TVSpy
ESPN has suspended football analyst Bob Griese over on-air comments that he made about NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya.
During Saturday’s broadcast of the Minnesota-Ohio State football game, Griese’s fellow analyst Chris Spielman was discussing NASCAR. A graphic was shown that displayed the top five drivers in NASCAR’s points race and Spielman wondered aloud why the Columbian-born Montoya wasn’t on the list.
“Where’s Montoya?” he asked. To which Griese quipped, “Out eating a taco.” (Video here)
Griese, who has been inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, twice apologized for the remark before the end of the broadcast. “Juan Pablo Montoya is one of the best drivers in NASCAR,” he said in the game’s final minutes. “I just want to apologize for the comment I made earlier in the ballgame.”
ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz says that the network has spoken to Griese and “he understands the comment was inappropriate.”
Montoya has not commented on the incident, saying on Sunday that he had never heard of Griese.