Sportswriter Carron J. Phillips, known for his work with Deadspin, came under fire after accusing a young Kansas City Chiefs fan, Holden Armenta, of racism against Black people and Native Americans at the Chiefs game on Nov. 26, as reported by Dailymail.com.
However, it has been revealed that the child is of Chumash Indian heritage.
Phillips criticized Holden’s appearance at the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium, accusing him of mocking both Black people and Native Americans. The reporter highlighted the child’s Native American
headdress and “Tomahawk Chop” gesture, asserting that he had found a way to simultaneously express animosity toward both groups.“It takes a lot to disrespect two groups of people at once,” Phillips wrote for Deadspin.
The revelation that Holden has Native American roots, with a grandfather serving in the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, contradicts Phillips’ accusations. Holden’s mother, Shannon Armenta, took to Facebook to address the situation: “Just stop already. He is Native American,” Dailymail.com reported.
The incident sparked a heated debate, with critics slamming Phillips for misinterpreting the situation and pushing a narrative. Fans argued that Holden’s face was painted in the team’s colors, not blackface, and accused Phillips of intentionally deceiving readers.
Amid the controversy, photos emerged showing Holden’s face painted in the full red and black team colors, challenging Phillips’ claims. However, the reporter remained unapologetic, asserting that the situation was not harmless and doubling down on his argument.
The Kansas City Chiefs have faced increasing pressure to reconsider their team name and ban certain fan rituals, including the “Chop” motion, which some find culturally insensitive. Phillips, in his piece, criticized the NFL for not taking a more proactive stance against racism.
Holden’s mother, Shannon, disagreed with Phillips’ assessment, emphasizing that the issue had nothing to do with the NFL and accusing media outlets of creating division by selectively choosing images to highlight. Dailymail.com reached out to Phillips for his response.