Political correctness has officially taken over sports. And I’m not talking about Colin Kaepernick refusing to stand for the national anthem– this might be worse.
ESPN broadcaster Robert Lee is not allowed to work for Virginia’s college football season opener because he shares his name with Civil War General Robert E. Lee.
Lee is an Asian-American, who just happened to share his name with a historical American figure that has recently been drawn into controversy.
The recent violence in Charlottesville was sparked by the decision to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, and now it seems anyone who shares that name will suffer.
A spokeswoman for ESPN says Lee has been moved to Youngstown State’s game at Pittsburgh on the ACC Network on Sept. 2. The network says the decision was made “as the tragic events in Charlottesville were unfolding, simply because of the coincidence of his name.”
ESPN says the decision to put Lee on another game was made “collectively.” It also says it’s “a shame that this is even a topic of conversation.”
But what’s truly a shame, is that this broadcaster’s career will suffer because he happens to share a name with a controversial, historical figure.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.