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The arguments originally stemmed from a tweet directed at Olbermann about PSU's annual THON dance marathon. This year's THON raised more than $13 million for the Four Diamonds Fund, a charity supporting children with pediatric cancer and their families, according to PSU student newspaper The Daily Collegian.
The network released the following statement Tuesday:
We are aware of the exchange Keith Olbermann had on Twitter last night regarding Penn State. It was completely inappropriate and does not reflect the views of ESPN. We have discussed it with Keith, who recognizes he was wrong. ESPN and Keith have agreed that he will not host his show for the remainder of this week and will return on Monday. The annual tradition of THON and the efforts of the students of Penn State to fight pediatric cancer should be applauded.
Olbermann originally responded to the PSU alum's tweet about THON by saying "...Pitiful," likely meant to be a joke playing off of the PSU motto "We Are!" Here's Olbermann's tweet:
@lisaadeleon ...Pitiful
- Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 23, 2015
.@dave_seidel her tweet reads "we are..." I finished her sentence "...pitiful." At this rate your diploma won't be recognized, Moron
- Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 23, 2015
It got worse from there. Deadspin collected some of Olbermann's more colorful responses when PSU students and alumni began to criticize the ESPN personality.
Here's what Olbermann had to say Monday night:
.@dave_seidel Again - get your $ back - you didn't learn how to read. PSU students are pitiful because they're PSU students - period.
- Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 23, 2015
@EricOwensFS Don't make shit up, Sonny. You'll wind up running Penn State.
- Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 24, 2015
I'd like to thank the students and alums of Penn State for proving my point about the mediocrity of their education and ethics.
- Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 24, 2015
I apologize for the PSU tweets. I was stupid and childish and way less mature than the students there who did such a great fundraising job.
- Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 24, 2015