A Memphis meteorologist took an argument ESPN commentator Jeff Van Gundy made during Golden State’s Game 3 Warriors-Memphis Grizzlies series and made it racist.
Fox13 Memphis chief meteorologist Joey Sulipeck sent a racist tweet after Game 3 on Saturday, referencing Warriors forward Draymond Green with the racial slur.
“And chew this: Draymond spins his mouth open the whole game, but mild-mannered Kyle Anderson disputes a call and gets kicked out? Next Level Jackassery,” he wrote in a now-deleted tweet.
Sulipeck, who is white, not only deleted his tweet after many backlashes including critical from a member of the Memphis media – he also deleted his entire account.
Anderson was ejected late in Saturday’s game for arguing with the officials. On the ESPN broadcast, Van Gundy disagreed with the ejection, arguing that the Memphis player was being punished because his frustration with the officials was irrelevant to him. In contrast, continued Van Gundy, players who always face officials often have more space to do just that, as it is part of their reputation.
Van Gundy’s argument is perfectly correct. If Sulipeck had only echoed, there would be no problem. Except that’s not what he did.
On Monday, Fox13 Memphis issued the following statement to SFGATE: “During Saturday’s Memphis Grizzlies game, meteorologist Joey Sulipeck tweeted a comment that does not reflect FOX13’s values. We take this matter very seriously and will take appropriate action pending a full investigation.
Green responded to Sulipeck’s post on his Instagram Story with the caption, “Are you surprised? Do not apologize. HOLD ON TO IT!” (Sulipeck has not apologized to date, and it’s unclear what Fox13 Memphis’ “full investigation” entails.)
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was asked about Sulipeck’s tweet on Sunday. He replied: “Does it surprise me that a meteorologist tweets an insult to Draymond in 2022? No way. It’s America. That’s how we operate. »
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