The NWSL is in hot water after a video package featuring Jessica McDonald misidentified her son, Jeremiah.
The special, which aired at halftime during North Carolina’s game on Saturday, was in celebration of Juneteenth and highlighted McDonald’s relationship with her son.
"Ever since day one, the kid has been by my side." ❤️Hear @J_Mac1422 talk about her decade-long career - and what sharing #JuneTeenth2021 with her son, Jeremiah, means to her.#NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/DDSPglJmUQ— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) June 19, 2021
"Ever since day one, the kid has been by my side." ❤️Hear @J_Mac1422 talk about her decade-long career - and what sharing #JuneTeenth2021 with her son, Jeremiah, means to her.#NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/DDSPglJmUQ
The broadcast, however, cut to footage of a young fan in the stands, wrongfully identifying the child as McDonald’s son. The Courage striker took to Twitter after the game to point out the league’s mistake.
Honored to have been featured at halftime on @CBS but this isn’t even my son. Not sure who’s responsible for pointing out some random black kid in the stands. But this is NOT OK!!!!!! This poor kid looks ssooo uncomfortable…. 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/TLDV2YMZUE— Jessica McDonald (@J_Mac1422) June 21, 2021
Honored to have been featured at halftime on @CBS but this isn’t even my son. Not sure who’s responsible for pointing out some random black kid in the stands. But this is NOT OK!!!!!! This poor kid looks ssooo uncomfortable…. 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/TLDV2YMZUE
Lisa Baird, Commissioner of the NWSL, has since apologized for the error, stating that the league was responsible for the production of the segment.
I am deeply apologetic for the misidentification made during the match on Saturday in North Carolina that was produced by the NWSL. I sincerely apologize to @J_Mac1422 and her son Jeremiah, as well as the young boy in the camera shot and his family for our mistake.— Lisa Baird (@lisainog) June 21, 2021
I am deeply apologetic for the misidentification made during the match on Saturday in North Carolina that was produced by the NWSL. I sincerely apologize to @J_Mac1422 and her son Jeremiah, as well as the young boy in the camera shot and his family for our mistake.