The Carolina Panthers are for sale, and Sean “Diddy” Combs has made his desire to become an NFL owner known in a video. Whether or not he is a serious candidate to buy the Panthers or if this is all a thought-out publicity stunt is up for debate, but one local TV news reporter sure made it clear he is not buying Diddy as a serious candidate.
Henry Wofford of KRON4 mocked and joked about Diddy looking as though he was smoking and drinking just before recording his social media video declaring his interest in purchasing the Panthers. Wofford said Diddy looked high and was “smoking blunts and drinking 40’s.”
It was a pretty bad take, even though it got a couple of laughs during the newscast that has been called out for its ludicrous reaction.
https://twitter.com/tommyrosiers/status/942849853809479680
Wofford issued an apology via the station’s website as the reaction to his comments grew loud. Wofford played it off as nothing more than an attempt to be funny, which so often backfires on anyone who dares give it a try on live TV.
“Although it was said in an attempt to be funny, I realize insinuating a person may be drunk or on drugs is nothing to joke about,” Wofford said in his statement. “For that I sincerely apologize to Mr. Combs, his fans and everyone who was offended. Dozens of Diddy’s twitter followers have accused me of playing on racial stereotypes. That was not my goal. But I understand my comments had that impact and for that I sincerely apologize.”
Wofford continued to backtrack his original comments by suggesting Diddy does have the business acumen to be seriously considered for an ownership stake of an NFL team like the Carolina Panthers.
“My comment was never intended to downplay what Diddy Combs has accomplished as an entrepreneur nor was it intended to question what he’s capable of accomplishing in the future,” Wofford said. “Sean Diddy Combs has the work ethic, wisdom, dedication and contacts to be a successful NFL owner.”
Wofford took to Twitter to continue explaining his side of the story and apologize for his comments.
Diddy is a businessman who has the work ethic, success & contacts to run an NFL team.My response to @DaryaKRONFolsom question was regarding if he's serious about buying the team. She laughed at my joke. The snippet takes things out of context. Sorry for any misunderstanding.
— Henry Wofford (@HWoffordSports) December 18, 2017
Wofford also apologized to his co-workers at the station for any heat they have taken for his comments. The reporter on screen, Darya Folsom, has been criticized for her reaction to Wofford’s comments and sports anchor Gary Radnich has been misidentified by some as the man making the comments to the station.
Let this be a lesson to us all; just because you think you are funny does not mean you actually are.
