After being thrust into the spotlight for the actions of an announcer, the Norman High School girls basketball made the news for something great they did on the court by winning the Oklahoma 6A state championship.
The 19-0 Tigers capped their perfect season with a 48-37 win over Bixby on Saturday.
The Norman team gained National attention after announcer Matt Rowan used an expletive and an epithet as the Norman players kneeled during the Anthem.
“They’re kneeling? F— them,” announcer Matt Rowan said. “I hope Norman gets their ass kicked. … F—ing n—–s.”
Fast forward to this week and now the team is being represented by famous civil rights attorney, Ben Crump.
According to TMZ, a news conference is expected sometime today.
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“Crump has worked with the families of several high-profile victims of police or racial violence … from Ahmaud Arbery to Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Jacob Blake.
Now, he’s teamed up with several players from the Norman High School girls basketball squad … the targets of a horrific N-word rant caught on a hot mic last week.”
The WNBA players’ association released a statement voicing support for and congratulating the Norman team.
“To our young sisters, the future stars of our sport and rising leaders of this country: We cannot let another day go by without you hearing from us. You demonstrated great courage and conviction in your decision to take a knee for justice. You clearly love this country and desire that it loves you back. We are with you. You have our support,” the statement read.
Rowan issued an apology, partly blaming his racist moment on his diabetes.
“During the Norman High School girls basketball game against Midwest City, I made inappropriate and racist comments believing that the microphone was off; however, let me state immediately that is no excuse such comments should have never been uttered,” Rowan said in a statement.
“I will state that I suffer Type 1 Diabetes, and during the game, my sugar was spiking,” Rowan said. “While not excusing my remarks, it is not unusual when my sugar spikes that I become disoriented and often say things that are not appropriate, as well as hurtful. I do not believe that I would have made such horrible statements absent my sugar spiking.”
