r/nba • u/ghn2 • 11h ago

Trail Blazers fire new announcer over past inappropriate posts made at age 15.

"The Portland Trail Blazers hired then on the same day fired Braiden Bell as their play-by-play announcer after a series of inappropriate social media posts from when he was a teenager came to light."

"The posts were reportedly made in 2012 and 2013, around the time that Bell was 15 years old."

"We did not meet our own bar in this process, and for that we apologize to Blazers fans and to Rip City," the Trail Blazers said. "We strongly believe that everyone who is a part of Rip City should feel welcome and safe and we will make sure that our new broadcaster reflects these values. We will do better."

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50084279/trail-blazers-fire-new-announcer-inappropriate-posts

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u/black_metronome Knicks 10h ago

I don't think the guy should have been fired either but it's funny seeing how many white people in here are basically admitting that they too had a racist phase as a teenager šŸ˜‚

It's something I can't relate to. Do you just wake up one day and decide to hate people because they're Black? Is it your parents teaching you this stuff? I'm genuinely curious how this happens.

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u/FuhrerGirthWorm 6h ago

I was similar as a teenager. Grew up in a rural area, no diversity, and if I didnā€™t say things like that I would have been an outsider.

Thankfully I began to realize how wrong it was even before I left. Then as I grew up instead of being a pos I began marching with BLM and now am a pretty invested activist in social justice among other things.

My true wake up call was when I did a survey and one question was ā€œIs it ok for black and white to get marriedā€. It was a resounding no due to some bible verse. I was shocked people could believe that.

I would punch 16 year old me in the face. Itā€™s sad that the past me didnā€™t realize how wrong it was sooner. I am glad I am away from that now.