The Boy Scouts of America parted ways with the man filmed smacking the backside of a reporter covering a race in Georgia.
Tommy Callaway, 43, slapped WSAV reporter Alex Bozarjian on the backsider as she was filming the conclusion of the Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run on Saturday. Bozarjian tweeted a clip of the incident and explained how it made her feel “violated, objectified, and embarrassed.”
To the man who smacked my butt on live TV this morning: You violated, objectified, and embarrassed me. No woman should EVER have to put up with this at work or anywhere!! Do better. https://t.co/PRLXkBY5hn
— Alex Bozarjian (@wsavalexb) December 7, 2019
Following Bozarjian’s viral tweet, the public learned that Callaway was a church youth group leader and a Boy Scout troop leader. In response to Callaway’s behavior, the Boy Scouts of America announced that they were parting ways with Callaway.
“Upon learning of this incident, we immediately removed this individual and prohibited him from any future participation in our programs,” the organization said in a statement. “This behavior runs counter to Scouting’s values and everything we teach our members about treating others with dignity and respect. The [Boy Scouts of America] takes this type of conduct very seriously, and we always consider what is best for our youth members, staff, and volunteers when making these decisions.”
The Boy Scouts is not the only organization cutting ties with Callaway. The Savannah Sports Council barred Callaway for life from competing in future races or sporting events.
Callaway said he didn’t intend to slap Bozarjian’s behind. He said he was just “caught up in the moment.”
“I was getting ready to bring my hands up and wave to the camera and to the audience, and there was a misjudge in character and decision-making. I touched her back. I did not know exactly where I touched her,” he said.
He noted that if he had seen her reaction, he would have stopped running to address his behavior, saying, “I would have been embarrassed. I would have felt ashamed. And I would have stopped, turned around, and went back and apologized to her.”
Bozarjian said she had yet to decide if she would accept his apology. She called his behavior “deplorable.”
