Hall of Fame coach Bobby Bowden made the media rounds at ESPN Wednesady, starting with a sit-down interview on Mike & Mike in the Morning. After delivering praise for the work of many single mothers (and other female family members) in raising young athletes, many he coached at Florida State, Bowden added a joke suggesting that's why players wear earrings.
"I used to kid about this -- they grew up wanting to be like their mama," Bowden said. "They want to be a man like their mama, that's the way they were raised. That's why they wear earrings."
There was a beat, an awkward moment, and finally a chuckle from Mike Golic before Bowden adds "I was kidding about that."
Oh boy. Bobby Bowden on players not having dads. "They wanna grow up to be men, like their momma. That's why they wear earrings." pic.twitter.com/iBhUueqEqw
— Dr Cork Gaines (@CorkGaines) January 4, 2017
The joke didn't land, and it apparently didn't stick with the audience at large.
Bowden probably has used that joke before and gotten a better reception, but for an ESPN Radio and ESPN television audience, it was a leap of faith to think the joke would not offend some segment of that large population.
