Mike Greenberg Apologizes for Martin Luther Coon Comment
ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning Co-host Says He Misspoke; Does He Deserve the Benefit of the Doubt?
Greenberg, co-host of the popular Mike and Mike in The Morning radio and television sports talk show on ESPN, Monday morning welcomed viewers and thanked them for joining the show on Martin Luther King Day. However, he first said "Martin Luther Coon Day" before quickly correcting himself and saying 'King' and then moving on quickly.
In his statement, released on ESPNmedia.com, Greenberg apologized both for what he said and as well as for not releasing an apology sooner. Greenberg's statement included, "I'm sorry that my talking too fast - and slurring my woods - might have given people who don't know our show the wrong impression about us, and about me." Earlier in the statement, Greenberg stated that he had just gotten back from the New York Knicks game and that "I apologize for not addressing it sooner".
Greenberg's Martin Luther Coon statement was released initially on various blogs and video sites around the Internet before being picked up by larger media outlets. While in years past, the story may have never taken off, today every word that is spoken on radio and television will be replayed if it is highly controversial. The reaction to this incident will play out over the next several days and it will be interesting to see the direction it takes.
Missteps involving race by public figures are, rightly, judged by a very strict standard today. But, the term that Greenberg used is one that has been used by racists in the past, and disgustingly, is still is likely used today. Sometimes synapses simply misfire and people state something and people do not realize what they are saying.
While I do not know Mike Greenberg and cannot possibly know what is in his heart and in his soul, it would seem unfair for the man to lose his career and his good reputation over what might have been just a clumsy brain lock moment.
Make no mistake. I do not believe that racial comments should be taken lightly. To the contrary, I support a zero tolerance stance on racial hatred, slurs and discrimination. But if Greenberg's history on racial matters is shown to be completely clean (which in public at least it is), perhaps the man is owed the benefit of the doubt. The next time Greenberg misspeaks, which he undoubtedly will, and says something that is obviously an unexplainable brain cramp with no significance behind it, remember that this one was very likely one as well.
Source: ESPN Media Zone Editor, "Mike Greenberg Clarification", espnmediazone3.com
Published by Ron Hart
Ron Hart lives in New York. His interests are varied and include sports, politics and great Big Apple restaurants. He is a big baseball fan and enjoys discussing, debating and watching sports. He also enj... View profile
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Martin *Looter* Coon. FIXED
Jews own the media so they take care of their own. Rahm Emanuel won't get in any trouble for his "retard" comments either. They own us.
Where are the black sportswriters like Mike Wilbon? I forgot that tom works at ESPN.
If we all look the same we still would try to commit genocide. life is so simple and we make it complicated out of our stupidity thats all of us. so by Mike saying "coon" didnt bother me because I know whats on his mind, and he only reads sports news.Giving power to a sportscaster that shows how weak we are
WHERE ARE ALL THE WHITE WOMEN AT!!!???
BROTHA TROUBLE
You've got to be kidding me! How do the words "King and Junior" translate into coon? Some caucasians believe that African Americans get a free pass as it relates to racial comments. However, there is a difference between discussing racism and spouting racist remarks, which many of our white media personalities (Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, etc).
The people who are at Mike's throat have the same mentatlity as those who persecuted MLK. Just a lynch mob mentality
Blacks get a free pass at anti-semitism left and right. If all black anti-semities were banished from the public arena 95% of "civil rights" leaders would be gone along with 3/4 of rappers. Black get more free passes than anyone