Bob Griese uses racially insensitive language while discussing Juan Pablo Montoya

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Another day, another ESPN analyst in trouble. On the heels of the Steve Phillips ‘Fatal Attraction’ remake, ESPN football analyst Bob Griese apologized twice Saturday for a comment he made about NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya during ESPN’s telecast of Ohio State and Minnesota.

To promote Sunday’s NASCAR race, ESPN displayed a graphic with the top five drivers in the Chase for the Cup race. Color commentator Chris Spielman asked ‘Where’s Montoya?’

‘Out eating a taco,’ Griese responded.

Wow. What a dumb thing to say.

Griese later apologized. ‘Juan Pablo Montoya is one of the best drivers in NASCAR. I just want to apologize for the comment I made earlier in the ballgame.’ I wonder which ESPN executive ordered him to do that.

ESPN released a statement shortly afterward.

‘During today’s telecast of the Ohio State-Minnesota college football game on ESPN, analyst Bob Griese made an inappropriate comment when discussing NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya. Bob apologized during the telecast, and plans to apologize again during ESPN’s college football programming after his plane lands. ESPN has spoken to Bob and he understands that his comment was uncalled for.’

-- Houston Mitchell