Monday, February 24, 2025, 12:43AM |  35°
MENU
Advertisement

Keith Olbermann benched over Penn State retort

Keith Olbermann benched over Penn State retort

Keith Olbermann was taken off his ESPN show for the rest of the week after making insulting comments about Penn State students on Twitter.

On Monday, a Penn State alum tweeted to Mr. Olbermann the phrase “We Are!” and a link to an article about students raising more than $13 million to fight pediatric cancer. Mr. Olbermann replied “...Pitiful.”

Mr. Olbermann, who often spars with commenters on Twitter, then refused to back down in several more tweets, saying he was referring to Penn State students in general and not the fundraising.

Advertisement

“It was completely inappropriate and does not reflect the views of ESPN,” the network said in a statement Tuesday. “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.”

Penn State coach James Franklin claps enthusiastically during practice at Fordham University's Field House in New York in preparation for the Nittany Lions Pinstripe Bowl game against Boston College.
Audrey Snyder
Penn State players say Year 2 will be different

Mr. Olbermann also apologized on Twitter on Tuesday, saying, “I was stupid and childish and way less mature than the students there who did such a great fundraising job.”

Mr. Olbermann returned to ESPN in summer 2013, vowing that his second stint would go better than his first. He had made his name with his catchphrases and sardonic tone as a “SportsCenter” anchor from 1992-97.

But his tenure ended amid harsh words and clashes with management over his right to do outside work. He was suspended briefly for not seeking permission to record public service announcements.

Advertisement

Two politically oriented jobs didn’t end well, either. After eight years as a prime-time host at MSNBC, he quit abruptly in January 2011. He later joined Current TV but lasted a year before he was taken off the air; he filed a lawsuit, which was settled out of court.

 

First Published: February 25, 2015, 5:00 a.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Protesters gathered at the corner of Murray and Forbes avenues to speak out against the Trump administration's policies on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Squirrel Hill.
1
news
'We will fight back': Hundreds rally in Squirrel Hill in opposition of Trump, Musk and president's administration
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 23: Joel Blomqvist #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins stands in the crease as the New York Rangers celebrate a goal by Adam Fox #23 in the third period during the game at PPG PAINTS Arena on February 23, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
2
sports
Goaltending woes cost the Penguins again as they fall to rival Rangers
Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller warms up in the outfield befiore their first home game of the Grapefruit League season at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.
3
sports
3 takeaways from Pirates’ second straight win to start spring training
The University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning
4
business
Amid funding uncertainty, Pitt pauses doctoral admissions
Egg prices are on the rise because of avian flu and inflation.
5
life
What’s up with eggs, and why are they so expensive?
Advertisement
LATEST ae
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story