Sage Steele is being put on the bench for this week for what she had to say during a recent appearance on the Uncut with Jay Cutler podcast. Among the many things talked about was of her criticizing the network’s mandate regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
“I respect everyone’s decision, I really do, but to mandate it is, um, sick. And it’s scary to me in many way,” Steele told Cutler. “But I have a job, a job that I love, and frankly, a job that I need, but again, I love it. I’m not surprised it got to this point, especially with Disney, a global company…but it was actually emotional.”
Steele also had terrible comments when it comes to up-and-coming female reporters being harassed because of what they wear. Another topic had her commenting about former President Barack Obama identifying as “Black” on the recent census. “If they make you choose a race, what are you gonna put? Well, both,” said Steele.
When she was told “Barack Obama chose Black and he’s biracial,” Steele took a swipe at the 44th president’s upbringing.
“Well, congratulations to the President, that’s his thing,” she said. “I think that’s fascinating considering his Black dad is nowhere to be found, but his white mom and grandma raised him, but okay. You do you. I’m gonna do me.”
Steele added, “Listen, I’m pretty sure my white mom was there when I was born. And my white family loves me as much as my Black family.”
Roughly a week after making these comments on the Uncut with Jay Cutler podcast, Steele issued a public apology.
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“I know my recent comments created controversy for the company, and I apologize,” Steele said. “We are in the midst of an extremely challenging time that impacts all of us, and it’s more critical than ever that we communicate constructively and thoughtfully.”
ESPN also released a statement and have since disciplined her as she will not be seen on SportsCenter this week.
“At ESPN, we embrace different points of view – dialogue and discussion makes this place great,” the network said in its statement. “That said, we expect that those points of view be expressed respectfully, in a manner consistent with our values, and in line with our internal policies. We are having direct conversations with Sage and those conversations will remain private.”
