Former NFL player Hugh Douglas has been fired from his hosting gig on ESPN after reports the player hurled racial slurs and threats at his co-host Michael Smith according to TMZ.com.
Big Lead Sports previously reported that Douglas threatened to beat up his Numbers Never Lie co-host at the House of Blues in Orlanda, Florida on August 2nd at a party thrown by the National Association of Black Journalists. However, according to The New York Daily News that Douglas was not fired specifically for the incident with Smith. He was fired for his overall behavior that evening and was allegedly drunk.
Douglas was trying to get on stage and began threatening to beat up Smith if he didn’t help him out. Smith began to walk away when Douglas grabbed his wrist and launched two racial slurs at his co-host, allegedly calling him “Uncle Tom.”
Douglas addressed his firing on Twitter:
I am very disappointed to be leaving ESPN and will have more to say about this situation and my future at the appropriate time
— Hugh Douglas (@Bighugh53) August 13, 2013
The New York Daily News also reports that the previous day Smith and Jemele Hill, the third host of Numbers Never Lie, spoke at a NABJ event. Douglas, who appeared drunk, wanted to speak as well but Hill wouldn’t let him.
Douglas spent 10 seasons in the NFL playing for the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles.
image:Wikimedia Commons
