Update 03/12/2021 9:44pm:

Matt Rowan, the high school basketball announcer in Oklahoma who is at the center of controversy for calling students the N-word for kneeling during the National Anthem has issued an apology for his remarks and explained what caused him to deploy such language. 

In a statement released to the press, Rowan said, that he suffers from Type 1 diabetes and is currently dealing with irregular blood sugar levels. A side effect of his condition, according to Rowan, causes verbal outbursts. He also gave the stock apology that follows these type of situations as he noted how sorry he is for offending anyone and that there's no good reason for what he said. 

"I, Matt Rowan, on Thursday, March 11, 2021, most regrettably made some statements that cannot be taken back," Rowan said. "I am a family man," Rowan said. "I am married, have two children and at one time was a youth pastor." "I have not only embarrassed and disappointed myself, I have embarrassed and disappointed my family and friends."

"While the comments I made would certainly indicate that I am a racist, I am not, I have never considered myself to be racist, and in short cannot explain why I made these comments," Rowan concluded. 

Original 03/12/2021 1:45pm:

A live mic caught a basketball announcer calling students the N-word for kneeling during the National Anthem.

The remark occurred before a Norman High School girls' basketball game versus Midwest City in Oklahoma. Broadcasters from the National Federation of High School Network were heard criticizing the players throughout the above clip.

One commentator can be heard saying "F*** them" and "I hope Norman gets their a** kicked." About 55 seconds into the clip, a commentator says, "F***** n******."

Norman High girls' basketball coach posted the clip on Twitter and wrote, "Hey @NFHSNetwork looks like you forgot to cut the Mic!!! 'F****** N******' is the one that really got me!! Tell us how you really feel!! THIS IS WHY THEY KNEEL!!!"

Norman Public Schools Superintendent Nick Migliorino sent out an email to parents following the backlash from the incident.

"Last night during the Norman High School girls' basketball game versus Midwest City in the Oklahoma 6A State Basketball Tournament, National Federation of High School Network announcers on a live stream broadcast made racist and hateful comments targeted at our Norman High student athletes," Migliorino wrote. "The announcers were contracted by (the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association) for the state tournament."

Migliorino continued by writing that the district "will not tolerate the disgusting words and attitudes" that the announcers displayed.

"We fully support our students' right to freedom of expression and our immediate focus is to support these girls and their coaches and families, particularly our Black students and coaching staff," he wrote. "It is tragic that the hard work and skill of this team is being overshadowed by the vile, malignant words of these individuals."

Source: OU Daily