'Colored' Comment Forces Apology From European Golf Exec. Amid Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia Spat
The head of the European golf tour has publicly apologized after using the term "colored" during a television interview as he was discussing the recent feud between Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia.
During the interview, European Tour CEO George O'Grady, was answering a question regarding the frosty relationship between two leading figures in professional golf when he claimed that "most of Sergio's friends are colored athletes in the United States."
After an initial push back O'Grady issued an apology later that day to stymie any criticism. The word "colored" was previously widely used in the United States to describe African-Americans, however, it has now been generally considered demeaning and outdated.
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"I deeply regret using an inappropriate word in a live interview for Sky Sports for which I unreservedly apologize," O'Grady said in a statement released later Thursday.
O'Grady's foot-in-mouth moment came on the heels of another unpleasant display of overtly racist comments made by Garcia in the wake of his meltdown during The Players Championship.
During the European Tour's Players' Awards dinner in London on Tuesday evening, Garcia made a quip using a long-used racial stereotype.
Garcia made the offensive remark when responding to a question posed by Steve Sands of The Golf Channel, who asked if he would invite Woods to dinner during the upcoming U.S. Open.
"We will have him round every night," Garcia joked. "We will serve fried chicken."
The remark received widespread backlash, and soon after the incident, Garcia issued an apology that was given to the European Tour and was later obtained by The Associated Press.
"I apologize for any offense that may have been caused by my comment on stage during the European Tour Players' Awards dinner. I answered a question that was clearly made towards me as a joke with a silly remark, but in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner," Garcia said in a statement.
