Ex-ESPN Writer Apologized for Writing Offensive Headline

Article written by: Asmara Wreksono
Posted on: February 20, 2012

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ESPN fired its writer, Anthony Federico for writing an offensive headline about basketball rising star, Jeremy Lin. The controversial headline said: “Chink in the Armor: Jeremy Lin’s 9 Turnovers Cost Knicks in Streak-stopping Loss to Hornets”.  “Chink in the Armor” has two meanings and one happened to be a racial slur.

Federico apologized to Jeremy Lin via an interview with the New York Daily News.

“I’d love to tell Jeremy what happened and explain that this was an honest mistake.”

He also offered an apology via the interview:

“I’m so sorry that I offended people. I’m so sorry if I offended Jeremy.”

He also addressed his release from ESPN as something that the network had to do. ESPN fired Federico and also suspended Max Bretos, an anchor who used the same phrase.

The headline went live for 35 minutes on Saturday morning before being removed. The network sent its official apology to Lin, stating:

“We again apologize, especially to Mr. Lin. His accomplishments are a source of great pride to the Asian-American community, including the Asian-American employees at ESPN.”

Jeremy Lin himself has addressed the controversial headline as an honest mistake. In a news conference Sunday after the Knicks’ 104-97 win over the Dallas Mavericks, he gave a short statement:

“I don’t think it was on purpose. At the same time, they’ve apologized. I don’t care anymore.”

Do you think Federico’s headline was an honest mistake?