Michigan State Apologizes for Showing Trivia Question About Hitler at Football Game
Michigan State University has apologized for a trivia question about Adolf Hitler that was shown in the stadium before a football game.
Before kickoff, the big screen at Michigan State’s Spartan Stadium showed a series of trivia questions. That’s when Twitter user Alexander Haenke noticed the unmistakable image of Hitler on the screen.
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh pic.twitter.com/DvNk6A3vn5
— Alexander Haenke (@aphaenke) October 21, 2023
In the replies to the tweet, Haenke clarified that the image was accompanied by a question asking where he was born.
“I’m not saying it’s the end of the world or anything,” Haenke added, “but you can’t have Hitler on your pregame scoreboard.”
Which country was Hitler born in?
I tried to catch the question but missed it. I’m not saying it’s the end of the world or anything but you can’t have Hitler on your pregame scoreboard 💀💀💀
— Alexander Haenke (@aphaenke) October 21, 2023
Due to the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza, the trivia question rubbed many people the wrong way online. Hours later, the university apologized.
“Michigan State Athletics is responsible for all content shown on its video boards,” Director of Athletics Alan Haller said in the statement. “Before it was displayed, the video was not viewed in its entirety by anyone in athletics, exposing a failure in our process. The video was not part of a sponsorship and had no affiliation with any of our corporate partners or our community.”
The university added that the employee responsible has been suspended.
“Antisemitism must be denounced,” Haller continued. “The image displayed prior to Saturday night’s game is not representative of who we are and the culture we embody. Nevertheless, we must own our failures and accept responsibility. I understand our response might be met with skepticism. That skepticism is warranted, and we will do all that is necessary to earn back your trust.”
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