Longtime Jacksonville Jaguars announcer Brian Sexton made an unfortunate error during the team’s first preseason game against the New Orleans Saints.
While setting up sideline reporter Brent Martineau for an interview with Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker, Sexton called Walker “Trayvon Martin.”
“Let’s go to the sidelines,” Sexton said during the fourth quarter, “and hear from Brent Martineau with Trayvon Martin.”
Martineau then began the interview by calling Walker his correct name, which made Sexton realize his mistake.
Sexton then quickly corrected himself by saying “Travon Walker,” which prompted a brief chuckle from Martineau.
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Video of the awkward moment from the TV broadcast can be seen below.
In February 2012, the killing of Martin in Sanford, Florida, about two hours south of Jacksonville, captivated the world.
Martin, a Black 17-year-old who was unarmed, was shot by George Zimmerman, 28 at the time, after Zimmerman pursued the teen while Martin was returning home on foot from a shopping trip at a local gas station.
Zimmerman, who prosecutors argued unjustly profiled Martin as a criminal, was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter charges. However, a jury of six women, five of whom were white, acquitted Zimmerman by accepting his claim of self-defense.
The controversial trial and verdict led to outrage and protests around the United States, and Martin’s name and image still evoke strong emotions over 14 years later.
“Was waiting for bruh to give an apology but they kept rocking once they went back to the booth,” X user @PremierNasir904 wrote about Sexton mentioning Martin on the Jaguars broadcast.
“Love brian sexton lol i just dont know how u even think of that name this many years down the road,” X user @thatHotToast added.
Sexton is entering his 33rd season covering the NFL. He became the “Voice of the Jaguars” on radio broadcasts in October 1994, and he began doing play-by-play for the team’s preseason games in 2017, per the Daily News Network.
Walker was the the No. 1 overall pick by the Jaguars in the 2022 NFL draft. The defensive lineman helped the University of Georgia break a 41-year title drought to win the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2022 before entering the draft.
Walker will begin his fifth season with the Jaguars in 2026. This past April, he agreed to a four-year, $110 million contract extension with the franchise that could keep him in Jacksonville through the 2030-31 NFL season.
That means Sexton could be saying Walker’s name many more times in the future — let’s hope it is always the correct way from now on.
