America’s favorite weatherman Al Roker took to Twitter to defend former WHEC-TV meteorologist Jeremy Kappell who said a racial slur while on air.

As Blavity reported, Kappell was quickly fired after referring to Martin Luther King Park in Rochester, New York, as “Dr. Martin Luther Coon King Jr. Park.” 

According to CNN, Kappell corrected himself immediately and then continued with the broadcast. This prompted statements from News10NBC General Manager Richard Reingold who chastised his use of the slur. Mayor Lovely Warren also issued a statement calling for him to be fired.

Kappell soon went to social media to air his grievances, claiming the station didn’t give him the opportunity to apologize or explain himself. In a video on his Facebook page, he staunchly asserts he was stumbling over his words.

"It was enough to where I realized I was mispronouncing it," said Kappell. "I did not recognize the word that people heard, and for that I am sincerely sorry to anyone I may have offended.”  

Some on social media quickly voiced their support, including Today Show personality Al Roker.

“I think @JeremyKappell made an unfortunate flub and should be given the chance to apologize on @news10nbc Anyone who has done live TV and screwed up (Google any number of ones I’ve done) understands,” he tweeted.

“Al, thank you very much. Your support means so much to this family,” Kappell responded.

A petition has also been created in support of Kappell, demanding he be put back on the air. It has almost reached its goal of 50,000 signatures.

On Tuesday night, Reingold and Hubbard Television Group President Robert Hubbard released a statement in full support of their decision:

“The entire team at Hubbard Broadcasting and News10NBC stand behind the decision we made on Sunday afternoon, January 6, to terminate our contract with meteorologist Jeremy Kappell,” said the statement. “There can be no confusion by anyone who works at Hubbard Broadcasting or by anyone in the communities we serve that this is unacceptable.”

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