Avast! UCF be beggin' fer pardon fer makin' a blunder o' havin' a tasteless mention o' the Kent State shootings durin' a game.
2023-09-02
Arr, ye scurvy dogs at UCF be makin' a blunder on social media, givin' a nod to the unfortunate Kent State shootings whilst playin' 'gainst 'em on a fine Thursday. A misstep fit for a landlubber, I reckon!
The University of Central Florida (UCF) made a social media blunder during a football game against Kent State, resulting in the deletion of a post. The post featured a photo of quarterback John Rhys Plumlee on the sideline phone with the caption "SOMEONE CALL THE NATIONAL GUARD."The intention behind the post was to pay homage to a famous sideline clip of Shannon Sharpe, but it was perceived as tone-deaf due to the historical significance of Kent State. In 1970, the National Guard fired into a crowd of Vietnam War protestors at Kent State, resulting in the death of four students and injuries to nine others. The shootings were heavily criticized and led to further protests against the war.
UCF promptly removed the post upon realizing the unintended reference and issued an apology. The school's athletic director, Terry Mohajir, personally apologized to Kent State's AD, Randale L. Richmond.
The four students who lost their lives at Kent State were Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and William Schroeder. One student was also left permanently paralyzed. The incident involved 28 National Guard soldiers firing approximately 67 rounds in just 13 seconds.
Despite the social media mishap, UCF's quarterback Rhys Plumlee had an impressive performance in the game, completing 22 of his 30 pass attempts for 281 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also contributed with eight carries for 90 yards and a score.