After being put in the spotlight for the actions of an announcer, the Norman High School girls’ basketball team made headlines on its own terms by winning the Oklahoma 6A state championship.
The Tigers (19-0) ended their perfect season with a 48-37 win over Bixby on Saturday.
Norman received national attention after a broadcaster’s racist words were heard ahead of the team’s quarter-final play on Thursday.
The incident took place when “The Star-Spangled Banner” started playing. The broadcasters told their listeners on the NFHS Network stream that they would return after a break and then, unaware that the audio was still live, used a curse and a nickname as the Norman players knelt.
‘They kneel? F — them, ”said announcer Matt Rowan. “I hope Norman gets kicked in the ass … F — ing N-words.”
Rowan apologized on Friday.
“During the Norman High School girls’ basketball game against Midwest City, I made inappropriate and racist comments believing the microphone was off; however, let me say immediately that this is no excuse that such comments should never be made,” said Rowan. in a statement. .
He added that a medical condition may have contributed to the eruption.
“I’ll say I have type 1 diabetes, and my sugar spiked during the game,” said Rowan. “While I do not apologize for my comments, it is not uncommon for when my sugar spikes occur, I become disoriented and often say things that are inappropriate but also hurtful. I don’t believe I would have made such awful statements without my sugar spike.”
The Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association and NFHS Network also each issued statements apologizing for the comments.
Kneeling to the national anthem at US sporting events has become a familiar way for athletes to express themselves, often protesting racist or social injustice. Nick Migliorino, Superintendent of Norman High School, said the school district supports the students’ right to express themselves freely.
“We do not condemn or tolerate the disgusting words and attitudes of these announcers,” Migliorino said Friday. “We will do everything we can to support and improve our team and everyone affected by this incident.”
Norman knelt again during the national anthem ahead of Saturday’s title match, wearing it that read “THIS IS WHY WE KNEEL”.
The Tigers have now won two consecutive state titles. Norman won in 2019; due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no championship was held in 2020.
This report uses information from The Associated Press.