As the nation is reeling over the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, fans began expressing their shock and sympathies on social media.
But the words of MSNBC anchor Alison Morris commenting on Bryant's death were scrutinized after viewers alleged hearing her saying the n-word.
Here is a clip of the report posted by Twitter user "Jimmy Jump."
So this @MSNBC reporter just referred to the Lakers as the Los Angeles Niggers on live tv when talking about Kobe. https://t.co/htfPRwlgV6— Jimmy Jump 🏁 (@Jimmy Jump 🏁)1580071530.0
People chimed in with their responses.
@Littles1126 @shaunking @MSNBC WTF! How can you even get to that word from anything?! There's a lot of news reporte… https://t.co/YzcrOqHNpu— Rohan (@Rohan)1580073197.0
@Littles1126 @shaunking @MSNBC She said "Nakers". She got tongue twisted with the aNgeles when she said "Lakers". But sure, destroy her.— Joel Lava 🌊 (@Joel Lava 🌊)1580073266.0
@Littles1126 @shaunking @MSNBC She just mispronounced it is what I am thinking. Otherwise why the hell would you do… https://t.co/KrhugHC3yW— Andree (@Andree)1580073378.0
@Littles1126 @MSNBC I think she was stumbling...almost said Knickers...tried to switch mid word & made it MUCH wors… https://t.co/vLw5eV1SN5— Only The Truth (@Only The Truth)1580078322.0
@Littles1126 @shaunking @MSNBC It sounded to me like she started to say "Nicks", then corrected to "Lakers" at the… https://t.co/k4DPa69dQS— Dr Proximo🏳️🌈⚡ (@Dr Proximo🏳️🌈⚡)1580073748.0
@Littles1126 @MSNBC Good Grief, she did not. She got tongue tied and said nakers. Like no one has ever got tongue t… https://t.co/Y0X4MILZR0— Michelle Sevenbergen (@Michelle Sevenbergen)1580081359.0
Morris denied the allegation of using the racial slur while she was on the air.
She took to Twitter to explain the unfortunate misunderstanding.
"Earlier today, while reporting on the tragic news of Kobe Bryant's passing, I unfortunately stuttered on air, combining the names of the Knicks and the Lakers to say "Nakers.'"
Earlier today, while reporting on the tragic news of Kobe Bryant’s passing, I unfortunately stuttered on air, combi… https://t.co/D83UFprSUw— Alison Morris (@Alison Morris)1580076616.0
Responses to her statement were mixed.
@AlisonMorrisNOW Yeah I listened to the clip SEVERAL times and you said the N word with a HARD G. So no we dont believe you.— Always Bet On Black (@Always Bet On Black)1580076787.0
@mcgintyman/Twitter
@AlisonMorrisNOW No one believes you.— Mike Cernovich (@Mike Cernovich)1580077475.0
@AlisonMorrisNOW That’s exactly the way I heard it. Knicks and then corrected with lakers.— Kambree Kawahine Koa - Text EMPOWER to 88022 (@Kambree Kawahine Koa - Text EMPOWER to 88022)1580084596.0
@BetOnBlaqq @AlisonMorrisNOW That's exactly what I heard! Not to mention she would have been reading it off of a te… https://t.co/RO1JoYLmqC— Becca (@Becca)1580077063.0
@AlisonMorrisNOW Geez whiz, folks. Cut the lady some slack. Maybe she was as shocked & stunned as the rest of us at… https://t.co/cgHraaFAxI— Rebecca M. Kirk (@Rebecca M. Kirk)1580077127.0
@AlisonMorrisNOW @MSNBC You're good. It happens.— #RIPGOP ™ 🏳️🌈 (@#RIPGOP ™ 🏳️🌈)1580076820.0
Attempts at levity were made over the ridiculous debate.
@AlisonMorrisNOW The audio version of 'The Dress' https://t.co/bdA7q77l9P— John Hyslop (@John Hyslop)1580084910.0
@PolitiBunny @AlisonMorrisNOW She should’ve went with this... https://t.co/MGPcX9g27L— Marty Ray (@Marty Ray)1580081628.0
Those who remain unconvinced of the stutter explanation wanted her off the air for good.
They even started a campaign to oust Morris in a petition, claiming what the reporter said:
"was not Accident but on PURPOSE because she paused before she said 'Los Angeles Ni***** '".
@Littles1126 @shaunking @MSNBC She needs to be fired ASAP— Ms Boughetto (@Ms Boughetto)1580073216.0
@Littles1126 @shaunking @MSNBC @msnbc need to correct this immediately, not tomorrow not next week but today this m… https://t.co/F0cGCFtLna— Perrilicous LLC (@Perrilicous LLC)1580073313.0
@Littles1126 @BrandonHathaw12 @MSNBC That's beyond messed up. I understand misspeaking while reading a prompter on… https://t.co/dWvY675wEu— GalacticRedPill (@GalacticRedPill)1580079563.0
@Littles1126 @MSNBC Yea she’s done— ChiRed (@ChiRed)1580073016.0
Everyone seems to have heard something different.
@Littles1126 @markfromalbany @MSNBC I’m not a fan of theirs, but it sounded like she said nickers.— No One 🇺🇸 (@No One 🇺🇸)1580083768.0
Some felt it was time to end the debate and focus on the victims and their families.
@Littles1126 @MSNBC It was Nickers.......listen carefully. Today isn’t the day for this.— Karen (@Karen)1580087654.0
@InactionNever @AlisonMorrisNOW She said Nakers...let's not do this.— Sharon S. (@Sharon S.)1580084145.0
While an investigation into the crash is still in its early stages, authorities cited foggy conditions.
On Sunday evening, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said:
"We do know there was an issue with visibility and a low ceiling. The actual conditions at the time of impact, that is still yet to be determined."
Fans and colleagues continue to mourn of the loss of the NBA hero.
Shaquille O'Neal posted a tribute to his late friend.
"There's no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed."
"My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW."
There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother… https://t.co/aFAvD7oD7w— SHAQ (@SHAQ)1580075169.0
On Monday, fans gathered outside of the Staples Center in Los Angeles–where The Lakers play–to pay their respects for Bryant and his daughter.
The full list of victims hasn't been released by authorities, but family members of the victims confirmed their identities in tributes posted online.
In addition to Kobe and Gianna "Gigi" Bryant, the other victims have been identified as husband John, wife Keri and daughter Alyssa Altobelli; mother Sarah and daughter Payton Chester; coach Christina Mauser and pilot Ara Zobayan.