Philadelphia lacrosse team apologizes after announcer’s racist comment about Native American player
Philadelphia’s professional lacrosse team has apologized after an announcer made a racist comment about a player on an opposing team during their Saturday night game.
{mosads}During the Philadelphia Wings game against Georgia Swarm, Wings announcer Shawny Hill reportedly said, “Let’s snip the ponytail” of Lyle Thompson, a Native American player for Georgia.
The team said in a statement on Twitter that they are “deeply apologetic for the insensitive words,” and are “taking the situation very seriously.”
— Philadelphia Wings (@NLLwings) January 13, 2019
Thompson tweeted about the incident, saying that the crowd also threatened to “scalp” him.
“I know Philly takes pride in their ruthless fans, but I didn’t know it was like that, lol … now I know,” the player tweeted. ”Just haven’t heard stuff like this since [high school].”
I know Philly takes pride in their ruthless fans but I didn’t know it was like that lol…. now I know.. just haven’t heard stuff like this since HS https://t.co/efODXZScRb
— LYLE THOMPSON (@lyle4thompson) January 12, 2019
The Wings said in their statement that they would take “swift disciplinary and educational measures” to ensure there are no similar incidents in the future.
The announcer also apologized in a written statement posted to Twitter, saying that he is “deeply sorry” for the “insensitive” comment.
“My words were poorly chosen and were not intended as racially motivated,” Hill wrote. “I understand the profound hurt my words have caused. I offer my sincere apology.”
“My words do not reflect my personal beliefs, but represent a lack of knowledge on heritage and history,” he added. “I am in the process of reaching out to speak directly to the Thompson brothers in hopes of providing a direct apology.”
The National Lacrosse League also said that “necessary disciplinary action will be taken swiftly.”
“The league and all of our member clubs have a zero tolerance policy for any derogatory or discriminatory statements made,” the league said, according to USA Today.
Thompson was the league’s most valuable player in 2017.
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