While reporting on the shocking death of NBA icon Kobe Bryant, an MSNBC anchor had a curious on-air slip-up.
On Sunday morning, Bryant and his daughter Gianna, a rising basketball star, were among nine to die in a California helicopter crash as Blavity previously reported. While reporting on the tragedy, it appears as if reporter Alison Morris said Bryant was a fitting member for the "Los Angeles N****rs."
"Seems like he was just the kind of athlete, the kind of star that was perfectly cast on the Los Angeles N****rs…Lakers," Morris seemingly says in the news clip posted to Twitter.
The user who recorded it is heard iterating a relatable sentiment of "what the f**k" in response to the video.
So this @MSNBC reporter just referred to the Lakers as the Los Angeles Niggers on live tv when talking about Kobe. pic.twitter.com/htfPRwlgV6
— Jimmy Jump ???? (@Littles1126) January 26, 2020
Morris, who is also an anchor on NBC News Now, quickly took to Twitter to do some explaining.
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.” Please know I did not & would NEVER use a racist term. I apologize for the confusion this caused.
— Alison Morris (@AlisonMorrisNOW) January 26, 2020
"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 former Fox 5 reporter wrote. "Please know I did not & would NEVER use a racist term. I apologize for the confusion this caused."
There was at least one pardon from the people.
She didn’t. sounds like she just tripped over her words. Doesn’t sound like a slur, what’s being implied. It’s challenging in that anchor chair with breaking news & multiple people talking in your ear & producers handing you wires etc. My heart goes out to the Bryant family. ????????????
— Tiffany Cross (@TiffanyDCross) January 26, 2020
You called them Knicks earlier in the broadcast, people’s emotions are raw and they’re angry and projecting it on you unfortunately.
— TraVoloso™️ (@travoloso) January 26, 2020
Listened like 10 times and I can hear Nakers…
— Mo’ (@Ms_moshey) January 26, 2020
But the rest of the Black Twitter community wasn't trying to hear it.
Fucked that, you done said niggers. We not cool with that shit. You owe more than an apology.
— PONCE (@PonceDeLeioun) January 26, 2020
you must think we stoopid
— Bran (@minajthagoat) January 26, 2020
Ma’am you did not say Nakers pic.twitter.com/Se47a1179d
— LilEsBella ???????? (@LilEsBella) January 26, 2020
That's not what you said love we all heard you say it live pic.twitter.com/B5ZsgKKIHa
— CocoPuffs???? (@AYUMMYBIGGIRL) January 26, 2020
Ms. you said exactly what you wanted to say . You should never EVER be on TV again and be fired ASAP
— Al Griffin (@agriffinmitsu) January 26, 2020
Girl bye pic.twitter.com/2E9FiLMZyE
— A fall from Grace’s wigs (@m_woodsFR) January 26, 2020
A number of public figures publicly grieved Bryant's death and gave sympathies to the family as many continue to reel from the unexpected passing. The 5-time NBA champion leaves behind wife Vanessa Laine Bryant and other children Natalia Diamante, Bianka Bella and Capri Kobe Bryant.
