Dari Nowkhah issues apology after breaking news about Steve Ensminger’s daughter-in-law to Joe Burrow during live interview
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Clouded around LSU’s dominant win over Oklahoma on Saturday was the tragic news of the passing of LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger’s daughter-in-law Carley McCord, who died just hours before kickoff in a plane crash in Louisiana.
Showing remarkable strength, Ensminger went on to call plays for the LSU offense, as the Tigers compiled 692 total yards in a 63-28 win over Oklahoma to earn a spot in the national title.
After the game, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow was asked by SEC Network host Dari Nowkah about McCord’s passing and revealed he did not know about the news until the interview.
Yikes. Dari Nowkhah broke the news of the plane crash to Burrow live during a postgame interview. Burrow ended up handling it well, and it had been talked about so much on the broadcast I don't really blame Dari for figuring the team knew. pic.twitter.com/IID00JLuJC
— Tim Kaiser (@TimJKaiser) December 29, 2019
Nowkhah took to Twitter to apologize on Sunday, in a series of tweets directed towards Burrow and everyone involved in the tragedy.
There’s understandably so much sensitivity surrounding yesterday‘s tragedy involving the LSU family. I’m so sorry for the way we handled the end of our postgame interview with Joe Burrow last night. (1/4)
— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) December 29, 2019
I obviously feel horrible to have been the one to have broken the news of Carley McCord’s passing to Joe, and have shared my apologies and sincere condolences with LSU. (2/4)
— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) December 29, 2019
Our live interview with Joe was several hours after the news broke & was a major storyline of last night’s game. With that said, we shouldn’t have assumed he was aware, and that’s on us. (3/4)
— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) December 29, 2019
We never intended to hurt Joe & we will learn from this mistake. My heart goes out to the McCord & Ensminger families, and the entire LSU family, during this incredibly tragic time. I hope they, including LSU fans, will accept this apology. (4/4)
— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) December 29, 2019
Clearly showing remorse for assuming Burrow knew of the news, Nowkah sent his condolences to the LSU community.
Just one day after the terrible tragedy, McCord’s passing will surely remain a rallying point for LSU as they play Clemson for a national championship in her honor on January 13.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Lucas is a digital reporter for 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, and a high school play-by-play broadcaster. Lucas has been covering SEC football for Saturday Down South since 2018.
