Athletes take notice: This is how you apologize. ESPN Radio host Bruce Jacobs in Albany, N.Y., made stupid comments last Tuesday when discussing the WNBA. He referred to two teams as the Los Angeles Lesbians and the Phoenix Dyke-ury (the two teams are the Sparks and the Mercury). According to the Albany Times-Union, Jacobs apologized last Wednesday on his show:
"My comments yesterday were ridiculous, stupid and amateurish," Jacobs said Wednesday during a 10-minute apology. "I apologize for even uttering the comments, whether you heard them or not, whether you were offended or not."
Athletes take notice: This is how you apologize. ESPN Radio host Bruce Jacobs in Albany, N.Y., made stupid comments last Tuesday when discussing the WNBA. He referred to two teams as the Los Angeles Lesbians and the Phoenix Dyke-ury (the two teams are the Sparks and the Mercury). According to the Albany Times-Union, Jacobs apologized last Wednesday on his show:
"My comments yesterday were ridiculous, stupid and amateurish," Jacobs said Wednesday during a 10-minute apology. "I apologize for even uttering the comments, whether you heard them or not, whether you were offended or not."
Jacobs went further, posting an apology on his ESPN Radio site in response to a lesbian called him “awful,” “a disgrace,” and an “asshole.” He also said he supports same-sex marriage:
My comments Denise were not a slam on lesbians at all just a dumb joke that wasn't funny and that i will take responsibility for. As for your personal life none of my business but just so you know when i have had the power-that being my vote-to vote for marriage equality I have always voted yes and will continue to if it shows on a ballot in the future. I do apologize to you personally if you felt like i was slamming lesbians or gays. Not me not my thing. Thank you for the feedback
I don't know how you apologize for something any more thoroughly than these two statements. Apologizing to people "whether you were offended or not" is something we never hear from people in our out of sports.
A Facebook group has popped up to get Bruce fired for these comments. That would be incredibly counter-productive. Everyone can make a mistake. No matter how stupid and childish that mistake is, the person needs a second chance (particularly if he's as contrite as Jacobs is). We can't ask for an apology…and then not accept it when it's as heartfelt as Jacobs'. If he makes anti-gay comments again…then we can talk about targeting him.
By the way, how awesome would it be to have a WNBA team called the Los Angeles Lesbians? Their uniforms are already purple…they have my vote!
