Lou Holtz Apologizes For Hitler Comment, Will Not Be Disciplined
Monday, October 20, 2008
It wasn't too long ago that writer Jemele Hill was being suspended by ESPN for referencing Hitler in an article, but now they have another employee in hot water for referencing the German leader. That person, Lou Holtz, will actually not be disciplined at all according to College Football Talk.
Holtz, who when referring to Rich Rodriguez said "Ya know, Hitler was a great leader too," issued an on-air apology and apparently that was enough for the brass at ESPN....
A source at ESPN tells me that the Worldwide Leader does not plan to discipline college football analyst Lou Holtz for saying, “Hitler was a great leader, too.”I just really don't understand ESPN's suspension policy. There has always appeared to be a double standards of sorts, and I think this just proves the thoughts that most people have had about the network for awhile. Just because he's a kooky old man, doesn't mean that Holtz shouldn't be forced to take time off as well, and I'd be upset if I was Jemele Hill. Both were making just a bad attempt at a joke, but only one is getting suspended. You can draw your own conclusions there.
Per the source, ESPN considers Holtz’s on-air apology to be sufficient.
Of course, it’s still possible that ESPN will reconsider, especially if it gets complaints from advertisers. But for now, it appears that Holtz will not be suspended.
“Last night while trying to make a point about leadership, I made an unfortunate reference. It was a mistake and I sincerely apologize. At the time, I tried to clarify my remarks. I’m not sure I adequately did so. I appreciate your understanding.”- Lou Holtz
ESPN Plans No Discipline For Holtz Hitler Comment (College Football Talk)
15 Comments:
Maybe because Jemele has already had a history of writing things she shouldn't be saying, while Holtz was just a one-off?
Not condoning him, but that's just an educated guess.
I can see giving someone more leeway for a throwaway comment on live tv, as opposed to a reference in an article that you perceivably have time to read and revise.
Some people like Holtz and he is a valued contributor to ESPN. No one likes Jemele Hill and she adds nothing to the company. Right there is why Holtz can say what he wants to.
I mainly agree with anon @ 10:31, Hill had a chance to edit it, whereas Holtz had a slip-up on live TV. However, as a golden rule, it's always a good idea to not include any Hitler (and/or Nazi) references.
hill was just telling the truth like louie. hitler was a great leader. people all of a sudden want correctness in media.
Jemele Hill's "suspension" lasted about three days. Considering that her drivel is published about once a week, her suspension was akin to a starting pitcher getting suspended for one game in between starts.
And to take jfein's point a step further -- shouldn't the multiple layers of editors at espn.com who approved Hill's column before posting it also have been reprimanded?
So, does Family Guy get suspended for yesterday? They spent 22 minutes making Hitler jokes.
The proper thing here - as it should have been for Hill - is censure. They should both be censured (not censored).
Censure: –noun
1. strong or vehement expression of disapproval
2. an official reprimand, as by a legislative body of one of its members.
Class dismissed.
This is injustice. Holtz should be punished. I work in radio (for my dad, no less). If I were on the air and I said something like that, I'd be fired in a heartbeat. Thus, I'm incensed that Holtz got away with it.
i've seen Holtz apologize for comments the last TWO weeks.
ESPN should be seeing some pattern.
I'm with Anon@2:10 on this one. We need to take Lou Holtz, and Dickie V, and Beano Cook, and Hank Goldberg, and all of these other fossils out to pasture. Give up the dream, gentlemen. If I want to listen to a cranky old man talk about sports I'll eat dinner with my grandfather.
hell of a homogeneous policy
Lou Holtz is a member of the Augusta National Golf Club. ESPN broadcasts the first two rounds of The Masters. Could there possibly be a connection here?
I think it's safe to say that there is a fair amount of latent racism at TWWL. Jemel gets suspended, but Holtz doesn't. Pacman gets in a fight in which no charges are filed yet gets hundreds more hours of coverage than Joba getting arrested and charged with three crimes.
I'm just saying...
The context in which he was referring to Hitler was that Hitler was a great leader, who led his people in the wrong direction. Meaning that there can be great leaders who can do it right or wrong. There is nothing in his statement (if you have the ability to understand what he said, apparently most of you DON'T) that he should be punished for. Assclowns
HITLER WAS A GREAT LEADER!!!!!FUCK RACIST ASS ESPN!!! JEMELE BETTER COMMENT ON THIS