After being put in the spotlight for a announcer’s actions, the Norman High School girls’ basketball team made headlines on their own, winning the Oklahoma 6A State Championship.
The Tigers (19-0) ended their perfect season with a 48-37 victory over Bixby on Saturday.
Norman gained national attention after a broadcaster’s racist words were heard before the game in the team’s quarterfinals on Thursday.
The incident occurred as the “Star-Spangled Banner” began to play. The broadcasters told listeners on the NFHS network that they would return after a break and then one, unaware that the sound was still live, used an expletive and an epithet while the Norman players knelt.
“Are they kneeling? F — them,” said announcer Matt Rowan. “I hope Norman’s ass … F — ing N-words.”
On Friday, Rowan apologized.
“During the Norman High School girls’ basketball game against Midwest City, I made racist and inappropriate comments, believing that the microphone was off; however, let me say right away that there is no excuse that such comments should never have been made. pronounced, “Rowan said in a statement. .
He added that a medical condition could have contributed to the outbreak.
“I will say that I have type 1 diabetes and, during the game, my sugar has increased,” Rowan said. “Although I do not apologize for my remarks, it is not unusual when my sugar peaks confuse me and I often say things that are not appropriate, but also painful. I don’t think I would have made such horrible statements in the absence of sugar. “
The Oklahoma High School Association and the NFHS network also issued statements apologizing for comments.
Kneeling during the anthem during sporting events in the United States has become a familiar way for athletes to express themselves, often protesting racial or social injustice. Norman High School Superintendent Nick Migliorino said the school district supports students’ right to express themselves freely.
“We condemn and will not tolerate the disgusting words and attitudes of these announcers,” Migliorino said on Friday. “We will do everything we can to support and lift our team and all those affected by this incident.”
Norman knelt down again during the anthem before Saturday’s state title game, doing so as he wore shirts that said “THIS’S WHY WE KNEE.”
The Tigers have now won two state titles. Norman won in 2019; no championship was held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.