Steve Gleason Lou Gehrig's Disease Joke Gets Radio Hosts Fired

Steve Gleason Lou Gehrig's disease jokes got Atlanta radio hosts fired, according to published reports. Three radio hosts were fired for mocking former Saints safety Steve Gleason, who has Lou Gehrig's disease.
The bit about Steve Gleason Lou Gehrig's disease was performed on a “Mayhem in the AM" broadcast right after Steve Gleason made a special appearance on Sports Illustrated's “Monday Morning Quarterback.” The three Atlanta sports radio hosts were let go after they did an on-air sketch making fun of the former New Orleans Saints safety and his battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.
Steve Gleason lost the use of his voice and is confined to a wheelchair because of his battle with ALS. Gleason uses a computerized speech device. The "Mayhem in the AM" cast used a fake robotic voice in place of the ex-NFL player during a mock interview. The three hosts were fired by ESPN affiliate 790 The Zone.
The sketch was aired after Gleason made a special appearance on Sports Illustrated's Monday Morning Quarterback. Gleason uses a machine that tracks eye movement to type. He wrote a 4,500-word column touching on everything from his debilitating disease to his taste in music. The 36 year old former player also wrote about a possible link between ALS and pro football.
In the bit, Steak Shapiro and Chris Dimino took a call from "Steve Gleason." Gleason was played by co-host Nick Cellini. The "Mayhem in the AM” segment included knock-knock jokes. At one point the voice asked Shapiro and Dimino to "smother me, do me a favor." The voice of Steve Gleason also said "I blame Gregg Williams." The former Saints defensive coordinator was suspended last season for his part in the Bountygate scandal. The interview ended Gleason saying, "I'm going to hell."
790 The Zone was flooded with calls and messages from outraged listeners who demanded that Shapiro, Dimino and Cellini be fired. At first, the trio was suspended. As the story got more play and more people complained they hosts were terminated.
In an online statement, 790 The Zone said "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."
Before he deleted his Twitter account, Nick Cellini tweeted “My apologies to everyone. It was a stupid attempt at humor that backfired. Emphasis on stupid."

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