My Worst Moment

Ladies and gentlemen, during tonight's Lantern Run, I made a terrible mistake with my language, one that I immediately recognized as hurtful, embarrassing, and just categorically inappropriate both personally and professionally. Giant Bomb has certainly been known to "work blue", but that kind of language simply has no place on Giant Bomb--and, frankly, in the world at large--not now, not ever. I was shocked myself when it came tumbling out, and instantly felt like the worst piece of shit in the world. Context is meaningless, because that word comes with too much of its own hurtful baggage to ever possibly justify.

I want to be crystal clear here: I'm saying this not because of some corporate mandate or some fear for my job. I'm saying this because it's important to me personally that I acknowledge the significance of what was said, and to own it. I feel miserable because that's not me, and it's horrifying to me to think that someone would take that awful outburst as some sort of implicit approval to use that word. That shit is just indefensible. As such, the archived version of the Final Lantern Run will be edited, though I wanted to make sure that this message got out there first, and that people know that this isn't a cover-up.

All I can ask for now is forgiveness for my gaffe. If you can't manage that, I understand, and hope that you can at least give me a chance to prove that I am better than what you saw of me in that deeply regrettable moment of frustration.

Ladies and gentlemen, during tonight's Lantern Run, I made a terrible mistake with my language, one that I immediately recognized as hurtful, embarrassing, and just categorically inappropriate both personally and professionally. Giant Bomb has certainly been known to "work blue", but that kind of language simply has no place on Giant Bomb--and, frankly, in the world at large--not now, not ever. I was shocked myself when it came tumbling out, and instantly felt like the worst piece of shit in the world. Context is meaningless, because that word comes with too much of its own hurtful baggage to ever possibly justify.

I want to be crystal clear here: I'm saying this not because of some corporate mandate or some fear for my job. I'm saying this because it's important to me personally that I acknowledge the significance of what was said, and to own it. I feel miserable because that's not me, and it's horrifying to me to think that someone would take that awful outburst as some sort of implicit approval to use that word. That shit is just indefensible. As such, the archived version of the Final Lantern Run will be edited, though I wanted to make sure that this message got out there first, and that people know that this isn't a cover-up.

All I can ask for now is forgiveness for my gaffe. If you can't manage that, I understand, and hope that you can at least give me a chance to prove that I am better than what you saw of me in that deeply regrettable moment of frustration.

No worries man, we still love ya!

Thanks.

Really. Thanks so much for this.

We love you Ryan! We all do stupid shit!

What was said?

np

Thanks for saying that. Also, please don't be fired. That'd suck.

Good lookin' out Ryan, we know you're no Mel Gibson. It happens.

you are great Ryan!

Don't worry about it man, thanks for the stream as well as it was pretty great

I think a bleep will make that shit even funnier.

I could tell you felt bad immediately after. That's enough for me.
 
Also, please don't kill Brad.

Good on ya Ryan.

Don't sweat it brother!

Happens to the best of us. Apologies were made and hopefully the community can move on.

Apology accepted, duder. Your immediate reaction told me everything I needed to know.

YOUR SOUL IS ABSOLVED

I forgive you Ryan. You apologized right away and like you stated, you realized what was said was wrong.

I was glad you apologized right away and hope we get more Lantern Run in the future.

DUDER

♥ Ryan. And a pre-emptive 'fuck off' to Methodis.

Nah it's ok... we've all said things in the heat of frustration... lucky there isn't a camera on me when I play... i don't think I could control myself as well as you guys do.

We all slip every now and again. Good on ya for owning up.

Ryan never apologizes for anything. that's his thing. This blog proves that he fucked up horribly, and he is truly sorry. Lets put this to bed people.

As a registered card carrying homosexual, thank you for the apology and don't worry, everyone slips up. It's just important you acknowledge it and do your best in the future.

Just don't edit out too much, guys! Do what you think you should to hold to your own standards for the site, but at least keep the gameplay going with the audio muted. I'm one of those people that love watching the gameplay and listening to the talky-talky stuff equally.

And thanks Ryan, for apologising. It shows you are still a professional, despite the occasional slip up.

@fusrodah said:

I was glad you apologized right away and hope we get more Lantern Run in the future.

There need be no deaths if we turn back now...

I didn't actually stick around to hear what was said but I would imagine you didn't mean to say it.

You're classy as hell to own it, sir. Know that.

No problem, Ryan.

Video Games; confirmed this day to turn people into terrible monsters.

We all say stupid shit when we're mad, man. It doesn't make it okay but the fact you instantly recognized your fault, and are working so hard to apologize shows more about your character then your slip up.

I was glad you apologized right away and hope we get more Lantern Run in the future.

Much Respect sir.

It's alright. You owned up to it immediately. I respect that.

What did he say? I understand he might not feel comfortable detailing this, but I feel without this knowledge, this blog post is difficult to completely assimilate.

I can say we all say some things that have been immediately regretted. It's human nature. Just gotta grow from it.

Sorry if this sounds like hippy philosophy.

Too bad I completely missed what was said, but thanks for apologizing anyway!

It happens to the best of us man, you acknowledged it was a mistake, and we believe you. No hard feelings.

@Sin4profit said:

Video Games; confirmed this day to turn people into terrible monsters.

Video games don't. Frustrating video games do.

I understand how that word could be offensive to some in "my group" even though it isn't to me.

It was clear that you realised you made a mistake immediately and I doubt that any, even those that are offended by that word, feel that you hold ill will towards any minority.

HAve no idea what happened but glad you are owning up to it

I was making dinner during the stream and popping in and out so I missed this. I don't know what you said, but the specifics seem unimportant. Giant Bomb has always been one of my favorite sites because of the professionalism, or at least the Giant Bomb version of that word. You guys know the difference between respectful ribbing and using language that excludes people which would lower the site and the community in my eyes. Whatever it is that you said, I'm glad that it's being handled in this way.

dude, it's O.K. for you to be a human being like the rest of us

Apologizing is more than most people do when they say it and that alone shows that you are a good man. 

Apology accepted. We all have those moments, but it takes a bigger man to own up to those mistakes. Let this be a shining example to us all, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for your apology and for this line

Context is meaningless, because that word comes with too much of its own hurtful baggage to ever possibly justify

in particular, so hopefully people will understand why it's a big deal.

Ryan i'm sure its all fine. People who get offended and all hurt by words need to grow up. You said it out of frustration towards an sprite in a video game, something i'm sure 99% of us have done especially if you're of the NES era of games. Words can't hurt you. I'm a fat fuck and you know what? I'd much rather be called a fat fuck than get punched in the face or shot. I can brush the words off, much harder to brush off a wicked right cross or a .45 slug. We need to break through this PC nonsense and oversensitivity to words.

What was even said?