This is breaking in the DC area. Former Washington Redskins defensive end Dexter Manley went on WTOP radio during a weekly appearance recapping the team's game against the Denver Broncos and called Fox NFL analyst Troy Aikman a gay slur.
Listeners to the segment were caught off-guard.
@granthpaulsen on WTOP Dexter Manley just said he always thought Troy Aikman was a queer. Dude should not be on the radio.
— JD (@POWER_SURG3) October 28, 2013
Dexter Manley just crossed the line on @WTOP
— Amy Maclean (@MACcable) October 28, 2013
The Vice President of News and Programming for WTOP, Jim Farley replied to a listener that Manley won't be making any more appearances on the station:
@mypettyhates We are shocked and stunned. Needless to say, Dexter Manley will not be on WTOP again. #WTOP
— Jim Farley (@JFarleyWTOP) October 28, 2013
WTOP has made the audio available. Manley's interview took place at 9:40 this morning. It's a light-hearted interview until the very end when Manley makes the comment at the 3:20 mark. The hosts immediately recognize the gravity of the situation and force Manley to apologize right there on the air before ending the interview.
And WTOP has also released a statement on the matter:
This morning in a live interview former Redskins player Dexter Manley made an offensive and derogatory comment. He was immediately challenged by WTOP news anchors Mike Moss and Bruce Alan. We were shocked and stunned and we apologize to our listeners that this happened on WTOP.
WTOP has contacted a representative for Manley and informed her that he will not be returning.
UPDATE: Manley has issued an apology to Aikman and to the radio listeners of Washington, DC:
In an interview with WTOP radio Monday, while intending to be funny, I used a slur to refer to Troy Aikman. It was wrong and insensitive. Anyone that knows me knows that’s not who I am in my heart or mind. I want to apologize to Troy, but I mostly want to apologize to anyone else I offended. Like a lot of people in these times, I have to realize that what I thought was funny years ago doesn’t work now. I’ll do my best to make sure it doesn’t happen again and hope you will accept my apology.
Dexter Manley
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