After that clip got the blogosphere buzzing today, Neil Best of Newsday contacted an MSNBC spokeswoman, who passed along Barber's denial:
"I would never disrespect a colleague and friend with that kind of language,'' Barber said from Beijing through an MSNBC spokeswoman, who said Barber had no idea of a budding controversy until she informed him of it.I don't think Barber meant to say what it sounded like he said. But it does sound like he said it.
"It's disappointing someone would intentionally misrepresent the hard work Jenna and I are doing.'' ...
MSNBC said in a statement, "Tiki and Jenna were discussing total medal count versus gold medal counts and Tiki's words were unclear.''
Sports Broadcasting Slip-Ups
Former NFL star and current NBC newscaster Tiki Barber claims he didn't let a vulgarity slip while arguing with his on-air colleague. "I would never disrespect a colleague and friend with that kind of language," said Barber. Click through to see talking heads who've created trouble for themselves.
Peter Kramer, Getty Images
Controversial Comments
College hoops announcer Billy Packer has covered every NCAA Final Four since 1975, but he's also upset many with abrasive remarks over the years. For example, he went on the Charlie Rose Show in March 2007 and complained to the host, "you always fag out."
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Bernstein's Palestinian Connection
ESPN reporter Bonnie Bernstein issued a public apology after appearing on a radio broadcast and saying "People in Palestine are taught to think that dying in the name of God is a good thing ... They grow up wanting to be suicide bombers. " Bernstein made the remark during a discussion about adults who influence young NBA prospects.
Brian Ach, WireImage.com
"... Looks Like the Guy Who Cleans Tiger's Swimming Pool"
NBC Sports golf analyst drew the ire of U.S. Open watchers in June when he said contender Rocco Mediate "looks like the guy who cleans Tiger's swimming pool." Miller apologized for his description, saying it had "absolutely nothing to do with his ethnicity."
John Shearer, WireImage.com
"We've Gotta Do This ----ing Thing Over"
The ever-salty Bert Blyleven, pictured here after winning the 1987 World Series, cursed up a storm on live television during a Minnesota Twins pregame show in September 2006.
Getty Images
"Lynch Him in a Back Alley"
Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman gained notoriety during a 2008 PGA Tour telecast when she suggested young golfers might want to take Tiger Woods and "lynch him in a back alley."
Getty Images
Finding Romo's Roots
ESPN analyst On an ESPN radio show in 2006, Michael Irvin said the athletic ability of Cowboys QB Tony Romo is due to his black ancestry, stating, "I don't know who saw what or where, his great-great-great-great-grandma ran over in the 'hood or something went down."
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Broadway Joe Gets Fresh
Jets' legendary quarterback Joe Namath talked about how he is more interested in ESPN sideline reporter Suzy Kolber than his struggling Jets during a 2003 game. During a live interview, Namath says (twice) "I want to kiss you" to Kolber.
Brian Bahr/Getty Images
"That's Some Nappy-Headed Hos There ..."
Broadcasting legend Don Imus' show was canceled by CBS Radio in April 2007 because of the firestorm that followed his comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
One Too Many
In May 2006, former Cy Young winner Rick Sutcliffe was invited to join a local San Diego Padres TV broadcast, but gets his microphone cut off because of his slurred speech.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
8-21-2008 @ 11:02PM
S321Saint said...
If he DID use the "C" word or he didnt....it doesnt matter anyway. Yet another hypersensitive reaction to what happens to people EVERY DAY. For too long people have been demanding people grovel and throw away their life's work over a word here or there. Or a comment. Facts are if everyone that said something that someone didnt like were forced to quit their jobs and start over...our economy would FAIL overnight. And no one would be any better. Too many people think that you can change human nature by being "nice" and "accomodating". Sorry folks, take off the rose colored glasses and look at the real world.
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8-22-2008 @ 8:35AM
Ted said...
Come on people. He obviously said it. I think he should be punished. I say this because he acted like a c&*t when he left football because he was scared to get hurt. Unprofessional ,untalented (as anannouncer) and hopefully unwanted after this move. He let his team down and they soared to the championship without him. I hope this hurts him more than any football injury ever could.. GO BIG BLUE... can you say repeat?
8-22-2008 @ 1:56AM
Sportz Assassin said...
I don't think he said "cancer" either.
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8-22-2008 @ 2:07AM
Lakergregg said...
Tiki Barber ain't exactly Walter Conkite, so if msnbc is ran by a woman or the head of msnbc has a wife or girlfriend Tiki is lucky the Olympics gig is about over.
I'm not exatly sure what the first posters point is but my point is I've yet to find the woman who doesn't get extremely pissed when called a c--t.
Look how uncomfortable everyone got after he said it, "You're busted Tiki now be a man own up and apologize."
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8-22-2008 @ 2:05AM
George B Vieto said...
Tiki said the magic word. Let him slide this time without punishment because we all do a Lolo Jones once in a while. Tripping over a hurdle before finishing the race.
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8-22-2008 @ 5:08AM
Scooter said...
he said medal C@#t instead of medal count. Want intentional.
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8-22-2008 @ 6:21AM
Steel said...
He did say it.......however boring, stupid,amateur, or just plain bad would have described Jenna Wolfe....and Tikki is not any better. You would think even NBC could find better.
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8-22-2008 @ 10:08PM
T said...
I've watched that Jenna Wolfe throughout the NBC Olympic coverage - she gave Matt Lauer a hard time about something she fabricated. I don't trust her and I don't respect her reporting. Get rid of her and let Tiki slide. I can't say that I blame him for thinking what he was thinking - wish he wouldn't have said it, though. That was the most uncomfortable "news" segment I have EVER seen, thus far!! Poor Brian Williams!!
8-22-2008 @ 6:51AM
ButtaXL said...
Tiki did say it! She disrespected him, with the comment of wearing his superbowl ring......He was upset about that and then it carried over to using the C-Word!!!!Funny Clip! Watch the body language, its hilarious. Oh by the way, Tiki is a horrible commentator. He retired to early!!!!!
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8-22-2008 @ 7:25AM
WWTheresa said...
Was a slipup..people are just hearing what they want to interpret..it was an honest slip of the tongue
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8-22-2008 @ 3:02PM
Marty said...
You just need to listen a few times. He said "you are such a
c---" Unless the lady is of royal birth, he did not say "count."
8-22-2008 @ 7:27AM
Rose said...
It sounds like Tiki was just repeating what Brian Williams was saying about "total medal count" and that's all. Maybe it didn't sound exactly the same way that Brian said the word, but it was more than obvious that it was his intent. There was nothing inappropriate to what he was saying.
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8-22-2008 @ 7:45AM
blue eyes dance said...
LOL @ Tiki trying to weezel out of this one. He did say it and it was kind of funny. The Super Bowl stuff ticked him off evidently. He is sure back peddling now.
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8-22-2008 @ 8:02AM
Elsquare said...
I have never even heard of the" C" word. What, exactly, is the "C" word? Is it some sort of slang used by the kids? Maybe NBC should get some grownups, with at least modest levels of English language skills. Who knows, NBC's ratings might improve. Michaels and Madden are the only bright spots at NBC, and ESPN is beyond hope.
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8-22-2008 @ 10:11AM
RJ said...
It rhymes with 'bunt' and it is a rather foul and demeaning slang word for a female's privates. A few years ago this would just be a joke, as no professional in their right mind would say this on the air in this type of venue. (Of course, it is common dialogue if you are a rap 'artist' or stand-up commedian trying to appeal to teenagers - then for some stupid reason it becomes freedom of expression). We are worried about offending everyone except those we should be worried about offending. You can figure that one out yourself...
8-22-2008 @ 7:56AM
blue eyes dance said...
Why was my commented deleted already? I just said I think he said that word on purpose and now he is trying to weezel out of it.
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8-22-2008 @ 7:57AM
CRAZY WOLFF said...
i guess i'll C U Next Tuesday...........
LMAO !!!
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8-22-2008 @ 8:08AM
aeros said...
Lucky he is not white man with woman of color! We would have had him fired already
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8-22-2008 @ 8:32AM
gary said...
we live in a world of sick sensitive people, who get uptight over everything.
People say things by accident and maybe even on purpose, but to make a mountain out of a mole hill is total immacure.
People need to stop being so sensitive.
If she is a c_ _ t then accept it, if she is not then grow up and stop looking for something to cry about.
He said count, but his word got slurded.
Did you ever say a word that you didn't mean to say?
I did and its very imbarassing at times.
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8-22-2008 @ 8:09AM
Bill said...
Oh let's just shoot him(I was going to say hang,but that's another story),gheeze even if he did say it, it's not the worst damn thing in the world. The world is coming down around our necks(wars,oil prices,aids, rape,murder etc,etc)and we're going to worry about a 4 letter word.
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