Fired ESPN Editor Who Wrote Jeremy Lin ‘Chink’ Headline Claims It Was An ‘Honest Mistake’

Former ESPN editor Anthony Federico, who was fired over a controversial Jeremy Lin headline that used the word “chink,” told the Daily News that the entire thing was a “honest mistake.”

“This had nothing to do with me being cute or punny,” Federico contended. “I’m so sorry that I offended people. I’m so sorry if I offended Jeremy.”

RELATED: Buzz Bissinger On Jeremy Lin Jokes: ‘Doesn’t Rise To Level Of Calling Him A Gook Or A Kike’

In firing Federico, an ESPN employee since 2006, the company wrote a mea culpa to the Asian-American community, assuring them they would be “better in the future”:

We again apologize, especially to Mr. Lin. His accomplishments are a source of great pride to the Asian-American community, including the Asian-American employees at ESPN. Through self-examination, improved editorial practices and controls, and response to constructive criticism, we will be better in the future.

“ESPN did what they had to do,” Federico conceded and claimed that he used “chink in the armor” in a headline “at least 100 times” before fatefully using it last week.

“My faith is my life,” he said. “I’d love to tell Jeremy what happened and explain that this was an honest mistake. I had a career that I was proud of…I’m devastated that I caused a firestorm.”

(h/t Daily News)

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