Sports

Anthony Federico Fired: ESPN Editor Wrote 'Chink in the Armor'

by NowPublic Staff | February 20, 2012 at 08:03 am

3383 views | 0 Recommendations | 4 comments

Meet Anthony Federico, The Former ESPN Editor Who Thought It Was a Good Idea To Use the Phrase 'Chink in the Armor' To Describe Jeremy Lin

You probably heard about how ESPN used the headline "Chink in the Armor" to describe Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks. Well, meet Anthony Federico, the former ESPN editor who wrote the Jeremy Lin headline.

Federico was fired by ESPN after the Jeremy Lin headline and spoke with the New York Daily News to present his side of the story.

ESPN Apologizes for Jeremy Lin Headline, SNL's Linsanity Parody

According to Federico, the ESPN "Chink in the Armor" headline was an "honest mistake" and he did not mean to be disrespectful. He claims to have been devastated when he realized what happened.

Federico, 28, said he had used the phrase "100 times" in previous headlines and didn't think about the phrase's negative connotations.

Federico wasn't the only ESPN employee who was disciplined. ESPNEWS anchor Max Bretos was suspended for 30 days for using the phrase "Chink in the Armor" during an interview with Knicks great Walt Frazier.

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Dan Wong (not verified)

at 12:21 on February 20th, 2012

One has to know Chinese history from the 1800-1900 to understand the connotation of the word 'chink'. The Ching Dynasty is the weakest in 2000 years of Chinese History. If you don't understand history, don't use it, just like the "N" word in America. I would have thought it would come from an old fart Englishman than an Italian or a Cuban. Just don't know what this word is coming to. The editor not only offered Jeremy but millions of Chinese. ESPN did the right thing. Max Bretos should have been fired not suspended. Especically his wife is Asian, he should have known.

Dean Ford (not verified)

at 14:34 on February 20th, 2012

Are you kidding me, why was Jason Whitlock not let go?sounds like a double standard

Jonah Rawal (not verified)

at 19:20 on February 20th, 2012

Sorry, to see Anthony get fired. I really believe that he didn't realize what he said, if he meant what he said about Lin's faith and he believes in God as Lin does, than he will get a better job.