Jemele Hill Suspended Over Hitler Comment

FanHouse's Will Brinson noted today that ESPN's Jemele Hill wrote a column Saturday that said rooting "for the Celtics is like saying Hitler was a victim. It's like hoping Gorbachev would get to the blinking red button before Reagan."

That choice of words has now led to Hill being placed on leave, The Big Lead reports that ESPN issued this statement:

"Both Jemele and ESPN.com apologize. The column, as originally posted, made some absolutely unacceptable comparisons. We've spoken with Jemele, and she understands that she exercised poor judgment. She's been relieved of her responsibilities for a period of time to reflect on the impact of her words. Within hours of its posting on Saturday evening, the inappropriate references were removed from the site, but our system of checks and balances failed Jemele and our readers and we are addressing that as well."

Stating she was "relieved of her duties for a period of time" is a strange way of saying she was "suspended," but that's what this is. ESPN's most recent high-profile suspension was the one given to Dana Jacobson for her comments at the Mike and Mike roast. Jacobson got a week; no word on whether the ESPN brass considers Hill's offense to be better, worse or the same.

UPDATE: An ESPN spokesman has e-mailed me Hill's personal apology, after the jump.

Jemele Hill's personal apology:
"I deeply regret the comment I made in a column Saturday. In expressing my passion for the NBA and my hometown of Detroit I showed very poor judgment in the words that I used. I pride myself on an understanding of, and appreciation for, diversity - and there is no excuse for the appalling lack of sensitivity in my comments. It in no way reflects the person I am. I apologize to all of my readers and I thank them for holding me accountable. This has been an important lesson for me and illustrates that, like many people, I still have a lot of growing and learning to do."

Lakers vs. Celtics

BOSTON - JUNE 17: Fans celebrate outside of TD Banknorth Garden after the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the 2008 NBA Finals on June 17, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Lakers 131-92 to win the NBA Championship. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

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BOSTON - JUNE 17: Police in riot gear line up outside of TD Banknorth Garden after the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the 2008 NBA Finals on June 17, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Lakers 131-92 to win the NBA Championship. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

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Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant is grabbed by Boston Celtics' P.J. Brown, left, as Celtics' Ray Allen (20) watches during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA basketball finals Tuesday, June 17, 2008, in Boston. Boston won their 17th championship, beating the Lakers 131-92. (AP Photo/Pool, Winslow Townson)

Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce (34) dumps Gatorade over coach Doc Rivers near the end of the Celtics 131-92 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of the NBA basketball finals Tuesday, June 17, 2008, in Boston. The Celtics won the 2008 championship series 4-2. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

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BOSTON - JUNE 17: The Boston Celtics celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the 2008 NBA Finals on June 17, 2008 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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BOSTON - JUNE 17: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics celebrates with the NBA Finals MVP trophy after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the 2008 NBA Finals on June 17, 2008 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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