Too little, too late? GQ writer apologizes for saying he wanted to 'beat [Pat Smith] to death'

Sarah D. | 4:44 PM on July 19, 2016

https://twitter.com/freedarko/status/755425831669735425

In case you missed it, last night, sportswriter Nathaniel Friedman, aka Bethlehem Shoals, caused an uproar with his reaction to Pat Smith’s speech at the RNC:

https://twitter.com/realkingrobbo/status/755285350155706368

Here’s a sample of the blowback:

https://twitter.com/gradearadio/status/755421383719579648

https://twitter.com/JJBoomBoom1776/status/755426344196902912

https://twitter.com/TexasYankee001/status/755366520520314881

https://twitter.com/_Arcy__/status/755373120635088896

https://twitter.com/Drew_Homan/status/755377759451504640

It took a while for Friedman to consider the possibility that he’d done something wrong.

https://twitter.com/freedarko/status/755204014946394112

https://twitter.com/freedarko/status/755209320363532288

https://twitter.com/freedarko/status/755392044969955328

But he got there eventually, at least:

https://twitter.com/freedarko/status/755460519969034240

https://twitter.com/freedarko/status/755461104298446848

Friedman’s apology concludes with this:

Under no circumstances is it okay to invoke violence against women. As outraged as I was by parts of Pat Smith’s speech, to use this kind of language as a means of expressing that feeling was completely out of bounds. I also completely understand how, regardless of my intent, it was extremely triggering for a lot of people. And for that I am genuinely sorry.

I’ve also heard a lot this morning from people on the other side of the political spectrum. While I may disagree with these people on a number of matters, I know that what I wrote is utterly indefensible. The last thing this country needs is statements that make the climate even more toxic and divisive.

I generally believe the world to be a messy, confusing place. But in this case, there’s no ambiguity about it: I fucked up and should have just owned that. I’ve learned my lesson and at this point all I can do is reiterate that I’m sorry and promise to do better in the future.