Ex-ESPN Writer says slur was 'honest mistake' February 20, 2012 -- Updated 1816 GMT (0216 HKT) Former ESPN employee Anthony Federico tells the New York Daily News, "I'm so sorry" He wrote a headline that included the phrase "Chink in the Armor" Basketball sensation Jeremy Lin did not think the slur was on purpose and does not care anymore Federico tells the paper he is proud of his career at ESPN New York (CNN) -- Former ESPN writer Anthony Federico apologized Monday for writing an offensive headline about basketball sensation Jeremy Lin, calling it "an honest mistake." The controversial headline read "Chink in the Armor: Jeremy Lin's 9 Turnovers Cost Knicks in Streak-stopping Loss to Hornets." The phrase -- Chink in the Armor -- contains a word that has two meanings; one is an ethnic slur. "I'd love to tell Jeremy what happened and explain that this was an honest mistake," Federico told the New York Daily News in an interview published Monday. ESPN fired Federico and suspended Max Bretos, an anchor who used the same phrase, the sports network said Sunday. Federico told the paper, "ESPN did what they had to do." The ESPN headline Saturday morning was up for 35 minutes before being removed, but the damage was done. ESPN apologized Saturday stating, "We again apologize, especially to Mr. Lin. Federico offered a similar apology in the interview with the Daily News. I'm so sorry that I offended people. I'm so sorry if I offended Jeremy," he said. Lin, 23, came off the bench earlier this month to guide the New York Knicks to win after improbable win. Lin addressed the controversy during a news conference Sunday following the Knicks' 104-97 win over the Dallas Mavericks, the defending national champions. He said he did not think the headline was intentional. In reflecting on his time at ESPN, Federico told the New York Daily News, "I had a career that I was proud of."