Shutdown Corner - NFL

Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:30 am EDT

Why Tony Kornheiser apologized last night

During last night's game, ESPN's Tony Kornheiser uttered an apology, and no one seemed to know why. We were asked about it a few dozen times during the liveblog last night, and no one had a definitive answer. Enter the always-on-the-job Awful Announcing, who had the money quotes.

After listening to a snippet of the Spanish-language broadcast of the game 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."

And later, 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."

Someone must've complained, or I doubt an apology would've ever made the airwaves. Evidently, the comments must have rubbed someone the wrong way, and that's alright. I'm not into telling people what should or shouldn't offend them.

But from what I can tell, Kornheiser didn't have any malicious intent there, nor did he intend to demean anyone. And before I say anything else, in the interest of full disclosure, I'll tell you that I didn't listen to the ESPN broadcast. I hooked up a Sirius joint at home so I could listen to the Westwood One broadcast while watching the game on TV. Tony Kornheiser is the one and only reason I did this.

But just from reading the quotes above, my best guess is that Kornheiser was making a "Look how silly I am, I don't understand Spanish!" gag. I don't think he was implying that a fellow of Hispanic descent should pick up his dry-cleaning, and I don't think he was implying that people of Hispanic descent should or do work predominately in the dry-cleaning industry.

So I don't expect any disciplinary action, and I certainly wouldn't expect Kornheiser to be fired. Although, judging from the comments we get during the liveblog, not many of you would mind if he was.

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11180 Comments

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  1. CNC_EDM
    1. Posted by CNC_EDM Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:05 pm EDT

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    I'd love to be able to watch a MNF game without listening to the verbal diarrhea that spews from Kornheiser's mouth. ESPN, keep Jaws and Mike and get rid of Tony, please.
  2. tonyarob
    2. Posted by tonyarob Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:57 pm EDT

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    At least he's not Howard Cosell or Dennis Miller.
  3. im big in texas!!
    3. Posted by im big in texas!! Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    its real hard to sit and listen to tony run his mouth about football, when he really knows nothing about the game.
  4. JesCo
    4. Posted by JesCo Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:29 pm EDT

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    Be offended by his loud mouth, obnoxious commentary and his need to always get a word in, but not this. BTW, has he EVER pardoned himself for his interuptions? Killer game though.
  5. fishonmyplane
    5. Posted by fishonmyplane Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:00 pm EDT

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    I love PTI, but Tony on MNF just doesn't work. He distracts from the game by talking about all the typical "issues" like Jessica Simpson and everything else that we're all sick of hearing about. Oh and lets not forget him comparing Aaron Rodgers to Brett Favre over and over and over and over and over again. Sorry Tony, but you've gotta stop ruining Monday Night Football!
  6. The Neezy
    6. Posted by The Neezy Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    I have to agree that the singing of the national anthem was the worst i've ever witnessed, i've heard about Roseanne and Carl Lewis but never really heard their version, that chick was HORRIBLE, i've never even heard of her before and hopefully never will again!!!!
  7. chuck e
    7. Posted by chuck e Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:25 pm EDT

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    tony kornheiser is the man, so all of you haters can watch it on mute
  8. John K
    8. Posted by John K Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:25 pm EDT

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    Hope he gets fired. Not because the comment was offensive. It wasn't.
    But because he is the worst announcer in sports.
  9. Jessica N
    9. Posted by Jessica N Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    Someone must have complained? Shoot, what happened to cracking a joke here and there. I see NOTHING wrong with what he said. Why would someone get offended? No sense of humor?
    Lame apology if you ask me. No need for it.
  10. wettonfan
    10. Posted by wettonfan Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:43 pm EDT

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    Hey Tony, go get me some tacos!
  11. ellingell
    11. Posted by ellingell Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

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    I cannot watch MNF anymore because of him - when I do - it's with the volume down. Please ESPN - get him off the broadcast.
  12. Matt J
    12. Posted by Matt J Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:31 pm EDT

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    And I guess this different from the "look at me I don't know football " gag that he does over and over again.
  13. AJ
    13. Posted by AJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:28 pm EDT

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    i thought it was funny. There was no need for an apology!!
  14. Fluffheads
    14. Posted by Fluffheads Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    Get rid of Jaws and Mike..keep Tony
  15. Carrie Fan
    15. Posted by Carrie Fan Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:26 pm EDT

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    YES, those were DEFINITE 'BOOOOOOOOS!' Not one announcer acknowledged them.
  16. Justin
    16. Posted by Justin Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:42 pm EDT

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    I wish he would just resign so I don't have to listen to him anymore.
  17. Jay Mac
    17. Posted by Jay Mac Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

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    LOL....They are the worst trio that have ever lived......wait...Mike cubed is even worse.
  18. mpaug
    18. Posted by mpaug Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:14 pm EDT

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    I heard the comment and I thought it was hilarious. I found nothing wrong with it. People need to lighten up around this country and stop getting so offended about everything.
  19. NERO
    19. Posted by NERO Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:04 pm EDT

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    Good use this as a reason to fire him! They are not going to do it because of his horrible broadcasts.
  20. corey
    20. Posted by corey Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:34 pm EDT

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    i saw nothing wrong with the comments. I totally agree with the 3rd post. Worst National anthem in the history of sports. That was worse than ditka and ozzie osborne's 7th inning stretch at wrigley.....terrible anthem.
  21. genius_man16
    21. Posted by genius_man16 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:07 pm EDT

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    What's up with all the hate toward Tony? I think he's really funny but i guess i'm in the minority on that one. I don't think he needed to apologize but i guess it's good he did.
    GO TONY
  22. Cathy P
    22. Posted by Cathy P Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:31 pm EDT

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    Tony Kornheiser has no class...
  23. Cool Jay
    23. Posted by Cool Jay Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:27 pm EDT

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    It was a joke.
  24. Jess F
    24. Posted by Jess F Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    Kornheiser gets on my last nerve, but anyone who thought there was something wrong with that comment is a moron. I heard it when he said it and it never occured to me that anyone would find it offensive. It was just idiotic like most other things he says.

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