Skip Bayless found himself at the center of another controversy on Monday after he sent a tweet following Damar Hamlin’s on-field arrest, which sparked widespread backlash on social media.
He was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center by ambulance on Tuesday where he remains in critical condition. Both teams’ members on the field administered CPR to him as they looked on in horror during the Bengals vs. Bills game on “Monday Night Football.”
The atmosphere was chilling for fans, players, coaches, and media analysts alike as they awaited updates on Hamlin’s condition.
MORE: Damar Hamlin’s charitable organization has received millions in contributions since the suspension of the Bills-Bengals game.
At that moment, when the outcome of the Bills-Bengals game was still uncertain, and the NFL was considering postponing the rest of the game, Bayless displayed a lack of worry. A mere 35 minutes after Hamlin’s collapse, the FS1 personality swiftly posted a tweet.
No doubt the NFL is considering postponing the rest of this game – but how? This late in the season, a game of this magnitude is crucial to the regular-season outcome … which suddenly seems so irrelevant.
On social networking platforms, a few individuals stood up for the media figure’s statements. As numerous people pointed out, this resulted in the inclusion of the phrase “seems so insignificant” in Bayless’ tweet.
However, it appeared that Bayless’ tweet was more focused on the health of Hamlin’s logistics in the NFL, as it was believed that Bayless was callous towards NFL players and fans.
On Monday night, there were a handful of notable reactions from athletes who were irked by the shots taken at them by Britt Taylor-Cam, the Bengals cornerback, Dez Bryant, and Le’Veon Bell. Among them, one of the most noteworthy reactions came from Bayless, who failed to show respect towards those players.
the 🍤 dead ass serious too 🤦🏾♂️ you’re a sad soul bro https://t.co/0K2v20O2K2
WE NEED TO CANCEL @RealSkipBayless ASAP!!!
You a joke man can’t see the bigger picture this a life we talking bout can’t stop praying for you Damar please be okay https://t.co/f1lZkdFiG8
Keep your distance from people like this https://t.co/A1wvBrYsDp
You sick bro! Get some help! https://t.co/ZRiXSJkyoa
How does this 🤡 keep his job after a comment like this! Not just a comment, he really feels this way, don’t give 2 shits about Damar nor the Hamlin family. Gotta be kidding me! https://t.co/ArFZYynez4
CANCEL SKIP BAYLESS ASAP!!! @espn @NFL https://t.co/SwmSw1x3Dx
I hope they fire you bro!!! For you to even THINK of the game is very sad.
This is the most inconsiderate thing you could have said. We are human beings not just numbers. You’ve obviously never stepped foot in a locker room or been apart of a family like this. We are a band of brothers! Get over yourself man… Praying hard for Damar and his family!
You’re a sick individual. Real Talk.
Come on!!!
You can’t be serious 🤦🏾♂️
🤡
Unacceptable skip I’m sorry
The backlash from Bayless’ post compelled him to respond to his remarks.
However, his following tweet did little to accept accountability for what he said. Instead, he was firm that his words were misunderstood.
Nothing is more important than that young man’s health. That was the point of my last tweet. I’m sorry if that was misunderstood but his health is all that matters. Again, everything else is irrelevant. I prayed for him & will continue to.
The episode of “Undisputed” that aired on Tuesday featured Bayless. He apologized for his behavior and then redirected the conversation in a different direction, ultimately bluffing.
“I apologize for the approach we will take in today’s show,” he informed the audience, “as we aim to maintain our usual format.”
Shannon Sharpe didn’t show up for Undisputed today… He might be done with Skip Bayless. pic.twitter.com/bEtDijRS06
It wasn’t clear immediately whether the show on Tuesday didn’t feature Sharpe, Shannon’s usual partner. What was noteworthy was that Bayless, Bayless’ tweet, had nothing to do with Sharpe’s absence, whether it was a pre-planned absence or not.
Sharpe shared a solitary tweet concerning the Hamlin predicament throughout the evening, articulating his sentiments and offering prayers to the athlete and his kin.
Please keep Demar Hamlin and his family in your thoughts and prayers. NFL doesn’t have a manual on how to proceed after an incident like this. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾#MondayNightFootball #BillsVsBengals
Bayless is still under fire, but there is uncertainty as to whether he will face any consequences from his suspension. He has spent his career commenting on athletes, but he has made it clear that he hasn’t held back on expressing his thoughts and feelings.