Olbermann yanked off air for 'pitiful' exchange

 

Keith Olbermann

ESPN has suspended anchorman Keith Olbermann for the remainder of this after the left-wing firebrand called students of Penn State University “pitiful,” a remark the sports network is calling “completely inappropriate.”

The exchange began when Olbermann, a former anchor on MSNBC, commented on an article about Penn State students raising more than $13 million to fight pediatric cancer during its annual THON fundraiser.

Lisa De Leon, a Penn State alumna, tweeted the news to Olbermann, who last month slammed the school for its with the NCAA concerning penalties from the Jerry Sandusky case.

Olbermann responded to De Leon with one word: “Pitiful.”

The remark went viral, and Twitter users came to De Leon’s defense, with Dave Seidel saying: “So @KeithOlbermann says PSU students raising over $13m for pediatric cancer research is ‘pitiful.’ No sir, u r the definition of the word.”

Olbermann immediately doubled-down, claiming Penn State students were pitiful because they’re Penn State students – “period.”

He followed up with a searing tweet that said: “I’d like to thank the students and alums of Penn State for proving my point about the mediocrity of their education and ethics.”

Officials at ESPN were not thrilled, and issued this statement:

“We are aware of the exchange Olbermann had on Twitter last night regarding Penn State. It was completely inappropriate and does not reflect the views of ESPN. We have discussed it with Keith, who recognizes he was wrong. ESPN and Keith have agreed that he will not host his show for the remainder of this week and will return on Monday. The annual tradition of THON and the efforts of the students of Penn State to fight pediatric cancer should be applauded.”

Tuesday afternoon, Olbermann tweeted an online apology: “I apologize for the PSU tweets. I was stupid and childish and way less mature than the students there who did such a great fundraising job.”

James Miller, who co-authored a book on the network, told the New York Post Olbermann would be paid during his time off the air.

Olbermann yanked off air for 'pitiful' exchange
Joe Kovacs
Tue, 24 Feb 2015 21:52:15 GMT