Oklahoma City Thunder Announcer Suspended After 'Cotton-Pickin' Mind' Comment About Player

Oklahoma City Thunder announcer Brian Davis has been suspended, after saying during a game this week that Thunder player Russell Westbrook was “out of his cotton-pickin’ mind.”

A spokesman for the team said that Davis has received a one-game suspension, for Sunday’s Game 1 playoff game in Oklahoma City. The team’s radio announcer Matt Pinto will fill in for Davis for Sunday’s game.

In a statement, Davis apologized for the comment, saying that the suspension is “an appropriate consequence for my actions.”

Also Read: Fired ESPN Tennis Analyst Is a 'Pariah' Since Venus Williams 'Guerrilla' Backlash, Lawyer Says

“It is with great remorse and humility that I accept this suspension for the insensitive words I used during Wednesday’s broadcast. While unintentional, I understand and acknowledge the gravity of the situation,” Davis said. “I offer my sincere apology and realize that, while I committed a lapse in judgement, such mistakes come with consequences. This is an appropriate consequence for my actions.”

Davis made the comment during the Thunders’ game against the Grizzlies on Wednesday. After Westbrook assisted in a three-point shot for the Thunder, Davis declared, “Westbrook is out of his cotton-pickin’ mind.”

Also Read: ESPN Sued by Tennis Analyst Who Was Axed Over Venus Williams 'Guerrilla' Comment

Urban Dictionary offers a number of definitions for the phrase “cotton-pickin’,” one of which bears the description, “Originated as a descriptor for the labor of harvesting cotton crops. Later used to described the farm-workers, primarily African-American slaves, who harvested the crops. May be offensive, and perceived as derogatory or insulting, to any intelligent or enlightened audience if spoken aloud.”

“Westbrook is out of his cotton pickin’ mind!” LMFAOOOOOOOO NO WAY pic.twitter.com/rHPPObpz7E

— ryan ??…? (@eIitetweeter) April 12, 2018

Washington Commanders and 14 Other Sports Teams That Dumped Racist Names and Mascots (Photos)

After years of protests over the Redskins name and logo, Washington's NFL team finally decided to make a change, now calling themselves the Washington Commanders. But they weren't the first to dump offensive or racist team names. Here are some other sports teams that followed suit over the years.
When the Philadelphia Warriors basketball team moved to San Francisco in 1969, they decided to drop the Native American logo in favor of the locally known Golden Gate Bridge (but kept the name).
Following student protests, North Dakota's Dickinson State University in 1972 dropped the Savages as the school's mascot. Two years later, they officially became the Blue Hawks.

Dickinson State University
In 1974, Dartmouth College football team discontinued its old mascot the Indians -- which dated back to the 1920s -- and now go by the The Big Green.
Eastern Washington University changed its name from the Savages to the Eagles in 1973 after a vote by the student body ruled that the mascot for the prior 52 years was no longer acceptable.

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The Eastern Michigan Hurons also changed its name to the Eagles in 1991 after the Michigan Department of Civil Rights released a report suggesting that all state schools discontinue racially-insensitive logos.
In 1994, St. John's University in New York City changed its team name from the Redmen to The Red Storm, sporting a new horse logo replacing the cartoon logo of a Native American.
Before becoming the Redhawks in 1997, Miami University of Ohio were known as the Redskins. The change was advocated by Dr. Myrtis Powell, who consulted the Oklahoma-based Miami tribe.
Oklahoma City University changed its team name from the Chiefs to the Stars in 1999, having actually been nicknamed the Stars prior to 1944.

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In 2000, Nebraska Wesleyan University changed its mascot to the Prairie Wolf after representing the school as the Plainsmen since 1933.

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Having been originally known as the Maroons, Seattle University's mascot became the Chieftains in 1938 to honor the college's namesake, Chief Seattle, but became the Redhawks in 2000.
Located in Wichita Falls, Texas, the Midwestern State University Indians became the Mustangs in 2006 to "eliminate the potential for a hostile or abusive environment," the school said.

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In 2007, the University of Illinois dropped the Chief Illiniwek logo and mascot following two decades of complaints that the logo and the mascot's ceremonial dance performed during halftime perpetuated stereotypes. The use of the mascot dated back to 1926. The team is still called the Illini.

Erik Abderhalden/Creative Commons
Arkansas State University changed its mascot from the Indians to the Red Wolves in January 2008.
The Cleveland Indians removed the Chief Wahoo logo from their uniforms and stadium signs following the 2018 season. The team still retains retail rights to the logo. Chief Wahoo had been in use by the Indians since 1947.

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In December 2020, the Cleveland Indians decided to drop its team name -- and in July 2021 announced they'd be called Cleveland Guardians.

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In July 2020, the Washington Redskins announced it would retire its name and logo after FedEx, which has a minority stake in the team and naming rights for its stadium, voiced opposition. For two years it went without a name and was known only as the Washington Football Team, but in February 2022, they became the Washington Commanders.

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Cleveland’s baseball team is the latest to bow to public pressure over offensive names and logos

After years of protests over the Redskins name and logo, Washington's NFL team finally decided to make a change, now calling themselves the Washington Commanders. But they weren't the first to dump offensive or racist team names. Here are some other sports teams that followed suit over the years.

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Washington Commanders and 14 Other Sports Teams That Dumped Racist Names and Mascots (Photos)

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