After running a bit this morning making fun of former New Orleans Saint Steve Gleason, whose career was cut short due to his battle with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Lincoln Financial Media Sports “790 The Zone” WQXI Atlanta has cut ties with the three hosts of its “Mayhem In The AM” morning show.
The station released the following statement:
“We deeply regret the offensive programming that aired this morning on “Mayhem In The AM” on 790 The Zone, related to former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason and his battle with ALS. We suspended the three individuals involved immediately following their comments and have since terminated their employment. 790 The Zone, our owners, sponsors and partners in no way endorse or support this kind of content. We sincerely apologize to Mr. Gleason, his family and all those touched by ALS.”
Mayhem In The AM was hosted by Steak Shapiro, Nick Cellini, and Chris Dimino. Shaprio was the co-founder of The Zone format when his Big League Broadcasting leased WQXI from Lincoln Financial Media (Then Jefferson Pilot Communications) in 1997. The company sold the station to Lincoln in 2010. Cellini also serves as a football analyst for WXIA-TV, while Dimino does the same for WGCL-TV. WQXI is the co-flagship station for Atlanta Falcons football play-by-play along with sister Hot AC “Star 94” WSTR.
While Shapiro and Dimino have been silent on the matter on Twitter, Nick Cellini did offer a sincere apology for the bit.
My apologies to everyone. It was a stupid attempt at humor that backfired. Emphasis on stupid.
— Nick Cellini (@NickCellini) June 17, 2013
An update: we all got wacked. I apologized to Michel Gleason, she understands it was a stupid joke. I'll do my best to help Team Gleason
— Nick Cellini (@NickCellini) June 17, 2013
No one made me apologize earlier, no one made me reach out. I was ignorant and it was the right thing to do. Got what I deserved..
— Nick Cellini (@NickCellini) June 17, 2013
Audio of the bit has been archived by Cumulus’ “106.1 The Ticket” WMTI New Orleans.
