Comment lacks Pearl of wisdom

Men’s basketball: Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl apologized for a joking remark that linked the rural home of one his players to the Ku Klux Klan.

The Volunteers’ fifth-season coach was caught on camera Thursday by WBIR-TV during a charity fund-raising event describing the challenge of shaping a team of players from different backgrounds.

“I’ve got a tough job,” the Boston native said. “I’ve got to put these guys from different worlds together, right? I’ve got guys from Chicago, Detroit. I’m talking about the ’hood! And I’ve got guys from Grainger County, where they wear the hood!”

The audience laughed loudly, but after WBIR-TV aired the remarks the coach issued an apology.

“I made the statement in jest to describe the diverse group our staff recruits year in and year out,” Pearl said. “Unfortunately, while I was trying to excite the crowd and encourage employees to give, I made an inappropriate joke.”

Associated Press

Hey, he plays in the trenches

Football: This play went way beyond a shovel pass.

Steamed over a practice brawl, a Canadian Football League lineman stomped off the field, then stormed back moments later brandishing a shovel.

As Edmonton Eskimos defensive tackle Xzavie Jackson marched toward teammate Aaron Fiacconi on Thursday, general manager Danny Maciocia stepped into his path. The GM put his hand on Jackson’s chest and gestured toward the shovel.

“I just said, ‘What are you planning on doing with that? Do you realize the repercussions?’ ” Maciocia said Friday. “I’m almost sure he had already come to that conclusion.”

Associated Press