Announcer says he called basketball team “N****s” because of his diabetes

High School announcer Matt Rowan claims his Type 1 diabetes condition was the cause for his use of a racial slur on air.

During an all-girl high school match the Oklahoma basketball announcer was heard calling members of one team the N-word for kneeling during the national anthem.

In the video now circulating social media you hear Rowan say, “They’re kneeling? F*****g N****s,”  followed shortly by “I hope Norman gets their ass kicked. F–k them. I hope they lose. They’re gonna kneel like that?.”

Incredibly Rowan believes his diabetes is to blame saying, “I will state that I suffer Type 1 diabetes and during the game, my sugar was spiking,” in an interview with told TMZ Sports.

He also released a statement in which he claims to offer his “most sincere apologies” stating that he is in fact not & has never considered himself a racist despite what his words may of indicated.

The National Federation of State High School Network, which produced the livestream, said it is cutting ties with the broadcast crew. 

“On behalf of the NFHS Network and the OSSAA, we sincerely apologize that this happened at one of our events. While we are currently investigating the incident, this crew will not be doing any more games for the remainder of our championships,” executive director David Jackson said in a statement. 

“The NFHS Network firmly condemns racism, hate and discrimination, and there is no room for this in high school sports or anywhere.”