Delaware judge has rejected Deadspin’s attempt to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by the family of a young Kansas City Chiefs fan falsely accused of racism in an article by the sports website. The case involves 9-year-old Holden Armenta, whose game-day attire at a Chiefs vs. Raiders matchup was misrepresented by Deadspin to claim racial insensitivity.
Holden, an avid Chiefs fan with Chumash-Indian heritage, attended the game in November wearing a Chiefs jersey, a Native American headdress, and his face painted half-red and half-black. The article, written by Deadspin’s Carron Phillips, selectively used an image showing only the black-painted side of Holden’s face to accuse the boy and his family of racism, alleging that Holden had “found a way to hate Black people and Native Americans at the same time.”
The lawsuit, filed by Holden’s parents, Raul and Shannon Armenta, argues that Phillips’ article defamed their son and subjected the family to widespread online harassment, including death threats. The family has called for a retraction and apology, but Deadspin only issued minimal revisions to the article, sparking the lawsuit.
Superior Court Judge Sean Lugg ruled that Deadspin’s statements about Holden were provably false and crossed the line from opinion to defamation. “Deadspin used an image of a child’s passionate fandom as a backdrop for its critique of the NFL’s diversity efforts, but in doing so, made false accusations that are actionable,” Lugg wrote. He also rejected Deadspin’s argument that the lawsuit should be heard in California, where the family resides, instead of Delaware, where Deadspin’s former parent company is incorporated.
The Armentas’ legal team, led by attorney Elizabeth Locke, is prepared to move forward with the case. “Deadspin and Carron Phillips have shown no remorse for using a 9-year-old boy as a political football,” Locke stated, expressing confidence in presenting the case to a jury.
Deadspin, which has since been sold and seen its entire staff laid off, now faces the prospect of a full trial. The Armenta family remains determined to hold the publication accountable for the harm caused by the false accusations.
