Eddie Hemmings accused of racial slur after confusing Djimon Hounsou for Samuel L Jackson during World Club Challenge coverage
The Sky Sports presenter cleared up the case of mistaken identity later in the match but took aim at those that had accused him or racism
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sky Sports commentator triggered allegations of racism after mistaking Oscar-nominated Djimon Hounsou for Samuel L Jackson during their live coverage of Sunday’s World Club Challenge match between Super League champions St Helens and the NRL Grand Final winners South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Hounsou was in the stands at Saints’ Langtree Park alongside the Rabbitohs’ co-owner and fellow actor Russell Crowe, with the pair both featuring in the 2000 screenplay Gladiator.
They were joined by former Rabbitohs star turned rugby union convert Sam Burgess for the match, and it was when all three were pictured together that Hemmings made the comment that led to the allegations on social media.
Hemmings said: “Samuel L Jackson alongside him, wasn't it? Looked like him. Maybe it was somebody doing an impersonation.”
Some Twitter users immediately accused Hemmings of making a racial slur in assuming it was Jackson, but he would later address those comments online during Sky Sports’ live coverage of the game.
“Off the field we do have of course Russell Crowe with his Hollywood friends,” Hemmings added.
“The gentleman there who I tongue-in-cheek suggested looked a little bit like Samuel L. Jackson but I can tell you it's the man who played Juba in Russell Crowe's Oscar-winning movie The Gladiator.
“His names' Djimon Hounsou, he's an actor model from America, a big pal of Russell's, came up here on the helicopter ride with him and apparently social media has lit up with certain comments this evening.
“Pity some people don't have things better to do on a Sunday night but anyway there you are that's the record cleaned up for you and I hope that you're enjoying every second of this match here.”
Hemmings was also criticised for his response by Twitter users.
One named @tweetypie90_ said: “Eddie Hemmings needs to take a good look at himself rather than wondering why viewers are complaining about his racist comments @SkySportsRL.”
@IWFICON said: “Perhaps Eddie Hemmings should do his research rather than having a go at viewers for pointing out his mistakes? @SkySportsRL.”
It’s not the first time that Jackson has been publicly mistaken for someone else, as the video below demonstrates.
KTLA entertainment reporter Sam Rubin was hugely apologetic after confusing Jackson for fellow actor Lawrence Fishburne, but Jackson didn’t let him off lightly as he continued to rip into Rubin for nearly five minutes.
The video, as predicted by Rubin himself, quickly went viral, with Jackson taking the reporter through a list of black actors that he, in fact, is not.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments