Sports Redux: "Cornbread" Can Fix His Own Breakfast!

So the Celtics won a game against an injury-depleted Houston Rockets. That's swell and all, but the real sports news involved a man named "Cornbread."

As the Sports Redux noted yesterday, Dave Adams at Universal Hub overheard WRKO Celtics announcer and former NBA player Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell say of female referee Violet Palmer, "Get back in the kitchen!" Apparently he didn't like one of her calls.

Adams writes, "Max's partner, Sean Grande, tried to throw him a lifeline by pointing out that they had both been previously impressed by Palmer's officiating, but Max continued 'Get back in the kitchen and fix me some bacon and eggs!'"

Wow. It would have been more accurate if Maxwell cried out, "Get back in the kitchen and make me a heaping helping of fried foot!"

Now, Adams doesn't have a recording of the statement, but the post spawned many comments. Some people were irate, and some started saying Adams didn't hear the whole context. Since we didn't hear it, we're not going to call for Cornbread's head or anything. We're more angry at certain conservative political leaders who are actually writing laws that send women back to the kitchen.

But, if Cornbread did in fact utter the words "Get back in the kitchen!" then he needs to start thinking before he speaks.

Sports announcers love their themes and their catchphrases. He probably thought he hit on a goldmine with the "get back in the ktichen" bit. Maybe he thought he was being clever, and, once he latched on to the kitchen theme, he refused to let go.

Basketball announcing requires quick thinking, but "Cornbread" just showed that he might not be up to the task. A more professional announcer - such as his partner, who tried to rescue him - might have thought "Cute, but probably not a good idea" before opening his mouth. Sports moves so quickly that no one will care about context - but the completely inappropriate line "Get back in the kitchen!" will keep ringing in their ears.

So, did you hear Cornbread say "Get back in the kitchen"? Or did you hear the context surrounding the statement?

Image of Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell from Celtics media guide. He likes long walks on the beach and women who can cook.