ESPN apologized for saying a football player’s mother had battled drug addiction in an NFL draft graphic.
The graphic for Tee Higgins, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, featured background information about the player. The details in Wiggins’ graphic included his hometown and that his mother “fought drug addiction for 16 years,” according to the New York Post.
In a statement sent to iMediaEthics, Seth Markman, ESPN’s vice president of production, is quoted, “The Tee Higgins graphic should not have aired. It was a mistake and we apologize for it. We want our Draft coverage to personalize players and, where appropriate, acknowledge the obstacles they’ve had to overcome on their journey to the NFL. This graphic lacked proper context.”
Higgins tweeted in response, “I’m proud of my mom for turning her life around for me and my sister! I have no problem with them showing the world that my mom is a true fighter.”