Fans left gobsmacked after BT Sport presenter's ill-timed Rio Ferdinand joke

Jake Humphrey and Rio Ferdinand at a 2017 FA Cup semi final
Jake Humphrey and Rio Ferdinand at a 2017 FA Cup semi final

Football fans have been left gobsmacked over Jake Humphrey’s poorly thought-out joke when Rio Ferdinand alluded to his wife’s death prevented him from becoming a manager.

Ferdinand had claimed he would have considered coaching if not for changes in his personal life only for the BT Sport presenter to make a comment about his cushy studio role.

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The former Manchester United defender lost his wife Rebecca Ellison to cancer in 2015, leaving him a solo father to their three children.

His wife’s death meant any plans on moving into management were put on hold.

Ferdinand’s wife Rebecca Ellison died, aged 34, in 2015 from breast cancer.
Ferdinand’s wife Rebecca Ellison died, aged 34, in 2015 from breast cancer.

On the weekend, speaking about his future, Ferdinand told the BT Sport panel: “In an ideal world I would have loved to have gone into coaching… and potentially a managerial role.

“But circumstances change for whatever reason in life and you’ve just got to make do with it.”

Without a second’s thought, Humphrey jumped back in, replying: “What you mean is you get well paid to sit in here and watch football… that’s easier.”

It is fair to say that Humphrey didn’t realise Ferdinand was referring to his late wife’s death, but that didn’t stop an outpouring of anger on social media over the comment.

Ian Wright was one of the first to call out the presenter.

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