ESPN takes announcer off air
Brian Kinchen removed from game for 'gay' comment
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- A college football announcer for ESPNU has been taken off the air for his questionable use of the word "gay" in Saturday's telecast of the Northern Illinois-Iowa game.
Brian Kinchen, a color commentator, will not work his regularly scheduled game this weekend, Josh Krulewitz, ESPN's vice president of public relations told
The Des Moines Register.
Krulewitz said the decision was made after network officials conducted an internal review and determined Kinchen's remarks were inappropriate.
During the game Saturday, Kinchen was explaining the need for receivers to make catches with their hands because they are "tender" and can "caress" the ball. He then paused and said, "that's kind of gay, but hey ..."
Kinchen's future as a commentator with ESPNU, the cable network's college football channel, is still under review, Krulewitz said.
Kinchen, a former tight end who played in the NFL from 1988-00, apologized for his remarks.
"They were completely inappropriate and not at all a reflection of who I am or the way I perform my work," Kinchen said in a statement issued by ESPN. "I have learned from my mistake and look forward to continuing my broadcasting career."
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