Community Leaders Demand Accountability After Announcer Uses Racial Slur At Girls’ Basketball Game

The Oklahoma announcer who admitted to using racial slurs during a high school girls’ playoff basketball game claims he’s not a racist, but that he has diabetes and his sugar was spiking.

The announcer's racial slurs were heard during a live stream of Thursday’s game between Norman and Midwest City High Schools at Sapulpa High School.

Friday afternoon, Matt Rowan came forward, saying he is the announcer heard in the video. Rowan also owns OSPN Live, based out of Tahlequah.

In the statement, Rowan apologized, saying in part, "It is not unusual when my sugar spikes that I become disoriented and often say things that are not appropriate…"

Some state and local leaders called Rowan’s comments "disgusting" and told News On 6 the slurs say a lot about the state of America today.

"Had we had more, perhaps, Black announcers, folks that are more sensitive, we wouldn't be necessarily dealing with calling Black students the 'N' word,"said State Rep. Regina Goodwin of Tulsa.

Goodwin is also the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus chair. She said she wants accountability and action from both Rowan and leaders.

“We can do the hard work of really dealing with legislation that's going to be impactful," said Goodwin.

Greg Robinson, a Tulsa community organizer, said it's the culture that needs to change.

"This is what happens when we excuse racism," said Robinson.

A day after the racial slurs, the same players from Norman High, as well as players from Union, kneeled in solidary during Friday’s game.

“I think the younger generation watching us is really trying to say, 'You know, there's a better way for us to move forward, and that's together,'" said Robinson.

Despite pointing to his diabetes, Rowan said he is taking responsibility for what happened although there was another announcer working with him.

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Associated said this crew will not be working the rest of the championships.

State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister condemned the remarks, calling them "sickening and vile." She continued to say, "it is critical on all of us to be clear that racism has no place in society and must never be tolerated, especially in our public schools. My heart aches for the young female athletes who were subjected to this hateful and disgusting tirade.”

Sapulpa Public Schools, the host school for the playoff game, issued the following statement.

"Sapulpa Public Schools condemns the vile language that was directed toward the Norman High School girls basketball team during the National Anthem prior to its game against Midwest City on Thursday. There is no place for this or any type of bigotry and we are especially appalled that these words were aimed at student-athletes.

To be clear, no Sapulpa Public Schools employees were involved. Our arena served as the host site for the first two rounds of the 6A Girls State Basketball Tournament, including this game. As the host site, we have been in discussions with the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association and it is our understanding that the individuals heard in that live stream have been fired."