A former NFL sideline reporter for NBC has faced major criticism after leaving her job in sports to work in conservative politics.
Michele Tafoya left NBC after Sunday’s Super Bowl, and immediately took a job as the co-chair of Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Kendall Qualls’ campaign, as reported by The Minnesota Sun.
“Sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya will be joining my campaign as co-chairwoman! I’m excited to work with Michele & hope you’ll join us as we focus on saving Minnesota,” candidate Kendall Qualls announced Monday on social media.
But Tafoya has immediately drawn the ire of those who disagree with her politics, which she had not shared until she left her reporting job.
“Michele Tafoya spent 30 years of spectacular broadcasting just itching to be racist,” one Twitter user claimed.
Michele Tafoya spent 30 years of spectacular broadcasting just itching to be racist pic.twitter.com/ft6zOkjLh3
— Ryan Love (@RealestRyanLove) February 17, 2022
“NBC Sports reporter, Michele Tafoya is retriring [sic] and going into Republican politics. I’m always shocked these days when a seemingly sane person turns out to be a Republican,” a far-Left radio show host called Cenk Uygur said.
NBC Sports reporter, Michele Tafoya is retriring and going into Republican politics. I'm always shocked these days when a seemingly sane person turns out to be a Republican.
— Cenk Uygur (@cenkuygur) February 14, 2022
“Michele Tafoya hates racism so much, she’s quitting her job to devote her energy full-time to stoking a racist backlash,” a sports reporter said.
Michele Tafoya hates racism so much, she’s quitting her job to devote her energy full-time to stoking a racist backlash.
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) February 17, 2022
Tafoya joined Tucker Carlson Wednesday on his show Tucker Carlson Tonight to discuss Critical Race Theory (CRT) being taught in America’s schools.
“Why are we even teaching that the color of the skin matters?” she said in the segment. “Because to me, what matters is your character and your values. I don’t care if I’m attacked. I really am not afraid of that, and I guess I feel like so many people now are afraid.”
Predictably, she was attacked even more after the segment.
“Imagine leaving a high-profile job over a made-up issue. Does Michele Tafoya even know what CRT is? Does she have kids in school being taught CRT? Can she provide any examples?” former sports reporter turned far-Left activist Jemele Hill said.
Imagine leaving a high-profile job over a made-up issue. Does Michele Tafoya even know what CRT is? Does she have kids in school being taught CRT? Can she provide any examples? https://t.co/s5ryE9ovoM
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) February 17, 2022
“Tucker Carlson is trying to make a new right-wing hero out of Michele Tafoya, who’s retiring from sports reporting to spend more time attacking critical race theory. Check out their sleazy rhetorical scam. It shows how the anti-CRT game really works,” a Washington Post columnist said.
Tucker Carlson is trying to make a new right wing hero out of Michele Tafoya, who's retiring from sports reporting to spend more time attacking critical race theory.
Check out their sleazy rhetorical scam. It shows how the anti-CRT game really works:https://t.co/J6rbrOhLbM
— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) February 17, 2022
Qualls’ campaign did not return a request for comment, and Tafoya could not be reached for comment.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Minnesota Sun and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Michelle Tafoya” by All-Pro Reels. CC BY-SA 2.0.
