ESPN mistakenly calls Kewan Lacy after late LSU receiver

Greg McElroy had an unfortunate slip of the tongue during his broadcast of the College Football Playoff on Thursday night.

McElroy was the color commentator for the Sugar Bowl between Ole Miss and Georgia, which saw Ole Miss score a game-winning field goal in the final seconds.

Long before that, however, McElroy tried to praise Rebels running back Kewan Lacy, but called him the wrong name.

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“I love the way Kyren Lacy runs,” McElroy said before correcting himself.

Kyren Lacy was a former LSU wide receiver who killed himself last year amid a legal battle stemming from a crash that killed a 78-year-old man in December 2024. He was charged with reckless driving — speeding and passing in a no passing zone — when a motorist swerved to avoid Lacy and crashed into another vehicle.

Kyren Lacy runs the ball as the LSU Tigers take on the Nicholls Colonels at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday, September 7, 2024. (SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network/USA TODAY NETWORK)

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Police said “numerous witnesses” told responding officers that Kyren Lacy’s driving caused the crash. Lacy had been charged with negligent homicide, hit-and-run resulting in death and reckless operation of a vehicle.

Kyren Lacy transferred to LSU in 2022. He had his best season in 2024, when he recorded 58 catches for 866 yards and nine touchdowns and likely would have been an NFL draft pick.

Kewan Lacy helped Ole Miss advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals, rushing for 93 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.

LSU Tigers wide receiver Kyren Lacy (2) reacts against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half. (Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.)

The Rebels will face No. 10 Miami in the semifinals, with the winner advancing to No. 1 Indiana or No. 5 Oregon.