Appalachian State tennis player suspended for racial remarks
Appalachian State tennis player Spencer Brown has been suspended after telling John Wilson IV, a student at North Carolina A&T, "At least I know my dad," during a match, The New York Post reports. Wilson accused Brown of making other racially inflammatory remarks as well.
The A&T player said on Twitter that he approached Appalachian State's coach about the incident, only to receive an unsatisfactory response.
Hey #NCAT this is Spencer Brown, a tennis player at Appalachian State. During our match today, along with other racist comments, Spencer told me, "At least I know my dad." Their coach responded by saying, "..we have a black guy on our team."
Black Twitter, do your thing. pic.twitter.com/ZRN61zCU2n- John Wilson IV (@jpheze)
Black Twitter responded quickly to Wilson's request with shows of support and outrage:
Being that I am a tennis player at an HBCU, I can definitely say these types of incidents happen more often than not. https://t.co/gRFbnNNsvT
- Aria E. (@earthtoaria)
Hey @DougGillin as the athletic director, I would expect there to be zero tolerance for things like this. A slap on the wrist won't cut it. https://t.co/xCYIFwCXpP
- Dre (@rDREz_)
Outrageous. We're expecting a swift response. Oh, and be sure to let Spencer know that black fathers are statistically the most involved in their children's lives: @appstate @appstatesports #NCAT pic.twitter.com/aOvKyH9AjW
- NCAT SGA (@ncatsga)
So sad that he just threw his whole tennis career away in year one LMAOOOO make shit shake, black twitter ✨✨✨✨✨ https://t.co/P29QOr1D3W
- someone's cousin. (@landhoee)
Their coach needs to be fired. I'm tired of the "I'm not racist I have a Black friend" arguments.
- Ryan M. Stowe, Esq. (@RyanMStowe)
Appalachian State Athletics posted a statement on their Twitter page this morning, apologizing for Brown's conduct and confirming that he is "suspended indefinitely from the team, effective immediately."
Statement from App State Athletics: pic.twitter.com/pvDw3SveyV
- App State Athletics (@appstatesports)
Wilson tweeted that he was not personally contacted by Appalachian State, but he is happy Brown has been punished for his actions.
Update: Even though I have yet to be reached out personally from the administration of Appalachian State. The athletics program suspended Spencer indefinitely! Thank you all for the help, this is something I've always dealt with being a black tennis player. #NCAT pic.twitter.com/9MqHvTe6fR
- John Wilson IV (@jpheze)