Basketball Radio Announcer Suspended for On-Air Comment - jmik58's Blog

Arena Blog Dynasty Scores Sign Up ☰

jmik58's Blog

Basketball Radio Announcer Suspended for On-Air Comment Stuck

Posted on February 20, 2013 at 05:05 PM.

(7)

Reggie Miller can't figure out what the big deal is.

Was it what I said, or who I said it to?

North Dakota's play-by-play radio man, Paul Ralston, may be asking himself this after being benched by the university for using the phrase "choke job" in a post-game interview with coach Brian Jones.

Following an overtime defeat at the hands of Northern Arizona -- a game in which North Dakota led in the final minute of regulation -- Ralston let his true feelings fly as the camera rolled.

This incident comes on the heals of Cal basketball coach Mike Montgomery controversially shoving player Allen Crabbe as he came to the sidelines during a timeout. Many people, however, feel the push was blown out of proportion and that Montgomery's tactic was actually a successful move considering how strongly Crabbe and the rest of the team responded.

Are we becoming too sensitive as a society? Is a phrase like "choke job" really that bad, or was it the unprofessional nature of the interview that cost Ralston in this situation?

Sound Off in the comments section below!

Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @long_snapper

Comments

# 1 mb625 @ Feb 20

Can't say I see that as being something worthy of suspension. At all. Given the fact that I am studying to do something along these lines, I know that you have to walk on egg shells while on the air to ensure you don't say something offensive, but this? This is a bit much.

# 2 scottyo60 @ Feb 21

What a joke. Eventually people are just going to quit giving a d@mn If it offends anyone.

# 3 Jakeness23 @ Feb 21

People are much, MUCH too sensitive nowadays. You apparently can't say anything without offending someone. People need to get over words, because that's all they are... someone's opinion. It doesn't necessarily make it right, but it is their opinion and they have a right to it. Why is our country suddenly deciding to restrict everyone's freedoms and why are we doing it to each other?

Ridiculous...

# 4 speels @ Feb 21

I can't beleive this is even something we have to discuss!! Oh, noes!!!!! I used the work "cuss" in discuss!!!!! Cancel it from the dictionary!!!!

# 5 ggsimmonds @ Feb 21

Was he suspended because "choke job" may be considered offensive to viewers or because he was a university employee disparaging the team? The latter makes a little more sense to me.

# 6 skywalkah @ Feb 22

Are we becoming too sensitive? I feel we always have been. Since when is use of the word "choke" to define a failed effort (or lack there of) considered in poor taste? I feel like I hear this so often, in so many places, that this is sort of baffling. I'm assuming it has more to do with his comments directed at the team he calls, as opposed to the use of the word itself.