Latest news with #MonicaMcNutt
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fans Calling For Major Changes To ESPN After 'Barry Sanders' Disaster
Fans Calling For Major Changes To ESPN After 'Barry Sanders' Disaster originally appeared on The Spun. Fans are calling for major changes to ESPN in the wake of the network's disastrous "Barry Sanders" embarrassment. Monica McNutt was playing host to ESPN's "First Take" earlier this week, when she welcomed comedian Druski onto the show. Druski, known for his social media sketch videos, is also an avid sports fan. He appeared on the show, starring Stephen A. Smith, in one of his favorite sports jerseys. The "First Take" host, filling in for Molly Qerim, had quite the embarrassing moment on the air. She seemed to think that Druski's No. 20 Sanders jersey was a reference to Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Video of McNutt referring to Druski's jersey as a Shedeur Sanders reference went viral on social media. "It's a blast to have you here, thank you so much for joining us. The jersey, obviously, ties to Shedeur Sanders..." Druski was quick to respond: "No, no, no, no, no. This is, uh, Barry Sanders." It's unclear if McNutt was making a bad joke or if she truly didn't know who Barry Sanders is. The Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns have extremely different colors. Barry Sanders wears No. 20, while Shedeur Sanders wears No. 12. Perhaps Monica McNutt thought that he was wearing a Deion Sanders jersey? Coach Prime rocked No. 21 during his career and he played for the Dallas Cowboys, who wear navy blue jerseys. Fans are demanding changes to ESPN In the wake of Monica McNutt's embarrassing mistake, many ESPN fans are calling for changes to the company, suggesting that there needs to be stricter rules surrounding who appears on prominent shows like "First Take." "How did she get a job on a sports network?" one fan wrote. "Absolutely insane for Druski to make a political statement like this endorsing Bernie Sanders. Please keep politics out of sports," one fan joked. "This is nuts 😂😂😂 blue jersey with the #20 and sanders and she thought it was Shedeur. Like damn you could've guessed Deion and that would've been better lol," one fan added. "Was this part of a skit, or did she legitimately not know??" one fan added. Others, meanwhile, are suggesting that ESPN needs to "end" its DEI policies. "While an inexcusable lack of knowledge for an ESPN host, we aren't surprised. ESPN is no longer in the business of promoting accomplished journalists with backgrounds covering the sports on which they commentate on television. Instead, the vast majority of recent ESPN hires were lucky enough to be born with the "right" skin color (not white), have the "right" type of social media following (impress Black Twitter and the New York Times), and the "right" opinions (everything is racist)," Outkick wrote. "Commentators who fall into this category don't understand the history of sports or the legends before them. They mostly only know of the athletes who trend on social media, like Shedeur Sanders. We seriously wonder if McNutt would recognize a No. 18 Indianapolis Colts jersey. Our guess: she would have to really think about it." McNutt has stayed quiet The prominent ESPN personality has yet to address her controversy. She last posted on social media on July 26. It seems unlikely that she will address it. Does ESPN need to make a change, though? Fans Calling For Major Changes To ESPN After 'Barry Sanders' Disaster first appeared on The Spun on Aug 17, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
ESPN host Monica McNutt makes explosive live TV mistake mixing up Barry Sanders jersey with Shedeur Sanders on First Take
ESPN anchor Monica McNutt erred rather clearly while live on the program on Friday, August 15, 2025. First take on Co-host Stephen A. Smith and McNutt greeted comedic actor Druski to the set. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Druski walked in wearing a blue jersey of Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders. But Monica McNutt, who normally covers basketball, confidently told him the jersey was connected to Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The live mix-up quickly became awkward and caught the attention of sports fans everywhere. Monica McNutt confuses Barry Sanders with Shedeur Sanders during First Take The awkward moment happened live on ESPN when Monica McNutt said to Druski, 'The jersey. Let's get into it because this obviously ties to one Shedeur Sanders.' Druski politely corrected her, replying, 'No, no, no. This is Barry Sanders.' The fault of the announcers was clear to any viewer, as Barry Sanders was a member of the Detroit Lions, and he is often regarded as among the top running backs in NFL history. The colors of his team were blue and white, whereas the orange, brown, and white of Cleveland constitute the colors of Browns jerseys. Monica McNutt issued an on-air apology, but the clip was published online and spread quickly. Stephen A. Smith seemed aware of the error, staying composed as the exchange unfolded. On Saturday, August 16, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy shared his reaction on X, writing : 'This is next level stupid here.' Fans quickly joined the conversation, with many calling the incident one of the most awkward live TV moments of the week. Also Read: Monica McNutt faces past criticism over Caitlin Clark comments Monica McNutt has come under public attack before now. McNutt discussed WNBA star Caitlin Clark and why he thought she had gotten so much notice in an interview with BBC host Katty Kay in March 2024. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now McNutt suggested that Caitlin Clark's race and Midwestern roots played a big role in her popularity. She said, 'Caitlin represented, and again, some of this to me probably is not fair to her… she was a white girl from the middle of America. And so she represented a whole lot to a lot of people, whether that is truly what she prescribed to or not.' Her remarks caused backlash. Sports writer Bobby Burack, from Fox-owned called McNutt a 'fool' and questioned whether she was deliberately stirring racial debates or simply unaware. Opinions on Caitlin Clark's celebrity keep dividing the country from liberal and conservative viewpoints. Monica McNutt's recent misidentification of Shedeur Sanders with Barry Sanders has thrust her once again into the public eye, demonstrating how rapidly live television events may go viral and draw national interest.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Monica McNutt makes explosive live TV mistake mixing up Barry Sanders jersey with Shedeur Sanders on First Take
ESPN anchor Monica McNutt erred rather clearly while live on the program on Friday, August 15, 2025. First take on Co-host Stephen A. Smith and McNutt greeted comedic actor Druski to the set. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Druski walked in wearing a blue jersey of Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders. But Monica McNutt, who normally covers basketball, confidently told him the jersey was connected to Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The live mix-up quickly became awkward and caught the attention of sports fans everywhere. Monica McNutt confuses Barry Sanders with Shedeur Sanders during First Take The awkward moment happened live on ESPN when Monica McNutt said to Druski, 'The jersey. Let's get into it because this obviously ties to one Shedeur Sanders.' Druski politely corrected her, replying, 'No, no, no. This is Barry Sanders.' The fault of the announcers was clear to any viewer, as Barry Sanders was a member of the Detroit Lions, and he is often regarded as among the top running backs in NFL history. The colors of his team were blue and white, whereas the orange, brown, and white of Cleveland constitute the colors of Browns jerseys. Monica McNutt issued an on-air apology, but the clip was published online and spread quickly. Stephen A. Smith seemed aware of the error, staying composed as the exchange unfolded. On Saturday, August 16, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy shared his reaction on X, writing : 'This is next level stupid here.' Fans quickly joined the conversation, with many calling the incident one of the most awkward live TV moments of the week. Also Read: Monica McNutt faces past criticism over Caitlin Clark comments Monica McNutt has come under public attack before now. McNutt discussed WNBA star Caitlin Clark and why he thought she had gotten so much notice in an interview with BBC host Katty Kay in March 2024. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now McNutt suggested that Caitlin Clark's race and Midwestern roots played a big role in her popularity. She said, 'Caitlin represented, and again, some of this to me probably is not fair to her… she was a white girl from the middle of America. And so she represented a whole lot to a lot of people, whether that is truly what she prescribed to or not.' Her remarks caused backlash. Sports writer Bobby Burack, from Fox-owned called McNutt a 'fool' and questioned whether she was deliberately stirring racial debates or simply unaware. Opinions on Caitlin Clark's celebrity keep dividing the country from liberal and conservative viewpoints. Monica McNutt's recent misidentification of Shedeur Sanders with Barry Sanders has thrust her once again into the public eye, demonstrating how rapidly live television events may go viral and draw national interest.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
ESPN host makes humiliating error that Dave Portnoy brands 'next level stupid'
ESPN host Monica McNutt made a humiliating mistake while live on air that Dave Portnoy has branded 'next level stupid'. During Friday's episode of 'First Take', Stephen A. Smith and McNutt welcomed comedian and actor Druski onto the show, who was wearing the jersey of Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders. But, during a painfully awkward exchange, McNutt claimed he was actually wearing the jersey of Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders. The Browns' jerseys are typically orange, brown and white whereas the Lions are typically blue or white. McNutt, who is usually a basketball analyst, said to Druski: 'The jersey. Let's get into it because this obviously ties to one Shedeur Sanders.' Druski, awkwardly, then replied: 'No, no no. This is Barry Sanders.' McNutt instantly apologized for the mistake, while Smith did seem to be aware that is was Barry Sanders who Druski was supporting. Portnoy took to X on Saturday to comment on the incident, writing: 'This is next level stupid here'. Earlier this year, McNutt was accused of playing into 'racial hysteria' with a controversial theory on the popularity of WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark. Asked by BBC 's Katty Kay to explain the reason behind Clark's widespread acceptance, McNutt pointed to Clark's race and her midwestern roots. 'Caitlin represented, and again, some of this to me probably is not fair to her, because it was not anything that she said or was truly based on her personality, but she was a white girl from the middle of America,' McNutt said. 'And so she represented a whole lot to a lot of people, whether that is truly what she prescribed to or not.' Clark's race has remained a constant source of controversy on both sides of the political aisle, from conservatives who see her as the target of supposedly jealous African-American rivals, to liberals who think she's unfairly pulling the spotlight away from the league's black stars. Bobby Burack, a writer for Fox-owned responded by calling McNutt a 'fool,' while also targeting her fellow ESPN hosts. There was also outrage on social media. 'Is she an idiot (like Kendrick Perkins)?' Burack asked. 'Does she actually believe the manufactured racial hysteria (like Ryan Clark)? Or is she just gifting, knowing the upside of race-grifting as a black woman at ESPN (like Elle Duncan)? Hard to say.'
Fox News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
ESPN host mocked for confusing NFL legend's jersey for Shedeur Sanders'
ESPN host Monica McNutt went viral for making an on-air mistake Saturday. During a segment that included an appearance by influencer Drew "Druski" Desbordes, who was wearing the jersey of former Detroit Lions superstar running back Barry Sanders, McNutt incorrectly assumed it was the jersey of Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. "The jersey, let's get into it, because obviously this ties into one Shedeur Sanders," McNutt said. Desbordes interrupted the host to correct her. "No, no, no, no, no, no," Desbordes said. "This is Barry Sanders." The jersey also had the No. 20 on the front. Quarterbacks are not allowed to wear No. 20 as a jersey number in the NFL. In college football, quarterbacks are technically allowed to wear No. 20, but still typically wear a number within the range of 1-19. Sanders wears No. 12 in the NFL and wore No. 2 in college. McNutt's mistake quickly went viral on social media, prompting criticism from Barstool founder Dave Portnoy and OutKick founder Clay Travis. McNutt previously drew criticism when she suggested that being a "White girl from the middle of America" helped WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark's popularity in an interview with the BBC. "But I think Caitlin represented, and, again, some of this to me probably is not fair to her because it was not anything that she said or was truly based on her personality, but she was a White girl from the middle of America. And, so, she represented a whole lot to a lot of people, whether that is truly what she prescribed to or not," McNutt said in March. "We attach our fandom to these icons for all types of reasons, and sometimes they may not be based in truth."
