espn-cuts-to-commercial-as-host-begins-speaking-about-breonna-taylor-case

ESPN Cuts to Commercial As Host Begins Speaking About Breonna Taylor Case

Jalen Rose had something to say about the recent ruling in the Breonna Taylor case. But it’ unclear if ESPN wanted to hear it. The ESPN analyst delivered a blunt reaction to the ruling just before halftime during the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Heat and Celtics.

While speaking about the play of Heat guard Tyler Herro, Rose abruptly shifted topics. He then called for the arrest of the officers involved in the March shooting death of 26-year-old EMT.

“He’s been putting in work for a young fella, but it would also be a great day, to arrest the cops that murdered Breonna Taylor.” Jalen Rose shouted. Then the broadcast jarringly went into a commercial break. It’s unclear if ESPN cut to a commercial to escape Rose’s comments or if Rose wanted to slip in his comments just before the commercial break.

ESPN knew Rose’s opinion already

It’s not as if ESPN didn’t know Rose’s opinions on the Taylor case. He spoke about the case several times during the pregame show.

“I just want people to know that Blacks are hurting — and as we relate it to sports, that sports that are predominantly Black — the NBA, the WNBA and the NFL — players are performing with heavy hearts,” he began. “We’re still showing up to try and do our jobs. And I can’t lie to you all. I was looking in my closet like, ‘I am going to wear something fresh today because if I say something to get me fired, at least would look crisp.’”

Jalen Rose said during the pregame show, according to The Hollywood Reporter

He compared the Taylor case to that of Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old accused of shooting and killing a protester during an Aug. 25 rally in Kenosha, Wisc. Protesters there were outraged after police shot Jacob Blake.

“Because when Kyle Rittenhouse in Milwaukee, as a 17-year-old kills two people and yet three cops aren’t directly charged for killing Breonna Taylor, it shows you how they feel about Black lives in America,” Rose reportedly said. “What I want to encourage people to do out there; my favorite sport is actually football. The important thing in that game is field position. So we are starting a game … it is 400 years of slavery to zero. We know we are not going to win, but we still have to continue to move the ball forward. Put people behind you in a position to be successful.”

Protests happening across country

Protests erupted across the country after the Kentucky Attorney General announced no one would be charged in Taylor’s death. Only one person was charged, a former detective who is accused of firing recklessly into the apartment.

At least two Louisville officers were shot during protests Wednesday night. Many cities across the nation are preparing for another night of protests Thursday as anger over the shooting death grows.