Holden Armenta, a 9-year-old Kansas City Chiefs fan, and his family are suing sports news website Deadspin and writer Caron Phillips for defamation. The lawsuit stems from an article accusing Holden of wearing blackface at a game, allegedly sparking online harassment and threats against the young boy.
“It takes a lot to disrespect two groups of people at once. But on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas, a Kansas City Chiefs fan found a way to hate Black people and the Native American at the same time.”
– Carron J. Phillips (original Deadspin article)
Misleading Photo Ignites Controversy
The lawsuit alleges that Deadspin published a misleading article and photo showcasing only half of Holden’s face paint, which was black and red representing the Chiefs’ colors. Deadspin’s portrayal, according to the Armentas, falsely characterized Holden’s actions as racist.
“During the CBS television broadcast, H.A. was shown for threeseconds, where the audience can clearly see his red-and-black face paint. Immediately thereafter, CBS panned to a Raiders fan in black-and-white face paint.”
– Superior Court Document (Delaware)
Family Allegedly Targeted in “Race-Drenched” Agenda
Holden’s parents claim Deadspin maliciously chose their son to push a “race-drenched political agenda,” despite Holden being Native American himself. They emphasize that his face paint had nothing to do with racism but solely supported his favorite team.
“Those few seconds provided just the opportunity for Deadspin SeniorWriter Carron Phillips to, on behalf of himself and his employer Deadspin,maliciously and wantonly attack a nine-year-old boy and his parents for Phillips’own race-drenched political agenda.”
– Superior Court Document (Delaware)
Deadspin’s Apology Falls Short
Despite facing legal threats and demands for retraction, Deadspin only removed the photo and added a vague editor’s note expressing regret “for any suggestion that we were attacking” Holden. The family argues this did little to rectify the initial harm caused.
- The lawsuit details the ongoing harassment and threats Holden has faced, including racist slurs and death threats.
- This online photo, fueled by Deadspin’s questionable reporting, has had a significant impact on the young boy and his family.
Seeking Justice and Accountability
The Armenta family seeks unspecified damages and are determined to “set the record straight” and hold Deadspin accountable for spreading “incendiary lies” about their son.
This case highlights the dangers of misinformation and its potential impact on individuals, especially minors when online accusations gain traction.
