Clippers broadcasters suspended for Haddadi remarks

[alamo50]

Nov. 20, 2009
CBSSports.com wire reports


LOS ANGELES -- Clippers longtime play-by-play announcer Ralph Lawler and color analyst Michael Smith were suspended one game by the Fox Sports Prime Ticket cable network for their comments about Memphis center Hamed Haddadi.

Lawler and Smith made their off-the-cuff comments about the Iranian-born center during Wednesday night's telecast from Memphis. The on-air banter offended a viewer who e-mailed Fox to complain.

The duo did not work Friday's night telecast against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center. Michael Eaves and Don MacLean, who regularly serve as halftime and postgame analysts on the Clippers telecasts, substituted for Lawler and Smith at courtside.

Lawler, 71, is in his 31st season doing Clippers games, and Smith is in his 12th. Lawler has surpassed 2,400 regular season and playoff Clippers broadcasts in his career, according to the team's Web site.

"We regret the remarks made by Clippers announcers Michael Smith and Ralph Lawler during Wednesday's telecast," Fox said in a statement about 2½ hours before the game. "While we believe that Michael and Ralph did not intend their exchange to be offensive, the comments were inappropriate.

"We extend our apologies to Hamed Haddadi of the Memphis Grizzlies and to anyone who was offended. We have addressed the situation with Michael and Ralph and have taken appropriate action."

The Clippers did not comment.

The transcript of the conversation between Lawler and Smith, which occurred late in the game, was printed on the Los Angeles Times' website.

Smith: "Look who's in."

Lawler: "Hamed Haddadi. Where's he from?"

Smith: "He's the first Iranian to play in the NBA." (Smith pronounced Iranian as "Eye-ranian," a pronunciation that offended the viewer who complained.)

Lawler: "There aren't any Iranian players in the NBA," repeating Smith's mispronunciation.

Smith: "He's the only one."

Lawler: "He's from Iran?"

Smith: "I guess so."

Lawler: "That Iran?"

Smith: "Yes."

Lawler: "The real Iran?"

Smith: "Yes."

Lawler: "Wow. Haddadi that's H-A-D-D-A-D-I."

Smith: "You're sure it's not Borat's older brother?"

Smith: "If they ever make a movie about Haddadi, I'm going to get Sacha Baron Cohen to play the part."

Lawler: "Here's Haddadi. Nice little back-door pass. I guess those Iranians can pass the ball."

Smith: "Especially the post players.

Lawler: "I don't know about their guards."


http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/12550731/clippers-broadcasters-suspended-for-haddadi-remarks


This is so wrong in so many ways.....
No, I ain't talking about the broadcasters!

[Def Rowe]

I saw that. In poor taste, but really was more of a weak attempt at humor than a dis on Iranians. Pretty harmless stuff.

[KSeal]

Too bad. Lawler would have been so stoked calling that Clipper win tonight.

[Allanon]

Again people are offended too easily these days.

It's cool to poke fun at white people but as soon as they make a joke against another race, all hell breaks loose.

[Bob Lanier]

It's cool to poke fun at white people but as soon as they make a joke against another race, all hell breaks loose.
Since when are Iranians not white?

[BRHornet45]

sons I think his punishment should follow this list:

- suspended from work for AT LEAST 90 days WITHOUT pay
- forced to attend racial equality and sensitivity classes weekly
- serve 500 hours of community service
- march in a gay parade to help boost his image in L.A.
- issue a public apology live at the first Clippers home game after his 90 day suspension

[Culburn369]

It's cool to poke fun at white people but as soon as they make a joke against another race, all hell breaks loose.

Yep.

[Def Rowe]

Yep.

Poor oppressed whitey. :depressed

[resistanze]

Again, the people who will be crying about political correctness are the same people who were crying because LeBron didn't shake hands with his opponents.

[Culburn369]

Poor oppressed whitey. :depressed

Though I wouldn't trade the birthright for money, marbles, nor chalk.

[Def Rowe]

Though I wouldn't trade the birthright for money, marbles, nor chalk.

'At a boy!

[BacktoBasics]

What exactly was offensive. He emphasized the "I". Are you fucking serious? I guess every time we say Manu has those nifty Euro moves we should suspend Sean. You people are a fucking waste of time and resources. These guys did nothing wrong. Pathetic whiners.

[monosylab1k]

So that's not the proper pronunciation?

[DPG21920]

All announcers talk trash about "Euro's flopping" all the time and things like that, how is that any less offensive?

[baseline bum]

Eye-ranian is offensive?

[ginobili's bald spot]

I hate the clippers announcers more than anybody but WHAT. THE. FUCK. He didn't say anything offensive at all. Because he miss pronounces Iranian and told some unfunny jokes? This is beyond ridiculous. When I read stories like this it just encourages me to be even more un-PC.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Smith: "He's the first Iranian to play in the NBA." (Smith pronounced Iranian as "Eye-ranian," a pronunciation that offended the viewer who complained.)


Fuckin stupid Rag head. Wtf is the difference between "Iranian" and "Eye-ranian"? Last eye checked "I" and "eye" are pronounced the exact same way.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Since when are Iranians not white?

You are so bad at trolling it's not even funny.

[IronMexican]

Heard about this on 710 last night. Whoever complained about that should grow some nuts.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

As a Jew, I find it offensive whenever someone pronounces the word "Jew" as "Joo".

[IronMexican]

I hate the clippers announcers more than anybody but WHAT. THE. FUCK. He didn't say anything offensive at all. Because he miss pronounces Iranian and told some unfunny jokes? This is beyond ridiculous. When I read stories like this it just encourages me to be even more un-PC.

How do you hate the Clippers announcers? They are comedy. "Fasten your seat belts!" "Bingo!"

[Ghazi]

ShuLDNT HAVE HATED ON THE GREAT IRANIAN NATION!

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

ShuLDNT HAVE HATED ON THE GREAT IRANIAN NATION!


lol 3rd world shithole
lol ruled by terrorists
lol Iran

[Ghazi]

Since when are Iranians not white?

Correct. the Persians are a racially white people.

Also the proper announciation is e-ranian not eye-ranian.

Also, THEY GOT WHAT THEY DESERVED :bking

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Also the proper announciation is e-ranian not eye-ranian.


:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao :lmao

[Xylus]

The suspension should stand for that epic Borat joke FAIL.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

If he was Jewish, they'd be fired, owe an unusual amount of back taxes, and wouldn't be able to find a job anywhere west of Africa.

Can always count on you for the anti-Semetic remarks, well done.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

If he was Jewish, they'd be fired, owe an unusual amount of back taxes, and wouldn't be able to find a job anywhere west of Africa.

If Muslims wanted to be as respected as Jews are in America, they should cut down on the amount of buildings they fly planes into.

[InRareForm]

The clippers announcers are the best in the business, IMO. anyone who doesn't know about them should stfu.

[lefty]

If CIA wanted to be as respected as Jews are in America, they should cut down on the amount of buildings they fly planes into.
Fify

[Banzai]

lol big fucking deal...I hear people on TV pronounce Iran... I "RAN" as in "I ran" today. I could care less.

[iggypop123]

bingo!

[koriwhat]

big fuckin deal

[ginobili's bald spot]

How do you hate the Clippers announcers? They are comedy. "Fasten your seat belts!" "Bingo!"

Because they annoy the shit out of me and as the transcript in the article clearly shows, they aren't funny.

But they shouldn't have been suspended for nothing. In protest of this suspension I will now refer to anyone of middle eastern descent as a rag head for the rest of the year.

[Banzai]

Because they annoy the shit out of me and as the transcript in the article clearly shows, they aren't funny.

But they shouldn't have been suspended for nothing. In protest of this suspension I will now refer to anyone of middle eastern descent as a rag head for the rest of the year.

:rollin:lol

[NZ Spurs]

And you all wonder why the rest of the world has lost total respect for the USA.

[angelbelow]

i still remember bill walton saying "tony parker just got raped." followed by a few seconds of silence. i dont think he ever got punished for it though - at least no publicly.

[LakerHater]

Again people are offended too easily these days.

It's cool to poke fun at white people but as soon as they make a joke against another race, all hell breaks loose.

Yeah & I Didnt know there were 2 ways to pronounce Iranian?

[LakerHater]

Most of them don't even like Americans anyway so, now we gotta be PC with them!?!

[koriwhat]

Yeah & I Didnt know there were 2 ways to pronounce Iranian?

it's I-RON-E-N.

[LakerHater]

it's I-RON-E-N.
So when I go to Iran, I'm goin to I-RON?

[ffadicted]

Again people are offended too easily these days.

It's cool to poke fun at white people but as soon as they make a joke against another race, all hell breaks loose.

Wouldn't say "white", but I know what you mean, and completely agree

[NZ Spurs]

Owww that hurt me so bad. I'am DEEPLY concerned how foreigners view the American population. How will I ever live with myself.

You at least might give a damn how the Chinese view certain Americans, given the fact that they own you :lol

[Culburn369]

If he was Jewish, they'd be fired, owe an unusual amount of back taxes, and wouldn't be able to find a job anywhere west of Africa.

Luva, nailin' it...on the precise.

[mogrovejo]

Not worried. JamStone, Balli and the rest of the PC weirdos will quickly explain us that this decision was too light because, after all, someone felt insulted for the mispronunciation of Iranian.

[eyeh8u]

uUjIA3Rt7gk

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Seems like an over-reaction to me. I can't see how mispronouncing a name like that is offensive. Ignorant, sure, especially the Borat comment since he's meant to be from Kazakhstan, which is about 500mi to the north and racially/culturally very different (although it is also a majority Muslim country), but offensive?


lol 3rd world shithole
lol ruled by terrorists
lol Iran

Iran is hardly a "third-world shithole". Just because you don't know a thing about a country/culture/religion/etc. doesn't make it a "third-world shithole". :rolleyes

Given that a majority of its GDP comes from services, and that it does have an industrial sector, it actually qualifies as a semi-developed country.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

If Muslims wanted to be as respected as Jews are in America, they should cut down on the amount of buildings they fly planes into.

Yeah, because all Muslims fly planes into buildings... :rolleyes

You really should check your ignorant head.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

And you all wonder why the rest of the world has lost total respect for the USA.


Owww that hurt me so bad. I'am DEEPLY concerned how foreigners view the American population. How will I ever live with myself.

Given that you live in a global community where we all have to get along on the same planet, maybe you should take the way your nation is viewed more seriously.

Not too long ago, America used to be respected and admired by most of the world, and because of that things went a lot smoother for you. Having turned a large proportion of the rest of the world towards either uneasy alliance, neutrality, or open hatred, the US Government is finding dealing with the international community a lot more difficult than it was a few decades ago. Like it or not, the way any country is viewed by the international community through the lens of its behaviour does affect that country.


Most of them don't even like Americans anyway so, now we gotta be PC with them!?!

Them? Us? Them vs Us! What a productive way to view humanity! :lol

[Culburn369]

Iran is hardly a "third-world shithole". Just because you don't know a thing about a country/culture/religion/etc. doesn't make it a "third-world shithole".

No, no, Ruff, DUNCAN is correct here. Iran is a third world shithole.

[NZ Spurs]

To be fair Ruff, these are mainly L.A. posters. They aren't the sharpest tools in the shed. Look at Proposition 13 for evidence of that.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

No, no, Ruff, DUNCAN is correct here. Iran is a third world shithole.

Technically it is not. It has a productive economy, education and governmental infrastructure.

I am not commenting on the regime that runs Iran, its politics, or human rights record, I am commenting on the fact that Iran is a lot more organised than countries usually referred to as "3rd World", such as most of Africa.

[JJ Hickson]

http://suion.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/srs-bzns-azn.jpg

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

http://suion.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/srs-bzns-azn.jpg

:lmao

Very nice.

BTW, love your recent play! However, the Cavs have a big decision to make about the Big Should-Have-Retired-By-Now. Clearly, you are a better fit for their starting unit. You've beasted since replacing Shaq. But what will your team do when Shaq comes back? Go back to a setup that blatantly wasn't working just to satisfy the Diesel? I hope not. They ought to trade that 20mil expiring for a piece or pieces, or just keep it and only use him in suitable spots. Unfortunately, they'll do neither and probably go back to playing him, all the time knowing that it won't work... and you, and Cavs fans, get shafted. Definition of insanity, much?

[JJ Hickson]

:lmao

Very nice.

BTW, love your recent play! However, the Cavs have a big decision to make about the Big Should-Have-Retired-By-Now. Clearly, you are a better fit for their starting unit. You've beasted since replacing Shaq. But what will your team do when Shaq comes back? Go back to a setup that blatantly wasn't working just to satisfy the Diesel? I hope not. They ought to trade that 20mil expiring for a piece or pieces, or just keep it and only use him in suitable spots. Unfortunately, they'll do neither and probably go back to playing him, all the time knowing that it won't work... and you, and Cavs fans, get shafted. Definition of insanity, much?


What the fuck are you babbling about you self righteous twink? You march in here on your holier-than-thou soap box painting Americans with broad brush strokes as if you're the worlds moral compass. You and the other half of your down under dwelling duo can go fuck yourselves.

You're from fucking Australia. You aren't on the forefront of anything. Here in America we know a little bit about living in a multi-cultural society. We do it every day. You don't, you kangaroo fucking faggot. You think just because you read about a non white person in a book once that you have authority to wave your finger at an American for not being PC? You don't know shit about what you speak white boy. So keep your mouth shut.

[Culburn369]

I am not commenting on the regime that runs Iran, its politics, or human rights record, I am commenting on the fact that Iran is a lot more organised than countries usually referred to as "3rd World", such as most of Africa.

shithole stills covers it.

[Ghazi]

Iran iran~!!!

[duncan228]

In the Orange County Register this morning.


So Clippers announcers Ralph Lawlor and Mike Smith were suspended for something said near the end of the game. The biggest question to millions of us sports fans is "Who in the hell is watching the end of a Clippers game?"

[Austin_Toros]

What exactly was offensive. He emphasized the "I". Are you fucking serious? I guess every time we say Manu has those nifty Euro moves we should suspend Sean. You people are a fucking waste of time and resources. These guys did nothing wrong. Pathetic whiners.

what they said was unnecessary and inappropriate. i don't see a problem with the 'eye-ranian' as i would pronounce it that way also. but some of the other stuff can easily be seen as offensive.

[Bukefal]

(Smith pronounced Iranian as "Eye-ranian," a pronunciation that offended the viewer who complained.)

Come on!!! Are they serious? How is that offending? :lmao Jeezzz

By looking at the thread header I thought maybe they called him something which had to do with muslims or terrorists or something like that, something really offending. But then I read this? This is silly.

[LakerHater]

Them? Us? Them vs Us! What a productive way to view humanity! :lol

Well thats how they see US!

Just look at Nidal Malik Hasan, he considers himself Muslim 1st and American 2nd!

Everyone knows that them people over in the Middle East don't like US Americans!

[YellowFever]

Yeah, because all Muslims fly planes into buildings... :rolleyes

You really should check your ignorant head.


No but every fucking idiot that intentionaly flies planes into buildings are Muslims.





Given that you live in a global community where we all have to get along on the same planet, maybe you should take the way your nation is viewed more seriously.

Not too long ago, America used to be respected and admired by most of the world, and because of that things went a lot smoother for you. Having turned a large proportion of the rest of the world towards either uneasy alliance, neutrality, or open hatred, the US Government is finding dealing with the international community a lot more difficult than it was a few decades ago. Like it or not, the way any country is viewed by the international community through the lens of its behaviour does affect that country.


Wtf is this? armchair analysis of world relations by someone from a country that hardly engages in it?

And you can stick your "global community" we are the world goombaya right where the sun don't shine. Every government in the world will screw over any other governement if it helps their country get ahead. We just happen to be better at it than anyone else.



To be fair Ruff, these are mainly L.A. posters. They aren't the sharpest tools in the shed. Look at Proposition 13 for evidence of that.

Nice to generalize there, kiwi. Maybe if you studied prop=13 a little closer you would know why you should be supporting it. but then again, you sound like a flaming peacenik liberal so I can see why you don't like it.


Technically it is not. It has a productive economy, education and governmental infrastructure.

I am not commenting on the regime that runs Iran, its politics, or human rights record, I am commenting on the fact that Iran is a lot more organised than countries usually referred to as "3rd World", such as most of Africa.

Every single world body disagrees with you. It is a third world country.

You guys must be dumber than a door knob. You basically come to an american forum to shovel your liberal world view and if that wasn't enough, you insult Americans.

Stick to your friggin rugby and cricket and when we care enough about the sport, we'll invade your forums and say shit about aussies or kiwis....but we won't because firsty, cricket and rugby is shit sports and secondly, unlike america, your respectrive countries are...irrelevent.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

What the fuck are you babbling about you self righteous twink? You march in here on your holier-than-thou soap box painting Americans with broad brush strokes as if you're the worlds moral compass. You and the other half of your down under dwelling duo can go fuck yourselves.

You're from fucking Australia. You aren't on the forefront of anything. Here in America we know a little bit about living in a multi-cultural society. We do it every day. You don't, you kangaroo fucking faggot. You think just because you read about a non white person in a book once that you have authority to wave your finger at an American for not being PC? You don't know shit about what you speak white boy. So keep your mouth shut.

Please point to the "painting Americans with broad brush strokes". I did no such thing. I pointed out that the US used to be admired by the world and, largely because of its behaviour abroad, now it's not, and that that has made it much harder for the current US government to get things done in the world. I said nothing about "Americans" because I realise that you can't generalise the citizenry of a country of 1mil, let alone 320mil.

Been to Australia have you? Then what the fuck would you know about my country? Your sadly predictable kangaroo references indicate that you don't know shit.


Wtf is this? armchair analysis of world relations by someone from a country that hardly engages in it?

And you can stick your "global community" we are the world goombaya right where the sun don't shine. Every government in the world will screw over any other governement if it helps their country get ahead. We just happen to be better at it than anyone else.

Sorry? Australia is extremely active in international relations at all levels, especially in the Asia-Pacific.

As for the "global community", it's not a concept, it's a fact. You and I and everyone else on the planet is now intrinsically linked by economy, media and environment. For better or worse, what you do affects me and vice versa. That's globalisation.


Every single world body disagrees with you. It is a third world country.

Really? "In 2004, the GDP was estimated at $542 billion of purchasing power parity, or $8,100 per capita, 71st on a list of 181 nations. Because of these figures and the country’s diversified but small industrial base, the United Nations classifies Iran's economy as semi-developed."

Somalia is a third world country. Iran is a developing country. Big difference, but obviously too subtle for a genius like yourself.


You guys must be dumber than a door knob. You basically come to an american forum to shovel your liberal world view and if that wasn't enough, you insult Americans.

How, exactly? By pointing out that your country's international reputation has taken a dive in recent years? Surely you knew that? How is that an insult?


Stick to your friggin rugby and cricket and when we care enough about the sport, we'll invade your forums and say shit about aussies or kiwis....but we won't because firsty, cricket and rugby is shit sports and secondly, unlike america, your respectrive countries are...irrelevent.

And that is exactly the sort of attitude that the rest of the world despises. I don't hold it against other Americans though, because you're just a typical cretin on a message board.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I find it ironic in the extreme that I make a couple of reasonable (ie. uninflammatory) posts, and the response is a vitriolic, bully-boy ad hominem bashing from the kind of trailer trash that gives America a bad name... just like the way the Bush administration bullied the rest of the world for 8 years. It's almost too perfect. :lmao

[EricB]

JJ Hickson wins that arguement..


Damn, slam dunk JJ :tu

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

JJ Hickson wins that arguement..


Damn, slam dunk JJ :tu

Yeah, as if you are an adjudicator of standing... :lmao

[Chieflion]

I thought I might see more sensible posts than just the "Americans are more superior, other countries are irrelevant crap". Guess I was wrong.

[Culburn369]

...that freedom of speech is a super fine thing, when you can find it outside a U.S. built & bred re-education camp, eh?

tee, hee.

[Bukefal]

No, no, Ruff, DUNCAN is correct here. Iran is a third world shithole.

Iran (Persia) was already a great civilized and developed nation when peoples living in the America's and most parts of Europe (except Ancient Hellenic states and Ancient Macedonia) were still throwing woods and swinging with clubs, flintstone style.

That they have a f*cked up government doesn't mean they are a shithole or a primitive nation. They meant much for this world. USA had a f*cked up government with Bush also, doesn't mean USA is a shithole.

Did you know they invented chess? :)

[Bukefal]

What the fuck are you babbling about you self righteous twink? You march in here on your holier-than-thou soap box painting Americans with broad brush strokes as if you're the worlds moral compass. You and the other half of your down under dwelling duo can go fuck yourselves.

You're from fucking Australia. You aren't on the forefront of anything. Here in America we know a little bit about living in a multi-cultural society. We do it every day. You don't, you kangaroo fucking faggot. You think just because you read about a non white person in a book once that you have authority to wave your finger at an American for not being PC? You don't know shit about what you speak white boy. So keep your mouth shut.

:lol and in Australia they don't?? They do, and probably even more.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

That they have a f*cked up government doesn't mean they are a shithole or a primitive nation. They meant much for this world. USA had a f*cked up government with Bush also, doesn't mean USA is a shithole.

Did you know they invented chess?

I already tried to explain that to them, but they are not listening. The Star Spangled Banner (incidentally, the greatest and most stirring anthem I've ever heard) is playing in their heads, and their minds are closed to reason.


:lol and in Australia they don't?? They do, and probably even more.

Australia is quite multicultural, but not moreso than the US. 70% of Australians come from an Anglo-Celtic background, most of the rest from Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Southern and Eastern Europe, with a rapidly rising refugee intake from Africa (particularly Sudan).

In 2006, the American Community Survey (US Census Bureau) found that 74% of Americans are classified as "white", although that includes all Europeans, Middle Easterners and North Africans, so the figures are hard to compare without breaking down further. Still, though more ethnically diverse than Australia, it would only be by 5-10%.

I find it hilarious that on the one hand he slings racial (and homophobic) epithets at me, then boasts of the US's multiculturalism... but then these guys' posts are just full of win. :lmao

[Culburn369]

That they have a f*cked up government doesn't mean they are a shithole or a primitive nation.

No, no, Buk, Iran is a shithole.

[Bukefal]

You should have respect for a world(nation) far more older than your own.

[NZ Spurs]

Maybe if you studied prop=13 a little closer you would know why you should be supporting it.

Because a state is severe debt is always a good thing. Prop 13 is used as a text book case against direct democracy.

[BlackBellamy]

eee, I am not touching this one. I still remember a certain Yi thread that went on for waaaay too long.

[Unholy Turkey]

While its nothing serious to to us, the pronunciation of Iran IS serious business, sure its funny to us, but most Iranians have their head up their asses, so they like to shoot down any attempts at humor.

I should know, after all, I talk to my parents at least once every day. Ugh...

[duncan228]

Clippers announcers meet with Haddadi before game (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-clippers-announcers&prov=ap&type=lgns)

Clippers play-by-play man Ralph Lawler and color analyst Michael Smith met with Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi before Sunday’s game at Staples Center, where they expressed regret for an incident that earned the TV broadcasters a one-game suspension.

It was the first meeting between the teams since Lawler’s and Smith’s off-the-cuff remarks about the Iranian-born center during the final minutes of the Clippers’ 106-91 loss at Memphis on Nov. 18. One offended viewer sent an e-mail to the Fox Sports Prime Ticket network.

“It went really well,” Lawler told the Associated Press, about an hour before tipoff. “It was really good to get a chance to shake his hand and look him in the eye. We reached out to him, he reached back, and I feel real good about it.”

Before Lawler and Smith spoke with Haddadi in the Grizzlies’ dressing room, they had a conversation with his agent and three representatives of the Alliance of Iranian Americans in another room that coach Mike Dunleavy uses for his postgame press conferences.

“He doesn’t speak a whole lot of English, so we had his manager translate for us,” Lawler added. “He basically indicated that he’s seen a number of our shows and thought that some people kind of took what we said out of context. He understood there were no ill intentions and understood our humor.”

By sheer coincidence, Sunday was Iranian Heritage day.

“I think it’s very fitting,” Lawler said. “He said he’s got a gift for us that the manager was going to bring to us later, just as a token of the good will that exists. So I couldn’t be more pleased. I’m glad to finally put it behind us.”

Last Monday, when he and Smith returned to the microphones, Lawler spoke at the top of the broadcast about how much the duo regretted the remarks and the firestorm it created.

“He’s totally aware,” Lawler said of Haddadi. “He had read the transcript, he had seen the video and was perfectly fine with it.”

[alamo50]

“He doesn’t speak a whole lot of English, so we had his manager translate for us,” Lawler added. “He basically indicated that he’s seen a number of our shows and thought that some people kind of took what we said out of context. He understood there were no ill intentions and understood our humor.”


So both broadcasters get an appology and their salary from their bosses now?