NBC host Maria Taylor is under fire this Friday because of a comment she made about Team USA hockey star Laila Edwards.
The women's hockey team for the United States defeated Canada in the gold medal game on Thursday. With just over two minutes remaining in regulation, Hilary Knight deflected a shot from Edwards to score the game-tying goal. That eventually set up Team USA defenseman Megan Keller for the golden goal in overtime.
“Just saw the change happen. Had some space. [Taylor] Heise made a great pass,” Keller said, via the New York Post. “Taking a chance trying to get to the net. But, obviously, we would not be in this position if our goaltender didn’t play outstanding in Aerin Frankel. Huge late goal by [Hilary Knight]. Top to bottom, this entire group, we stuck together the whole way. Really proud to be a part of this group.”
After Team USA secured its gold medal, Taylor sat down with Edwards for a one-on-one interview on NBC.
© Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Edwards made history well before she won a gold medal on Thursday. That's because she's the first Black woman in Olympic history to ever play for the U.S. hockey team.
Taylor acknowledged that achievement by posting a photo of her and Edwards on social media along with this caption: "Black Women. That's the post."
Apparently, that post from Taylor ruffled a few feathers.
"Stop making it about race!!! I see an Olympic champion with one of our best broadcasters. Why does everything have to focus on race," a fan commented.
"It’s always about race. Black people always bringing it up. This post is why the country is divided," a second fan replied.
"Glad she was part of the team that won the gold medal…your post does not do her justice," a social media user said.
"You only congratulate her and not the team that got her a gold medal?" another fan asked.
Maria Taylor made history earlier this month.
Taylor, who joined NBC in 2021, has been the host of "Football Night in America" for the past five seasons. On Feb. 8, she became the first Black woman to host the Super Bowl pregame show and present the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the same night.
Fans of Taylor aren't surprised by her recent achievement. After all, she was named one of the "Most Powerful Women in Sports" earlier in her career.
NBC will continue to utilize Taylor's skillset even after the Olympics wrap up this weekend.