ESPN Issues An Apology for Airing a Video of a Woman Baring Her Breasts During the Sugar Bowl Broadcast
ESPN issued an apology for airing a clip of a woman showing her breast during the broadcast of the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. The clip was aired following a commercial break during the second half of the Washington Huskies’ 37-31 victory over the Texas Longhorns in a College Football Playoff Semifinal game. A woman was seen pulling down her top to expose one of her breasts as she was wandering on Bourbon Street.
“We regret that this happened and apologize that the video aired in the telecast,” ESPN’s Bill Hofheimer said in a statement to The Associated Press. According to USA Today, camera shots of cities and exteriors are normally done before the game, and video of the incident quickly went viral on social media.
The victory for Washington means the team will face the Michigan Wolverines in the College Football Playoff Championship on Monday, Jan. 8. The Huskies are looking to win their first national title since the 1991 season when they finished 12-0. Interestingly enough, Washington won the national title that year by defeating Michigan 34-14 in the Rose Bowl. Washington did split the national championship with the Miami Hurricanes that year since the team was ranked No. 1 in the coaches poll while Miami ranked first in the AP poll.
“I’m proud. I’m proud of the way our guys every single week bring everything they’ve got,” Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer told reporters after the game on Monday, per 247Sports. “And it doesn’t just happen on game days. I think that’s the thing I told them in the locker room just now, is a lot of people make choices to do something special. But the work doesn’t always support the goals that they have. And these guys don’t just do it on game day. They do it each and every day going back to the time a year ago when they decided to come back and make this vision happen a reality.
DeBoer continued: “So, thought we played a really sharp game in a lot of ways. A couple of opportunities that were missed. Unfortunate situation with the clock. And thought we’d end up with just maybe 10, 15 seconds to have to work with and then go the whole length of the field. But the defense had to stay out there and play every down until the very end. And so proud of the resiliency and finding another way to win a football game.”
Frank Ryan, an NFL quarterback who won a championship with the Cleveland Browns died on New Year’s Day, the team announced. He was 87 years old. Ryan’s family said that he battled with Alzheimer’s disease throughout a portion of his life. They also said Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is suspected to have played a role in the progression of the disease.
“Our hearts are with the family and friends of Frank Ryan, as we honor the life of a Browns icon and championship-winning quarterback,” the Browns said in a social media posting. Ryan played in the NFL from 1958 to 1970. He began his career with the Los Angeles Rams and was there from 1958 to 1961. Ryan was traded to the Browns before the 1962 season and became one of the best quarterbacks during that time. In 1964, Ryan led the Browns to an NFL Championship. He was also named to the Pro Bowl after throwing for 2,404 yards and 25 touchdowns. Ryan was leading an offense that included wide receivers Gary Collins and Paul Warfield and the legendary running back Jim Brown.
Ryan went on to be named to the Pro Bowl in 1965 and 1966. He would remain with the Browns until after the 1968 season and would spend his final two years with the now-called Washington Commanders. Ryan did all this while earning a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Rice University in 1965. After retiring from football, Ryan spent seven years as the Director of House Information Systems for the United States House of Representatives, where he directed the development of the first computerized voting system used by Congress. In 1977, Ryan was named athletic director at Yale University and held the position for 10 years.
“I didn’t want to be limited to just being a football player,” Ryan said in a 2012 interview. “I wanted to be something beyond that. I was always curious, and most of the time I didn’t fulfill my curiosity to the extent I wish I had now. But that always pushed me, and I was becoming more and more confused as to where football was leading me.” Ryan is survived by his wife Joan. The couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last year.
