You can see he’s putting on the idiot effect.
ESPN commentator Doug Adler sparked outrage on Twitter during his coverage of the Australian Open for comparing tennis superstar Venus Williams to a gorilla.
The controversial comment was made on Wednesday, when Adler was describing the pressure Williams was putting on the second serve of opponent Stefanie Voegele during their second-round match.
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Putting together a poor choice of words, the 59-year-old said:
“She misses a first serve and Venus is all over her. You see Venus move in and put the gorilla effect on. Charging.”
The comments instantly ignited a social media firestorm, with many Twitter users blasting the former athlete for putting the racist effect on his commentary — including New York Times tennis writer Ben Rothenberg, who called the comment “appalling”:
This is some appalling stuff. Horrifying that the Williams sisters remain subjected to it still in 2017. #AusOpen https://t.co/LJgieHgyuh
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 19, 2017
Doug Adler needs to apologize to Venus and fired from @ESPN. Under no circumstances do you make an analogy of a gorilla to a woman of color
— Shanna 🍍 (@PinaCocoblog) January 18, 2017
But not everyone was quick to pull out the race card.
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Some critics defended Adler, claiming he didn’t call Williams a “gorilla,” but instead said “guerilla effect” — a warfare tactic that means to attack and ambush:
@cummingsgoings she was not called a gorilla he said guerrilla effect. Guerrilla warfare is to attack and ambush
— Deane James (@Deanejamesmusic) January 19, 2017
Adler has yet to respond to the backlash over his remarks. We’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt, as we hope a seasoned commentator wouldn’t make a gross, racist Freudian slip while covering a tennis legend on live TV.
However, other Twitics weren’t so forgiving. Watch the controversial commentary (below) and some strong reactions:
“She puts the Gorilla effect on. Charging”. Just wtf. This is not cool @ESPNTennis @espn pic.twitter.com/L46Bwf6sEh
— Shanna 🍍 (@PinaCocoblog) January 18, 2017
Or to any person of color it’s derogatory and racist. I’m disgusted by @espn and Doug Adler. Venus is all class and a wonderful role model
— Shanna 🍍 (@PinaCocoblog) January 18, 2017
What the fuck is this? Is this how you respect women and WOC? This subconscious and not so subconscious RACISM?? @ESPNtenis @ESPNtenis https://t.co/PytSCzu0Si
— Ayda (@aydaabay) January 18, 2017
@ESPNTennis @espn uh, every tennis player moves in for 2nd serve, so why is it gorilla effect for Venus?
— Political Rat (@KaranaBushRat) January 18, 2017
Not surprised at that gorilla comment about Venus Williams. The media has been this. Weird b/c the William sisters changed tennis.
— Khayibethe ibe dizzy (@PeachSkwebu) January 19, 2017
Do YOU think Adler’s comment was racist?
[Image via Instagram.]
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