ESPN Announcer Robert Lee Booted From U.Va. Season Opener Because Of His Name (ICYMI)

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — ESPN announced Tuesday night it has shifted an announcer named Robert Lee from the University of Virginia's Sept. 2 football season opener against William and Mary to another game because his name could...what, exactly?

"We collectively made the decision with Robert to switch games as the tragic events in Charlottesville were unfolding, simply because of the coincidence of his name," the network said in a statement, referring to a clash between white nationalists protesting the removal of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's statue and counter-protesters that left one woman dead.

"In that moment it felt right to all parties. It’s a shame that this is even a topic of conversation and we regret that who calls play by play for a football game has become an issue," ESPN said.

One could make a pretty strong argument that it didn't become an issue at all until The Worldwide Leader in Sports made it an issue. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts. Also, like us on Facebook, and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

"It's the stupidest thing I've ever seen," Washington Post political columnist Eugene Robinson said through disbelieving laughter Wednesday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." "I just think it's really dumb."

For the record, ESPN's Lee is Asian-American.

Image via University of Virginia