In a story that seems perfect for a satire site -- except for the fact that it actually happened -- ESPN announced it would be pulling sports announcer Robert Lee from a game held in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia to avoid any confusion with Confederate General Robert E. Lee. ESPN has since defended their decision to pull Lee by saying they would be sparing Lee from “memes and jokes.”
The response came a little too late, though, as Twitter had already exploded with mockery aimed at the sports news network:
"Well, shit." - Buford Jebidiah Beauregard Yamamoto tearing up his sports journalism degree
— Cuffy (@CuffyMeh) August 23, 2017
A few took the initiative to edit pictures of Lee superimposed over the actual Confederate general:
#RobertLee General Robert Lee heading out to announce the Union vs Rebel Football Game: pic.twitter.com/RxzKjhBD8f
— Scared Goat (@ScaredGoat) August 23, 2017
My Dearest Scarlet, I fear we've been infiltrated by a saboteur. General Lee is now an Oriental. He smells of opium and malice #RobertLee pic.twitter.com/LB7gSyUBy3
— Steve Kt (@SteveintheKT) August 23, 2017
Some just had fun with the history:
Rare photo of @espn's Robert Lee's F-14 strafing Sherman's troops. pic.twitter.com/JFfNaPAjvO
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) August 23, 2017
From 1862 until his surrender in 1865, ESPN college football announcer Robert Lee commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. pic.twitter.com/eQKXyXRNgl
— NotKennyRogers (@NotKennyRogers) August 23, 2017
Iowahawk wrote fiction based on the new infamous, notorious Lee:
My Dearest Annabelle, I am beset by perplexities and distresses, I fear the war is lost
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) August 22, 2017
<mournful fiddle dirge> pic.twitter.com/TEaFIIeBmh
My Most Darling Annabelle,
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) August 23, 2017
The dawn brings vexations anew. Our valiant line has collapsed and the Memes have captured Bristol. Pray for me pic.twitter.com/tnTAxwiqzB
Given the fact that Lee is an Asian man — and not a Confederate General — Michelle Malkin asserted feminists would next take offense to the Asian last name “Ho”:
First, #SJWs came for every Asian-American dude named #RobertLee
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) August 23, 2017
Next, the feminists will target every Asian-American whose last name is Ho.
Many were worried over the fate of Sara Lee products, given the unfortunate name:
Did Robert E. Lee have a daughter named Sara...because if he did...we can't eat Sara Lee cakes anymore. #tcot
— Jeannie-ology (@jeanniology) August 23, 2017
Sports Station @Espn also announced it will not advertise #SaraLee because it makes fat people eat
— paully (@paully_steaks) August 23, 2017
Its also banning Lee Jeans
#robertlee
Wow ESPN really??? Up next Sara Lee cakes will be removed...Bruce Lee movies forever banned !! How stupid can you possibly be??? https://t.co/yPGDdr5cbv
— Kevin Fortier (@ksfortier) August 23, 2017
Breaking news: All Supermarkets pull Sara Lee deserts from shelves.Could be Robert Lee's mother's name
— Dennis👮 (@DennisL656) August 23, 2017
BREAKING: @espn pulls Sara Lee products from their breakroom vending area. Apparently some people DON'T like @SaraLeeDesserts. #RobertLee
— Deplorable TK (@BucTrooper) August 23, 2017
@espn Please get Sara Lee next. That bitch is hiding something. https://t.co/yWawtoNgNn
— Belle Curves (@JaynePenelope) August 23, 2017
Given the outrageous nature of booting an Asian man from a scheduled gig over his last name, who knows if Sara Lee products or the last name "Ho" is the next to go?
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