Sportscaster Jim Gray Agrees With Bob Costas' Gun Control Argument During Fox Appearance -- Then Almost Immediately Backtracks

Jim Gray (Photo: Getty)

Prominent sports journalist Jim Gray gave a ringing endorsement of fellow sports anchor Bob Costas' controversial comments on gun control from Sunday night. But just as fast as he offered the endorsement he backtracked -- during the same interview.

Costas, quoting columnist Jason Whitlock, said during "Sunday Night Football" that if it weren't for guns Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Javon Belcher and his girlfriend would still be alive. Belcher shot and killed his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself on Saturday.

On Monday, Fox News host Martha MacCallum played Costas' remarks before asking Gray for his thoughts. He didn't shy away from agreeing.

"Bob Costs is a brilliant sportscaster. And Jason Whitlock's right: If there's no gun here, no one's dead. So I don't know what there is to take issue with," he said. He went on to hint the gun lobbies are to blame for the issue not coming up during the election.

"These are difficult, difficult issues that need to be addressed. And as far as this football issue right here, yes, if he doesn't have a gun, they're both alive. So I don't have a problem with what he said."

But the interview didn't end there. In a whirlwind of a turnaround, Gray almost immediately backtracked after hearing the other side. After MacCallum said that some argue that killers will find a tool to kill no matter what, and that it doesn't matter what that tool is, he offered a quick agreement: "Well that's true, Martha, that's what they always say: If you don't have a gun and you want to find one and you're a criminal and you're a murderer you will find one. So perhaps those arguments are right."

Watch it below:

"Handguns do not enhance our safety. They exacerbate our flaws, tempt us to escalate arguments, and bait us into embracing confrontation rather than avoiding it," Costas said on Sunday.

"In the coming days, Jovan Belcher’s actions and their possible connection to football will be analyzed. Who knows? But here, wrote Jason Whitlock, is what I believe: If Jovan Belcher didn’t possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today."

You can watch the Costas comments below: