Video: ESPN Mike Greenberg Says Martin Luther “Coon” instead of “King” On Air Written by: Robert Littal
Mike Greenberg needs to address this immediately and not just with an apology, but an explanation of how it happened.
Words like “Coon” are not the type that usually just “slip out”.
Nothing in Greenberg’s history shows that he intentionally meant to do it, but an explanation and apology is needed and it is needed immediately. I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He appears to be a very nice guy and there has never been any hint of controversy surrounding him to my knowledge.
So an apology would be enough for me.
Someone made the point it is quite possible that Greenberg was using the word off air and that is what caused the slip on air.
That is speculation, but there are plenty of people on the Mike and Mike in the Morning set, so I would hope if that was the case one of them would bring to management in what regards Greenberg was using the word.
Once again that is just speculation and hopefully Greenberg himself will address the issue soon because even if a honest mistake he needs to acknowledge it and not act like it didn’t happen.
Video provided by http://www.twitter.com/fieldsrr
*UPDATE*
Mike Greenberg has issued a statement and I consider the issue closed, here is what he said:
I just came home from the Knicks game and found out about the mess that was created by my garbling a sentence on our show this morning; I apologize for not addressing it sooner.
And I’m sorry that my talking too fast – and slurring my words – might have given people who don’t know our show the wrong impression about us, and about me.
I feel horrible about that, because nothing could be further away from who I am and what our show is about.
I would never say anything like that, not in public, or in private, or in the silence of my own mind, and neither would anyone associated with our show, and I’m very sorry that my stumble this morning gave so many people the opposite impression.
*UPDATE*
This will be the last time I address this.
Do I believe Mike Greenberg apology?
Doesn’t matter because unless someone is willing to step up and give a reason why I shouldn’t believe him I am not going to make accusations. I have a set of principles that will not change. One of those principles is before I throw around very accusatory words that I have a strong set of facts to back them up. In this case I have none.
Do I have my suscpions?
Absolutely, but it would be hypocritical to label someone when this site was built on the foundation of being unbiased. At that point I become the type of journalist who I have promised my audience I would never become.
I do believe the apology should have been on air and punishment should have been consistent with other ESPN employees who have had similar slip ups in the past.
At this point I have nothing else to say except my words are my words. They don’t need to be interpreted I always mean exactly what I write and say. Point blank period.
Written By: The CEO and President of BlackSportsOnline and BonaFide Media Group, BonaFide Sports Expert and Dean of NoHology Robert Littal.
@BlackSportsOnline. Email Robert
January 18th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
say what? Was it a joke or a slip of the tongue or just blatant?
January 18th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
I believe it was definitely either something he was thinking or talking about prior to resuming the broadcast. We all have said something that we wish we could take back. I agree that an explanation and an apology is needed. To just ignore it and act like it didn't happen just makes the situation worse.
January 18th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
I hear “martin luther coon king jr. holiday” like he try to quickly fix what he said. I like mike greenberg.Hope were wrong
January 18th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
It sounds to me like he was on auto-pilot and combined "King" and "Junior" – sounds bad, and he should probably address it, but definitely not intentional.
January 18th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Wow, whatever the actual store, I agree; he definitely needs to address it. Mistakes happen, and one like this can't just be swept under the rug.
January 18th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
wow, I have to check out coon comment
January 18th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
nah to me it was more like he or somebody he knows and talks with alot say that as a joke so much it slipped out his mouth at the wrong time. No accident.
January 18th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Definitely I am not saying he needs to confess his sins, just a "my bad" we were talking about XYZ before
January 18th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
That is why I am interested in the explantion. A lot of people have mentioned that to me your theory. That is why I included it in the article.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Get a life.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
coon sounds a lot like "King" and "Junior" mungled up
January 18th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Meh. Who cares? Obviously a mistake.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Anyone offended by this is an idiot. He obviously started saying "King," then started saying "Junior," then backed up when he misspoke. In fact, the simple fact that this article is angry rather than amused at that incidental slip-up is much funnier than the video itself.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
No one is Angry Andrew, he just needs to speak on it
January 18th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
I think it's pretty obvious he got tongue tied trying to say "King Junior". Not a mistake you want to make on MLK day, but definitely a mistake.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
This.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
I think he slipped his words up.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
The problem is that there is a significant history of various racist organizations calling King just that before his murder. Absent this context, one could argue that this was a simple slip of the tongue. However, it's naive to think that Greenberg was the first person to have linked these words together.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
No Eric C. Mistakes like this should be swept under the rug. That's where uninentional verbal farts belong. They don't belong in a media circus where one side claims that the racism of a half century is as prevelant as ever and the other side claims back that minorities are whiners and insincere abour discrimiation.
No. This is a non issue. Mike G has nothing to apologize for. Let's save accusations of racism for actual racism. It's more meaningful that way
January 18th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
send your complaints to tmz and espn if we want someing done
January 18th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
As a white person, I can say that my racist white friends call the holiday “Martin Luther Coon Day” all the time. Can guarantee Mike Greenburg says it too… and it rolled off the tongue.
January 18th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
disagree. the long 'u' in 'Luther' is a verbal slip when trying to get the words out of your mouth. it's no different than a classic tongue twister.
if you've been talking all day, then try to say:
'How can a clam cram in a clean cream can'
fast, you'll see how even 'L' and 'r' start to run together.
non-issue.
January 18th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
As others have said, it’s clearly a slip between “King” and “Junior”. And this blog’s response to immediately overreact to something that could possibly, maybe, barely be seen as racist shows us that Dr. King’s dream is far from being realized. Pretty shameful, and I’m not talking about Mike.
January 18th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Honestly I am not buying the "King" "Junior" theory, but Greenberg could clear it all up.
January 18th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
@ Craig: I am a white male and honestly I have never heard Martin Luther Coon Day before and there is no way you can guarantee that Greenie has ever said it.
@ The Author: If he is such a racist why would he even bring up Martin Luther King Jr. Day at all? I mean honestly 99% of the shows I have watched today haven't even mentioned it. A large portion of Americans don't even consider it a holiday. I think he made a nice gesture by even saying what day today was. I am definitely not a racist but I had forgotten until he reminded me, eve.
January 18th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
As the host of a sports talk show I don't see how he could ever say anything which blacks could construe as racist as that's about all there is in sports today.
January 18th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
[...] Video below. Um, whoops. BlackSportsOnline [...]
January 18th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Some of ya'll kill me i swear. I would image a good number of us know that the posthumous Dr. Martin Luther King, has been called "Martin Luther COON" during the civil rights movement as an intended racial slur. Do any of us know if Mr. Greenberg "intended" to say it on purpose or not? No. None of us know if that's true or false. So . . why in the world are some of you saying that it was OBVIOUSLY a slip up. Or, by some coincidence he meshed the words King and Junior together. Sounds like you're making excuses for someone and something you know nothing of. To say he meant it or not would be ignorantly oblivious. And that's not an opinion. Don't let passion sway opinion.
January 18th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
You guys must be bored as hell from not working today to get all riled up about this. Just chalk it up to a mistake that doesn't need an apology. Nothing in Greenberg's history tells us that he's a racist in any shape or form.
January 18th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Really? It was a slip of the tongue. Sheesh, why the fuck does every GD thing stir some racial debate, and usually its 'activists' that purposefully focus on the ethnic component to spark debate, or in this site's case, page views.
January 18th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
racist i hate espn i knew thsi day would happen . hahahhaahh COON
January 18th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
First off the only people making it into a racial component are those saying it in the comments. I said several times in the article:
A- It just seemed like a mistake
B- Greeny has no history of being that type of guy
But he should clear it up. If that was jemele Hill having a slip up and apology would have already been given
January 18th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
maybe he was just looking out his window b4 and saw a raccoon and it was on his mind
January 18th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
[...] …original article Share and [...]
January 18th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
i agree with the writer.. i am a radio talk show host too and make sure you listen as we discuss this an other topics at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=feed&st...
January 18th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
You should be talking about Mike..because I know for a fact that white people say these things and mean them , but once it comes out, you want people to say that it was a mistake, or Black people are being too sensitive. Until you have experienced racisim in the fullest like I have, it will always be that to you..just a mistake.
January 18th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
sorry, listened as carefully as possible three times, and heard nothing that could possibly heard as what he's been quoted as saying. His meaning, though, was clear, as intending to simply recognize the holiday, but did it mush-mouthed.
January 18th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Why jew wanna make a big deal out of a slip of the lip.
January 18th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
This was an obvious mistake or an attempt to see if could get away with it. Either way…he is so fired.
January 18th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
The thing is that there are thousands upon thousands of other words to mess up with. Look in the dictionary and see how many words begin with K and C. The fact that this particular word can out so easily says a lot about what he may believe or talk about. I've never in my life mixed King with Coon. Again, there are thousands of words to choose.
January 18th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
There is no reason to explain or apologize for something like this.
January 18th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
its disrespectful !! PINK CAUCUS BASTARD SHOULD BE FIRED!!! COON IS JUST AS BAD AS NIGGER!!
January 18th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
[...] Blogs Video: ESPN Mike Greenberg Says Martin Luther “Coon” instead of … [...]
January 18th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Confucius say: Racial jokes you make off the air sometimes slip out on the air.
January 19th, 2010 at 12:03 am
Wasnt it he and his partner that put together that horrendous and filthy roasting of charlie weiss a couple years ago and where their female co employee did the infamous F Jesus salute? wouldnt put it past anyone at that place, given recent uncovering of sexual abuse in the workplace that Coon talk off mic could be more common than we'd want it to. ESPN is a cesspool of abuse–both of their employees and apparently others. Probably part of the behind the scenes dialogue going on there, all in a joking kind of way—but it hurts no matter the form it comes out in. Clean it up at ESPN—-all of it. Radio, TV, and Bristol.
January 19th, 2010 at 12:06 am
Since ESPN is the first to cruxify everyone else then dumby up when they do these things…Good Luck…I am still waiting for them to explain Kevin Phillips
January 18th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
[...] That’s right, folks, the Jew screwed up and now will face the wrath of black websites that aren’t down with white boy messing up his words on the MLK holiday. Up to the plate steps Blacksportsonline.com. [...]
January 19th, 2010 at 12:40 am
Greeny clears it all up: http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2010/01/mike-gre...
January 19th, 2010 at 12:51 am
Come on folks it was a simple mistake because he was talking so fast and mixed King & Junior. Fuckin blacks always want to cry foul over something that is a non issue.
January 19th, 2010 at 12:54 am
Mike Greenberg has been on the air at ESPN for around 10 years, this is the first time that he has made any slip of the tongue that could be interpreted as racial or prejudice whatsoever. The guy talks on live radio for 4 hours a day, and live tv for a few hours a week as well. Give the guy a little credit. If he were a prejudice man in any way, we would have already seen it, his guests would know it and not continue to come on, and he would no longer be employed at ESPN.
January 19th, 2010 at 12:59 am
All blacks wanna do is play the racism card….. well to be honest, this website is racist. If there was a whitesportsonline.com or a white history month, then all hell would break loose.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
[...] Go here to read the rest: Video: ESPN Mike Greenberg Says Martin Luther “Coon” instead of … [...]
January 19th, 2010 at 1:56 am
Educate yourselfs people. Have you ever heard of a Freudian slip. Defined (3 different sources) as one of the following…
1. A verbal mistake that is thought to reveal a repressed belief, thought, or emotion.
2. An error in speech, memory, or physical action that is interpreted as occurring due to the interference of some unconscious ('dynamically repressed') wish, conflict, or train of thought. The concept is thus part of classical psychoanalysis.
3. An inadvertent mistake in speech or writing that is thought to reveal a person's unconscious motives, wishes, or attitudes.
Plenty of people use langauge in private that they do not use in public. Is Greeny a racist I don't think so but I do not know him personally and neither do any of you commenting. He owes an apology on the air the same way he made the mistake. Those that don't understand why, need to do a little soul searching and ask yourselves why you believe he shouldn't…you may find a skeleton in your closet.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:56 am
I heard Mike Greenbergs comment this morning as I watched Mike & Mike this morning. He definetly said coon & then corrected himself & said King. We were shocked & we ran it back on the TIVO to make sure we heard what he said.
January 19th, 2010 at 2:10 am
Slip or the tongue, whatever, we have to start hold these crackers responsible; coon? on the man's day. he should be suspended. Jimmy the greek rolling in his grave
January 19th, 2010 at 2:12 am
yeah whatever, he said coon, i heard on first try, yall act like this acceptible…wait a minute it is, so sad…
January 18th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
[...] weatherman Rob Blair fired from his job in 2005. Coming out of a commercial break Greenberg said “Martin Luther Coon-King Junior holiday.” Take a listen to the video for Greenberg’s [...]
January 19th, 2010 at 2:27 am
That is ESPN.com and I never played the racism card, where is your proof of that. He made an insensitive remark even if mistake he should have addressed it immediately
January 19th, 2010 at 2:31 am
It was too smooth to be an accident. But I do believe that we as humans are too sensitive to words, while portraying a false tough guy exterior. We are so weak. I wonder how many whites really thought that it was funny, but were too scared and WEAK to admit it. They would rather take a politically correct approach in public, and laugh around their friends. Let's face it though Mike has the right to SPEAK FREELY, I just think when the real MIC and camera is on look and speak directly into them, Then I can respect you, other than that you are just a WEAK person with sarcasm, trying to gain locker room love. I know reserve my right to observe Yom Cracker……Kippur
January 19th, 2010 at 2:47 am
He didn't mix just King with Coon; he mixed King Junior and it came out as coon. Take the first sound of King and the long "un" of junior. It is pretty apparent he was talking too fast and garbled his words. Non-issue.
January 19th, 2010 at 2:51 am
give me a break, make a big deal about something that is a big deal.. no one says boo about rappers using the n-word, they still sell their music. it was a slip, read into it whatever you want. the people that make an issue of it are the true racists. jesse jackson, hymie town?
January 19th, 2010 at 2:56 am
Will he get fired for this? Nah…
Was it as bad as a mistake he probably has ever made in this age of social media? Yeah…
January 19th, 2010 at 3:03 am
As I stated all I wanted was for him to address. if he would have addressed it immediately it wouldn't have went viral
January 19th, 2010 at 4:21 am
a large portion of Americans do consider it a holiday mike
January 19th, 2010 at 4:30 am
Does anyone outside of the KKK use "coon" as a racial slur anymore? If there was some kind of intent, wouldn't it be more Rush like using quasi PC lingo that is actually insulting, rather than an archaic slur that was used more in the 40's and 50s?
January 19th, 2010 at 12:23 am
[...] Video below. Um, whoops. BlackSportsOnline [...]
January 19th, 2010 at 12:59 am
I agree with an earlier post…why even (attempt to) mention MLK? You need a black/white conspiracy? Dig up the YouTube of Rush Limbaugh doing Sunday NFL Countdown. Greenie is a rapid-fire radio guy who simply tripped over his own tongue. I'm in radio and have fumbled a word or two, and if I didn't play the aircheck tape back, I wouldn't have even noticed what I said. Guess what? It happens. I bet he was thinking ahead of himself and talking so fast, HE probably didn't hear himself make that mistake. But a MISTAKE it was, one for which he apologized. End of story.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:11 am
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by classickmateria: #ohshit RT: @BlkSportsOnline: Video: ESPN Mike Greenberg Says Martin Luther “Coon” instead of “King” On Air http://bit.ly/5W7CQ1...
January 19th, 2010 at 6:20 am
Yo! Rob,
The guy made a racial slip not saying he's a racist or bigot. What offends me is that he didn't face up to it.He probable heard it somewhere and he could have even been offended by what he heard. But it was in his head and he should of said wow I don't no where that came from but I'm sorry. I tested myself by saying Martin Luther King Jr.,repeatedly fast and "Coon" just doesn't come out.He corrected hiself before he finished so he knows he said something wrong.
Mike Ragin
January 19th, 2010 at 11:31 am
Wow, a whole lot of amateur psychologists must hang out on this site judging by the comments on this article.
Sometimes a slip is Freudian… sometimes its just a slip.
January 19th, 2010 at 6:47 am
[...] Video below. Um, whoops. BlackSportsOnline [...]
January 19th, 2010 at 7:37 am
[...] reading here: Video: ESPN Mike Greenberg Says Martin Luther “Coon” instead of … Share and [...]
January 19th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
What we should be discussing here is why there is a Black Sports Online??? You can't have it both ways!!!!
That is what the true problem is. Race issues are not and never will be a 'one way' street.
January 19th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Greenberg is a bigot.
January 19th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Typical niggers. Niggers are more racist then any white person I ever met.
January 19th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
So those with the thoughts that Greenburg must think this way all of the time and those white people who do not think it is bad must have sketetons in their closet; take a close look at some of these posts. The names that are coming out must be slips of the type. Believe me Elwyn when I say that the only thing that is WEAK is society thinking that race is a one sided card. Look at YOUR own comments coward!!! I am sure you like all of your friends think that you cannot be a racist (Charles Barkley).
January 19th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
before we pass judgment on his intentions, we must first research his voting record and find out if he is a democrat or republican
January 19th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
i'm PISSED OFF is not right he can't get a pass on this he said it and he meant what he said. i will be talk to ESPN and NFL and i will step down if rhis is not address fairly…..
January 19th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Fire that racist jew!!
January 19th, 2010 at 10:20 am
[...] video-espn-mike-greenberg-says-martin-luther-coon-instead-of-king-on-air [...]
January 19th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
He clearly said King and Junior together… has anyone here actually never had that happen to them? when you're thinking 2 or 3 words ahead and you just jumble them… give the guy a break.
January 19th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
[...] of a commercial break Greenberg said ?Martin Luther … Mike Greenberg Celebrates MLK …original article Share and [...]
January 19th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
That fact that most posts either say it was a mistake, not an issue or to hit it head on with an apology is a testament to he being innocent of a greater wrong. Clearly, Grennie exhibits no history of prejudice or racial undertones. Especially given the fact he quite often laments himself given his Jewish background and law degree.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
well since all the good your race done in the world is a speck compared to all the evil white people have done I can see why you are so hated. Plus name calling like that doesn’t help. But what should I expect from a hick high school drop out. Don’t hate me because you want to be me.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
and by the way why are most to all of white men gay??
January 19th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
you hit it on the head
January 19th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
I agree
January 19th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
[...] He issued this statement late yesterday (Via BSO} [...]
January 19th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
[...] Video: ESPN Mike Greenberg Says Martin Luther “Coon” instead of …366940 Commentshttp://blacksportsonline.com/home/index.php/2010/01/video-espn-mike-greenberg-says-martin-luther-coon-instead-of-king-on-air/Video%3A+ESPN+Mike+Greenberg+Says+Martin+Luther+%22Coon%22+instead+of+%22King%22+On+Air2010-01- …Read more [...]
January 19th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
I agree,white people expect us to accept what they say & be ok with it! Well we have a right to feel Hatred towards some of you Devils! True you hate us because you fear us.
January 19th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
I agree, he should be fired! What he said was very offensive to the entire Nation.
January 20th, 2010 at 1:13 am
I thought the same thing, Cameron
January 20th, 2010 at 2:10 am
No, that has been a comment made for years. I was one of only 12 Black students in my school and we were told to have a Happy Martin Luther Coon Day ever year at this time. This brought back uglly memories.
January 20th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
i'm an african-american man and i'm not offended at all. clearly this was a slip of the tongue. i listen to this show all the time and always hear these guys run words together. i my opinion, his thoughts were manifesting quicker than he could speak. he ran together the words king and junior and that's what came out. for those people who are offended, i don't see or feel any ill intent through that slip up and don't feel that energy should be wasted on being upset
January 20th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
I agree that it was a slip of the tounge. He did not mean to say it, but it is in him. If he flushes his vocabulary and lifestyle from toying with racist comments such as these, they would not slip out. I believe he owes an apology and explanation.
January 20th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. That was in his heart !
January 20th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
i don't think he did it on purpose, however they should can the whole show because it sucks.
January 20th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
There is no way he said that on purpose. If you listen to the show Mike is not a racist, he just blurred his words and we unfortunately live in a society where people wanna scream about racial inequality. I'm a white male, I'm discriminated on more than anybody these days. Martin Luther King was a great man and I think everybody with any sense is proud of what he did for our country. Both white and black.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:39 am
what the hell are you people smoking? "king junior" sounds nothing like "COON". obviously the thought was previously in his mind from a joke or convo he previously had. He might as well have said "Martin Luther King is a nigger"…the guy's a bigot. Not that I really care. It's a free country and you're allowed to be racist, but i wont be supporting this guy or his show anymore…
January 21st, 2010 at 12:51 pm
mike is a liar- "a devil" this is not a slip espn should be taken off air with him.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Mike is just like the rest of the undercover racist. And anyone that makes excuses for what he said is just like he is.
January 21st, 2010 at 10:05 am
@Uncle Tom Typical racist trying to put their blame problems on blacks!
January 21st, 2010 at 6:38 pm
I think he made an honest mistake, but he has doubters because he did'nt address it sooner.You can't just
sit there and act like nobody heard what you just said.Damn Greeny.
January 21st, 2010 at 8:01 pm
I think assuming that he meant it as a racial slur and assuming that he didn't are the same thing. I like Greeny but I can't read his mind.
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:02 am
I could see if it was an accident, he may have blended King and Junior together, but if I was in his shoes, I would have noticed it immediately, realized the ramification of the mistake and issued an apology right away like this…
"We welcome you to Mike and Mike in the morning and wish you well on Martin Luther Koon–King Jr Day today….
I apologize for the way what I said just came out folks, I mistakenly jumbled the words King and Junior together, it was in no way deliberate on my part. We wish you a very happy Martin Luther KING day, and Greeny, a lot of NFL to get to…."
I think that would be appropriate….
IF IT WAS A LEGITIMATE MISTAKE!
It's unfortunate it had to happen, the black community celebrates MLK day with very high regard, and even for one day of the year, it ends up turning into a racial blunder. Sad.
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:17 am
gee, and I would like to see black folks who have made anti-asian, anti-semetic, homophibic and sexist coments to be taken to task. yet they are swept under the rug. when blacks are forced to answer and be accoutable for every wrong doing I will then take your demand seriously.
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:18 am
i've never heard it used once in my whole life (I am white). you need new friends obviously
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:25 am
sorry babyA but most bigotry and intollerence I've seen in my lifetime has been from blacks. I live in a predominately gay neighborhood and 3x I've heard gays be called "faggot" and threatened- all by black males. Anti-asian, anti-semetic and mysogynistic hate speech seems to roll of the black man's tongue pretty easily. We all have feelings and I sure as hell don't see black folks being overly sensitive to other opressed groups
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:32 am
of course it would have.
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:38 am
Fire that racist Negro (Jerimiah Wright)! Fire that racist Negro (Al Sharpton) Fire that racist Negro (Jesse Jackson) Fire that racist Negro (Louis FarraKKKHan).
Blacks treat Jews worse than the KKK treated you. Jews SHOULD begin talkin about black folks the way blackkk "civil rights" leaders talk about them. Then blacks would collectively cry "RAAAAACCCIST JEEEEEW"
Jews should never have taken part in the civil rights movement. Blacks have become the new KKK to EVERYONE- Jews, Asians, Hispanics, gays, women. In Philly right now CHinese kids can't go to school because they are bombared by hate crimes by blacks. Just like whites once did to blacks. You are movin on up!
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:39 am
so was what Jerimiah Wright said and those black churches have given him a free pass. how dare you say that white DJ's should be held to higher standards than black community leaders.
January 22nd, 2010 at 2:50 pm
You can guarantee that he says it,huh? You must be psychic. Well, thanks for clearing it up for us anyway. The word of a mind-reader is good enough for me.
January 22nd, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Why Linfield holds class on Martin Luther King jr Day I don’t quite understand, this is a federally recognized holiday which
January 22nd, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Oh REALLY!!!? He made a slip up?
So did another anchor on the same day. doesn't sound like a slip up now. Sounds like what some people call it on a daily basis but when they are in the public try to play it down.
http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2010/0...
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:37 pm
Mike is not responsible for it "bringing back ugly memories" for you. The way a lot of blacks treat other minorities should also "bring back ugly memories" yet you black folks never seem to connect the dots. Don't you think the way blacks have acted towards jews brings back "ugly memories" for them… or do their feelings not matter as much as yours?
January 24th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
It's a conspiracy thory. Unless you have facts to bring that up why are you insinuating it? Perhaps YOU Robert make off color jokes. Maybe your sexist, homophobis, racist or anti-semetic. Strange caust when black folks like Jackson or Rev Wright make biggoted comments I never hear black folks speculate that they probably say and do things far worse behind closed doors… although they do
January 24th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
"He owes an apology on the air the same way he made the mistake."
But Jerimiah Wright made anti-semetic comments on the air and Jesse Jackson called Obama a ni**er on the air. So why haven't YOU called for them to apologize on the air also?
January 25th, 2010 at 3:31 am
He said it and he meant it. ? You don't say the "N" word by accident. That's the same thing. Spare me the bull. Are you people that naive to think racism doesn't exist. Just because you never heard him say it before doesn't mean he's not racist. Unless you know him personally don't say he didn't mean it.
January 26th, 2010 at 1:03 am
and unless YOU know him don't say he DID mean it. He's innocent until proven guilty and his track record is very good. I give the man a free pass. I mean, Jesse Jackson has got a half dozen racial slurs under his belt
January 26th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Robert, thanks for being unbiased especially in this case. It would be a shame for Greenberg to lose his career over what I think is a fumbling of words. Anyone who listens to his show like I have for 10 years knows what this guy is all about. Yes a terrible word to fly out, but clearly to me, a jumbling of words.
January 26th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
it's seems like they are going to bury this because i been sending messages to tmz cnn espn and every other news spot but to no success. i think we should keep sending them to tmz and others to they are forced to responed.. no different when they go after pro players over something which would be consider a slip but they dont bury it like espn has..they make it a story so if you want justice keep sending messages and keep the word out.
dont let them get away with this
January 26th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
"it's seems like they are going to bury this because i been sending messages to tmz cnn espn and every other news spot but to no success. "
Funny cause I've been senging messages to tmz, cnn, and espn and every other news spot about the murder of an elderly man by 7 young thugs. NONE of them have carried it either. Gee, I guess there is a conspircay?
January 27th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
the author clearly brought light to the subject if it was missed and got a catchy headline to draw readers. I think he even mentioned that numerous times later that he still thinks Mike is a good person and will not jump down his throat. please read the whole article instead of copying what you would write for a Jason Whitlock article onto an honest openness about the incident.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:12 am
USUALLY WHEN I SAY THE WRONG THING IS WHEN I AM THINKING IT. AS WITH MOST PEOPLE,
January 28th, 2010 at 12:14 am
WHEN I SAY THE WRONG THING IS UAUALLY WHEN I AM THINKING IT
January 28th, 2010 at 12:15 am
I'LL SAY HE DID
February 1st, 2010 at 6:11 am
The fact that "a large portion of Americans don't even consider it a holiday" shows there is work to be done. The fact is it is a National Holiday whether you like it or not. Come on people…you have to see how this is a problem. I do not make a big deal over ever little thing but the fact that so many of you don't see this as a problem hurts and actually scares me. We have not arrived yet. In all actuallity, the comments many of you are making, bother me more that the original "mistake". And as for the "mistake"…please! What is in our thoughts and mind often comes out of the mouth.
February 1st, 2010 at 4:43 pm
None of us knows what kind of person Mike really happens to be. However, slip up of that nature usually is a greater indication of one' thought process and value systems. If given an opportunity to speak as often as he does, eventually those kinds of thoughts will accidently slip out. You can hold things back for so long before somewhere, somehow it comes to light. He should not be punished because from this point on every minority will look at him with reservations as they engage in any kind of dialouge with him. No one uses the word coon in any fashion unless it stated in a derogatory manner. The word racoon will be most appropiate in most cases when speaking of the animal. However the word coon was and still is used as a racist remark.
February 1st, 2010 at 4:46 pm
None of us knows what kind of person Mike really happens to be. However, slip up of that nature usually is a greater indication of one' thought process and value systems. If given an opportunity to speak as often as he does, eventually those kinds of thoughts will accidently slip out. You can hold things back for so long before somewhere, somehow it comes to light. He should not be punished because from this point on every minority will look at him with reservations as they engage in any kind of dialouge with him. No one uses the word coon in any fashion unless it stated in a derogatory manner. The word racoon will be most appropiate in most cases when speaking of the animal. However the word coon was and still is used as a racist remark.
February 1st, 2010 at 5:01 pm
I think you all need to open your eyes! Google Martin Luther Coon and you will see that the phrase has been used for decades to demean the memory of the Dr. King. That bull about combining the two words is rediculous. Now of course he didn't mean to say it, but it is likely that he had heard it so much that day and possibly even said it, or maybe argued with someone who said it. Nonetheless he didn't jumble his words, he just made a mistake and actually said it.
February 4th, 2010 at 11:55 am
That is HYSTERICAL!!! Just FYI: MLK cheated religiously on his wife and plagiarized a majority of his speeches. Not a good man,
February 7th, 2010 at 3:51 am
Gee thanks for the guarantee Craig. Now that you cleared this whole thing up we can move on.
February 7th, 2010 at 4:01 am
Robert,
In the article you say it just seemed like a mistake, but earlier in the comments you say you don't buy the King,Junior theory, insinuating it was intentional. So which is it?
February 7th, 2010 at 4:11 am
What is espn.com? How is the slip of the tounge insensitive? Maybe people are a little (or a lot) too sensitive.
James – I agree. Wasn't it MLK who wanted everyone judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin? Having websites like this and black history month and anything else that is set up for people of just certain skin color is inherently racist and in my opinion does nothing but further racial divide.
February 7th, 2010 at 4:22 am
Arizona,
.First you say it was a Freudian slip obviously insinuating that calling a black person a "coon" is something he would do. Then you go on to say you don't think he is a racist. I think you are confused. It is one or the other, not both. Have you ever heard of "slip of the tongue"? How do you know he didnt just mush King and Junior together? You don't. None of us know what is in his heart. The fact that you think he "owes" anybody an apology shows that you are just ready to pull out the race card without knowing his heart. Maybe you should do a little soul searching yourself.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:10 am
I'm going to assume this is a joke. If not, you are seriously ignorant.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:13 am
It was viral 10 minutes after he said it.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:16 am
Amen…….Black Sports Online, Black History Month, Black Colleges, BET TV and on and on………..but everyone should be judged on the content of their character right? Sounds like a lot of people like to be defined by their skin pigmentation rather that anything that actually matters.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:21 am
Ya……cause you have never misspoke before right?
February 7th, 2010 at 7:24 am
K ing jUNior……yes mashing those two words together could sound like "coon". I dont know whats in his heart and neither do you. I'm sure their show wont miss you.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:28 am
ya but Jesse is black so he is allowed a racial slur or 2. Don't you know only white people are racist?
February 7th, 2010 at 7:29 am
Sometimes….and sometimes not.
February 11th, 2010 at 5:11 am
I am a regular listener to the show and greeny is definitely not the type of guy to be like that. plus if you watch even just twenty minutes of the show you will find out pretty quick that he fumbles his words around a lot. no problem. end of discussion
February 12th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
MIke & Mke are finished
February 13th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
I am extremely disappointed in Mike even today on his past actions on Martin Luther King Day. His response is typical of politicians and high profile people who think they are above others don't have to answer the questions honestly. He makes the average guy who has aspired to be successful but lies about his actions once he has some success. What most commentators need to say to themselves, what am I going to do about this. Since he won't give a legitimate answer I don't watch ESPN anymore. I really have supported this station in the past but if their sportscasters don't have the guts to say they are wrong instead of, I slurred my words together and it is not what I said, I have no need for this network. Sometimes you just have to take a stand. The best part of it is other channels have sports and I feel great because I took a stand on an issue that I wished never happened.
June 10th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
lol, niggers these days.