,

You lead a sheltered life then because I have seen worse on this board alone. I don't think it was put out there in a meanspirited way at all. Montoya doesn't even think anything of it from what I saw.

[Dave Gray]

It's probably a smart move by ESPN to suspend him.  I doubt he meant to be a racist, but it's insensitive and ESPN is responsible for what he says, so they're just playing it safe and covering their asses from bad press.

You can't really compare what Griese says to what someone says on this message board.  On this message board, we're responsible for what we say.  We only represent ourselves.  But with a network, you're speaking for more than just yourself.

[Phishfan]

I wasn't comparing the situations, just what was said. If you want to compare apples and apples, this still isn't even the worst thing I have seen a sportscaster say while representing their station.

[Sunstroke]

Fortunately, our tiny little TDMMC radio show is rated for "mature audiences and contains objectionable material," so I could get away with saying that...and probably dub in speedy gonzalez saying "Andale! Andale! Arriba! Arriba!" with some mariachi music in the background.

Major network broadcast? Not so forgiving on that sort of thing. ;-)

[Dave Gray]

I'm just trying to play the other side.  I'm not offended by what Griese said.

I see people talking about how being too PC is taking us over, but I don't think that's accurate.  It's business that's making these decisions.  There is the potential for financial fallout if ESPN does nothing.  They don't want to risk alienating their hispanic viewership, so they make a statement.  Griese probably gets in no trouble, and ESPN looks like they care.  This will be forgotten by tomorrow.

ESPN also runs the risk of getting backlash from an individual looking out for their own interest.  For example, even if the Hispanic community isn't outraged, an up and comer in the community might rile up the crowd to make a name for himself.  Al Sharpton is accused of that all the time.  Outrage doesn't have to be genuine at the start.

[bsmooth]

This is another example of how pussified our country is becoming. Life is tough and people are going to say stuff that you might find offensive, and makes them look like an ass.

[Dave Gray]

This is another example of how pussified our country is becoming.

I think this is not a true statement.

ESPN made the decision...not "the country".  ESPN removes risk by giving Griese a 1 week suspension.  They're just playing it safe.

[bsmooth]

I think this is not a true statement.

ESPN made the decision...not "the country".  ESPN removes risk by giving Griese a 1 week suspension.  They're just playing it safe.

They are playing it safe, because our society as a whole gets over worked up and the network wanted to head off any possible fuel for the people who have made a living crying out about this kind of thing.

[Dave Gray]

I don't think our society gets worked up.  I think that influential people drum up fake outrage for their own personal gain.

[bsmooth]

I don't think our society gets worked up.  I think that influential people drum up fake outrage for their own personal gain.

And that is because a weakened society allows it.

[Gabriel]

And that is because a weakened society allows it.

I doubt most of "society" gives a damn.

BTW, tacos are good.

[bsmooth]

I doubt most of "society" gives a damn.

BTW, tacos are good.

I love me some tacos