Bruce Pearl apologizes for inappropriate joke

I love Bruce Pearl, but the guy is a bit off the reservation.

He's energetic, he's passionate, and he is always up for a good laugh.

But that energy doesn't always manifest itself in an appropriate manner. Put another way, I'm not sure that Pearl has a filter between what he is thinking and what he ends up doing or saying.

Part of Bruce Pearl's appeal as a coach is that he is just a big kid.
(photo credit: Palm Beach Post)

Take yesterday morning's fundraiser as an example. When asked about the newcomers to the Tennessee team, Pearl mentioned Skyler McBee, who is from rural Grainger County, and made the joke

I've got a tough job. I've got to put these guys from different worlds together, right? I've got guys from Chicago, Detroit ... I'm talking about the 'hood! And I've got guys from Grainger County, where they wear the hood.

Pearl apologized in a press release, saying "In no way am I trying to justify what I said, but I'm disappointed that the focus has been placed on me rather than the charities I was there to help. My only hope is that the visibility of this mistake will encourage those who can to give to those in need during these difficult times."

I appreciate the effort that Pearl is putting it to raise money for the charities that he supports, and I think it is a noble gesture. I also understand that when dealing with a guy like Bruce Pearl, sometimes you are going to have to deal with an off-the-cuff remark that is not totally PC. I'm sure there was no malicious intent behind his comments, but Bruce, for future reference, let's keep our jokes about the Klan behind closed doors.

Sound like a plan?

Good.

Check out the video of his joke at the fundraiser after the jump: