Suspended ESPN Anchor Defends Himself For Jeremy Lin Gaffe
Feb. 20 2012, Published 1:00 p.m. ET
ESPN anchor Max Bretos, suspended for 30 days after repeating an offensive phrase a writer for the sports outlet posted online regarding New York Knicks breakout Jeremy Lin, has taken to Twitter to defend himself.
“My wife is Asian, would never intentionally say anything to disrespect her and that community,” Bretos tweeted over the weekend. “Wanted 2 apologize 2 all those I have upset. Not done with any racial reference. Despite intention, phrase was inappropriate in this context.”
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As we previously reported, ESPN writer Anthony Federico got the boot after posting the headline “Chink in the Armor” to the outlet’s mobile site after Lin committed an unsightly 9 turnovers in Friday’s loss to New Orleans.
Federico told the New York Daily News of the gaffe: “This had nothing to do with me being cute or punny. I'm so sorry that I offended people. I'm so sorry if I offended Jeremy.”
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The 6-foot-3 Lin, 23, is the Association’s first-ever American-born player of Taiwanese descent. Asked for comment Sunday, the overnight sensation was forgiving of the outlet for the offensive comments.
“I don't think it was on purpose or whatever, but at the same time they have apologized,” the point guard said. “And so from my end I don't care anymore. Have to learn to forgive, and I don't even think that was intentional. Or hopefully not.”
The Harvard graduate -- who was sleeping on a friend's couch earlier this month -- was almost cut by the New York Knicks earlier this month, then blasted out onto the court in back-to-back games to break Shaquille O’Neal’s record for the most points in his first five games as a starter.
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