ESPN college football voice Ron Franklin was removed from Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl coverage after comments made to ESPN reporter Jeannine Edwards, according to a report by the website Sports By Brooks.
Franklin allegedly referred to Edwards as “sweetcakes” and then called her an expletive during a discussion prior to Friday’s Chick-fil-A Bowl, Sports By Brooks reported Sunday morning.
Once ESPN superiors found out about the incident, they attempted to remove Franklin from the Chick-fil-A Bowl telecast. However, they were unable to find a replacement in time, and he worked the game as scheduled.
Franklin was, however, removed from Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl broadcast on ESPN Radio, with Dave Lamont filling in on play-by-play.
ESPN representatives would not comment on Franklin’s status with the network when contacted by Sports By Brooks.
In 2005, Franklin referred to ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe as “sweetheart” during a game, in what ESPN’s then-ombudsman referred to as a “demeaning tone” (espn.com, 10/12/05). Franklin was reprimanded for the comment.
