BY LORI RAUDIO

During this week’s Sunday Night Football game, NBC pre-empted the game to cover President Obama’s speech in Newtown, Conn.

Most appreciated the sign of respect for the tragedy, but not all.

One North Alabama football player, Bradley Snapper, sent a racist tweet when the game was interrupted, according to an article in the New York Daily News.

Many Twitter users were outraged and notified North Alabama’s athletic director, Mark Linder. He responded quickly, notifying them Snapper was no longer a member of the team. He also thanked users for the information and emphasized North Alabama doesn’t condone such behavior.

According to the article, Snapper wasn’t the only one upset about the interruption. Other people sent tweets voicing their anger.

It’s very upsetting to see this. For a nation in mourning, it is important to be united and hear from our leaders. Sports can have healing properties, but the nation’s current priorities should be in helping Newtown. I’m glad NBC saw the importance of the President’s speech and broadcast it on their main network.

I believe this delicate situation was handled very appropriately. NBC made the right call showing the speech on their main network, and Linder and the University of North Alabama made the right call removing the player from the team.

It is sad to see people such as Snapper with the wrong priorities, but I’m glad to see a majority of the media, the sport industry, and the nation show respect and honor to the victims in Newtown.