NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Former ESPN broadcaster Keith Olbermann once again sparked backlash on social media Wednesday after calling the late legendary college football coach Lou Holtz a “legendary bastard” in an X-rated post the day Holtz was announced dead.
“Legendary bastard, yes,” Olbermann wrote in response to a clip of Holtz criticizing former President Joe Biden in 2020 for his support of abortion rights.
Olbermann received scathing criticism in response to his X post.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
“You are a bastard who needs mental help,” one X user wrote to Olbermann.
One user echoed the sentiment, writing to Olbermann: “You are the real bastard here. Lou Holtz had more class, integrity and true decency in his little finger than you will ever show in your lifetime.”
Another user wrote: “You are a grumpy, lonely, godless man. Everything Lou Holtz was not.”
Keith Olbermann speaks onstage during the Olbermann Panel during the ESPN portion of the 2013 Summer Television Critics Association Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 24, 2013, in Beverly Hills, California. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Olbermann has made a habit of sharing politically charged, often combative and ridiculed far-left statements on social media, usually resulting in immense backlash.
After the U.S. men’s hockey team won gold, Olbermann sharply criticized the team for accepting an invitation from President Trump to the State of the Union address. Olbermann wrote on
In January, Olbermann attacked Kaitlynn Wheeler, a former University of Kentucky swimmer, for celebrating a rally for women’s rights outside the U.S. Supreme Court during oral arguments in two cases focused on the legality of male biological trans athletes in women’s sports.
Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz listens before receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in Washington, DC, December 3, 2020. (Doug Mills/The New York Times/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“It’s always about finding an excuse for a life wasted trying to make it in sports without talent,” Olbermann wrote in response to Wheeler’s post.
In 2025, Olbermann faced significant backlash after posting (and then deleting) a message on
Holtz was a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, even saying in February 2024 that Trump must “make America great again!” »
Towards the end of Trump’s first term, shortly after former President Joe Biden After defeating him in the 2020 election, Trump awarded Holtz the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor.
After Holtz’s death was announced Wednesday, several GOP figures paid tribute to the coach on social media.
Those GOP lawmakers included Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.; Todd Young, R-Ind.; Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; And Lindsey GrahamSRC; Reps. Greg Murphy, R-N.C.; David Rouzer, RN; Erin Houchin, R-Ind.; and Steve Womack, R-Ark.; and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis; Indiana Governor Mike Braun; U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon; and Rudy Giuliani.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz speaks at the America First Policy Institute’s America First Agenda Summit at the Marriott Marquis on July 26, 2022. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc.)
At the time of publication, prominent Democratic leaders remained silent on Holtz’s passing, including prominent Democrats with football backgrounds.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who worked as an assistant high school football coach; Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., who was a recruiting target for Holtz in 1986 as a college candidate; Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, who played in the NFL; and Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Ill., who played football for the University of Illinois, did not post a message acknowledging Holtz’s death.
Related article
