Marvin Lewis found himself in some hot water with little people earlier this week over a disparaging comment made about Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel, who Lewis referred to as a “midget”:
“You gotta go defend the offense. You don’t defend the player,” Lewis said before pausing and adding, “particularly a midget.”
Lewis’ comment came during an interview on Cincinnati’s WLW-AM, following reports that Manziel would likely be the starter for Sunday’s division showdown between the Bengals and Browns. As it turns out, Little People of America Inc., an advocacy group for, well, little people, don’t take to kindly to the word “midget” (the group denounced the term in 2009) and demanded an apology from Lewis. He obliged:
“I’m aware that my comment on local radio [Monday] night was offensive to people of short stature and to their families and friends,” Lewis said in a statement. “It was thoughtless on my part to use the word I did, and not excusable, and I greatly regret it. I since have read about this issue on the Little People of America website. I understand it better, and as I have apologized to Johnny Manziel and the Cleveland Browns’ community, I offer the same to all others who I offended, and I pledge that I will learn from this.
“I hope that my mistake and the resultant publicity may serve at least to help others not make similar insensitive comments in the future.”
This morning, Marvin Lewis held a press conference at the Bengals practice facility, and Fox 8 in Cleveland decided to send a “reporter” to cover it. And not just any reporter. The news station sent “Lil’ John” Rinaldi, a little person who co-hosted a late night sketch comedy show on WJW for many years. He sat front row and asked Lewis questions.
This is some Grade-A trollin’ right here:
There is a small person here in the press conference room prior to the Lewis PRESSER @WEWS @wcpo #Bengals pic.twitter.com/nzPRQhu3bJ
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) December 10, 2014
He seems to be a reporter/employee for Fox 8 in Cleveland @WEWS @wcpo #Bengals pic.twitter.com/OqSGIpossZ — Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) December 10, 2014
@MarkVSlaughter that’s “Little John” from famed Cleveland duo “Big Chuck and Little John” not making it up.
— Jed DeMuesy (@jdemuesy) December 10, 2014
Little John just asked the 1st question and it was sports related @wcpo #Bengals pic.twitter.com/wIsqoZkOlw — Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) December 10, 2014
Little John just fired off another sports question @wcpo #Bengals pic.twitter.com/eDztmsYFMs
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) December 10, 2014
Look who’s at #Bengals practice, Lil John @wcpo pic.twitter.com/FOf5cA1Cln
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) December 10, 2014
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About John Ferensen