National Analysts Offer Thoughts On Utah DC Morgan Scalley’s Suspension

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – National sports talk show hosts and analysts gave their thoughts on the Morgan Scalley suspension that flooded the news in Salt Lake City on Friday afternoon.

Utah’s defensive coordinator was suspended pending an investigation about a text message Scalley sent in 2013 that was accidentally sent to a recruit. The message included a racial slur.

Utah’s athletic department brought in an outside firm to review the matter.

FS1’s Undisputed

On the daily morning television show “Undisputed” on FS1 with Skip Bayless and former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe, the two discussed the situation in Utah while talking about famous actor Mark Wahlburg and the news that has been recovered about his past.

“Isn’t that what happened in Utah?” Sharpe asked. “He (Scalley) was talking about Black Lives Matter. I guess he thought he was sending it to a colleague and he ended up sending it to a recruit.”

“He did and he profusely apologized as did Wahlberg for all of the above but once you have done it, you’ve done it,” Bayless added.

“This DC is a grown a** man,” Sharpe said. “Black kids are coming in and out of your program.”

Bayless added that Scalley is beloved in Utah as an all-american safety and has been at Utah since 2006 as a coach.

Scalley’s Statement

On Friday afternoon, Scalley along with head coach Kyle Whittingham and Athletic Director Mark Harlan released statements.

“In 2013 I made a terrible mistake. I used a racial slur in a text message. This language is offensive and hurtful to not only the African-American community, but to all. Immediately after sending it, I apologized to the recipient and his family,” Scalley said. “I am also heartbroken over the potential breach of trust with my fellow coaches, and with the young men in our program, both past and present.”

“I am truly sorry, and I own up to the hurtful effects of my choice,” Scalley continued. “Through my actions and words going forward, I will demonstrate that my use of that slur in 2013 does not reflect or define who I am or what I stand for. My action is indefensible and I will use my voice and position to bring about meaningful and much-needed change. I accept the University’s suspension, and will use it as a time to reflect on my insensitive comment from 2013 and how I intend to listen and grow from this situation. I am completely against racism, and this will never happen again.”

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.