Talk about an out-of-bounds comment.
SEC Network play-by-play announcer Pete Sousa is drawing criticism after he made a rather cringeworthy comment about Kentucky running back Ray Davis during the Wildcats’ 28-17 win over Eastern Kentucky on Saturday.
“There is Ray Davis. Fifty-one yards on that drive alone, running and receiving. He’s a guy transferring over from Vanderbilt,” Sousa said. “Nine months ago, when he jumped in the portal, everybody wanted him. Eleven years ago, as a foster kid, really nobody wanted him. And now, here he is. Found some love, found football and he has had an amazing journey.”
While announcers certainly look for intriguing human interest stories to tell during the roughly three-hour broadcasts, Sousa’s comments seemed unnecessary in that context.
Sousa caught heat for his comments, with known NFL Twitter account @NFL_DovKleiman tweeting: “This was an INSANE thing to say in the broadcast.”
In a message posted Sunday on social media, Sousa apologized for the comment, stating he “missed the mark.”
“It was my intention to shine a light on Ray’s story and to be an advocate for adopting foster kids,” Sousa began.
“At the end of it all, I have to look at the moment and admit I miss the mark. I could’ve told that story without that line and for that I’m disappointed in myself and I apologize.”
Davis, who played at Blair Academy in New Jersey, is proud of how his time in the foster care system has shaped him.
His page on the team’s website states: “One thing most people don’t know about him is that he grew up in the foster care system; The highlight of his life so far has been being a light for children in foster care.”
“You never hear the success stories, you always hear the failure stories,” Davis told 247sports.com. “My goal is to be a successful story. I want to be an advocate for kids in the system, foster kids, because I once was like them. I experienced all the hardship that you go through being in that system, waiting for someone to adopt you or for someone not to want you because of how old you are or the background that you come from.”
Sousa’s ill-timed comments came after Davis caught a 24-yard touchdown pass that gave Kentucky a 28-17 lead with 8:08 remaining.
Davis led all rushers with 52 yards on 12 carries while adding three catches for 36 yards and the aforementioned touchdown.
Kentucky is 2-0 heading into next Saturday’s home game against Akron.