Fury over broadcaster's 'disgusting' remarks about female fans
An American football commentator has been forced to apologise after comments he made about female fans on air.
NBC commentator Cris Collinsworth sparked outrage while calling the matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers during the network's broadcast.
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Collinsworth discussed conversations he had with Steelers fans before the game and how he was "blown away" by how much knowledge some of the female fans in particular, had about the game.
“Everybody’s a fan,” Collinsworth said. “In particular the ladies that I met. They have really specific questions about the game. I’m like wow, just blown away. ...”
The fact that he felt the need to single out women and reinforce the stereotype that female fans don't like football as much as their male counterparts, was not lost on viewers.
His comments prompted a wave of angry backlash from fans on social media, who accused the 61-year-old of being sexist - some calling for him to be removed from his role.
Hey @NBCSports , I'm 'amazed' that @CollinsworthPFF still has a job at your network. He is a horrible commentator and makes me want to punch a wall every time he opens his mouth to speak. He's a pessimist and obviously sexist so can we hire a woman to replace him?
— Jamie Sweeney (@jamiesweeners) December 3, 2020
Countless women enjoy and have a deep knowledge of football. Cris Collinsworth saying he's blown away that women in Pittsburgh ask specific football questions was not good.
— Chris Vannini 😷 (@ChrisVannini) December 2, 2020
An NFL announcer saying this makes it worse because i think it will make more men agree that women don't know football, and will encourage people to not believe women when they say they know football.
That's what infuriates me the most about his comments.— Alison The Tiny Tornado (6-5) (@Alstat6350) December 2, 2020
It's really not a compliment to be surprised when women know things.
— Rachel (@rachdanaelee) December 2, 2020
Look, the fact that you felt the need to share a story about women understanding football is the issue. I'm sure you're not a bad guy but you have the chance to learn that being a WOMAN should never the main reason you're impressed. They're football fans. Not "women fans".
— Amanda Rose (@amandagolf59) December 3, 2020
Sexist Cris Collinsworth strikes AGAIN. A couple of years ago, he only thanked men for their military service during a game broadcast. Now he’s “blown away” that women know about football...🙄. @NFL #firehimalready #fuckyouCris #femaleveteranwhoknowsfootball
— C. S. Lewis (@CSLewis48013192) December 3, 2020
Seriously! @SNFonNBC are you going to address this?!?!??????
Cris Collinsworth's comment was just disgusting. https://t.co/dwm8QrfmwQ— Chrissy Kiehl (@Pittgirl92) December 2, 2020
Commentator forced to apologise
The outpouring of anger towards Collinsworth prompted the veteran commentator to issue an apology several hours later.
Collinsworth admitted that his words did not come across as he would have hoped and that his statement was meant as a compliment.
"Today on our broadcast I made reference to a couple of women I met in Pittsburgh who so impressed me with their football knowledge that I wanted to tell their story on the air," he said.
"I know the way I phrased it insulted many. I'm so sorry. What I intended as a compliment to the fans of Pittsburgh, became an insult.
— Cris Collinsworth (@CollinsworthPFF) December 3, 2020
"I'm sick about insulting any fan, but especially female fans and journalists. I know firsthand how much harder they have to work than any of us in this industry. I was wrong and deeply apologize."
Collinsworth is sorry for insulting anyone, especially women, with his words. That shouldn’t be the end of his apology. The motivation behind those words - being so impressed with the knowledge of female football fans that he wanted to tell their story on the air - is what he should be apologising for.
Female football fans aren’t new. They’re not novel or different or special, and they express their love of football in the same ways men do. Some help coach their kids. Some watch every single second of NFL RedZone.
Some travel to see their favourite college team play every single game. Some play fantasy football, or even run their own leagues. Female football fans have been around as long as football has, and they’ve always been intense, interested, excited, proud, and every other possible emotion — just like male fans.
Collinsworth’s intentions weren’t bad. It seems like he truly did want to highlight women who are really interested in the game, because as he mentioned in his apology, women have a hard time getting opportunities in football. But highlighting them because he was impressed that women are so intensely interested in the game? That’s not great.
Collinsworth can and should continue to support female fans, especially since they’re often forgotten or ignored by broadcasters, advertisers, and the NFL itself. He just has to find a different way to do it, because being surprised they exist isn’t it.
with Liz Roscher - Yahoo Sports US
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