Soccer Writer Drew Pells Fired For ‘I Can’t Breathe’ Tweet
Soccer writer Drew Pells was fired this week for an “I can’t breathe” tweet that many people found offensive.
Major League Soccer returned on Wednesday night after a COVID-inspired suspension.
During a game between Orlando City SC and Inter Miami, VAVEL USA writer Drew Pells remarked that an injury to player Andres Reyes was a “real” moment of not being able to breathe, not a media manufactured one.
“This is a real ‘I can’t breathe’ moment, not one manufactured by the media,” he tweeted.
“Thoughts and prayers. Hope Reyes is okay.”
This is a real “I can’t breathe” moment, not one manufactured by the media
Thoughts and prayers. Hope Reyes is okay#ORLvsMIA #orlandocity #InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/eDehF0gxEv
— Drew Pells (@DrewPells) July 9, 2020
The reaction to Pells’ swift was immediate and deeply negative.
In a statement released the same evening, VAVEL USA announced that their relationship with the writer had come to an end.
“At VAVEL we are in favor of freedom of speech, however, our greater commitment is always to exalt the most important sports journalism values such as respect and diversity,” the statement read.
📄 PUBLIC STATEMENT. pic.twitter.com/BlKmZhaPs7
— VAVEL USA (@VAVEL_USA) July 9, 2020
Pells, for his part, does not seem deterred by what has transpired. He tweeted through the incident and is continuing to double down on his position.
It’s funny to me that an Asian Jew who was an illegal immigrant in a communist, authoritarian dictatorship and banned from staying in hotels solely because of my passport is somehow against diversity
Kowtowing to keyboard warriors is not a good business decision#MLSisBack https://t.co/eCLCT8pqb4
— Drew Pells (@DrewPells) July 9, 2020
Blue check marks just can’t get enough of me
I’m on their minds. I’m in their heads https://t.co/4UkAJ1sXno
— Drew Pells (@DrewPells) July 9, 2020
In the last 12 hours, I’ve made more money than I did in 4 months with @VAVEL_USA
As @ThomasEWoods says, monetize your haters https://t.co/cpuPLJUVB7 pic.twitter.com/kcBejNgqji
— Drew Pells (@DrewPells) July 9, 2020
Currently, Pells has 441 followers on Twitter. It will be interesting to see if that following grows over the next few days.
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