ESPN Announcer Issues Apology to Evan Russell and Tennessee

Evan Russell’s absence of Tennessee’s NCAA Regional Match opener in opposition to Alabama State on Friday evening resulted in a number of situations of people speculating on social media as to why Evan Russell was unavailable for Tennessee. 

Certainly one of which being ESPN announcer Troy Eklund declaring Russell failed a drug check to be used of PEDs and was suspended for the rest of the season, though no official report acknowledged as such. 

Tennessee formally denied Eklund’s phrases on Saturday morning, declaring that Russell’s absence had ‘nothing to do with any violation of staff, NCAA or SEC guidelines.’ Tennessee additionally acknowledged they anticipated an apology for the feedback made by Eklund throughout the broadcast of the Oklahoma State recreation within the Stillwater Regional. 

Moments in the past, Eklund issued an on-air however off-camera apology throughout the Grand Canyon vs. Missouri State broadcast. 

“Talking of Tennessee, I would prefer to take this chance to apologize to Tennessee’s Evan Russell and the Volunteer program for inaccurate and unsourced info I used throughout Friday evening throughout the Stillwater Regional,” Eklund shared. “It was utilized in error and mustn’t have been referenced. I remorse any harm or hurt that it would’ve brought about. “

Eklund’s apology was met with an acceptance by Evan Russell’s father, Jason Russell, on Twitter. 

Video of Eklund’s off-camera apology may also be discovered by clicking the tweet above. 

To refute Eklund’s feedback much more, Russell was declared as a full-go for Tennessee’s Saturday evening recreation in opposition to Campbell and can presumably begin at catcher for the Vols. 

The Lexington, Tennessee, native is only one house run away from breaking Todd Helton’s program house run file. Russell may even tie Pete Derkay for many video games performed as a Vol at 229 when he takes the sphere tonight for the Massive Orange. 

Tennessee vs. Campbell will start at 7 p.m. ET in Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The SEC Community has the published.