ESPN reporter Dari Nowkhah has issued an apology after breaking tragic news to LSU quarterback Joe Burrow after Saturday's Peach Bowl win over Oklahoma.
Carley McCord, the daughter-in-law of LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, was one of five people who died in a plane crash in Lafayette, La., on Saturday.
Nowkhah asked Burrow about McCord's death — but Burrow had not known about it — and appeared stunned by the news.
Damn. Burrow found out live on air about the plane crash. They didn't tell the team. pic.twitter.com/EhtEgT3XIV
— Cork Gaines (@CorkGaines) December 29, 2019
Nowkhah shared an apology on Twitter.
I obviously feel horrible to have been the one to have broken the news of Carley McCord’s passing to Joe, and have shared my apologies and sincere condolences with LSU. (2/4)
— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) December 29, 2019
We never intended to hurt Joe & we will learn from this mistake. My heart goes out to the McCord & Ensminger families, and the entire LSU family, during this incredibly tragic time. I hope they, including LSU fans, will accept this apology. (4/4)
— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) December 29, 2019
MORE: Carley McCord, daughter-in-law of LSU's Steve Ensminger, dies in plane crash
Hours before Saturday's game Ensminger was informed of McCord's passing but did not tell the team.
The 30-year-old TV journalist and wife of Steve Ensminger Jr. was traveling to Atlanta for the Tigers' game against the Sooners.
The cause of the crash remains unknown.
BREAKING: 5 people confirmed dead after small plane crash in Lafayette, Louisiana. New conference starting shortly. pic.twitter.com/bFx2JlIfyv
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) December 28, 2019
From The Associated Press:
"The lack of a distress call and flight data recorder coupled with mangled and charred wreckage will make finding the cause of a fiery airplane crash in Louisiana extremely challenging, federal officials said Sunday. National Transportation Safety Board Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg said at a press conference that it could take 12 to 18 months to figure out why the two-engine Piper Cheyenne fell from the sky about a minute after taking off from the Lafayette Regional Airport on Saturday."