After listening to a snippet of the Spanish-language broadcast of Felix Jones 97-yard kickoff return during the game and in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Kornheiser said this:
"I took high school Spanish, either he said he's not going to be caught, or please pick up my dry cleaning tomorrow."
He later apologized during the live broadcast by saying this:
"I said something before which I shouldn't have said, I apologize for it. Not my first mistake, undoubtedly won't be my last, but a 100% apology."
So after reviewing all the facts....should he be dismissed as an announcer on MNF?
Here is my opinion: First of all, it puts me in agony just to listen to him during the broadcast...he is awful. He always throws in off-color non-sports comments that are so stoopid (spelling intentional) that Mike Tirico and Ron Jaworski just skip right over it. Now, I have to say I liked his radio show and Tony's Mailbag (Here comes Tony's mailbag....catchy tune none the less) Regardless, to some people the statement he made was no different that Imus calling the lady Rutgers basketball team "Nappy Headed Hoes". He zeroed in on one race and made a stereotypical comment about them (on National Television!! That's worse. No one listens to radio anymore). And, even worse, it was Hispanic Heritage Month! Double slap to those people (and I am not necessarily just speaking of the Latino population). However, I personally thought he was simply making a joke about not being able to understand Spanish. So, should he be fired? In my opinion, no although a stiff public punishment has to take place. However, if everyone in the media plays by the same rules then yes. And, if the Latino population gets hold of this I think ESPN may have no choice. I will be really surprised if we do not hear more about this. We are just in those day and times.
Yes, it was just Tony being Tony but we all know people get tired of it at some point. Just ask Manny.
2 comments:
I don't grt it...I dont see any racial or off-color in the comment.
1. It was the same as saying "or get some milk on the way home".
2. When did dry cleaning become a latino stereotype. Dry cleaning is a chinese thing. I can't even come up with a way that you connect Mexicans with dry cleaning.
3. I heard the comment and the appology and was just left scratching my head.
4. A punishment for something that in no way was intended to be a slur would be ridiculous.
5. Now if he said : "pick me up a burrito on the way home" that would be different.
6. He was saying what the spanish announcer could have been saying...So how would a Mexican guy saying pick up my dry cleaning be offensive to Mexicans? I am not smart but i am just lost on this one!
I feel ya. I was just stating what SOME people are going to think and say. You know how people go overboard on these things. As I stated, I just think that he was making a joke about not knowing spanish. However, I think that the pressure may come that he has to have some sort of punishment......its just the way it is and I agree with it. There is a very "fine line" when talking about any race (whether its not meant harmful or not) especially if you are in the media. DONT DO IT. you know the consequences. There has to be a rule "across the board".
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