[Saba Sports News] James Harden continues to assert his trade requests, leading to the Philadelphia 76ers accommodating his wishes by trading him to the Los Angeles Clippers. However, this trade sparked an incident on FOX Sports where host Chris Broussard used an offensive term, referring to Harden as “re*arded,” which is a derogatory slur associated with individuals with developmental disorders.
Broussard’s comment elicited a strong reaction from those on the set, clearly conveying that he had made a significant mistake. This incident is disrespectful on two fronts: firstly, it disrespects a former MVP like Harden, and secondly, it highlights the poor choice of words, given that such slurs have been discouraged in public discourse in recent years.
Using such a word to describe a basketball decision is both unnecessary and inappropriate. Broussard may likely be required to issue an apology for this on-air slip-up, and it is essential for him to recognize that his choice of words can deeply offend people who live with developmental disorders and face societal stigmatization for not conforming to conventional norms.