Keith Olbermann Suspended: ESPN Broadcaster Punished For Penn State THON Charity Tweets

ESPN personality and television host Keith Olbermann has been suspended from his eponymous show for a week following a Twitter controversy. Olbermann got into a back-and-forth with users regarding Penn State and a university charity event for pediatric cancer.

ESPN released a statement concerning the suspension. Below is the text of ESPN's statement:

We are aware of the exchange Keith Olbermann had on Twitter last night regarding Penn State. It was completely inappropriate and does not reflect the views of ESPN. We have discussed it with Keith, who recognizes he was wrong. ESPN and Keith have agreed that he will not host his show for the remainder of this week and will return on Monday. The annual tradition of THON and the efforts of the students of Penn State to fight pediatric cancer should be applauded.

The incident started when someone on Twitter sent Olbermann a link about Penn State’s annual THON charity event that raises money to fight pediatric cancer. The link was to an article from Penn State student newspaper the Daily Collegian reporting that the event raised more than $13 million in 2015 and $114 million since 1977. Accompanying the link was Penn State’s common refrain “We Are,!” Olbermann responded with “Pitiful...”

The longtime broadcaster then got into an exchange with Penn State students and supporters. Olbermann went on to later tweet about the “mediocrity” of the university’s ethics and education. He was alluding to the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal and the Penn State administration's widely condemned handling of it.

Olbermann later tweeted an apology concerning the argument.