Bowl sponsor's CEO apologizes to B.C. player (High Wimp Factor Alert)

FOXSports ^ | 1/30/2005 | AP

[StoneWallJack]

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - CEO of MPC Computers apologized to Boston College defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka on Thursday for making fun of his name during a banquet before the Eagles' bowl game against Boise State.

At a banquet Monday night before the MPC Computers Bowl between the Eagles and Boise State, Mike Adkins read a list of the top 10 things Boise and Boston have in common, including, "No one in either city can properly pronounce Mathias Kiwanuka." Adkins mispronounced Kiwanuka's name in the punchline and some Boston College players said later they found the joke insulting and disrespectful...

... Adkins apologized to Kiwanuka in a statement Thursday.

"The MPC Computers Bowl, whose roots are based on a humanitarian model of service, would never attempt to discredit, humiliate or offend anyone," said Gary Beck, the bowl's executive director. "We again apologize to Mr. Kiwanuka for any discomfort or embarrassment the speech at the event caused him or his family. It was certainly unintentional and without any malice."

Beck said the game, which began its nine-year history as the Humanitarian Bowl, would develop policies and procedures for guest speakers at future events to ensure an impartial atmosphere...

[StoneWallJack]

As Yoda would say "Too sensitive we are." My last name is as bad as this guy's and is intentionally mispronounced all the time. My reaction is to laugh with the crowd....

[b4its2late]

Hell, I couldn't pronounce his name even if it was spelled phonetically. Whimps.

[frankjr]

"...some Boston College players said later they found the joke insulting and disrespectful"

Many people find BC football insulting and disrespectful. What a bunch of pansies (note: a apologies in advance to all horticulturists).

[Sonny M]

There is nothing in the article that even remotely suggests the player in question was offended, just some other players were?

How does someone get the right to be offended on someone elses behalf?

Granted, I could understand players being close and looking out for their guys, but this player doesn't even have any comments here.

[andyk]

"No one in either city can properly pronounce Mathias Kiwanuka." Adkins mispronounced Kiwanuka's name in the punchline and some Boston College players said later they found the joke insulting and disrespectful...

I have to disagree with the AP's characterization that this is "making fun of" his name. Here's how the info was gleaned in terms of what the BC players felt:

Reporter: "Would you say you found his joke insulting?"

Player: "Yeah, I guess, maybe a little.".

[samadams2000]

Where have all our real men gone?

[yarddog]

It seems half of America is just trying to fine a way to be insulted, and the other half are trying to avoid insulting them.

[misterrob]

Well, considering this guy could probably rip the arms off of the honkee that insulted him, I'd say it would be wise to tread carefully.

[StoneWallJack]

"honkee"...

On behalf of Mike Adkins, I am personally, professionally, and any other way offended by your insensitive characterization of Mr. Adkins's whiteness.

Perhaps you should attend the Humanitarian Bowl next year so that you too can learn the humanitarian model of service.

[misterrob]

Well, seeing as I fit the description of pasty white guy then I reserve the right to use such terminology

[BW2221]

It reminds me of when the former Montreal Canadien hockey player Patrice Broisbrois complained to the NHL and got another player suspended for calling him a "Frog."

In the good old days, any "Frog" who was called a "Frog" on the ice would have dropped his gloves and settled it like a man.

[Clemenza]

My last name is unpronounceable by 99% of all Americans, and even rhymes with a certain insult. I caught alot of heat for it as a kid, but nobody ever apologized to me. If they would have, I would have NO respect for them.

[andyk]

The fact that he misprounounced his name when telling the joke is pretty darned funny. :)

What I really want to know is, since the game was considered a home game for BC, does that mean that the loss does not end BSU's NCAA-leading, 31 home game winning streak?

[SengirV]

The CEO disrespected the player like that guy in Milwaukee disrespected that mob of kids. I hope the CEO locks his card doors, or else he's gunna get pulled out and beaten.

[curlewbird]

I'm personally offended that they are still playing this "bowl" game!! Our team played there a few years ago, (yeah, we sucked) and all it is basically is another home game for Boise State!! Not many fans that wanted to attend a game played on a blue field, somewhere colder than home in December!!

[Texas Eagle]

How come nobobdy from Boston is ever insulted to be represented by people like John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, Marty Meehan and Barney Frank?

[HitmanLV]

People seem to increasingly think that hurt feelings are the worst thing that can happen to them.

It doesn't seem to occur to them that it seems at least as likely in many instances that they just might be too sensitive.

I have no idea where so-called adults got the expectation they could move through life without getting their feelings hurt.

[BW2221]

If BC wouldn't have lost to some bottom-feeders, like North Carolina, the team would have been invited to a better bowl.

[crazyhorse691]

I have uncles that I call "ski" because I get a tongue sprain trying to say their last name.

[misterrob]

We left....