In April 2007, Don Imus was hosting his usual show when he and his executive producer started having a bantering discussion of the top women’s NCAA teams. The degrading started when he stated that there were some rough girls from Rutger’s. His initial comment was about their tattoos. This comment initiated some intense discussion and was followed by Executive Producer Bernard McGuirk stating that they were some hard core ho’s. The discussion only worsened from there. Imus then started discussing their hair and called them Nappy headed ho’s. In contrast he called the girl’s from the Tennessee team nice and followed with a comment of how they looked cute.

His final comments on the issue were referencing the paradox of the two teams like the two in Spike Lee’s film School Daze with the Jigaboo’s and the Wannabe’s.

After a firestorm of outrage, Don Imus tried to laugh off the comments as some idiot comments made to be amusing. The public however was far from amused. Don Imus was labeled a racist. The team at Rutger’s and the nation were offended. Don Imus came out and put an immediate apology calling his comments insensitive and ill-conceived after the firestorm, but it was too late, the damage was done. Though he tried to calm what happened and even went on Al Sharpton’s radio show, the calls for him to be fired would not be quelled. Within a few days Imus was suspended.

By April 11, the announcement came in that the Imus in the Morning Show would no longer be aired effective immediately. The President of NBC noted that the comments were deeply hurtful to many, many people. The following day CBS Radio followed suit and cancelled Imus in the Morning at which point seven advertisers immediately dropped sponsorship.

Later Don Imus met with the team of Rutger’s to apologize. After 6 month’s Don Imus returned to radio through Citadel Media and brought in some assistance from some African American’s to quell any concern’s of racism. Notably were Little Richard and Jesse Jackson. In March of 2009 Don Imus was diagnosed with Prostate cancer. His show, Imus in the Morning is still airing on the alternative network.