Taco Bell discussing the benefits of eating black taco on TV is acceptable. ESPN Analyst Bob Griese saying that NASCAR’s Juan Pablo Montoya was eating taco is not appropriate.
Griese has been suspended from the network this weekend because he made what could be considered a racially insensitive remark during the Ohio State – Minnesota Game. During the game, ESPN did a promo for the Sprint Cup race on ABC. The promo mentioned the top five drivers and Chris Spielman asked where Montoya was in the standings. Griese responded that Montoya “was out having a taco.”
Yes, Griese probably thought Montoya was Mexican and the taco remark was funny because Montoya would be eating Mexican food. Actually, Montoya is Columbian but who really cares? Griese realized he screwed the pooch and apologized later in the broadcast and, on Sunday, Montoya was asked about the comment and he obviously didn’t care one bit. But ESPN cares. And they’ve turned this into a big story because, well, everything at ESPN is big. This is just really stupid and takes political correctness to the Nth level. If Griese had insinuated that Montoya wasn’t in the picture because he got deported or because he didn’t make it back across the fence or something of that nature, I can see where there’d be an issue. But just saying Montoya is eating a taco shouldn’t rise to the level of capital offense. If I have to deal with black taco, ESPN can deal with a little Griese taco.
Oh, I completely misunderstood those commercials...
