Wizards announcer apologizes to Kevin Porter Jr. for mistaken allusion to player's dead father
A Washington Wizards announcer apologized for a questionable reference to Kevin Porter Jr.'s dead father, who was killed in a shooting, after the Houston Rockets guard hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer Wednesday against Washington.
"You've got to give credit. Kevin Porter Jr., like his dad, pulled that trigger right at the right time," Wizards broadcaster Glenn Consor said on-air after Porter's shot gave Washington a 114-111 win.
In social media posts, Consor apologized, saying he mistook Porter Jr. for the son of former NBA player Kevin Porter, who played for the Washington franchise in the 1970s and 1980s.
"Please allow me to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize to Ken Porter Jr., his family and the Rockets organization for the comments I made during last night's game," Consor wrote. "I mistakenly thought Kevin was the son of former Washington player Kevin Porter and was unaware that the words I choose to describe the game-winning shot would be in any way hurtful or insensitive. I have reached out to Kevin to personally apologize and hope to be able to talk with him soon."
Porter Jr.'s father, Bryan Kevin Porter Sr., pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in a shooting death of a 14-year-old girl in 1993. He was sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison. Porter Sr. died in 2004 after being shot in a South Seattle bar. The Rockets star was 4 years old when his father was killed.
Consor's comment was met by backlash on social media. Kevin Porter, now 72 and not the father of the Rockets' Porter Jr., played in the NBA for a decade after being drafted by the Baltimore Bullets in 1972.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James criticized Consor's comments before Consor released his apology. Cleveland Cavs forward Kevin Love tweeted, "Healthy discussion to be had here…Context is everything. I know Glenn is well respected within the League. Our blink reaction as players is/was to protect one of our own."
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey.
