At an event to benefit many local charities, Tennessee head Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl made an off-script joke about the challenges he faces getting so many diverse players to play as a team.
“I’ve got a tough job. I’ve got to put these guys from different worlds together, right?” Pearl said. “I’ve got guys from Chicago, Detroit … I’m talking about the ‘hood! And I’ve got guys from Grainger County, where they wear the hood.”
Pearl apologized, calling the joke “inappropriate.”
“Unfortunately while I was trying to excite the crowd and encourage employees to give, I made an inappropriate joke. I certainly did not intend to offend anyone and I apologize to everyone, especially the people of Grainger County.
“In no way am I trying to justify what I said, but I’m disappointed that the focus has been placed on me rather than the charities I was there to help. My only hope is that the visibility of this mistake will encourage those who can to give to those in need during these difficult times.”
Race issues are highly sensitive enough with politicians throwing the “R” word almost daily. Pearl seems to be a very likeable guy and it seems he was genuinely trying to be funny. Hope everybody will accept this apology and move on.
