Steve Rannazzisi’s Buffalo Wild Wings Ads Pulled After 9/11 Lie

Published on September 18, 2015.

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The fallout has been major, and with good reason, for comedian Steve Rannazzisi after he finally admitted that he had lied about his survival story from the 9/11 attacks.

Via a statement through his publicist, Rannazzisi stated: “I was not at the Trade Center on that day. I don’t know why I said this. This was inexcusable. I am truly, truly sorry. For many years, more than anything. I have wished that, with silence, I could somehow erase a story told by an immature young man. It only made me more ashamed. How could I tell my children to be honest when I hadn’t come clean about this?”

At the time of his admission Buffalo Wild Wings released a statement regarding their endorsement deal with The League star: “We are disappointed to learn of Steve’s misrepresentations regarding the events of September 11, 2001. We are currently re-evaluating our relationship with Steve pending a review of all the facts.” Now, the company has decided to pull his ads off the air, seemingly ending their deal with the disgraced comedian and actor: “Upon careful review, we have decided to discontinue airing our current television commercials featuring Steve Rannazzisi.”

While the backlash has been great for Rannazzisi, fellow comedian Pete Davidson, who lost his father on 9/11, tweeted out personally forgiving Rannazzisi for his lies, even adding a joke. “It’s ok @SteveRannazzisi people make mistakes…Can’t wait to meet my dad for lunch later. Take it easy on [him]…He reached out to me and is truly sorry.”