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[Saba Sports News] Longtime Boston radio host Fred Toucher is facing criticism for mocking Bill Walton a day after the NBA legend passed away from cancer.
Toucher, a host on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s morning show since 2009, has been involved in numerous controversies, which have boosted ratings but also caused discomfort for his bosses. The latest incident occurred on Tuesday.
The NBA announced on Monday that Walton died at 71 after a battle with prostate cancer. During Tuesday’s “Toucher and Hardy” show, a caller suggested playing a clip of Toucher hanging up on Walton, who had called in after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals.
Rob “Hardy” Poole, Toucher’s co-host, said it was inappropriate to play the clip so soon after Walton’s death. Toucher disagreed, mocking Walton as a “phony hippie” and instructing the producer to play the clip.
Toucher said, “I don’t know, why not? It happened. He called in and was acting a fool about his son on the Lakers and (saying), ‘Oh you know, first of all, you gotta buy a Jeep Wrangler.’ While he was selling cars … like, make up your mind ya phony hippie. Are you really selling cars or are you all about peace and love? … Just go ahead. He’s dead. I didn’t kill him. Go ahead, play it.”
Toucher, known for his “shock jock” style, has openly discussed his struggles with alcohol addiction and has had concerning on-air rants. While his hanging up on Walton years ago was entertaining to some, many feel it was inappropriate to mock Walton so soon after his death.