On the same day organizations, leagues, and athletes throughout the sports world honored George Floyd, the unarmed African-American man who was killed while in Minneapolis police custody on May 25, with "Blackout Tuesday" social media posts, one individual lost his job.
Recently, Sacramento Kings play-by-play announcer Grant Napear received criticism following an online exchange with former Kings star DeMarcus Cousins.
Cousins asked Napear for the commentator's thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement, to which Napear responded: "Hey!!!! How are you? Thought you forgot about me. Haven't heard from you in years. ALL LIVES MATTER...EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!"
Hey!!!! How are you? Thought you forgot about me. Haven't heard from you in years. ALL LIVES MATTER...EVERY SINGLE ONE!!! https://t.co/DfzKl3w0jm
— Grant Napear (@GrantNapearshow) June 1, 2020
Former Kings player Matt Barnes was among those who lashed out at Napear, while others mentioned controversial comments allegedly made by Napear in the past:
Would expect nothing less from a closet racists
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) June 1, 2020
As noted by The Sacramento Bee, Napear apologized for the tweet, saying "I’m not as educated on BLM as I thought I was."
That explanation didn't save his job.
On Tuesday afternoon, The Athletic's Jason Jones reported Sacramento radio station KHTK cut ties with Napear after it originally placed him on leave:
KHTK announces it is parting ways with Grant Napear
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) June 2, 2020
From the Sacramento Kings:
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) June 2, 2020
“Grant Napear has resigned from the Sacramento Kings. We thank him for his contributions to the team and wish him all the best.”
Bonneville Sacramento's (Sports 1140 KHTK) official statement on their parting ways with Grant Napear. pic.twitter.com/UOXlfRMQV0
— Matt George (@MattGeorgeKHTK) June 2, 2020
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