9-Year-Old Chiefs Fan’s Family Sues Deadspin Over Face Paint Controversy

The mother and father of a 9-year-old Chiefs fan declare a Deadspin article accusing the younger boy of sporting blackface to a Kansas Metropolis recreation earlier this yr has made their lives a dwelling hell … and now they’re dragging the media outlet to courtroom over it.

The parents of Holden Armenta — Raul and Shannon Armenta — filed the go well with towards the sports activities media firm on Tuesday in Delaware … alleging Carron Phillips‘ story about Holden again in November was flat-out defamatory.

You may recall, Holden painted one aspect of his face black, and the opposite aspect purple in assist of his favourite Chiefs workforce as they took on the Raiders in Las Vegas on Nov. 26. In response to the go well with, when cameras confirmed solely the black aspect of Holden’s noggin throughout the recreation’s broadcast, Phillips took to his keyboard to demand the NFL take motion towards the kid.

The Armentas declare the article posted to Deadspin remarked on how face paint made it appear to be Holden had “found a way to hate Black people and the Native Americans at the same time.” The Armentas additionally mentioned Phillips wrongfully implied that Holden might have been “taught” the alleged “racism and hate” at house.

The Armentas mentioned none of it was true — writing within the go well with that Holden wore his gameday outfit for no different cause than to point out his love for Kansas Metropolis. They added that Holden is Native American himself.

Within the go well with, the Armentas mentioned they requested Deadspin repeatedly to retract the story and concern a mea culpa — however they declare the outlet refused to again down.

They are saying it is all triggered “enormous damage” — alleging they acquired dying threats and quite a few messages containing hateful language. Additionally they mentioned Raul’s been compelled to think about transferring his household out of state — whereas Holden’s grades have dropped at school. The Armentas declare Holden “has shown emotional damage from the onslaught of negative attention” as effectively.

They’re now suing Deadspin for unspecified damages.