Tony Massarotti, a Boston sports radio host, has issued an apology after coming under fire for racially insensitive comments made about two Black men on air during 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Mazz show last week.
Massarotti attempted to make a joke about two Black men sitting behind co-host Michael Felger in the common area at a hotel.
To say the joke fell flat would be an understatement.
— Dave Cullinane (@davecullinane) February 18, 2023
“I wanna know now who the two guys behind you are,” Massarotti said to Felger, via WCVB. “They can’t hear us, right? Okay, so I would be careful if I were you. Because the last time you were around a couple of guys like that, they stole your car.”
After coming under fire for the comments, Massarotti apologized for his “hurtful” words.
— The Kirk Minihane Show (@kirkminshow) February 20, 2023
“Late in the show on Friday, I made some comments that angered and upset some people, and rightfully so. I wish I could take them back. I can’t,” Massarotti said. “They were insensitive, they were hurtful, and frankly they hurt the cause for those of us who believe in racial and social equality and all those things, and I do. I’m on that side of the line, which is what made this thing so difficult in so many different ways.
“So I owe everyone an apology. It’s not who I am. It’s not who we are. I can tell you that until I’m blue in the face — those of you who know me will believe it. Those of you who don’t, won’t and you probably shouldn’t. If I saw and heard what you did, I would feel the same way and you have a right to be upset.”
Massarotti also apologized to Felger for dragging him into the situation.
“I got a little silly and stupid at the end of the show and I was trying to be a wiseass like I often am, and it just came out wrong,” Massarotti said. “I wish I could give you a better answer than that, because we’re in a business where we should be careful about what we say and how we say it, and I wasn’t. I sincerely apologize and I will do my best to make sure that it never happens again.”
There is no word on whether Massarotti is facing any disciplinary action for his comments.
