Investigations have revealed that fire Colorado State Coach Steve Addazio likely called Black custodian “boy,” but the Black custodian escalated things according to him.
Yahoo Sports has more:
Addazio was fired on Thursday after his buyout dropped from $5 million to $3 million. Colorado State went 4-12 in Addazio’s two seasons with the school and was 3-9 in 2021. Addazio was ejected in the first half of the team’s final game of the season less than a week ago after receiving two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
The incident that prompted the investigation happened in October 2020. A Black custodian at the school was cleaning a bathroom in the football facility and closed the restroom so that chemicals used in the cleaning process could dwell.
Addazio entered the closed bathroom anyway. And, according to the investigation, he called the custodian “boy” when he was informed by the custodian that the restroom was closed.
The Coloradoan delves deep into what happened when Steve Addazio entered the restroom.
Upon returning to the restroom and beginning to clean the sink area, the custodian alleged that Addazio entered and prepared to use the restroom. The custodian said he told Addazio it was closed, to which the coach continued and said, “I guess I’m going to use it.”
The custodian, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation when contacted by the Coloradoan, said he replied, “I guess my job doesn’t matter.”
He claims Addazio then turned and said, “What did you say to me, boy?” at which point the custodian again said, “I guess my job doesn’t matter.” The custodian told the investigator that Addazio then followed him out of the restroom and said, “I don’t think you know who I am, boy. I run this building.”
He said Addazio was yelling and the custodian tried to tell Addazio to move on with his day. As the incident continued, the custodian alleged that Addazio then made what he perceived as a threat on his job.
“I don’t think you know who I am. I run this place. Let’s just see if you’re still here tomorrow,” the custodian claimed Addazio said.
This is definitely a firable offense.
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