A Chicago high school volleyball coach has resigned following controversial remarks made on a radio show about Tim Walz's son on August 22.
According to NewsNation, the comments were directed at Gus Walz, the 17-year-old son of vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, and his emotional reaction during the Democratic National Convention.
Amy Jacobson, the now-former Chicago Public Schools coach, co-hosted the "Chicago's Morning Answer" radio show where the controversial comments were made. Jacobson and her co-host, Dan Proft, discussed Gus Walz's televised response to his father's nomination acceptance, drawing parallels to a 1994 "Saturday Night Live" sketch. The conversation led to widespread criticism and ultimately resulted in Jacobson's resignation from her coaching position at a Chicago public high school.
During the radio program, Jacobson and Proft commented on Gus Walz's emotional display at the Democratic National Convention. Proft compared the teenager's reaction to a comedic sketch from "Saturday Night Live," suggesting similarities between Gus Walz and the portrayal of a young Andrew Giuliani enthusiastically praising his father, Rudy Giuliani.
The hosts' remarks were met with significant backlash, particularly after it was revealed that Gus Walz lives with a learning disorder that affects his ability to read social cues. Tim and Gwen Walz had previously disclosed that their son has a non-verbal learning disorder, anxiety disorder, and ADHD, describing these conditions as Gus's "secret power" rather than setbacks.
Chicago Public Schools responded to the incident with a statement emphasizing their commitment to inclusivity and rejecting any comments contrary to those values. The statement read, in part:
As a system, we are committed to serving all students and we strive to ensure a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment, free of any bias, discrimination or harassment. We strongly disagree with any remarks contrary to those values.
In the aftermath of the controversy, Jacobson and Proft faced repercussions for their on-air comments. Jacobson, who had been involved with the high school's volleyball program for several years and had two sons on the varsity team, resigned from her coaching position after parents demanded her removal.
Jacobson later issued a public apology on her radio show, stating that she would have "reacted differently if I had the additional information" about Gus Walz's learning disabilities. She emphasized her lack of awareness regarding his condition at the time of her initial comments.
Proft, Jacobson's co-host, also experienced professional consequences. He appears to have lost his position on the board of Envision Unlimited, an organization that provides care for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and psychiatric disabilities.
The organization released a statement indicating that a board member had made comments "wholly inconsistent with our values and code of ethics" and that they had decided to remove this individual from their board.
The controversy surrounding the radio hosts' comments has drawn attention from various public figures. Former First Lady Michelle Obama praised Gus Walz for showing "real love" in his emotional reaction to his father's nomination. This positive reinforcement stands in stark contrast to the criticism leveled by the radio hosts.
In response to the incident, Tim and Gwen Walz released a statement to PEOPLE magazine, describing their journey in understanding and supporting their son's needs. They emphasized the positive aspects of Gus's unique perspective, stating:
When our youngest Gus was growing up, it became increasingly clear that he was different from his classmates. Gus preferred video games and spending more time by himself. When he was becoming a teenager, we learned that Gus has a non-verbal learning disorder in addition to an anxiety disorder and ADHD, conditions that millions of Americans also have. Like so many American families, it took us time to figure out how to make sure we did everything we could to make sure Gus would be set up for success as he was growing up. It took time, but what became so immediately clear to us was that Gus' condition is not a setback — it's his secret power.
The resignation of a Chicago high school volleyball coach following controversial comments about Tim Walz's son has sparked a broader conversation about sensitivity in public discourse. The incident led to immediate consequences for both the coach and her radio co-host, including job losses and public apologies. It has also brought attention to the importance of understanding and respecting neurodevelopmental conditions, as highlighted by the Walz family's openness about their son's experiences. The controversy serves as a reminder of the potential impact of public statements and the need for empathy in discussions about individuals with diverse needs.
