Here's What Happened When an ESPN Sportscaster Handed His Fellow Analyst a Copy of Charles Darwin's 'Origin of Species'

When sportscaster Bill Walton gave fellow ESPN broadcaster Dave Pasch a cake along with a copy of Charles Darwin's "The Origin of Species" on the air this week to celebrate Pasch's recent Arizona Sportscaster of the Year award, the recipient offered up a pointed response to the gift: he doesn't believe in evolution.

"Here we've got 'The Origin of Species' by Charles Darwin," Walton said, handing Pasch the book. "We want to make sure that you believe in evolution."

Pasch was quick to respond, "I don't, but I'll set this over here," telling Walton that he has a book that counters the arguments presented in "The Origin of Species" and that he would be happy to bring it along with him to the next basketball game.

After some additional banter, Pasch added that perhaps the two could discuss "irreducible complexity" so that he could "straighten [Walton] out." Irreducible complexity is a controversial theory espoused by some creationists that argues that "some biological systems are so complex and so dependent upon multiple complex parts, that they could not have evolved by chance," according to GotQuestions.org.

Watch the exchange below:

Pasch is a devout Christian who is generally more than open about his faith. In fact, he includes a reference to John 1:14 in his Twitter biography, a verse which reads, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" — a reference to Jesus Christ.

In a past interview with the blog Jesus N Sports, Pasch discussed his Christian faith and his sports career, mentioning John 1:14 as one of his favorite Bible verses. Among the subjects discussed in the interview was the honesty and openness with which Pasch said he discusses his faith.

"I am pretty honest and forthright about my faith when it comes up in a conversation. I am a follower of Christ," he said, describing how he would react to a colleague who asked about his beliefs. "I would tell them how I came up with that conclusion, continue to help someone understand."

(H/T: Deadspin)