Glen Kuiper is digging that hole a little bit deeper.
After NBC Sports California fired Kuiper as their A’s play-by-play broadcaster on Monday because he used the N-word on television while describing a trip to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, he released a statement to KRON4.
Though it does include an apology, it is fairly defensive in tone — which is unlikely to help the broadcaster.
“Monday morning, I was informed by an NBC executive that after a 20-year broadcasting career with the Oakland Athletics, my contract was terminated, effective immediately,” Kuiper wrote. “The termination was due to the unintentional use of an offensive word on the air during the May 5 pregame show.
“On that day, I chose to spend my personal time by educating myself and learning more about MLB’s history by going to the Negro Leagues Museum. I spent nearly three hours there in an effort to better understand and more deeply appreciate the difficulties and social barriers African American players endured in MLB’s early years.
“When the subject of the museum visit came up in the pregame show, I was excited and eager to share what I had done and seen that day. In my excitement, I rushed through the word ‘negro’ resulting in my very unfortunate mispronunciation. I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt by this. It was a terrible but honest mispronunciation, and I take full responsibility.
“Please know racism is in no way a part of me; it never has been, and it never will be. I appreciate the Negro League Museum president Bob Kendrick and Oakland A’s great Dave Stewart’s public support of me in light of this. I am an honest, caring, kind, honorable, respectful husband and father who would never utter a disparaging word about anybody. Those who know me best know this about me.
“I wish the Oakland A’s and NBC Sports would have taken into consideration my 20-year career, my solid reputation, integrity, and character, but in this current environment traits like integrity and character are no longer considered. I will always have a hard time understanding how one mistake in a 20-year broadcasting career is cause for termination but I know something better is in my future.
“I love the game of baseball and I love being a broadcaster, and I love the Bay Area community. I hope I will be remembered for that. Thank you to all my family, friends, and great A’s fans that have shown their support.”
Kuiper was suspended by NBC after the May 5 broadcast of the A’s 12-8 win over Kansas City, though Kendrick defended the broadcaster in a statement.
Warning: Graphic language
“I’m aware of the unfortunate slur made by Glen Kuiper,” Kendrick said. “I welcomed Glen to the NLBM yesterday and know he was genuinely excited to be here. The word is painful and has no place in our society. And while I don’t pretend to know Glen’s heart, I do know that my heart is one of forgiveness. I hope all of you will find it in yourselves to do the same.”
The A’s released a statement at the time calling Kuiper’s language “unacceptable” and saying they were “working to address the situation.”
Kuiper is the younger brother of Giants play-by-play broadcaster Duane Kuiper.