Broadcaster apologizes for controversial remark about UK running back and foster care

The ESPN broadcaster who went viral for his comments about Kentucky running back Ray Davis has apologized.

During UK’s 28-17 win over Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, streamed on ESPN+, play-by-play announcer Pete Sousa contrasted Davis’ time in foster care to his time in the transfer portal after playing at Vanderbilt.

“There is Ray Davis. … He’s the guy, transferring over from Vanderbilt, nine months ago when he jumped into the portal, everybody wanted him,” Sousa said. “Eleven years ago, as a foster kid, really nobody wanted him. And now here he is, found some love, found football. And he has had an amazing journey.”

Some viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to object to the remarks.

Sousa, who works for KWTX-TV in Waco, Texas, apologized via X, formerly known as Twitter.

“It was my intention to shine a light on Ray’s story and to be an advocate for adopting foster kids,” Sousa wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “At the end of it all, I have to look at the moment and admit I missed the mark. I could’ve told that story without that line and for that I’m disappointed in myself and I apologize.

“It’s worth noting that for years now I’ve used whatever platform I have to help get foster children adopted. “With the assistance of the news station I work for (KWTX) and CPS, we’ve featured dozens of stories on children looking for families on a segment we started in 2017. Many of them eventually finding homes. It’s a passion of mine.”

Darrell Bird of the Cats Pause recently wrote about Davis’ time in foster care in which the running back from San Francisco, who played his high school football in New Jersey, talks about not being wanted.

“I would sit there for days upon days texting family members, texting friends asking someone to just take me in temporarily, just for maybe a two- or three-week stint. So I could be back in the real world, so I can go to school,” Davis told Bird. “But as the days go on, you start to realize that nobody wants you.”

Davis said he wants to be an inspiration for those in foster care.

This story was originally published September 12, 2023 at 8:44 AM.

John Clay

Lexington Herald-Leader

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John Clay is a sports columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Central Kentucky, he covered UK football from 1987 until being named sports columnist in 2000. He has covered 20 Final Fours and 42 consecutive Kentucky Derbys. Support my work with a digital subscription