UVA Football Announcer Rescheduled Over Confederate Name Concern

Aug 23, 2017, 07:49 PM

Has anti-Confederacy sensitivity gone too far? A television announcer with a name matching that of a Confederate General has been yanked from announcing an upcoming football game in Charlottesville. Hawes Spencer from member station WCVE has more.

Total Run Time: (:35)

An sportcaster named Robert Lee was slated to announce the University of Virginia's home opener September 2nd. But, citing the recent carnage, ESPN pushed Lee-- a man of Asian descent-- to another game, a move that riled fans such as Todd Hawkins:

"It's so absurd on so many levels."

Calling this a mutual decision, ESPN expressed regret it became an issue.

"It's an issue because they made it one."

A former sportscaster, Hawkins has some advice for the network.

"The easiest solution for avoiding this in the future to this is have Dick Vitale do football-- Dick Vitale can do everything."

In Charlottesille, Hawes Spencer for WCVE News.

Image: Fans at Scott Stadium September 2nd won't hear Robert Lee announcing (Gary Cope)