Announcer caught ogling ‘soccer moms’ on hot mic during Kansas high school tournament

A announcer who worked Saturday’s third-place game in the Class 4A-1A girls state high school soccer tournament apologized for comments picked up by a hot microphone.

The Butler County Times-Gazette reported that announcer Toby Moore was working the game, which was broadcast by NFHS Network. At halftime, Moore lamented the action in the third-place game between McPherson and Rose Hill. McPherson won 2-1.

A McPherson relative recorded the live broadcast and uploaded a clip to Vimeo, the Times-Gazette reported. Moore had apparently put down his microphone, but he could still be heard on the show.

“Was that first half as lousy as I thought it would be? … My mind kind of flipped the ‘kill me now’ button about 30 minutes later,” Moore can be heard saying in the video. “If they just want to keep kicking the damn ball out of bounds and missing passes all day, I might as well go home.”

“I just want to do a header at the top of the press box,” Moore continued. Unfortunately, this is too low; It wouldn’t kill me. It’s like they’re not even trying to pass. They just throw the ball downfield. A little technique would be welcome. What are they actually teaching these children? It’s incredible.”

Moore was discussing the first half with an anonymous person. The conversation then turned to the female fans present at the match.

The other person later told Moore, “A bonus though to call high school football, girls football, for high school?” Soccer Moms.

Moore wholeheartedly agreed.

“The one facing us? See if she can pull it off…” Moore said. “I can’t see the legs, but I can feel (behind) from here. … This conversation never took place. We would be in trouble.

Moore has indeed “got into trouble,” as he will no longer be allowed to participate in KSHSAA events.

The production company for the NFHS Network broadcast was 810 Varsity, an affiliate of WHB (810 AM) in Kansas City. According to 810 Varsity, she has worked as a production company for the NFHS Network since 2012. During that time, she has produced more than 2,000 KSHSAA state postseason broadcasts in 11 sports.

The Star also has a partnership with 810 Varsity for some high school coverage.

Chad Rader, president of 810 Varsity, told the Star that the NFHS Network informed KSHSAA on Tuesday that Moore and other members of the press box involved in the conversation would no longer be affiliated with Kansas playoff games for the network.

“The comments certainly do not reflect any opinions or values ​​other than those of Mr. Moore,” Rader told the Star in an email. “Rose Hill and McPherson represented Kansas football at the highest level and had great seasons that deserve to be celebrated.”

Moore released a statement to Awful Announcing, expressing his remorse.

“I would like to apologize to the Rose Hill and McPherson schools, players, coaches, families and communities for my remarks last Saturday,” Moore said. “They were in poor taste, stupid and inexcusable. These comments do not reflect the great season and hard work of both teams throughout the year. Thank you to KSHSAA and NFHS for granting me the privilege of calling games on their network. I sincerely and deeply apologize for my tasteless and hurtful remarks and I ask for forgiveness from those who were hurt by my words.

The video has been removed by Vimeo, but you can view it here.