The Internet is convinced that Bob Costas needs to have several journalistic seats after he compared the successes of Usain Bolt and Bob Marley.
–Apache leader apologizes for Bob Marley blackface costume
As Bolt was making history with his third consecutive win in the 100-meter dash and proving once again that he is the fastest man alive, Costas made a brow-raising comment saying: “With apologies to all you reggae fans, I think Bolt has even outdistanced Marley.”
It was just one of many moments in NBC’s Olympic coverage that left viewers scratching their heads.
Marley was a music legend and revolutionary, achieving international acclaim and success, who remains in his own lane. Something even an Olympic champion like Usain Bolt has acknowledged before. In his latest interview with Costas, Bolt says he is honored by the comparison.
Great honour but None like Bob “@beronm: For me Jamaica is Bob Marley + @usainbolt”
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) September 19, 2012
Jamaican runner @usainbolt tells @NBCSports' Bob Costas he's honored by comparison to late reggae legend, Bob Marley pic.twitter.com/cfZd1U0qSm
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) August 14, 2016
After Costas’ comments, Twitter did what Twitter does and let him know that Jamaica’s history runs deeper than two men who are famous for completely different things.
https://twitter.com/thetrudz/status/765001602700759040
https://twitter.com/dante2534/status/764999738852683776
–Bob Marley documentary explores man behind the legend
https://twitter.com/AsteadWH/status/764999636746661888
No, Bob Costas, Usain Bolt, great as he is, did not eclipse Bob Marley. Nor did Roger Bannister pass Shakespeare. #Rio2016
— Steven Levy (@StevenLevy) August 15, 2016
–Fans cheering for Usain Bolt may have caused JFK evacuation