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The Charlotte Hornets have indefinitely suspended their first-year radio play-by-play announcer John Focke after a recent N-word debacle. Focke looked to tweet about the timely shot-making during Game 1 between the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz in the NBA Playoffs, but his tweet read very differently.
“Shot making in this Jazz-(N-word) game is awesome! Murray and Mitchell going back and forth what a game!” his tweet read.
The team released a statement via Twitter on Tuesday:
Via Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer:
“The Charlotte Hornets are aware of the recent social media post by radio broadcaster John Focke. As an organization, we do not condone this type of language. John has been suspended indefinitely as we investigate the matter more closely.”
The NBA announcer apologized on his Twitter account around 10 p.m. on Monday night.
“Earlier today I made a horrific error while attempting to tweet about the Denver-Utah game,” Focke’s tweet read. “I don’t know how I mistyped, I had (and have) no intention of ever using that word. I take full responsibility for my actions. I have been sick to my stomach about it ever since. I’m truly sorry that this happened and I apologize to those I offended.”
The Observer reached out to Focke on Monday night, but the Hornets announcer declined to comment at that moment. He's received a wave of criticism since his tweet went live, especially at such a sensitive time as the NBA tried to support the Black Lives Matter movement.
Focke has worked for the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx. He also hosts a weekly podcast for the Hornets' website.
