Writer Apologizes for Sympathetic SB Nation Article on Convicted Rapist

Jeff Arnold, a freelancer for the sports blog SB Nation, apologized yesterday for a sympathetic profile he wrote last week about convicted rapist cop Daniel Holtzclaw.

Jeff Arnold – Writer Apologizes for SB Nation Article on Convicted Rapist

The piece sparked outrage over its compassionate portrayal of the former Eastern Michigan football player, which hinted that Holtzclaw’s violent actions were a result of his failure to become an NFL player.

Daniel Holtzclaw, center, a former police officer, during his sentencing in January in Oklahoma City. Credit Pool photo by Sue Ogrocki

“I made a grave mistake,” wrote Arnold. “I accept responsibility for that.”

Arnold, who no longer writes for the blog, said “at least four editors” signed off on the piece, which took him two months to write.

Benjamin Crump, right, a lawyer, with Jannie Ligons, one of the victims of sexual assault by Daniel Holtzclaw, during a news conference outside the Oklahoma City courthouse. Credit Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

SB Nation published the story on Wednesday but took it down hours later, with editorial director Spencer Hall saying that the story’s publication represented “a complete breakdown of a part of the editorial process at SB Nation” and that the story was “a complete failure.”