An American news anchor has apologised after she used the N-word while trying to refer to the LA Lakers during the television coverage of Kobe Bryant's death.
MSNBC's Alison Morris was covering the breaking news of Bryant's tragic death after the helicopter carrying his daughter and seven other people crashed in Calabasas, Los Angeles.
She would describe Bryant as being "perfectly cast" for the LA Lakers, the team that he played for his entire career but managed to misspeak and appeared to say the N-word, rather than 'Lakers.'
Footage of the moment soon began to circulate online with many calling out Morris for appearing to use the racial slur.
Uncensored version: MSNBC anchor inexplicably swaps “n*ggers” in for “Lakers” while reporting on Kobe Bryant death https://t.co/d6oLHfJfbm— Tom Elliott (@Tom Elliott) 1580073765
@MSNBC this is shocking. Did I hear your reporter correctly? https://t.co/NuE4Bl7yLJ— Adam Reeves (@Adam Reeves) 1580070154
She said WHAT??? @MSNBC https://t.co/QJmXSBWmSa— Rafael Sierra (@Rafael Sierra) 1580070223
In the wake of the controversy, Morris has apologised and admitted that she had stuttered and confusingly combined the work Lakers and the Knicks (i.e. NBA team New York Knicks) and pronounced the word 'Nakers' by mistake.
Earlier today, while reporting on the tragic news of Kobe Bryant’s passing, I unfortunately stuttered on air, combi… https://t.co/D83UFprSUw— Alison Morris (@Alison Morris) 1580076616
Her explanation divided opinion with some believing it was purely human error, whereas others weren't as forgiving.
This is the most bulls**t excuse I have ever heard in my life #smh https://t.co/5gtojDQwWf— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸) 1580081052
NBC fired @megynkelly just for ASKING A QUESTION. There is NO WAY they don't FIRE @AlisonMorrisNOW. Her very PRESE… https://t.co/YEQ2NzWctZ— Black Authority (@Black Authority) 1580119628
I have listened to it numerous times now and you absolutely did not say "Nakers". https://t.co/Dxze7t5QNi— Dan Clark (@Dan Clark) 1580115747
Coming from someone who ad-libs on tv for a living, we misspeak all the time. When emotional news like this happens… https://t.co/maoJ96wPDN— WDBJ7 Ian Cassette (@WDBJ7 Ian Cassette) 1580084970
I seriously don't think she meant to drop the n word but I definitely did not hear "nakers" I heard that G https://t.co/Y08O3dDYJV— Tim Pool (@Tim Pool) 1580084887
HT Mirror