Geraldo Rivera Wavers On ‘Hoodie’ Apology

Loop21 columnist Keli Goff appears on Rivera’s radio show today to discuss controversy

Days after a rather hefty Twitterverse chastisement, Fox News Channel commentator and radio host Geraldo Rivera is apologizing for suggesting Trayvon Martin’s shooting death was brought on by his choice to wear a hooded sweatshirt.

The Associated Press reports Rivera issued the apology, after a conversation with his oldest son, Gabriel Rivera, who expressed his embarrassment.

“He had never, ever used language like that,” Geraldo said. “It was like, ‘Whoa, what have I done that would make my son say that?’”

But Geraldo seemed to not really apologize for the content of his original off-color remarks.

“I apologize for the language,” he said. “I don’t apologize at all for the substance of my advice. I was trying to save lives.”

Martin, the 17-year-old at the center of the national story, was shot by 28-year-old George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, who pursued the hoodie-wearing teen in a Sanford, Fla. gated community.

[GET THE LATEST NEWS ON THE TRAYVON MARTIN CASE]

The “hoodie” has emerged as a central point of discussion in the Miami teen’s case, which has sparked large demonstrations during which thousands of participants have donned “Trayvon’s hoodie.”

Geraldo’s comments last week sent social media users, supporters of Martin, into a frenzy:

“I am urging the parents of black and Latino youngsters particularly to not let their children go out wearing hoodies. I think the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin’s death as George Zimmerman was.”

Loop21 columnist Keli Goff was scheduled to appeared on River’s syndicated radio show Wednesday afternoon. Stay tuned for highlights of their conversation.

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