Judge Makes Crucial Ruling on Media’s Written Assault on Young Football Fan Wearing Facepaint

A judge has determined that a written assault on a young football fan wearing facepaint in honor of his team and his heritage by Deadspin, in the words of a column on its pages, is actionable.

A report from the Associated Press said the judge found the “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,” actually crossed the line of protected speech.

“Having reviewed the complaint, the court concludes that Deadspin’s statements accusing H.A. of wearing black face and Native headdress ‘to hate black people and the Native American at the same time,’ and that he was taught this hatred by his parents, are provable false assertions of fact and are therefore actionable.”

The decision is from Delaware Superior Court Judge Sean Lugg, who rejected Deadspin’s demand that the lawsuit by the family of the child be dismissed. . .

Case was brought by Californians Raul Armenta Jr. and his wife, Shannon, on behalf of their son, Holden, 9. (Read more from “Judge Makes Crucial Ruling on Media’s Written Assault on Young Football Fan Wearing Facepaint” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr