ESPN crackdown after 'racist' Jeremy Lin pun (And Lin wasn't even offended)

The Telegraph ^ | 02/19/2012

[SeekAndFind]

Anthony Federico was sacked for writing a caption reading "A Chink in the Armour" on Friday night, following the Knicks' first and only loss since Lin joined the team. Anchor Max Bretos was suspended for 30 days for using the same phrase.

Lin has been the source of numerous jokes and puns since bursting to the attention of the sports-loving public last month with a series of record-breaking games. As the first player American-born player of Chinese origin in the NBA, he is enormously popular in the United States and Asia, particularly because he was sleeping on his brother's couch as a penniless unknown before getting his big break at the injury-hit Knicks.

Born in California to parents of Chinese origin who moved to the United States from Taiwan in the 1970s, Lin went to the prestigious Harvard University, after failing to win a basketball scholarship, the route most professional players take to the top.

But the "chink in the armour" gag, written at 2.30am at the end of Federico's shift after the Knicks narrowly lost to New Orleans, was viewed by many as racist. The headline was removed from the website after 35 minutes, and ESPN issued a statement describing the phrase as "offensive and inappropriate.

"We again apologise, especially to Mr Lin," it said. "His accomplishments are a source of great pride to the Asian-American community, including the Asian-American employees at ESPN."

Lin himself appeared relaxed and not mindful of the remarks, after returning to winning ways against the Dallas Mavaricks last night (SUN).

He said: "I don't think it was on purpose or whatever, but they have apologised 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."

[Steven Tyler]

When Shaq ran his mouth about Yao Ming, nobody seemed to notice.
More change brought to you by 0bama.

[Maverick68]

The only way to get rid of Political Correctness is to TURN it against the protected class.
I hope every commentator that makes even the SLIGHTEST gaffe gets run out of town.

[TexasCajun]

I hear they clear the lane when he gets behind the wheel and drives to the basket.

[Carpe Cerevisi]

Waiting for “That’s Waisis!” gif in 3...2...1...

[ken5050]

Yup...and MSNBC axes Pat Buchanan and keeps Al Sharpton..

[biggredd1]

still waiting for espn to do something with scumbag ken mayne and his comment about crashing into a car with a Sarah Palin bumper sticker, but held back because there were kids in the car.

[Dr. Ursus]

They didn’t fire Dana Jacobson!

[SeekAndFind]

From the article: he is enormously popular in the United States and Asia, particularly because he was sleeping on his brother’s couch as a penniless unknown before getting his big break at the injury-hit Knicks.

______________________________

C’mon, PENNILESS? The man is making $760,000 a year when he was sleeping on his brother’s couch FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

If that’s penniless, I’ll take it.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Kenny Mayne, who combs his hair with a towel, isn’t nearly as funny as he THINKS he is.

[TexasCajun]

Seems like a nice young man.

Hope he listens to his mother & behaves.

[dfwgator]

Yesterday, you saw a contrast between two players:

On the one hand, you had on the Knicks, Jeremy Lin who is making the most of his opportunity and playing hard.

And then you have on the Mavs, Lamar Odom, who is more interested in making reality shows with his fat wife, than playing basketball.

[doug from upland]

You've seen Where's Waldo? Would I get fired from ESPN for Where's Jeremy?

Hey, I am definitely a fan. He is a great and humble kid, a Christian who is grateful to God for his blessings, a very hard worker, and something needed in this league of thugs and prima donnas. There are all kinds of stereotypes. I'm of Irish/German heritage. Jokes about drunken Irishmen don't bother me. The reason for the stereotype about all Asians looking the same is simple. Dark hair, dark eyes, same skin tone, and epicanthic fold of the upper eyelid. People need to lighten up and learn to laugh. Jeremy laughed it off. Good for him.

[doug from upland]

[doug from upland]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! There was another sign - “Who says Asians can’t drive’

[doug from upland]