OutKick founder Clay Travis launched a new attack on ESPN for not showing the Sugar Bowl national anthem after the game was delayed by the New Orleans terrorist attack.
The broadcaster has been heavily criticized for only showing the anthem on the much lesser-known SEC channel it owns and choosing not to include it in its coverage on the main channel.
14 people were killed and 35 injured in New Orleans in a New Year's terrorist attack carried out by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a US Army veteran who had been radicalized by ISIS. He was driving a truck down Bourbon Street in the city's French Quarter.
This meant that the Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia was moved from New Year's Day to January 2 in the Superdome.
The thousands of fans in attendance chanted 'USA' after collectively performing an emotional rendition of the national anthem, as well as observing a moment of silence, something people watching ESPN would not have seen.
Travis took to Total disbelief that ESPN did not cover the national anthem and the moment of silence for the victims of terrorism at the Sugar Bowl.
ESPN did not show the Sugar Bowl national anthem on its main channel on January 2
Clay Travis, founder of OutKick, says rival television executives are stunned by the decision.
Until now @espn has blamed “synchronization problems.” They need to fire people. This is exactly what woke DEI culture creates: hatred for the country, lack of understanding of basic sports fans, and, perhaps worst of all, fear of speaking out about a bad decision by non-woke employees. . TO…
– Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 4, 2025
'Everyone says it's one of the most indefensible sports production mistakes they've ever seen. So far ESPN has blamed “timing issues.” They need to fire people.
'This is exactly what woke DEI culture creates: hatred for the country, lack of understanding of grassroots sports fans, and, perhaps worst of all, fear of calling out a bad decision by non-woke employees.'
'A culture of rot creates this decision. This also exposes the “sports media” that also covers sports.
'These sites and individuals go out of their way to 'analyze Tom Brady or Tony Romo in the booth,' but they don't cover the most indefensible production mistake/decision in years. By doing so, they also expose themselves.”
Former EPSN presenter Sage Steele agreed, saying: 'I've tried to ignore countless decisions my former employer made, but this one is inexcusable. And further proof of how far this great network has fallen.
“It's crazy that even after all the cord cutting, declining ratings, and multiple PR debacles, the top brass at ESPN and Disney still refuse to do the right thing from both a business perspective and a human. How sad.'
Both sets of teams, coaches, staff and fans, plus emotional New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell, paused to listen to the Star Spangled Banner and observe a moment of silence.
At the end of the national anthem, passionate chants of 'USA' echoed around Caesars Superdome.
14 people died and at least 35 more were injured in the terrorist attack in New Orleans
Organizers said security rivaled their plans for the Super Bowl after the attack delayed the game.
A SWAT team, as well as bomb-sniffing dogs and their handlers, were on hand Thursday around the Superdome, where hundreds more police lined the surrounding streets ahead of the college football blockbuster.
Police dogs were seen sniffing out vehicles entering the stadium garage, as well as the personal belongings of anyone entering the stadium through rigorous security checks.
New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick told NBC that the city had as many police officers on duty for the delayed Sugar Bowl as it had planned for the Super Bowl, which the city will host on Feb. 9.
New Orleans will also host the Super Bowl next month at the Superdome.
“We are staffing at the same level, if not higher, than what we were preparing,” he said.