High school coach who mocked Tim Walz’s son quits Illinois job after wave of backlash
A high school volleyball coach has quit her job after making disparaging comments on a radio show about the son of vice presidential hopeful Tim Walz, reports say.
Amy Jacobson, who coached at Amundsen High School in Chicago, faced a wave of backlash following her remarks made on the WIND-AM radio show Aug. 22, WGN reported.
The comments were in response to the emotional reaction from 17-year-old Gus Walz as he watched his father accept the vice presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention.
“That’s my dad!” he could be seen saying in a since-viral clip.
According to WGN, Jacobson “mimicked” Gus Walz as she and co-host Dan Proft compared the moment to a 1994 “Saturday Night Live” sketch in which Chris Farley portrayed the 11-year-old son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, portrayed by Kevin Nealon.
“That’s exactly what that Walz kid did,” Proft said, according to WGN. “I mean, he’s not 11. He’s 17.”
Proft also suggested someone should give “Gus Walz some Ritalin,” a medicine used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, WFLD reported.
The livestream of the “Chicago Morning Answer” radio show was removed from YouTube, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Jacobson apologized on air the following day, indicating she was not aware Gus Walz is neurodivergent. Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen, told People their son “has a non-verbal learning disorder, ADHD and anxiety” — calling the conditions his “secret power.”
“I want to apologize too because I would have reacted differently if I had the additional information,” Jacobson said on the radio show Aug. 23, the Sun-Times reported. “I had no idea that he had any type of learning disability or ADHD, and I thought I was well-read on the matter, and apparently I was not.”
Jacobson and Proft, who feature “strong right-wing commentary” on their show, according to the Sun-Times, are among several conservative voices who have faced scorn over comments made about Gus Walz.
Right-wing commentator Ann Coulter deleted a post on X, formerly Twitter, after referring to the teenager’s emotional reaction as “weird,” The Hill reported.
Jay Weber, a conservative radio host in Wisconsin, called the viral moment “embarrassing” for both Tim and Gus Walz. Weber, who referred to Gus Walz with an insulting slur, later apologized and said he was unaware “the kid was disabled,” the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
Despite Jacobson’s swift apology, parents at Amundsen High School called for her removal as the girls’ volleyball head coach, the Chicago Tribune reported.
One parent, according to the publication, said she was “honestly shocked” by Jacobson’s on-air comments because the high school has many children with disabilities.
Less than a week later, Jacobson resigned from her position at the school, according to Block Club Chicago, a nonprofit news organization.
“Effective immediately, Coach Amy Jacobson is no longer part of the athletic program at Amundsen,” Principal Kristi Eilers said in an email to parents Wednesday, Aug. 28, Block Club Chicago reported.
Chicago Public Schools did not name Jacobson in a previous statement, but said it “strongly disagree(d)“ with such disparaging remarks.
“As a system, we are honored to serve all children, and we strive to ensure a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment, free of any bias, discrimination or harassment,” the statement to WFLD read. “We strongly disagree with any remarks contrary to those values.”
Proft, according to Barrett Media, was removed from the board of Envision Unlimited. The nonprofit describes itself as a “full spectrum of care organization” that helps “people with disabilities live their best lives.”
This story was originally published August 29, 2024 at 8:50 AM with the headline "High school coach who mocked Tim Walz’s son quits Illinois job after wave of backlash."