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Chargers announcer Hank Bauer suspended for anti-Semitic joke

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Longtime San Diego Chargers broadcaster Hank Bauer offended some listeners Sunday telling an anti-Semitic joke on the radio in the closing seconds of the team's preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers. Tuesday, he apologized on Twitter for his "poor choice of words" and was suspended for a game by the Chargers.

Wednesday, the Anti-Defamation League called his apology "inadequate."

Bauer's apology

Soon after, the Chargers announced Bauer wouldn't take part in Thursday's radio broadcast of the final Chargers preseason game.

"Although we know Hank had no ill-will behind his remarks, we agree the comments were inappropriate. Per Clear Channel's decision, Hank will not be broadcasting Thursday night's game," the statement said. "Hank has been a strong radio voice for the Chargers for the past 16 years and a passionate supporter of the team since his playing days. We look forward to Chargers fans receiving the same high-quality broadcast from Josh (Lewin) and Hank when he returns to the booth for the regular season."

Wednesday afternoon, Tammy Gillies, a regional director for the Anti-Defamation League, said it was pleased with the swift action but disappointed that Bauer "did not take full responsibility for his speech." Her statement continued: "We believe that his apology – as he phrased it – is inadequate. Bauer’s statement implies that a positive interpretation of his remarks exists; we disagree. While he clearly wants to put this incident behind him, we wish he had been courageous enough to take full ownership for his words."

In a conversation about the high price of football tickets, Bauer interjected a quip about how copper wire was invented. He said, "Somebody dropped a penny" between his broadcast partner, Josh Lewin, and one of Lewin's family members.

Below is the full exchange Bauer had with his radio partner of 10 years on Rock 105.3 KIOZ Sunday, and some of the initial online reaction. The exchange began with Lewin talking about how expensive season tickets are at the 49ers new stadium because of a personal seat license, or fee, that fans have to pay.

Lewin: "If there's a personal seat license you gotta pay for...."

Bauer: "There is."

Lewin: "I'd sit in it...."

Bauer: "No question."

Lewin: "For a long time. But a lot of these fans used their seat for about an hour today."

Bauer: "But then again you know how copper wire was invented? Somebody dropped a penny between Josh and his family member."

Lewin: "OK, alright. We've got, let's see, 30 seconds mercifully remaining in this game...."

Bauer: "I say that respectfully and endearingly, my partner."

Lewin: "Love you too, buddy. The football game is going to end in 25 seconds and the Chargers did some good things with the No. 1s out there. The 2s and 3s were outplayed by the 49ers' 2s and 3s. Your final is going to be 21-7 San Francisco."

Deadspin was first to report the on-air comment. The Huffington Post followed suit. Both shared audio of the exchange.

Deadspin ended its post in typical Deadspin fashion, asking sarcastically:

Bauer's been associated with the Chargers for decades, so we wouldn't expect any kind of punishment to come of this. After all, with 30 seconds left in a meaningless preseason game, how many people could have actually been listening anyway?

The Huffington Post played the story straighter, reporting that a Chargers official told the outlet the team was aware of the comments and would respond soon but that the radio station and the NFL had not responded to requests for comment.

Some Twitter users were outraged.

'I can't do this. Ever.'

Next are reactions at The Huffington Post and Deadspin, followed by our poll: Should Bauer apologize?

Guy Brown: this is not anti-jewish & it's not a news story - or any kind of story

Tracy Case: Somehow. Someway. The Earth continues to spin. "Lighten up Francis!"

Kraig Aaronson: It's bad. He should be forced to only work Charger games as punishment.

Jacinto Jay Assunto III: If you are going to tell a Jewish joke at least tell a funny one.

Hal Shapiro: It's not a joke is the problem. If it was a joke I would have no problem with it. It's an old anti-Semitic insult not a joke. Jews like myself have no problems with Jewish jokes. We're the first ones to make fun of ourselves. But this was never anything but an insult about our cheapness.

Reaction at Deadspin went like this.

girlwonder: "Bauer's been associated with the Chargers for decades, so we wouldn't expect any kind of punishment to come of this." Yes, anything more than that would be excessive.

cdavis17: On occasions where my wife was working during a game, I sometimes used to keep a running log of all the bonkers stuff Bauer would say during the game so she wouldn't miss out on the madness.

11war: I think it had more to do with him realizing halfway through that he was making an offensive joke on-air. So instead of saying "another Jew" he said "family member."

Phil: But he says it respectfully and endearingly!

50ShadesOfJimGray: "I say that respectfully and endearingly" is the new "If anyone was offended, I apologize."

What do you think? Should Bauer be sanctioned? Where should sports broadcasters draw the line in on-air comments?

Should Hank Bauer apologize for his anti-Semitic joke?

Yes 43% (722)

No 57% (941)

1663 total votes.

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