MSNBC Host Apologizes For Misspeaking While Reporting Kobe Bryant's Death, Gets Roasted by Social Media

Gettyimages | Leon Bennett

In the wake of the untimely and tragic news that the NBA legend, Kobe Bryant, had died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday, news outlets across the world were reporting on matter and its subsequent developments.

One of those outlets was MSNBC, with host Alison Morrison breaking the news to viewers. Unfortunately, the host stuttered during the announcement, leading to what some are believing to be a racial epithet against the now-deceased Lakers great. Morris has since issued an apology statement to clarify the situation, but people on social media aren't buying it, to say the least.

MSNBC

From a viewers perspective, MSNBC host Alison Morris seemed to drop the N-word while stating the name of the team that Bryant played for throughout his career in the NBA. For whatever reason, Morris claimed that she accidentally combined the names of two teams, the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers, resulting in the work 'Nakers'. Morris stands by her gaffe, citing that she stuttered and therefore, said the wrong word altogether. News of the mishap quickly made its way around social media platforms, with many calling her out for the suspected racism.

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Following the misspeak, Morris issued a statement on Twitter in an attempt to clarify the mistake, while also claiming that she would never make such comments. On Twitter, Morris wrote, "Earlier today, while reporting on the tragic news of Kobe Bryant’s passing, I unfortunately stuttered on air, combining the names of the Knicks and the Lakers to say ‘Nakers." The MSNBC Host then posted a follow-up tweet stating, "Please know I did not & would NEVER use a racist term. I apologize for the confusion this caused." People on social media weren't buying her excuses, though.

MSNBC

One social media user on Twitter went straight for the jugular and claimed that Morris' misstep was going to be the end of her career for the MSNBC host. "Girl just quit it’s Over for you. On behalf of the internet, we don’t forgive you," they harshly and unapologetically commented.

Another insisted despite making the mistake, she just needs to take ownership of the words she spoke and move on. "Nah you said the whole thing, own up to it," they commented.

FOX5NY

As if people weren't already critical, insisting that her career was over because of the gaffe, a #firealisonmorris campaign was initiated with people on social media calling for her subsequent dismissal.

One Twitter user wrote, "Haki Shakur

@Haki_k_Shakur #FireAlisonMorris We Demand Alison Morris of @MSNBC to be fired for using a racist term on air to dehumanize black people she used The N Word not some other word with a K the evidence is clear Fire Alison Morris Today! @AlisonMorrisNOW @NBCNews #msnbc #alisonmorris."

Yet another user shared, "Cut it with the sorry ass excuses ma’am!! Again NA AND NI do not make the same sound!! If you’re going to use such an a sorry excuse you should at least learn phonetics!!! #AlisonMorris #WeHaveOurEyesOnYou."

It'll be interesting how this story develops and whether or not the network takes action against Morris for her comments.