After using an anti-Asian slur during a press conference last week, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Devin Funchess issued an apology, saying he didn't mean to inflict any harm. Funchess spewed the derogatory term when a reporter asked him if it's difficult to spot a smile under a mask, Packers News reported.
“I can tell you were smiling when I see your face. I can see your face. Everybody goes chinky and that’s when I know,” the wide receiver said while simultaneously pointing to his eyes, an offensive gesture against Asians.
— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) August 8, 2021
In his apology on Twitter, the NFL veteran said he learned his lesson.
"I want to apologize for the disparaging remark I used tonight," he said. "It was not OK. I have grown to develop deep personal and business relationships in the Asian community! I meant no harm, and those that know me, know I have love and respect for all cultures and people. I will learn from this and will continue to grow as a person. I'm forever sorry!"
— Devin Funchess (@D_FUNCH) August 8, 2021
Many social media users said they have accepted the apology.
As an Asian, apology accepted. Continuing to vilify those who make a mistake and then sincerely apogize doesn't make any sense. Mistakes without grace means people will never want to do better. We've all made mistakes. All we can ask is that someone learn and do better next time.
— Maria (@MariaCor7849) August 8, 2021
I feel like if a person is giving a sincere apology then their concern isn’t w/ receiving forgiveness for themselves but making amends to those they’ve wronged
If “wanting to do better” hinges on whether or not u r seen favorably by others than I question the sincerity entirely
— JKs_Waist⁷ (@JKs_Waist) August 9, 2021
A few others are refusing to forgive the football player.
He's not actually sorry. He just wants our money.
— Bryan (@_illmatic22) August 9, 2021
The troubling trend of ignorance around anti-Asian sentiments was also recently seen with the Juventus Women’s soccer team in Italy. In that instance, the team tweeted an eye-slanting emoji with a photo of one of its players making the same gesture while wearing an orange cone on her head.
The Italian soccer team shared an image of a player wearing a cone as a hat and making anti-Asian hand gestures. https://t.co/24w3QcfojK
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) August 6, 2021
In 2017, Major League Baseball suspended Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel for five games after he made a racist gesture at Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish, who is half-Japanese and half-Iranian, Insider reported. The first baseman was sitting in the dugout during the World Series when the Dodgers' pitcher allowed a homerun. Gurriel then mocked Darvish by making a slant eyes gesture.
In the past year, the country has seen an increased report of hate against Asians. According to Stop AAPI Hate, 9,081 hate incidents were reported from March 19, 2020 to June 30, 2021. That includes verbal harassment, physical assault, civil rights violations and online harassment.
