Michelle Beadle is opening up about an unfortunate slip of the tongue that led her to accidentally say a racial slur during a live broadcast, a moment that has since gained widespread attention online.
The 49-year-old sports reporter faced backlash after the incident, which occurred during an episode of FanDuel’s NBA show, “Run It Back,” while she was discussing a comment made by Denver Nuggets player Michael Porter Jr. Beadle appeared to get tongue-tied and mistakenly said the N-word instead of “Nuggets” as she recounted the player’s quote.
In a clip that has since been reposted and viewed over 5 million times on X (formerly Twitter), Beadle can be heard starting her comment with, “Michael Porter Jr. recently said — aw, I don’t like this — that if the N—–,” before quickly realizing the mistake. She immediately corrected herself, turning to her co-hosts Chandler Parsons and Lou Williams and clarifying, “the Nuggets.”
The live reaction from her co-hosts made the moment even more unforgettable. Parsons’ jaw dropped in shock, and he covered his mouth, while Williams responded with, “Ooh, that was a good one,” while struggling to contain his laughter.
Attempting to move on, Beadle quickly addressed her co-hosts, saying, “Don’t try to get me on that,” but Williams continued laughing, eventually lowering his head to the table in amusement. He then remarked, “Beadle, you gon’ be in trouble today,” to which Beadle responded defensively, “That’s not fair!”
Trying to minimize the situation, Beadle added, “That’s not even a thing. It’s not even a word,” but Parsons interjected with, “It sounded like it,” clearly pointing out how easily misunderstandings can happen in the fast-paced nature of live broadcasting.
RELATED: Michelle Beadle Reacts to Rumors Surrounding Shannon Sharpe Video
Representatives for Beadle and FanDuel did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Despite the uncomfortable nature of the incident, Beadle took to social media to comment about the moment in an attempt to clear the air and make light of the situation.
In a humorous post on her Instagram Stories, Beadle shared a short clip showing her co-hosts’ reactions from the broadcast. In the edited version, she replaced the original audio with the iconic theme music from “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” emphasizing the awkwardness of the situation.
She added a caption to the video, writing, “The moment you say ‘Nuggets’ incorrectly on television and your entire career flashes… while your co-hosts die,” and tagged Parsons and Williams in the post.
Beadle also took the opportunity to offer a lesson for those watching, especially aspiring broadcasters. In an effort to turn an embarrassing moment into a teaching one, she added a note to her post: “Broadcasting students: slow down. And enunciate.”
The incident highlights the challenges of live television, where even experienced broadcasters can find themselves making unintended mistakes.
While it drew some criticism, Beadle’s lighthearted approach on social media helped diffuse some of the tension and showcased her ability to laugh at herself in a difficult moment.
It serves as a reminder that even seasoned professionals are human, and mistakes can happen to anyone.
Leave a Reply