ESPN anchor Sage Steele taken off air over controversial comments as she recovers from COVID-19

SportsCenter anchor Sage Steele has been taken off the air after making allegedly controversial comments on former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler’s podcast last month.

During the interview, Steele called ESPN’s coronavirus vaccine mandate “sick”, suggested that women journalists welcome harassment because of the way they dress and commented on ” blackness “of former President Barack Obama.

It has since been announced that she is taking a break from her regular on-air duties and has apologized for the outcry caused by her comments.

“I know my recent comments have created controversy for the company, and I apologize for it,” Steele said in a statement obtained by Variety. “We are going through an extremely difficult time that affects us all, and it is more important than ever that we communicate in a constructive and thoughtful manner.”

Meanwhile, an anonymous source familiar with the situation alleges Steele was taken out of the air because she also tested positive for COVID-19.

Steele appeared on Uncut with Jay Cutler on September 29 and touched on several hot topics, including the ongoing pandemic and vaccination mandates.

She claimed she needed to be vaccinated after Disney – ESPN’s parent company – issued a warrant for all employees. The longtime anchor said she felt “defeated” and got the blow in an effort to preserve her job.

“I respect everyone’s decision, really, but to mandate him is sick and it scares me in a lot of ways. But I have a job, a job that I love and, frankly, a job that I need, ”Steele told Cutler.

Steele also joked that the nurse who dispensed her vaccine intentionally injured her arm because she thought the sports reporter was Candace Owens, a black conservative political commentator who spoke out against the virus.

‘It hurts! And I’m tough, but I think she put it in the muscle and was like “uh,” Steele said. “Maybe she thought I was Candace Owens, I don’t know.”

Steele noted that she “respects the hell out of Candace Owens.”

The anchor also touched on the breed, sharing a story of how it was ‘snatched’ from live TV for identifying itself as biracial.

She claimed the show’s host told her she had to choose between white or black when filling out federal census data. Steele said the host then cited that Obama identified himself as black during his census.

“I’m like, ‘Well, congratulations to the president. It’s his thing, ”Steele said.

“I think it’s fascinating considering his black dad was nowhere to be found, but his white mom and grandmother raised him, but hey you do. I will do myself. ‘

Steele explained how early in his career as a sports journalist, some athletes made inappropriate comments or invited him to dinner in exchange for inside information.

“There were guys, players in particular, who made it difficult and if I went back over the things they were saying – but I didn’t know anything different,” she explained.

‘What are you going to do? I had no one to tell.

She continued, “I actually didn’t care, Jay. Women now would probably have a problem if I didn’t care because, I understand it, with Me too and all that. But at the end of the day, I was new and I don’t think people were malicious. They were just stupid guys in the locker room. So I would laugh and ask my question anyway.

She added that, in recent years, she has rejected requests from women journalists asking for help and advice to be successful in the industry because she does not want to partner with journalists who present themselves from a position. certain way.

Steele also said she believed women “must also be responsible” for inappropriate comments made to them.

“So when you dress like that, I’m not saying you deserve the rude comments, but you also know what you’re doing when you put on that outfit,” Steele said.

“Like, women are smart so don’t be shy and put it all on guys.”

His interview sparked controversy in the world of sport, as well as on social networks.

“Don’t say you deserve the rude comments BUT you know what you’re doing…” Soooo, basically you are saying that someone really deserves the rude comments. What if a person just likes a particular style and dresses for themselves and not for someone else’s pleasure? Girl bye! One Twitter user said.

“Is the polio vaccine that sick?” Millions of people have died from it. When is it enough? If you think it’s sick, you better have a good point as to why. She has no argument, ”said another.

“What legitimate aim is there in forcing someone to choose a race when they are mixed? Why isn’t mixing an option? If I were her, I would check the “other” box and write “mixed”. If enough people do, they will revise the form, ”echoed another Twitter user.

“So you respect everyone’s decision about vaccinations, but not how Obama identifies with the census and in society. Um, I got it, ” one social user criticized.

Some users applauded the anchor, including one who wrote: “You are absolutely on Sage! Please don’t put your principles in your pocket like so many leaders and decision-makers at ESPN and Disney do! God bless you. bless, my daughter! ”

‘Keep spreading the TRUTH @sagesteele @JayHasTweets !!! We may soon be setting the record for most deaths in a month from COVID, even though it’s been 18 months and despite all vaccinations, so we need to make sure the Conservatives stay UNvaxxed. BIG plan, patriots! #BeBest, ”wrote another.

Steele has since been on hiatus and is expected to return to ESPN next week.

She will not be attending the network’s espnW summit, which focuses on women in sport.

ESPN issued a statement to Variety in response to his hiatus saying, “At ESPN we take different points of view – dialogue and discussion makes this place great.

“That said, we expect these views to be expressed with respect, in a manner consistent with our values ​​and in accordance with our internal policies. We have direct conversations with Sage, and these conversations will be kept private.