McGuire apologises for Goodes King Kong comments
Triple M presenter and Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has held a press conference to apologise for comments suggesting indigenous football player Adam Goodes should be used to promote the musical of King Kong.
His comments came days after a 13-year-old Collingwood fan called Goodes an “ape” during the indigenous round of the AFL season.
This morning McGuire told listeners to his Melbourne show that Goodes could be involved in promoting the musical King Kong. He said: “Get Adam Goodes down for it do you reckon? You could see them doing it, can’t you? Goodsie. You know, with the ape thing. Pumping him up and mucking around and all that sort of stuff.”
A few minutes later on the show McGuire later said that he was tired when he made the comment.
Southern Cross Austereo, which owns Triple M and the Today Network, issued the following statement:
“We acknowledge that a comment made by Eddie McGuire on Triple M’s Hot Breakfast show this morning may have been interpreted by some listeners as being racist.
“Eddie immediately clarified the meaning of his comment which was not intended to be racist in any way, and apologised to any listeners who were offended.
“Speaking after the broadcast Eddie McGuire said:
“’My comment was meant to be an ironic reference to the sort of techniques once used by some public relations consultants to publicise new shows. As I said on air at the first opportunity after I made the comment, I unfortunately mumbled my words and said something I didn’t intend. I unreservedly apologise. I have contacted the Sydney Swans to explain the situation to Adam Goodes personally. Adam was gracious enough to take my call and expressed his disappointment “particularly given what we’ve been through together last weekend”.
“‘I agreed entirely with him and I’m devastated that I am responsible for bringing this issue back into the public arena. Adam accepted my apology and acknowledged my strong commitment and record in tackling racial vilification not just on the football field but in the wider community.
“”I sincerely apologise for the hurt caused.’
“Triple M also sincerely apologises to any listeners who were offended. Eddie McGuire has an exemplary record on indigenous issues and Triple M completely accepts his explanation.”
wow – just wow.
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Perhaps when the stage version of DumB & Dumber arrives, they can get MacGuire down for it, do you reckon?
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What an idiotic thing to say
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Proving yet again kids, you don’t need a brain to be successful…
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They say a fish rots from the head….
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EM says: ” I unfortunately mumbled my words and said something I didn’t intend.” That’s as weak as low alc beer, Eddie. Have the guts to actually apologise; here’s the script seeing you can’t write your own: “Sorry, that was a really stupid, thoughtless thing to say. I am ashamed and have learnt my lesson. Think before I speak.” No fee for this, regard it as pro bono.
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…and who says there is an inherent racism issue in Australia…
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Tired …
and emotional?
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the age is reporting that Goodes is refusing the apology
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This is now beyond a joke. If Eddie Maquire had an ounce of integrity left in him he would step down immediately and indefinitely from all public roles, and undergo the same counselling as the young lady who made the original comments to Adam Goodes at the MCG.
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Sorry…. “McGuire”.
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This is probably why he was host of “Millionaire”, he’d be dead on Q1 if he was a contestant.
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So many expletives could describe this fool but I think the best way is to say that he’s an Eddie Maguire.
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Eddie leads a club that doesn’t get what all the fuss is about
How could they when their Dictator president clearly doesn’t get it
His attempted and poorly executed “apology” on air said it all
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Wonder whether the Grill Team on Triple M will defend him tomorrow?
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Hey Ed., Always knew you were a few bricks short of a load. “Bone Jessica”, now Goodesie. Talk about speaking first and thinking second (I read that somewhere in a article in the Sunday Herald).
Frankly, you should just disappear (get out of Collingwood, get out of radio and TV)> Just GO!!!
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Harry O’Brien from Collingwood tweeted:
“It doesn’t matter if you are a school teacher, a doctor or even the president of my football club I will not tolerate racism, nor should we as a society. Im extremely disappointed with Eddie’s comments and do not care what position he holds, I disagree with what came out his mouth this morning on radio. To me Eddie’s comments are reflective of common attitudes that we as a society face. To me Australia is very casual with racism, I would argue that many people in this country would not think what Eddie or the 13yr old girl said last friday is ‘bad’. In my opinion race relations in this country is systematically a national disgrace and we have a long way to go to reach a more harmonious and empathetic society.”
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I am once again embarrassed to be a Collingwood supporter. They should give Harry O’Brien the presidency. He’s the only one who seems to talk any sense most of the time.
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Unbelievable / Believable.
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Ghosts of Alan McAllister…
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Eddie, a heartfelt thank you from Essendon supporters, you’ve got the mighty bombers
off the back cover…
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Ummm – I think the word everyone is thinking about is “Boned”.
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God gave us Eddie to show us that and a mouth and a brain belong together, and what a curse the former is without the latter.
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‘Eddie, go to the Naughty Corner’….and stay there’
Eddie is a hypocrite and a woeful lyer. At least he should be suspended from on-air activities at Triple M.
Apart from anything Eddie has form in the Gaffe Stakes, check Google for his ‘slip(s) of the tongue’ comments including his shocker during the 2010 telecast of the Winter Olympics.
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He needs to go.
There is WAY to much accepted and “only joking” racism in Australia.
Lead by example and chop him.
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Time is up. Game over for you Eddie.
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He has shown that he is not fit to hold senior management positions.
Stick to Game shows Eddie!
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So with his comment he insults indigenous players and with his response he insults public relations professionals.
Eddie, maybe you should hire some reputable PR people telling you what to say, because it seems quite obvious that you are no longer capable of intelligent speech.
F*!#tard
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As one who takes a somewhat cynical view of the media at times I thought maybe Ed was taking a hit for the poor 13 year old girl that was bullied by a group of 30+ men from Saturday onwards but after giving it some thought I came to the conclusion that is not the case as he is just not that smart!
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McGuire isn’t a racist. He just doesn’t have room in his outsized ego to consider serious topics such as racism.
His mind is so limited to seriousness and lacking in rational thought function that in its limited narrative thread its “Kong = Ape = Goodes” … and he blurts that out. Infantism. Intellectually a flea.
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For goodness sake give it a rest. Eddy, made a stupid bad joke. End of story.
Aren’t there things of more importance going on. Or is there nothing more important than an aboriginal football player. We pussy foot about so much nowadays we have lost of sense of reason.
get on with what you do best Eddie, this isn’t worth carrying on about.
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McGuire has apologised and all understand he’s a nice chap. Similarly to what happens to sinners: according to the Pope, once anyone gets contrite for his own mistakes, gets the bless and becomes virgin again, untill the next sin… but, I suppose, that’s for Catholics only. Being in Rome, I’ll let you know in the next future, what’s the Pope’s opinion about this case, and if pardoning could be spread to all confession on earth! Best wishes to you all, Valbrunetti (Strangerathome).
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