NBC Olympic Analyst Bode Miller Forced to Apologize for Marriage Joke

NBC Olympics analyst and former Olympian Bode Miller was left apologizing after joking that skier Anna Veith’s recent marriage may be affecting her performance at the Olympics.

Miller noted that Veith has been struggling with a knee problem and after her Giant Slalom run he decided to make a little joke, Deadline reported.

“I want to point out,” Miller said, “she also got married. It’s historically very challenging to race on World Cup with a family or after being married. You know, not to blame the spouses, but I just want to toss that out there that it might be her husband’s fault.”

Almost immediately Miller was attacked on social media for being insensitive and for attacking marriage.

#BodeMiller is an asshole

— Frances Mileski (@francesmileski) February 15, 2018

https://twitter.com/DavidPenque/status/963955093224787968

Srsly, tough to find time to train for the Olympics when you're cooking and cleaning for your husband. Am I right, #bodemiller ? #asshat

— Sean Effel (@seaneffel) February 15, 2018

Hey @NBCOlympics hope you aren’t paying @MillerBode for his ridiculous remark about marriage Report about skiing #BodeMiller not about relationships

— Gail (@basketgirl10) February 15, 2018

Really Bode Miller? Are you a complete idiot? How are you possibly being paid when you say that athletes are disadvantaged by spouses? You’re are ignorant and a complete moron. #BodeMiller

— Susan Flinn Cobian (@FlinnCobian) February 15, 2018

#BodeMiller… throwing spouses under the bus. Ouch… #OlympicGames2018

— David☔Rains ⛳ (@drains84) February 15, 2018

In short order the gold medal-winning skier jumped to his Twitter feed to apologize saying, “To be clear I was not seriously blaming Anna Veith’s lack of results on her husband. It’s a changing of priorities that is historically hard, male or female.”

To be clear I was not seriously blaming Anna Veith's lack of results on her husband. It's a changing of priorities that is historically hard, male or female.

— Bode Miller (@MillerBode) February 15, 2018

In a follow up tweet, Miller added, “I had the love and support of my wife while I was racing and I know it can be a huge asset.”

 

Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston.