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WABC* says Imus' explanation of controversial comments "makes sense" -- then why did Warner Wolf give a different one?

June 25, 2008 1:59 pm ET

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SUMMARY: On his radio show, host Don Imus explained controversial comments he'd made the previous day about Adam "Pacman" Jones, who, it was noted, is African American, by asserting, "My point was that there's no reason to arrest this kid six times. He's a football player. He's a lovely kid. He's out having fun. He doesn't need to be arrested six -- he gets arrested times. Well, we know why he gets arrested six times." But, sportscaster Warner Wolf, who was part of both conversations, offered a different explanation: "[A]nybody that listens to the show knows that whether it's a politician or an athlete or anyone, someone who's obviously guilty, you joke and say, 'Well, it must have been racism.' I mean, it's a joke. I mean, we all know that 'Pacman' is no model citizen. The guy's been arrested and suspended. So it's a joke." Notwithstanding the apparent conflict in their explanations, WABC's* Phil Boyce reportedly said of Imus' explanation: "When I first heard the comment I thought that's probably what he meant, but I called him and he explained and it made sense to me. I said, 'Let's make sure you explain it the next time you're on the air,' and he did a very good job."

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