ESPN's Louis Riddick Facing Criticism After Insensitive Proverb During NFL Draft

The analyst used an ill-conceived metaphor to describe the Cardinals’ situation.

During ESPN’s NFL draft broadcast Thursday evening, analyst Louis Riddick attracted criticism for an awkward turn of phrase insensitive to Native Americans.

While describing the Cardinals‘ selection of Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. with the sixth pick, Riddick said of Arizona, “they need chiefs on their team. Not Indians. Chiefs.”

The analyst appeared to try and stop himself at the end of his sentence, but his phrasing caught the attention of viewers on social media anyway. Though the NFL draft coverage continued on, Riddick has yet to apologize or comment on his statement.

Did Louis Riddick really just say “they need Chiefs on their team, not Indians, Chiefs”?? #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/Sv3ZqEAyfo

— Evan Collins (@EvanCollins92) April 28, 2023

Imagine being ESPN PR thinking you were in the clear once Gruden left the network and then Louis Riddick says, “they need more chiefs and less Indians.”

— Michael (@SjbMichael) April 28, 2023

Louis Riddick will be apologizing within the hour lol

— David Block (@davidraider88) April 28, 2023

Riddick’s statement comes in the wake of years of efforts to change names considered insensitive to Native Americans in professional sports, which includes Cleveland’s MLB team and Washington’s NFL team changing their names to the Guardians and Commanders, respectively.

Riddick—a former Falcons, Browns and Raiders defensive back—worked in NFL player personnel departments for 13 years before joining ESPN as an analyst in 2013.