The San Diego Chargers confirmed that broadcaster Hank Bauer, a former player for the Chargers, has been suspended from the team’s final preseason game after he offended some listeners by telling an anti-Semitic joke in the final seconds of San Diego’s preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Bauer tweeted an apology on Tuesday:
I made a hurtful insinuation that I regret and I would like to express how sorry I am. My poor choice of words were unfortunately open for
— Hank Bauer (@hank_bauer) August 26, 2014
negative interpretation, please know it was never my intention to offend any of my listeners. I hope you accept my apology.
— Hank Bauer (@hank_bauer) August 26, 2014
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported the Chargers confirmation of Clear Channel’s decision to suspend Bauer for a game.
"“Although we know Hank had no ill-will behind his remarks, we agree the comments were inappropriate. Per Clear Channel’s decision, Hank will not be broadcasting Thursday night’s game. Hank has been a strong radio voice for the Chargers for the past 16 years and a passionate supporter of the team since his playing days. We look forward to Chargers fans receiving the same high-quality broadcast from Josh (Lewin) and Hank when he returns to the booth for the regular season.”"
The broadcast team of Lewin and Bauer were discussing the high price of football tickets when Bauer rapidly rode the train off the rails. Obviously, the clip below may be offensive to some readers, so caution is advised before hitting the play button:
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Deadspin first reported Bauer’s comment.
There will be those out there who will see Bauer’s suspension as a further softening of American society and an assault on Bauer’s First Amendment rights (which weren’t violated unless he was sent to jail for the comments, which is all the First Amendment really protects us from when it comes to free speech).
Bottom line, though, is that it was a knucklehead move. Anyone in broadcasting—or any media, for that matter—has to have a better grasp of the climate than Bauer displayed there.