WNBA Players Applaud Norman, Union Girls Basketball Teams In Wake Of Announcer’s Racist Comments

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association tweeted a letter of support for the players on both Norman High School and Union High School girls basketball teams.

The letter from the players salutes their “young sisters, the future stars of our sports and rising leaders of this country” for taking a knee for justice during the national anthem. The Union and Norman teams took a knee together the day after an announcer used a racial slur on an open microphone at Norman’s previous game.

On Friday, an announcer for the playoff game between Norman and Midwest City High School expressed his disdain on an open microphone for the Norman athletes, using derogatory racial slurs as they took a knee during the national anthem.

The announcer, Matt Rowan, came forward and later cited a spike in blood sugar as the cause of his comments.

Related Story: Announcer Cites Low Blood Sugar For Making Racist Comments About Girls Basketball Team Kneeling During National Anthem

OSSAA, Norman High School, State Superintend Joy Hofmeister, Mid-Del Public Schools, Bixby Public Schools and community leaders in Oklahoma all condemned the attack. OSSAA said the crew will not announce any games for the remainder of the championship.

Related Story: Community Leaders Demand Accountability After Announcer Uses Racial Slur At Girls Basketball Game

The Norman High Schools girls team won the state title Saturday, capping off an undefeated season.