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The LA Clippers' announcers have found themselves in a bit of hot water after mocking the late Robert Traylor, and now they're issuing mea culpas.
According to the Chicago Tribune, play-by-play man Ralph Lawler and analyst Don MacLean were apparently unaware of the fact that Traylor has been dead for several years when they started asking the home team to cheer for Dirk Nowitzki, who may be in his final NBA season.
Lawler asked MacLean whom Traylor was playing for, and MacLean snarked that Robert Traylor was playing for the “Detroit YMCA Over-40 Men's League,” which caused the two announcers to roar with laughter.
Unfortunately, there's just one problem with their “joke”: On May 11, 2011, Traylor was found dead at his apartment in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, of an apparent heart attack. Traylor was talking to his wife on the phone at the time; the connection was suddenly lost, at which point his wife Raye Traylor alerted team officials to investigate.
At the time, his death was reported as “a shock” and “hard to believe,” but don't tell that to Lawler and MacLean.
Naturally, it didn't take long for the duo to realize their mistake, and they immediately apologized.
Later in the game, the pair addressed their comments, with Lawler saying, “I was wondering what Robert “Tractor” Traylor was doing today – totally slipping my mind, and I guess Don's mind, that he passed away a couple of years ago. So, may he rest in peace, and our apologies.” “Yeah, apologies,” said McLean. “I didn't realize that.”
