Following Regatta commentary backlash, TV host won't appear for now says Rogers

After the host of Rogers TV's Out of The Fog received backlash for commentary made during the St. John's Royal Regatta, a Rogers spokesperson told CBC that he will not being appearing on the show for the time being. 

Host Don-E Coady was providing commentary during a rowing race livestream, when he said "I gotta say, that if I decided to row, I'd be hiring a tiny little coxswain and I would probably lock them in the basement and not feed them for three weeks before getting back in the boat."

Robin Vokey, whose friend was on the rowing team in view during the comment, says she was appalled and outraged. 

"This is not acceptable. This is hurtful and this is demeaning. Not only to the coxswain and that team, but to the rowing community as a whole," said Vokey. 

With permission of her friend, Vokey decided to share the clip on social media. Her post has since garnered over 600 shares on Facebook. 

She says Coady's comments are damaging not only to plus size rowers, but to everyone. 

"You need to be eating and building up your strength because there's so much more to rowing," she said.

President of the Royal St. John's Regatta Committee Ashley Peach made a public statement calling the commentary inappropriate but did not mention Coady by name. 

Peach says the committee was made aware of the comments after receiving many concerned messages from the rowing community. 

"The committee agrees the remarks referencing body image in a joking and derogatory manner were both inappropriate and hurtful," wrote Peach, adding that the committee seeks to foster inclusivity and respect. 

Rogers TV, Coady apologize

Late in the day on August 1, CBC received a statement from Rogers TV St. John's stating that that the comments do not reflect their values or commitment to inclusivity. 

"As long-time partners and supporters of this event, we sincerely apologize to our viewers, the participants, the Royal St. John's Regatta Committee and the entire community," said the statement. 

After confirming that Coady will not be appearing on Out of the Fog for the time being, a Rogers TV spokesperson reiterated that Coady was a volunteer – not an employee of Rogers. 

In a now private post on Facebook, Coady apologized for his comments. 

He wrote that he did not see the visual paired with his commentary,

"I can totally see how someone could be offended, because the visual that was paired with that moment… could not have been worse timing," wrote Coady. 

Coady said that he is a champion of inclusivity in his daily life. 

"I am absolutely devastated and wholeheartedly apologize to anyone in my communities who has been hurt or disappointed." 

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