ESPN football analyst Bob Griese apologizes for Juan Pablo Montoya comment
ESPN college football commentator Bob Griese apologized for a comment he made about Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya during the Ohio State-Minnesota college football game Saturday.
During the telecast, ESPN did a promo for the Sprint Cup race Sunday on ABC. The promo mentioned the top five drivers, prompting announcer Chris Spielman to ask where Montoya was in the standings. Griese, an NFL hall of famer, responded that the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing driver "was out having a taco."
Griese apologized later in the telecast.
"Juan Pablo Montoya [is] one of the best drivers in NASCAR – I want to apologize for the comment I made earlier in the ball game," Griese said on the air.
ESPN issued a statement late Saturday afternoon:
“During today’s telecast of the Ohio State-Minnesota college football game on ESPN, analyst Bob Griese made an inappropriate comment when discussing NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya,” the statement said. “Bob apologized during the telecast and plans to apologize again tonight during ESPN’s college football programming after his plane lands. ESPN has spoken to Bob and he understands that his comment was uncalled for.”
During halftime of the Florida-Mississippi State game Saturday night on ESPN, Griese, on the phone, read a statement:
“Earlier today on our game, I made an offensive comment regarding Juan Pablo Montoya as part of a NASCAR promo,” Griese said. “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.”
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing officials declined comment.
