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ESPN suspends Rob Parker for RG3 comments

Category: Sports Published on Friday, 21 December 2012 09:50 Written by Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN has handed commentator Rob Parker a 30-day suspension for questioning the "Blackness" of Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III.

TOP ROOKIE QB--Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Nov. 22, in Arlington, Texas. The Redskins won 38-31. (AP Photo/The Waco Tribune-Herald, Jose Yau)

The network announced the suspension Thursday, a day after Parker apologized for comments he made during a Dec. 13 episode of "First Take".

Posting to Twitter, Parker said, "I blew it and I'm sincerely sorry. I completely understand how the issue of race in sports is a sensitive one and needs to be handled with great care."

Parker, who is Black, was discussing Griffin's role as an African-American quarterback when he noted that Griffin has a White fiancé and is rumored to be a Republican.

Among his comments, Parker said, "Is he a brother or a cornball brother?"