K-C Radio: Sports Talker Suspended After Coach Comments

Kevin Kietsman

Kansas City radio host Kevin Kietzman has been pulled off the air indefinitely after he tied Chiefs coach Andy Reid's family life to the Tyreek Hill situation in a Monday segment, reports USAToday.

Speaking on WHB 810 AM, Kietzman suggested that Reid's ability as a father played a role in the Chiefs' handling of Hill. The Chiefs wide receiver has been suspended due to allegations of child abuse and is meeting with NFL investigators this week. Reid's son Garrett died of a heroin overdose in 2012.

“The thing is, (the Chiefs) probably think (Reid) can fix (Hill), but they thought they could fix him before and they failed," Kietzman said. "Andy Reid does not have a great record of fixing players. He doesn’t. Discipline is not his thing. It did not work out particularly well in his family life, and that needs to be added to this, as we’re talking about the Chiefs. He wasn’t real great at that either. He’s had a lot of things go bad on him, family and players."

In a statement on the WHB website Tuesday, Union Broadcasting wrote:

"We are aware of the controversial comments made by Kevin Kietzman during yesterday’s broadcast of Between the Lines. We have decided to take the immediate step to take Kevin off the air until further notice as we review this matter. 

We take Kevin’s comments and those of all on-air staff seriously.  Kevin’s comments were clearly not to his or our standards. Please know that we will take necessary appropriate actions. 

We sincerely apologize to Andy Reid and his family, the Kansas City Chiefs organization and our loyal listeners and share their concerns."

Kietzman is also vice president and sports director of the radio station, according to the WHB 810 website.

Many assumed Kietzman was referencing the death of Reid’s oldest son, Garrett, who died of a heroin overdose in 2012. But Kietzman said in an email to Awful Announcing that he actually was talking about Reid’s history of choosing to work with people, including his sons, who have troubled pasts.

NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Amy Fadool Kane called Kietzman's words “lower than low" and CBS reporter Will Brinson tabbed the remarks “absolutely repugnant." Many social media users called for Kietzman's firing.

Reid is set to begin his seventh season with the Chiefs, where he is 65-31 and has won the AFC West the last three seasons. Reid and his wife, Tammy, had five children. His other son, Britt, has been on the Chiefs' coaching staff for the past six seasons after spending five months in jail in 2007.