Media

Tampa Sports Radio Host Fired for Describing NFL Players as ‘Those Three Monkeys’

Sports Radio Host Dan Sileo Fired for Calling NFL Players Those Three Monkeys

Good news and bad news for Tampa Bay sports fans. The good news: the city’s football team the Buccaneers have signed marque free agents Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks and Eric Wright. The bad news: radio shock-jock Dan Sileo will no longer be on WDAE airwaves after describing Jackson and two other prospective signings as “those three monkeys.”

Deadspin reported Monday that the former University of Miami lineman and brief NFL pro said on his morning show regarding the prospec of signing Jackson along with Cortland Finnegan and Jonathan Vilma:

“They’re gonna spend all that money.”
[Co-host] “And Dan’ll be like, ‘well, they’re not really that good.’”
“No! No! If they get those three monkeys, I’m good! I’m ready, man. I’m ready. I want those guys. Those guys are great players.”

WDAE program director Steve Versnick soon issued a statement:

WDAE would like to apologize for Dan Sileo’s ill-chosen on-air remarks earlier this week. He absolutely meant no disrespect to the players and he is sincerely embarrassed and upset that his off-the-cuff remarks might be taken as hateful, disrespectful, or in any way racist. Dan and the station regret any offense to the players; to the Bucs organization; and to the people of the Tampa Bay community.

One day later, Versnick said Sileo is out of a job. Tampabay.com reports:

“One day after referring to three African-American NFL players as ‘monkeys,’ WDAE 620-AM morning host Dan Sileo is no longer employed by the station. WDAE program director Steve Versnick would not use the word ‘fired,’ but said Tuesday that, ‘Dan Sileo is no longer with WDAE. We wish him the best.”

Versnick had no other comment. Sileo did not immediately return messages seeking comment.”

It should be noted that legendary sports journalist Howard Cosell had a similar slip of the tongue in 1983, upholding much of his reputation but still resigning after public pressure. Bleacher Report notes:

“Howard Cosell was calling the Monday Night Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins.  Alvin Garrett (a ‘Black’ wide receiver) for the Redskins broke free on his way to a sure touchdown when Cosell screams ‘Look at that little monkey run!’  Of course, Cosell received much pressure to resign for what was obviously perceived as a racist statement.  He went on to explain that it was not racial and that he referred to his grandson with the same term of endearment.  Although several athletes came to his defense, he ultimately resigned from the booth under pressure by the network.”

Deadspin has audio of Sileo’s remarks here.


Comments (99)

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  • Sean211
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:15pm

    We live in a ridiculous, hyper “sensitive” time where people are sitting around just waiting to be “offended” by something…anything. Then comes the fake, lawyer-eze apology followed by someone losing their ability to make a living … all because of political thought police “correctness.”

    My God* we live in an upside down world.

    *if my using “God” offends you, I do not care.

    Report Post »  
    • Harry Assenback
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:08pm

      Hey, Hey, we’re the Monkees
      and people say we monkey around
      But we’re to busy singing
      To put anybody down

      Maybe he was referring to these Monkees?

      Report Post » Harry Assenback  
    • Rodster
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:13pm

      Agreed as a Puerto Rican male I have been called worse growing up as a kid in NYC. We have become so hypersensitive i’m amazed we are allowed to say anything other than Hello and Goodbye. Grow a pair of BALLS America !

      Report Post »  
    • FreedomPurveyor
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:55pm

      We are all primates. It is actually racist to say that calling a black person a monkey is racist. By saying that, you are either implying that black people are more like monkeys than other races, or that black people are inherently more sensitive and must be protected from being called names. It would be funny, how racist the PC crowd really is, if it weren’t so disgusting.

      Report Post » FreedomPurveyor  
    • killertofu
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 5:00pm

      Couldn’t have summed up my feelings any better than this, Sean

      Report Post » killertofu  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 6:59pm

      The REAL problem?

      We’ve created a monster.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • Onowicit
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:22pm

      I think I speak on behalf of all monkeys everywhere when I say oohh oo heeee ohoo. No offense to non monkeys

      Report Post » Onowicit  
    • robert
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:41pm

      “One day after referring to three African-American NFL players as ‘monkeys,’ WDAE 620-AM morning host Dan Sileo is no longer employed by the station. ”

      If anyone…black or white….referred to me and two other white guys as monkeys I wouldn’t think a thing of it, because I know in no way do I resemble a monkey nor would anyone that knows me think I do.

      Does this mean that any black who take offense to the term thinks he/she looks like a monkey?

      And does it mean that liberal radicals think that blacks resemble monkeys?

      If not, then why get in an uproar? It looks to me as if it is blacks who are insulting themselves, right along with liberals who think as they do.

      Report Post »  
  • Jim
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:15pm

    This is really getting stupid. I‘ve been called a monkey so many times I can’t count, and I’ve seen many others called monkeys by their parents or whoever. Generally it just means you’re referencing guys that do crazy things – I‘m guessing that’s probably true. Many, many people just use the word as a random word for people – like “guy” or “dude” or whatever.

    I’m sorry, I know everyone’s saying the same thing, but when are we going to stop all this stupidity and get on with life. I swear there are people who just wait for the opportunity to pounce on someone for an offhand comment.

    OK, now you can attack – tell me what I said wrong. Who did I offend?????

    Report Post »  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:42pm

      I call my new baby boy my little monkey all the time. Better call the NAACP on me!

      Anyhoo, this doesn’t change a thing. Without major changes over at One Buc Place, the Yuccaneers will still suck this upcoming season – although I gotta admit getting rid of Raheem was definitely a step in the right direction.

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • Kisses6350
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 3:06pm

      It would appear that “White people” called him out, and fired him. No one called for his resignation. We are living in very sensitive times……….****smirks*****

      Report Post »  
  • PPMStudios
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:15pm

    What’s with the all the “thin ‘perceived to be racist’ skin”? People need to suck it up and quit being such pansies!!!

    I am so sick and tired of all these whining, wimpy, wussies….

    Report Post » PPMStudios  
  • Nemo13
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:12pm

    What’s wrong with being accurate? ;-)

    Report Post »  
    • thegreatcarnac
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:28pm

      Descriptive language is not PC anymore. America does not have free-speech.

      Report Post »  
    • spirited
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 3:50pm

      Except for specifics such as

      > African (hyphen) American, *******, Christian, bigot, racist, cU#t, ******* or republican.

      Report Post » spirited  
    • spirited
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 3:54pm

      that was:

      8^o c rack err

      Report Post » spirited  
  • goodgrubguy
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:09pm

    Even if they said to, you don’t use that verbiage when talking about african americans…period. there are dozens of other slang terms you can call them and you could get away with it but not that one.

    Report Post » goodgrubguy  
    • AlansTigg
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:25pm

      ahhh but if it’s a term you use and you take care to NOT use it when referring to a black person, well then you are no longer thinking of them as just another person, they are now different and need special consideration….thought that was the goal?

      Report Post » AlansTigg  
    • Rodster
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:15pm

      Like what? What is the proper slang? “People of darker skin color”? Cause i‘m sure Alabama porch monkey won’t work. ;)

      Report Post »  
  • TheObamanation
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:07pm

    What if he said … “No! No! If they get those three clowns, I’m good! ?

    Report Post » TheObamanation  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:17pm

      He would be OK. If he called three white guys monkeys he would be OK. You can’t call black people monkeys and expect to stay on the air. Cosell, who was the king of sportscasters in his day, found that out in ‘83.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • tiredofprogressives
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:02pm

    The man told the truth and get’s fired for it. Geez. What is America coming to.

    Report Post » tiredofprogressives  
  • bigmel754
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:58pm

    I don’t get it, why was he fired? Really? Stop and think? Like the guy or not, why was he fired?

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:09pm

      Probably because the station didn’t want to deal with the backlash, sponsor boycotts, loss of revenue etc.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • marine249
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:56pm

    all this is ,is road apples

    Report Post »  
  • geonj
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:56pm

    you can’t have it both ways. either we evolved from monkeys or not.

    Report Post » geonj  
  • hauschild
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:54pm

    Cross off Monkeys as a possible future team’s moniker.

    Report Post »  
  • sawbuck
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:52pm

    Jimmy-The-Greek just cringed . …!
    Another candidate for the faux-pas of the year award.

    Report Post » sawbuck  
  • Arc
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:49pm

    Shades of Howard Cosell

    Report Post » Arc  
  • perry1980
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:48pm

    Monkey comment did in Howard Cosell years ago too.
    In todays Politically Correct world you are not allowed to use such words.

    Report Post »  
  • heartbun
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:42pm

    I can’t believe the voting. I am almost 50 years old, very involved in sports, and NEVER in my life described ANYBODY as a monkey unless maybe they were really good at climbing a tree. Horrible, bad, pathetic use of words. He deserved what he got. He must have NO common sense.

    Report Post »  
    • AlansTigg
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:47pm

      just because you’ve never used the term does not mean that others do not, I use it frequently and it has nothing to do with race

      Report Post » AlansTigg  
    • heartbun
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:56pm

      Monkeys climb trees really well. What other use of monkey as descriptive do you use?

      Report Post »  
    • AlansTigg
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:21pm

      depends on the situation, my friend’s son was extremely coordinated as a toddler which led to my nickname for him being Monkey…a scene in a cartoon has a line about “stupid monkey” which has become a term used for people we have to work with that don’t think and their non-thinking actions make our jobs harder…people monkey around, barrel full of monkeys, the band the Monkees, whatever, if you think about it there are more situations where the term monkey could be used than just race or an innate ability to climb trees

      Report Post » AlansTigg  
  • TheObamanation
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:40pm

    Better put on the kid gloves people … The race card is being applied to EVERY situation now.

    Report Post » TheObamanation  
  • Paralleluniverse
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:40pm

    Is a spade still a spade?

    Report Post »  
    • AlansTigg
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:49pm

      nope it’s a small project hand held earth moving aparatus

      Report Post » AlansTigg  
    • scuba13
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:26pm

      My five spades beat 3 queens last night.and I wasn’t even in San Francisco.

      Report Post » scuba13  
  • lexington_green
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:37pm

    and if no one has a problem watching this public figure get burned for talking about other public figures in a demeaning way, then why is that snot bill maher getting a pass. because he’s so “enlightened”? bleh.

    Report Post » lexington_green  
  • lexington_green
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:35pm

    his words were incredibly ill chosen. the lunacy of political correctness gone awry aside, wrong is wrong. he has no one to blame but himself.

    Report Post » lexington_green  
  • coryf076
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:29pm

    pathetic!

    Report Post »  
  • AlansTigg
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:26pm

    and of course it is impossible that he could have used the term monkey as anything other than in referrence to their being black…gee guess I’ll have to stop referring to the stupid monkeys messing up my days…or stop calling my friend’s little boy monkey…who knew I was such a racist

    Report Post » AlansTigg  
    • mccracken
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 3:16pm

      Boy, you just love the word monkey, don’t you.

      Report Post »  
    • spirited
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 3:56pm

      Don’t forget about monkey-ing around.

      >Or, is that also prohibited?

      Report Post » spirited  
  • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:25pm

    Reminds me of when Howard Cosell said… “look at that monkey run!” Ended his career. I think he called everyone monkeys at one time or another. Was just a saying to him, or so it’s been said.

    Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
    • coryf076
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:30pm

      did you read the article?

      Report Post »  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 2:05pm

      Right up until that point I guess I read the article COR076…

      Then I guess I was so excited that I could offer something in relation to this topic… then like a speeding bullet, wrote my comment, posted it… then here you are… bursting my bubble. Lmao!

      Aside from that, I also remember this article not long ago that The Blaze put up regarding a Tampa Sports Radio Host Fired for Describing NFL Players as ‘Those Three Monkeys’….

      sarcasm…

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
  • lukerw
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:25pm

    Can you still use Latin words… alike ***** meaning Black?

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:42pm

      I guess not… so the Latin Bible and Mass are… now Censored!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:45pm

      Is… TheBlaze (Beck’s) support of Catholicism… hypocritical?

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • cessna152
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:24pm

    “Those three dudes…No, can’t say that it con notates their dumb ….How about, those three Musketeers?…nope…comparing to whites…those three amigos?…Nope, offensive to Mexicans….Those three gentlemen?…. nope, sexist. I guess he could have said:

    “I am elated to see we acquired such fine athletes with superior talent…” Wait, if they have superior talent then that would lead one to believe they are better and that’s not fair. I guess we should simply have a sports talk radio show with light music in the back ground and nobody speaking…okay? Is that acceptable?

    Report Post » cessna152  
  • hi
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:23pm

    Whatever happened to sincere apologies being accepted? People get crucified for one mistake. He even was psyched about them.

    Report Post » hi  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:34pm

      People get offended far too easily

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 9:18am

      You’re clearly not familiar with this clown. He’s got a history of open-mouth-insert-foot.

      See my above post on his history- everything about lying about his credentials to reporting that the Bucs ownership was left bankrupt after tangling with Madoff, when it wasn’t true.

      This guy’s entire schtick has been shock radio jock, running with unfounded rumor and lies about his credentials. In short, you could put a couple of trained chimpanzees behind the mic and get a more reputable show than the one this idiot puts on.

      If this was a first incident, I’m sure it would have been handled entirely differently.

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
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