ESPN was busy issuing statements on Tuesday. First the network announced that Rob Parker was fired for his RG3 comments, and then they apologized for announcer Brent Musburger drooling over Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron’s girlfriend.
ESPN flashed to a shot of McCarron’s girlfriend, Katherine Webb, during the first quarter of the BCS National Championship Game Monday. Musburger and broadcast partner Kirk Herbstreit began gushing over Webb.
“You see that lovely lady there? She’s Miss Alabama, and that’s AJ McCarron’s girlfriend,” said Musburger. “Wow, I’m telling you, you quarterbacks, you get all the good-looking women. What a beautiful woman, wow, whoa!
“If you’re a youngster in Alabama, start getting the football out and throw it around the backyard with pops,” Musburger joked.
ESPN and many others didn’t find the comments too amusing. ESPN PR rep Mike Soltys issued the following statement:
“We always try to capture interesting storylines and the relationship between an Auburn grad who is Miss Alabama and the current Alabama quarterback certainly met that test. However, we apologize that the commentary in this instance went too far and Brent understands that.”
Webb found the praise to be complimentary.
“It was kind of nice,” Webb told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “I didn’t look at it as creepy at all. For a woman to be called beautiful, I don’t see how that’s an issue.”
Webb is a certified beauty queen, so it’s most peoples’ opinion that she is attractive. Still, Musburger was so over-the-top with his comments that many people found the 73-year-old’s words to be excessive and creepy. That’s why ESPN apologized.
