US sports analyst Skip Bayless has made a living out of his hot takes, however this time, he’s been widely condemned for going too far.
Bayless has come under fire for his objection to the NFL’s decision to postpone the Buffalo Bills’ clash with the Cincinnati Bengals after Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance.
It made for scary scenes at Paycor Stadium after the 24-year-old safety was left in critical condition and driven to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after he collapsed in the first quarter and required CPR and other medical attention.
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Game called off after horrific incident 00:39
Other players on the field were left in tears as messages came pouring in far and wide from the NFL community and beyond wishing the best for Hamlin’s health.
But Bayless, 71, however vented differing thoughts, taking to social media to express grievance over the impending move to call off the game.
“No doubt the NFL is considering postponing the rest of this game – but how? This late in the season, a game of this magnitude is crucial to the regular-season outcome … which suddenly seems so irrelevant,” Bayless wrote on Twitter.
Bayless later added clarification nearly an hour after his initial tweet.
“Nothing is more important than that young man’s health. That was the point of my last tweet. I’m sorry if that was misunderstood, but his health is all that matters. Again, everything else is irrelevant. I prayed for him and will continue to,” he said.
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But the damage had already been done, with the post met with an inordinate amount of backlash including former Fox Sports US executive producer Scott Ackerson, who was particularly vocal in disgust.
Other prominent members of the US media including Kendrick Perkins, Darrelle Revis, Isaiah Thomas and Jacob Hester also called out Bayless’ take.
Many more social media users blasted Bayless, however his Undisputed co-host Shannon Sharpe offered a different opinion on the matter.
Bayless will get the opportunity to make an official apology during Wednesday’s edition of Undisputed, and hopefully there’s a positive update in Hamlin by then as well.
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