Lacrosse announcer faces discipline for remark about Native American player

PHILADELPHIA – An in-house announcer for the Philadelphia Wings apologized Sunday for a remark about a Native American player during a National Lacrosse League game, and the league and the announcer's team vowed disciplinary action.

Georgia Swarm forward Lyle Thompson tweeted that Shawny Hill said, “Let’s snip the ponytail,” during Saturday night’s game at Wells Fargo Center. Thompson, of the Onondaga Reservation in central New York, said fans then threatened to scalp him.

"I know Philly takes pride in their ruthless fans, but I didn’t know it was like that, lol ... now I know," Thompson tweeted, added that he had not heard remarks like that since high school.

Swarm teammate Brendan Bomberry, from the Six Nations reservation in Canada, said on social media that the game was overshadowed by the words, saying “ ‘Let’s snip the braid’ was disgusting and a reality for my ancestors when they were forced into Christian residential schools.”

Hill tweeted that he was "deeply sorry" for his remarks and was trying to reach out to Thompson and his brother and teammate, Miles, to apologize directly.

"I understand the profound hurt that my words caused," he tweeted. "I offer my sincere apology. My words do not reflect my personal beliefs but reflect a lack of knowledge on heritage and history."

The league vowed that “necessary disciplinary action will be taken swiftly.”

"The league and all of our member clubs have a zero tolerance policy for any derogatory or discriminatory statements made," NLL said in a statement.

The Wings also said “swift disciplinary and educational measures” would be taken to prevent similar episodes.

The National Lacrosse League named Thompson the most valuable player in 2017 and in August honored the former rookie of the year and first selection of the 2015 draft with its sportsmanship award honoring “those with the greatest combination of character and performance” in the league.

In 2015, while announcing the signing of Thompson to a two-year deal, released a Lyle Thompson Bobblehead that it said “also features a Bobble-Braid to showcase Thompson’s signature ponytail.”