NBC commentator and ex-NFL receiver Cris Collinsworth lost points with viewers after making sexist remarks on the air.
Collinsworth was impressed with female fans of the Steelers and commented on their love for the NFL during Wednesday’s game between Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
Collinsworth said of the women with whom he had a discussion earlier in the week:
“Everybody’s a fan. In particular the ladies that I met.”
He continued expressing his shock that women had as much interest in sports.
“They have really specific questions about the game. I’m like wow, just blown away.”
Many saw his awestruck comment as an insult to women.
Cris Collinsworth is living in a different decade, it seems. Yes, even ladies like and understand football. pic.twitter.com/khpaw0DWx6
— Maria Polonia (@ours_keep) December 2, 2020
Countless women enjoy and have a deep knowledge of football. Cris Collinsworth saying he's blown away that women in Pittsburgh ask specific football questions was not good.
— Chris Vannini 😷 (@ChrisVannini) December 2, 2020
Dear Cris Collinsworth, I have some really specific questions about your sexism https://t.co/2MhZyZa7Ry
— Julie DiCaro wrote a book (@JulieDiCaro) December 2, 2020
I’m a child of God and I truly care for all of mankind….and I still want to punch Cris Collinsworth in the face. 😏
— James Lawhorn Jr. (@TheMicDr) December 2, 2020
Collinsworth responded to the backlash by issuing an apology that he shared on Twitter.
— Cris Collinsworth (@CollinsworthPFF) December 3, 2020
He said:
“Today on our broadcast I made a reference to a couple of women that I met in Pittsburgh who so impressed me with their football knowledge that I wanted to tell their story on the air.”
“I know the way I phrased it insulted many. I’m so sorry.”
“What I intended as a compliment to the fans of Pittsburgh, became an insult. I’m sick about insulting any fan, but especially female fans and journalists.”
He expressed regret by acknowledging the obstacles many women face in journalism.
“I know first hand how much harder they have to work than any of us in this industry. I was wrong and I deeply apologize.”
However, Twitter felt he fumbled his apology.
This isn’t an apology.
This is pretty much just reiterating what you said yesterday in a different way.
And you actually just pretty much slammed Pittsburgh fans too.
🙄🙄🙄— Lise (@gelilil) December 3, 2020
So far this year, Cris Collinsworth has made fun of wearing masks and seems stunned that “ladies” know about football. Maybe @NFL could fill him in about their viewership demographics. He seems to be a newbie to this game.
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) December 2, 2020
Chris, as the first woman color commentator in NCAA football history (Colgate University) in 1974 (!!) I say “shame on you!”
Women have been as knowledgeable about football as men for many, many years.— Debbie Wallerstein (@acoronet440c) December 3, 2020
I am glad you issued an apology but these seem to be coming a little too frequently, don’t you think? Can we rectify behavior in the future and have fewer cringeworthy comments? Some of your commentaries are a bit tone-deaf.
— Tired of being tired (@SueLindsay1013) December 3, 2020
Hiring a single female analyst at Pro Football Focus might be a good start? Or are they better suited for IT, where they can sit quietly?
— Kate Magdziuk (@FFballblast) December 3, 2020
One parent said her 12-year-old son brought Collinsworth’s remarks to her attention.
She was disappointed in Collinsworth but reassured by her son’s reaction.
1.
In the 80s, as a 12 year old female who begged her dad to take her to her first nfl game, we drove 2 1/2 hours to watch the Bengals and the Vikings. It was to see a phenomenal wide receiver… Anthony Carter. For my 13th birthday I went to the PFHOFin Canton.— cherimac34 (@cwilliams1934) December 3, 2020
2. Growing up in rural Ohio, I didn’t care to cheer the Browns or the Bengals, but stayed in the AFC Central (yes, this female knows there was an AFC Central back in the day) and was an Oilers fan. Thank you for solidifying my intuition regarding #80 as a player and a commentator
— cherimac34 (@cwilliams1934) December 3, 2020
3. Have never been a fan, and never will. The positive thing from this: our 12 year old son who is an NFL fan, was the person who shared your comments with me, and was disappointed with them. There is the hope. With everything he has seen this year: pandemic, hate, racism,
— cherimac34 (@cwilliams1934) December 3, 2020
4. Ignorance everywhere…this generation gets it. They are tired of ignorant comments, assumptions, and stereotypes. They are the hope. We have the tv on mute when you commentated anyway. Do better.
— cherimac34 (@cwilliams1934) December 3, 2020
Earlier this year in honor of Women’s History Month, the NFL announced female fans comprised 47% of the league’s total fanbase—roughly 88 million women.
