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Saturday, October 24, 2009

Griese told to bite his tongue


Bob Griese’s comment about Juan Pablo Montoya “eating a taco” was ignorant and stupid. Not because it was culturally insensitive, but because it was grossly inaccurate.
Montoya is Columbian. And while tacos are popular food choices in America and parts of Mexico, they are hardly as popular his home country.
What’s more, a quick check on Montoya’s Twitter account and it’s easy to find out that he is a fan of Philly cheese steak sandwiches, cereal and pizza.
In all likelihood, Montoya was probably out ordering a pizza after his disastrous race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, if he was eating anything at all.
Griese has apologized repeatedly for his comments, an obvious directive from ABC executives. But how sincere are his apologies? Is he apologizing for being insensitive or just plain stupid?
The bigger question is how insensitive is his remark? Montoya is all but of the running to win the Chase, but so is about half the Chase field.
If Griese was asked where is Brian Vickers, and he responded “out to lunch,” would there be such an outrage? Probably not. Maybe if Griese said Vickers was eating a Wonder bread sandwich or a box of Oreos, it might upset the moral majority.
Griese made a silly comment, but in all honesty, it wasn’t that bad. Let Griese finish his humble pie and let Montoya eat pizza.

Photo: Juan Pablo Montoya has a laugh in the garage before practice for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. (Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

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