Well, Deadspin just got a reality check from a Delaware judge, and it’s not the kind they can easily brush off. On Monday, Superior Court Judge Sean Lugg ruled against the sports blog’s attempt to get a defamation lawsuit tossed out, a lawsuit that centers on a truly bizarre situation involving a 9-year-old Kansas City Chiefs fan, Holden Armenta. Deadspin and writer Carron Phillips thought they had a hot take when they accused the young fan of wearing blackface at a Chiefs game. Now, it looks like they might have to defend their overzealous finger-pointing in court.
The controversy goes back to a Chiefs game in Las Vegas last November. Holden decked out in an American Indian headdress and face paint, cheered for his favorite team. His face was painted half red and half black—the colors of the Chiefs. But instead of seeing a kid enjoying a football game, Deadspin saw an opportunity to paint a different picture, and not in a flattering way. Carron Phillips published an article, along with a carefully cropped photo, accusing the child of wearing blackface and claiming that he had found a way to “hate Black people and Native Americans at the same time.” Classy.
Delaware Judge DENIES Deadspin’s Bid to Dismiss Defamation Suit Filed by Family of the Young Chiefs Fan
JUDGE: “Deadspin published an image of a child displaying his passionate fandom as a backdrop for its critique of the NFL’s diversity efforts and, in its description of the… pic.twitter.com/EpuxxKsNwR
— UngaTheGreat (@UngaTheGreat) October 8, 2024
Deadspin’s move didn’t just spark outrage from Kansas City fans—it became a textbook example of the media taking things too far. The Armentas’ lawsuit hit back hard, pointing out that Holden was merely showing pride in his Chumash-Indian heritage and rooting for his team, not engaging in some grand act of racial insensitivity. And let’s be honest, even a quick look at the unedited photos makes it clear: the kid’s face was painted for his team, not for a political statement. But nuance doesn’t sell clicks, right?
Judge Lugg’s ruling made it clear that Deadspin’s accusations went beyond just commentary. “Deadspin published an image of a child displaying his passionate fandom as a backdrop for its critique of the NFL’s diversity efforts and, in its description of the child, crossed the fine line protecting its speech from defamation claims,” he wrote. Translation: if you’re going to call a kid a racist, you’d better have more than a cropped photo and a chip on your shoulder.
But Phillips wasn’t content to let things die down. Instead, he doubled down on social media, ranting that those defending Holden were the real problem, implying that they’d happily throw on a sombrero for Cinco de Mayo while harboring racist views. This is the same guy who’s made a name for himself writing articles with headlines like “We know why Simone Biles doesn’t get the same attention as Taylor Swift at NFL games” and “The Chicago Bears haven’t won a playoff game since Lovie Smith. Their next head coach should be Black.” In other words, making accusations of racism isn’t just a hobby for Phillips—it’s his whole brand.
In a true David slays Goliath, 9 yo boy Holden Armenta Cancels Carron Phillips!
BREAKING NEWS Entire staff at Deadspin scalped: Outlet smearing young KC Chiefs fans as racist was just FIRED
‘Unapologetic racist’ sportswriter at Deadspin Carron Phillips gets canned after… pic.twitter.com/xi2nGHT5KI
— Recall Katie Hobbs (@AmericanHubener) March 13, 2024
And if you think Deadspin is just going to sail through this unscathed, think again. Just a month after the Armentas filed their defamation suit, Deadspin’s parent company sold the site, and the entire staff was laid off. Now, Phillips and Deadspin find themselves in court, trying to justify why they dragged a kid into their crusade. It’s almost poetic: a sports blog known for its hot takes and race-focused critiques is now facing the music in a very public way.
BREAKING: The entire staff at Deadspin has been laid off by its new owners
Carron J. Philips is now unemployed and is simultaneously getting sued for defaming Holden Armenta, a 9-year-old boy
Happy ending aren’t just for fairy tales pic.twitter.com/Xosb4l1yU6
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 11, 2024
What started as a poorly researched hit piece might end up costing Deadspin a lot more than just its reputation. The case serves as a reminder that playing fast and loose with accusations of racism—especially when the facts don’t back them up—can have real consequences. Maybe next time, Deadspin will think twice before turning a 9-year-old’s face paint into a national scandal. Then again, given their track record, probably not.
