ESPN Suspends Keith Olbermann Over Tweets

Keith Oldermann

Keith Olbermann has been suspended from his ESPN show for the remainder of the week, after calling Penn State students "pitiful" in a series of brash tweets, according to THR.

ESPN released a statement regarding the suspension, saying, "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."

This is the latest in a long string of incidents over the course of Olbermann's career that have included previous suspensions, blow-ups with management, firings and job departures, including during a previous ESPN stint and at MSNBC, Fox Sports and Current TV. Olbermann has been critical of Penn State administrators and coaches for turning a blind eye to the child sex abuse scandal involving former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

The Twitter war started when a PSU student tweeted at Olbermann saying "We are!" with a link to an announcement about students raising $13 million for pediatric cancer.

Olbermann responded to the tweet, writing, "...Pitiful" which resulted in a firestorm of angry messages from other PSU students.

Olbermann defended his position, saying he wasn't insulting the fundraiser, just PSU students in general. He proceeded to lob several more insults at the students and the university administration.

He later apologized for the outburst.

I apologize for the PSU tweets. I was stupid and childish and way less mature than the students there who did such a great fundraising job.
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 24, 2015