OPINION | Barry Richard: ESPN Embarrasses Itself and the Nation

I never thought it possible, but ESPN has done something so absurd that I feel compelled to write about it.

In case you missed it, the liberal sports network pulled broadcaster Robert Lee, an Asian-American from the broadcast booth simply because of his name. ESPN apparently felt that allowing an Asian-American named Robert Lee in the booth for the University of Virginia football game might conjure up some emotional distress for the snowflakes still attempting to heal from last week's violent riot in Charlottesville over plans to remove a statue of the Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

In a statement ESPN says Lee was re-assigned to a different game at the last minute, "simply because of the coincidence of his name."

“We collectively made the decision with Robert to switch games as the tragic events in Charlottesville were unfolding, simply because of the coincidence of his name. In that moment it felt right to all parties. It's a shame that this is even a topic of conversation and we regret that who calls play-by-play for a football game has become an issue.”

Yeah, it is a shame. It's a dirty rotten shame. It stinks to high heaven. ESPN is a total disgrace. The network has squandered the little bit of credibility it had left.

When ESPN says, "We collectively made the decision with Robert to switch games," they imply that Robert was down with the idea. I'll bet you my next paycheck that he was not. Have we really come to this?

Editor's Note: Barry Richard is the afternoon host on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from Noon-3pm. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.