LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow learned on live TV that his offensive coordinator, Steve Ensminger, lost his daughter-in-law in a plane crash on Saturday.
Just hours before the team’s win over the Oklahoma Sooners in the college football semifinal, Ensminger got a phone call to inform him of the passing of Carley McCord, a 30-year-old TV journalist and the wife of Steve Ensminger Jr. She was traveling to Louisiana for LSU’s game against the Sooners.
It seems, however, the coach did not address the tragedy with the team, because ESPN reporter Dari Nowkhah appeared to break the news to Burrow about the tragic loss after the game. Burrow was stunned.
Damn. Burrow found out live on air about the plane crash. They didn't tell the team. pic.twitter.com/EhtEgT3XIV
— Cork Gaines (@CorkGaines) December 29, 2019
When the TV crew realized their mistake, they immediately apologized and called an end to the interview to give Burrow space to process the news and find his offensive coordinator. It was clearly a difficult moment for the 23-year-old quarterback.
The ESPN reporter, Nowkhah, issued an apology on Twitter.
“I obviously feel horrible to have been the one to have broken the news of Carley McCord’s passing to Joe. … We shouldn’t have assumed he was aware, and that’s on us,” Nowkhah wrote.
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
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
Here’s hoping the Ensminger and McCord families are doing OK in a difficult time.
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