Creighton basketball coach Greg McDermott has been reinstated by the program.
McDermott was suspended for a game after a “plantation” remark following a loss. He told his team after losing to Xavier back in February, “Guys, we got to stick together. We need both feet in. I need everybody to stay on the plantation. I can’t have anybody leave the plantation.” (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
I’m sorry. pic.twitter.com/tE6thM1aRc
— Coach McDermott (@cucoachmac) March 2, 2021
However, his punishment has been lifted, according to a Monday release from the program. “We will use this as an opportunity to grow and invest in being better. We must,” the statement from athletic director Bruce Rasmussen read in part.
You can read the full statement below.
A statement from Creighton Athletic Director Bruce Rasmussen regarding the Creighton Men’s Basketball Program: pic.twitter.com/tNBJqlxcMl
— Creighton University (@Creighton) March 8, 2021
I thought the suspension was a bit much, but I’m happy to see cooler heads have prevailed. Obviously, you have to be smart with your words.
You just have to be. You can’t talk about plantations and expect people to not get super pissed.
Creighton head coach Greg McDermott has been suspended from team activities after asking players to “stay on the plantation” following a loss.
The school said McDermott’s remarks did not align with its “commitment to racial equality, diversity, and respect” pic.twitter.com/zyulJuH7Tz
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 5, 2021
At the same time, it’s clear McDermott didn’t say the comment with malice in his heart. He was just throwing around an old common saying, and he should have known better.
That doesn’t mean he should have lost his job, and luckily for him, he didn’t.
Hopefully, everyone involved can now move forward. McDermott served his punishment. Let’s not hold it over his head forever.