The Nittany Nation and (much of the rest of the country) is still buzzing about Keith Olbermann’s tirade against Penn State — and ESPN’s decision to suspend it’s controversial talk show host for the rest of the week.
Olbermann got into a Twitter battle with Nittany Lion supporters on Monday, with some trash talk aimed at Penn Staters.
The talk ever since, has been all about Olbermann’s nasty comments, with politicians and pundits all weighing in.
It all began with a Tweet that directed Olbermann to a report about THON raising $13 million to help fight pediatric cancer patients.
Olbermann responded by posting a one-word response — “pitiful.”
We Are! @KeithOlbermann http://t.co/c5vmqIuW7G
— Lisa Aiello DeLeon (@lisaadeleon) February 23, 2015
@lisaadeleon …Pitiful
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 23, 2015
That touched off a series of Tweets between Olbermann and others. Many people thought the ESPN commentator was attacking THON. Olbermann indicated that no, he thought Penn State students were pitiful, and that didn’t help matters.
Pennsylvania State Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Centre County) released a statement saying, in part, “The only headlines we should be reading are ones praising the charitable acts of Penn State students. The only focus should remain on the millions raised to fight pediatric cancer. It is unfortunate that Mr. Olbermann decided instead to attack the integrity of this great university and its student body.”
Speaking from the floor of the Pennsylvania State Senate, Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre County) called Olbermann’s remarks “unfortunate.” Corman said THON is “really what Penn State is all about,” before adding, “I’m very proud of the culture at Penn State.”
Apparently stung by the Olbermann outburst, Penn State also took the talk show host to task. University spokesperson Lawrence Lokman called out Olbermann on Penn State’s Facebook page. “Mr. Olbermann has apologized, which is appropriate,” the post says. “We challenge him to make a donation to THON.org. The thousands upon thousands of Penn State students who take part in THON every year have created the largest student-led philanthropy program in the world. We could not be more proud of our Penn Staters and their selfless commitment to helping families and children affected by cancer.”
News reports chronicling the Olbermann saga are everywhere, with Sports Illustrated, the New York Post, USAToday and many more running stories about the dust up.
And the Twitter comments haven’t stopped, even with Olbermann’s suspension and subsequent apology.
.@KeithOlbermann You know what’s better than apologizing? Donating the salary you’re collecting on your days off to the Four Diamonds Fund.
— Ali (@alifogs) February 24, 2015
.@KeithOlbermann Only thing more pitiful than you being on TV is your attempt to stay relevant by insulting a charity & PSU student body
— Michael Mauti (@Michael_Mauti) February 24, 2015
In case you missed it here are a few of the Twitter exchanges that touched off the furor, including the apology Olbermann released after being suspended by ESPN. (And be sure to take our poll at the bottom of the page and tell us what you think should happen to the ESPN commentator.
.@dave_seidel No, Son. I said PSU students were pitiful. Had nothing to do with fundraising #AlsoPSUReadingComprehensionAppearsToBeWeak
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 23, 2015
.@dave_seidel Again – get your $ back – you didn’t learn how to read. PSU students are pitiful because they’re PSU students – period.
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 23, 2015
I’d like to thank the students and alums of Penn State for proving my point about the mediocrity of their education and ethics.
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 24, 2015
I apologize for the PSU tweets. I was stupid and childish and way less mature than the students there who did such a great fundraising job.
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 24, 2015
