THE BBC aired a photo of the wrong George Floyd during coverage of his Houston funeral. Instead of picturing the 46-year-old who died last month, the outlet mistakenly showed a living ex-New York Jets player, footage showed. During their coverage of Floyd’s funeral, the outlet broadcast a black and white photo of the former Gang […]
THE BBC aired a photo of the wrong George Floyd during coverage of his Houston funeral.
Instead of picturing the 46-year-old who died last month, the outlet mistakenly showed a living ex-New York Jets player, footage showed.
During their coverage of Floyd’s funeral, the outlet broadcast a black and white photo of the former Gang Green defensive back.
“George Floyd was remembered as a champion basketball and football player,” the broadcaster reported on Monday before airing the incorrect image.
The 59-year-old pictured is a retired athlete who played for the Jets for two seasons in 1982 and 1984, according to the NFL.
The broadcaster then continued to show photos of the correct George Floyd.
The man died on May 25 after white cop Derek Chauvin was filmed kneeling on his neck during an arrest.
His death has sparked outrage and protests across the United States.
All four police officers have now been charged over the case, with Chauvin set to face the more serious charge of second-degree murder.
A BBC spokesperson said: “During our report on George Floyd’s funeral last night, we showed images from a montage of still photographs which had been played as part of his funeral service.
“One of the photos we used, which we had taken directly from this montage, depicted the New York Jets player George Floyd.
“We don’t know why that particular image was used in the service, but we subsequently used it as part of our own coverage of the service.
“We’re still looking into exactly what happened. The BBC would never seek to cause any offence.”
Earlier this week, the BBC were forced to apologize for publishing an article about England rugby player Ellis Genge, but picturing his teammate Lewis Ludlam instead.
Speaking about the incident, Ludlam tweeted: “I’m with Gengey on this one however, wrong mixed raced guy @BBCSport.
“Probably should be getting that right on an article about race issues. Not the first time this has happened.”
While Genge wrote: “I’m actually f***ed off with this happening to every mixed race/black sportsperson.
“Must be the 15th time in less than a year just between me and @LewisLudlam.”
A BBC spokesperson told the Independent: “We apologise for this human error, which fell below our usual standards on the website.”
