On Saturday, the LSU Tigers had one of the most dominant performances over Oklahoma. However the game was marred by looming tragedy, after the passing of LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger’s daughter-in-law Carley McCord. She died just hours before kickoff in a plane crash in Louisiana.
Many of LSU’s players played in the Peach Bowl against Oklahoma Sooner with a heavy heart, after finding out the news. Quarterback Joe Burrow was one of the Tigers that did not know about the tragic loss his coach had suffered.
After passing for seven touchdowns and rushing for another, Joe Burrow spoke to ESPN’s crew on the field about LSU’s 63-28 semi-final victory. During that interview, Burrow was asked about Carley McCord’s passing. That’s when he revealed to the crew that it was the first time he was hearing about the devastating news.
Burrow’s reaction says it all:
Carley was one of five people who passed away when their plane crashed on its way to Saturday’s game. Nowkhah and the network were blasted for their actions.
This is an opinion: but I believe it’s totally unfair to criticize him for asking. As a journalist it’s his responsibility to ask these type of questions. It’s also very upsetting however. In the clip above you can hear his regret as he fumbles and tries to figure out how to move forward.
On Sunday, Nowkhah took to Twitter and dropped a series of tweets to apologize to Burrow and everyone involved in the tragedy.
There’s understandably so much sensitivity surrounding yesterday‘s tragedy involving the LSU family. I’m so sorry for the way we handled the end of our postgame interview with Joe Burrow last night. (1/4)
— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) December 29, 2019
I obviously feel horrible to have been the one to have broken the news of Carley McCord’s passing to Joe, and have shared my apologies and sincere condolences with LSU. (2/4)
— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) December 29, 2019
Our live interview with Joe was several hours after the news broke & was a major storyline of last night’s game. With that said, we shouldn’t have assumed he was aware, and that’s on us. (3/4)
— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) December 29, 2019
We never intended to hurt Joe & we will learn from this mistake. My heart goes out to the McCord & Ensminger families, and the entire LSU family, during this incredibly tragic time. I hope they, including LSU fans, will accept this apology. (4/4)
— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) December 29, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ensminger, along with the rest of Carley’s family and friends, from all of us here at MWSN.
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