Michele Tafoya, an NBC reporter for “Sunday Night Football” will be working her last season in the role. The report that she is being let go at the end of this season comes right after an appearance on “The View,” where she made remarks about Colin Kaepernick.
NBC has called Tafoya’s frequent absences “bye weeks,” as she has missed several games, but this is likely a cover for a strained relation between the reporter and the network. Tafoya’s stance in the conservative spot on her “The View” appearance could be behind the tension.
The November 3rd episode aired around the time that the Netflix special “Colin in Black and White,” came out, and Tafoya clashes with some of the hosts of the show. Sunny Hostin made the bold remarks about NFL training camps resembling slavery. Tafoya responded “They’re not forced to go into the NFL.” She doubled down, calling the comparison to slavery “a little rough.”
Hostin stood by her stance, highlighting how Kaepernick was never signed by another NFL team after becoming a free agent, due to his statements and actions regarding racial inequality. This is not being highly publicized, as the NFL and networks that play the games have learned their lesson about politics in the game. When the NFL allowed players to kneel during the nation anthem, following Kaepernick’s example, ratings plummeted. NBC is avoiding the loss of ratings by keeping opinions on this issue quiet.
One way or another, it appears that Tafoya is going to be replaced by a new face in the next season, after nearly 10 years with the network.
