Less than 46 hours later, he’s silenced. Keith Olbermann was suspended by ESPN on Tuesday, Feb. 24, after getting into a Twitter spat with Penn State fans and students over the school’s annual pediatric cancer dance marathon, affectionately known as “THON.”
The exchange of words began after Olbermann sniped at a PSU alum, who had tweeted out a story celebrating the 46-hour dance marathon’s full amount raised of over $13 million dollars.
@lisaadeleon …Pitiful
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 23, 2015
Other fans and followers then called out Olbermann for his initial tweet, which resulted in a Twitter war between the former Countdown host and his social media critics.
Amidst the heated feud, Olbermann was asked whether he had anything positive to say about the $13 million raised for the Four Diamonds Fund, which helps families and children affected by pediatric cancer by providing care, support, and research.
.@ColinBenner Good for you. Doesn’t change the school’s reputation. Check back next century.
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 24, 2015
Since the foundation was founded in 1977, the annual Dance Marathon has raised more than $114 million in total to support children and families at the Hershey Medical Center in Pa.
Ultimately, Olbermann had to issue a public apology for his outlandish tweets, which coincided with his immediate suspension from ESPN for one week.
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
“We are aware of the exchange Keith Olbermann had on Twitter last night regarding Penn State,” ESPN said in its statement Tuesday. “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.”