Longtime NFL Announcer Retires After Using Racial Slur
On Sunday, Bob Lamey, the longtime radio announcer for the Indianapolis Colts, unexpectedly announced his retirement. Now more details are trickling out as to why.
The 79-year-old acknowledged using the N-word while retelling a story off the air, the Indy Star reported, and that is what led him to step down from his role as the Colts’ play-by-play voice.
Lamey immediately apologized after using the slur, according to a statement released by his attorney.
His last broadcast came Aug. 9 during the Colts’ first preseason game.
“It’s time,” Lamey said in a news release from the team. “Great things and great people. I cannot thank Colts fans enough for their support through the years. I also owe the world to the Irsay family, particularly Jimmy. I’ve never worked for a better person or a ‘got-your-back’ boss like him. I will always bleed blue.”
KRAVITZ: The #Colts made it sound like Bob Lamey had simply retired.
But we've found out, that's a 57-yard Adam Vinatieri field goal away from the complete truth.https://t.co/kD7hykPEXq— WTHR.com (@WTHRcom) August 22, 2018
According to WTHR-TV in Indianapolis, a radio station employee said she heard Lamey use the N-word as he retold a story he recalled hearing years ago when he was a broadcaster at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
He asked if the mics were off before telling the story. “Yeah, I turned everything off,” responded the employee.
Lamey then described an interview in which a person was asked, “Do you think anyone’s holding back their speed at IMS during quals? Do you think anyone’s holding back?”
He said that person replied, “There aren’t any n—–s in this race.”
The team did not publicly acknowledge that Lamey had used a slur and let him retire instead of dismissing him. When news that he used a slur became public, the Colts issued a statement that said they “deplore and do not tolerate the use of any racial slur — in any context.”
“While it is the Colts’ strict and long-standing policy to not make public comment on personnel matters, Bob publicly acknowledged that last week he repeated an inappropriate word when telling a story,” the team said. “He immediately apologized to the people who heard him use the word and then promptly retired as the Colts’ play-by-play announcer.
“Bob has had a long and storied history in our community, but he made a serious mistake. The Colts are deeply disappointed the incident took place and offer our sincerest regrets to all who were impacted by Bob’s lapse in judgement.”
Lamey had been the radio voice of the Colts from 1984 to 1991 and again from 1995 to this year. Prior to broadcasting for the Colts, he worked as a broadcaster for the Indiana Pacers and two minor league hockey teams.
His greatest call was when the Colts defeated the Patriots in the AFC championship game in 2006 to clinch their first Super Bowl appearance in 36 years.
A legend.
Thank you for lending us your voice these past 35 years, Bob. https://t.co/RHRTADT1Yi
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 19, 2018
“Intercepted by Jackson! Marlin’s got it. We’re going to the Super Bowl! We’re going to the Super Bowl!” he said.
Lamey was replaced in the booth by Colts manager of radio production Matt Taylor for the team’s second preseason game, a loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night.
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